Document Document Title
US07704598B2 Durable covering for chemical protection
A protective covering is described comprising at least one microporous film attached to a functional layer, the protective covering capable of inhibiting the passage of toxic substances therethrough. Preferably the functional layer is an adsorptive layer contained between two oleophobic, microporous films. Additional shell and backer layers may be added to the construction forming a protective covering having good durability, flexibility and high moisture vapor transmission.
US07704597B2 Porous film
A porous film which has a crosslinked structure and, due to this structure, has excellent resistance to film breakage at high temperatures and excellent transverse-direction shape retention even at high temperatures, uses of the film are provided. The porous film comprises a crosslinked material of a resin composition containing a polyolefin. The film has a peak of shrinkage force in a transverse direction (TD) at a temperature region of the shutdown temperature or higher of the film, and the shrinkage force as measured at the peak being 80 N/cm2 or lower.
US07704592B2 Multilayer polymeric product based on polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate and its use as a building material
A multilayer polymeric product is described, which consists of a co-extruded internal central layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) copolymer, in a quantity ranging from 80 to 90% by weight with respect to the total weight of the internal layer, mixed with polycarbonate (PC), in a quantity ranging from 10 to 20% by weight with respect to the total weight of the layer, and outer, side layers, of a blend of PET, in a quantity ranging from 15 to 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the outer layers, and PC, in a quantity ranging from 75 to 85% by weight with respect to the total weight of said outer layers, in particular for use as a building material.
US07704591B2 Cover tape and carrier tape system
A cover tape comprising at least a substrate layer and a heat sealing layer, wherein (1) an antistatic layer containing an antistatic agent and an anticorrosive agent, is formed on the heat sealing layer, or (2) the heat sealing layer side has an average surface roughness (Ra) of from 0.3 to 1.0 μm, and has an antistatic agent applied thereon to form an antistatic layer.
US07704590B2 Printing form having a plurality of planar functional zones
Imageable printing forms are irradiated by radiant energy corresponding to the image information, the energy being absorbed in the printing form. The energy coupled in this manner is available for patterning the printing form surface. A printing form having a plurality of substantially planar functional zones, which have at least one informational zone that is modifiable in accordance with image information and an absorption zone for absorbing energy from a radiation is distinguished in that a buffer zone is provided which differs at least partially from the absorption zone, receives energy from the absorption zone, and releases energy to the informational zone.
US07704588B1 Decorative tie member and method of use therefor
A decorative tie member for securing a ribbon about a gift package is disclosed. The tie member has an underside for placement against a package and a generally oppositely facing decorative surface. The tie member is provided with at least one inner opening and first and second outer openings. To secure a ribbon about a package with the tie member, a free end of the ribbon is threaded through an inner opening from the underside surface of the tie member to and through the exposed decorative surface of the tie member. The free end is then threaded back through the tie member through the tie member's first outer opening and the threading is continued until a desired excess portion of the ribbon has been threaded through the openings. The process is then repeated with the other free end of the ribbon through an inner opening and the second outer opening located on the other side of the tie member. Then, the now threaded free ends of the ribbon are grasped and pulled apart from each other to cinch the ribbon and tie member tightly against the package.
US07704587B2 Tie strips
A flexible, integrally formed tie strip for forming a loop when passed through itself comprises a plurality of identical cells formed in a strip, the cells forming generally loop-shaped enclosed apertures (10) bounded by wall portions of the cells, each aperture allowing the passage of further cells through it. The cells are further provided with one or more latching members (11) allowing passage of one cell through another in one direction but preventing passage of the cell in the reverse direction. The walls (9) bounding the apertures can be folded to a saddle shape about radial and longitudinal axes, so as to increase the width of the aperture without stretching the material of the walls, thereby facilitating the passage of a penetrating cell through the aperture of another cell. Moreover the penetrating cell is designed to fold so as to pass through still more easily. This three-dimensional deformation is promoted by a notch (15) in the rear of each aperture wall.
US07704582B2 Optical recording medium
The optical recording medium according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a reflective layer located on the upper side of the substrate and reflecting an incident laser beam, and an information recording layer located on the reflective layer. The information recording layer includes a first recording layer containing a compound in the form of AXB1-X (0.8≦X≦0.9), wherein A is Ag and B is Sb and Te, and a second recording layer containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, Sb and Ge. The laser beam is irradiated on the first recording layer prior to the second recording layer. Therefore, the optical recording medium of the present invention may provide high recording density and transmittance velocity suitable for BLU-RAY DISC system.
US07704581B2 Semi-reflective film and reflective film for optical information recording medium, optical information recording medium, and sputtering target
The present invention has been completed in view of such situation, and an object of the present invention is to find a Ag based alloy which exhibits high cohesion resistance, high light resistance, high heat resistance, high reflectivity, high transmissivity, low absorptivity, and high thermal conductivity of the level which had not been realized by the pure Ag or by the conventional Ag alloys, and on the bases of such alloy, to provide a semi-reflective film and a reflective film for an optical information recording medium provided with excellent writing/reading properties and long term reliability; sputtering target for an optical information recording medium used in depositing such semi-reflective film and the reflective film; and an optical information recording medium provided with such semi-reflective film or the reflective film.A semi-reflective film or reflective film for an optical information recording medium comprising a Ag based alloy, wherein the Ag based alloy comprises 0.005 to 0.40% (at % unless otherwise noted) of Bi and 0.05 to 5% in total of at least one element selected from Zn, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, and Sn.
US07704578B2 Disposable absorbent mat including removable portion and associated methods
An article may be used in vehicle refueling and may include a disposable mat to be draped over a portion of the vehicle adjacent the fuel filler port. The disposable mat may include a material absorbent of vehicle fuel. The disposable mat may have a line of weakness therein defining a closed geometrically shaped removable portion to permit a user to selectively separate at least part of the removable portion from adjacent portions of the disposable mat to create a correspondingly shaped internal opening to be aligned with the fuel filler port. At least one weighted body may be temporarily coupled to the disposable mat to hold the disposable mat in position over the portion of the vehicle adjacent the fuel filler port. Since the removable portion may be left in place, the mat can also serve an additional use as an absorbent mat to wipe up spills, etc. The article may have uses other than for vehicle refueling.
US07704577B2 Bag
A bag having excellent water and perspiration resistance, showing no deterioration of the skin after extended use, and having excellent light resistance, thereby experiencing no discoloration or yellowing under the sun or fluorescent lighting.
US07704575B2 Additives to eliminate bronzing of ink-jet inks
Anti-bronzing agents are added to ink-jet inks to prevent bronzing of the inks when printed on various types of media. The additive can be an amine anti-bronzing agent that is protonated when the ink-jet ink is printed on the print medium.
US07704574B2 Print media for ink-jet ink applications having improved image quality
A printing arrangement can include an ink-receiving coating applied to a media substrate, the ink-receiving coating having a coating thickness being configured to have a concentration gradient relative to the thickness. In the concentration gradient, the concentration of a cationic agent is greater in a center region of the ink-receiving coating relative to an upper region and a lower region.
US07704570B2 Polarizing plate and liquid crystal display apparatus using the same
A polarizing plate includes two transparent supports A and B; and a polarizer sandwiched between the two transparent supports A and B; wherein (i) the transparent support A is a stretched cellulose ester film (a) which contains a non-phosphoric acid ester plasticizer and substantially does not contain a phosphoric acid ester plasticizer, and wherein (ii) the transparent support B is a stretched cellulose ester film (b) which has a retardation value R0 of from 0 nm to 10 nm and a retardation value Rt of from −30 nm to 20 nm, and the retardation value R0 and the retardation value Rt are defined by the following formulas (I) and (II): Ro=(nx−ny)×d  Formula (I): Rt={(nx+ny)/2−nz}×d.  Formula (II):
US07704569B2 Method for producing film with twisted tilted alignment, film with twisted tilted alignment, and image display using same
A twist-obliquely oriented liquid crystal layer and a twist-obliquely oriented film is formed by forming an alignment layer, on a substrate, containing at least one selected from a glassy macromolecule and a silane coupling agent, performing a rubbing treatment on the alignment layer, and then applying a liquid crystal coating solution containing a chiral agent and a photopolymerizable liquid crystal composition.
US07704568B2 Sensitized photochemical switching for cholesteric liquid crystal displays
The present invention relates to photo-tunable dopant compositions comprising a photo-reactive chiral compound capable of undergoing a photochemical reaction resulting in the loss of chirality, and a triplet sensitizer. The present invention also relates to a display comprising a substrate, a liquid crystalline layer thereon, wherein the liquid crystalline layer comprises a nematic host, at least one chiral dopant, a photo-reacted compound, and a triplet sensitizer, and at least one transparent conductive layer. The present invention also relates to a method of tuning a cholesteric liquid crystal material comprising providing at least one mesogenic compound, at least one triplet sensitizer, and at least one photo-reactive chiral compound; combining the at least one mesogenic compound, at least one triplet sensitizer, and at least one photo-reactive chiral compound to form a mixture; and irradiating the mixture for a period of time.
US07704564B2 UV curing structure and process
A light curing structure and related methods are disclosed wherein a framework defining an interior space for containing an object having applied thereon a light-cured material is provided, and means associated with the framework for exposing the object to UV radiation from natural sunlight is used to cure the light-cured material. Preferred embodiments include a booth for applying and curing light-cured materials comprising a housing having a ceiling and walls that define an enclosed interior space for holding an object, means for applying a light-cured material to the object; means for preventing the exposure of the light-cured material to UV radiation during application of the light-cured material to the object, and means for exposing the light-cured material to UV radiation from natural sunlight after application of the light-cured material to the object. Apparatus and methods according to the invention are particularly suited for use with UV-cured paints in the automotive industry.
US07704560B2 Process for coating fluoroelastomer fuser member using blend of deflocculant material and fluorine-containing polysiloxane additive
A process for producing a fuser member coating including a) adding and reacting a fluoroelastomer, a crosslinking agent, a polar solvent, a fluorine-containing additive, and a deflocculant to form a coating solution, and b) providing the coating solution on the fuser member to form a fuser member coating, wherein the fluorine-containing additive includes pendant fluorinated groups.
US07704558B2 Cleaning article containing hydrophilic polymers
The invention relates to a cloth that can function as a moisturizing cleanser. When the cloth is moistened with water, it works up into a warm, sudsy cleansing lotion that feels great and works well as a facial cleansing cloth. The cloth contains water, at least one surfactant and at least one hydrophilic polymer.
US07704552B2 Process for producing chemically treated amorphous precipitated silica
Described is an improved process for producing chemically treated fillers by using a certain combination of functionalizing and hydrophobizing agents in an aqueous suspension of inorganic oxide having a pH of 2.5 or less and increasing the pH of the suspension after chemically treating the filler.
US07704549B2 Nanomaterials of composite metal oxides
Exchangeable metal ions are removed from an amorphous composite metal oxide and different metal ions are introduced to manufacture a nanomaterial of composite metal oxide. Based on this method, it is possible to reliably form composite metal oxide nanomaterials over a wide range of compositions.
US07704547B1 Carbon nanotube growth density control
Method and system for combined coarse scale control and fine scale control of growth density of a carbon nanotube (“CNT”) array on a substrate, using a selected electrical field adjacent to a substrate surface for coarse scale density control (by one or more orders of magnitude) and a selected CNT growth temperature range for fine scale density control (by multiplicative factors of less than an order of magnitude) of CNT growth density. Two spaced apart regions on a substrate may have different CNT growth densities and/or may use different feed gases for CNT growth.
US07704543B2 Conversion of amine- to carboxyl groups on solid surfaces
This invention provides a new method of obtaining a high density, reproducible and uniform coverage of a solid surface, compounds suitable for such a method and methods of preparing such compounds. This invention further relates to methods of the chemical modification (carboxylation) of solid surfaces and their subsequent use for the attachment of amine-containing molecules including DNA, proteins and other polymers.
US07704541B1 Steam crushed whole grains
A steam crushed whole grain for reducing the wetting time necessary prior to use of a whole grain baking ingredient in a baking application. A whole grain kernel is formed into a whole grain flake with a plurality of exterior fractures. As the flake is formed, the flake is exposed to steam such that an interior starch portion of the flake is heated by penetration of the steam through the fractures. As the interior starch portion is heated, the flake is partially gelatinized within a range of about 15% to about 35%. The partially gelatinized grain is then milled and crushed for use as a baking ingredient. Prior to use, the partially gelatinized whole grain baking ingredient is wetted for a time less than 4 hours as is typically recommended for traditionally processed whole grains.
US07704539B2 Method for making breads
There has been a need to develop a method for preparing a bread dough using potassium bromate, an excellent bread improver, which provides baked breads free from residual bromate without affecting the flavor and taste of the breads. It has also been desired to develop a method for making breads using such a bread dough. The present invention provides a method for preparing a bread dough, which comprises incorporating potassium bromate as an aqueous solution, in combination with ferrous sulfate and ascorbic acid in the step of forming a sponge dough such that the solubility of the incorporated potassium bromate is increased in the bread dough to facilitate chemical decomposition of bromate, so that the resulting baked breads are free from residual bromate or have a reduced content of residual bromate. Also provided is a method for making breads, which comprises baking the bread dough.
US07704538B2 Non-sticky, free-flowing comestible and a process for its preparation
A non-sticky, free-flowing product comprises a candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestible having a surface coating comprising as main ingredient a dry starch derivative selected from starch phosphate esters, hydroxyalkyl starches phosphate esters and mixtures thereof. Typically, the candied or infused, internally-moist solid comestible is selected from candied or infused ginger pieces, whole fruit or fruit pieces. The product may be used as a food ingredient, for instance in bakery products, cereal products, ice cream and dairy products.
US07704537B2 Crispy flour taquito
Frozen taquitos are made on a commercial scale by preparing a flour-based tortilla dough, shaping that dough into generally circular tortillas, baking the tortillas, applying a strip of filling to each baked tortilla, rolling the baked tortilla around the filling to form a filled tortilla, coating the tortilla with batter, frying the batter-coated filled tortillas, and freezing them. To reconstitute, the frozen taquito can be heated in a microwave oven.
US07704536B2 Acid-neutralizing agent
Acid-neutralizing agent contains substantial amount of calcium of an acid-neutralizing ability against various acid chemicals substance for humans, animals, agricultural produces, meat and poultry. And the method of producing the same are provided. An environmental friendly high speed and high press scraping treatment is applied to a calcium-containing substance represented by calcium carbonate-containing substances originating from shellfishes, to eliminate heavy metals and other contamination accumulated on the surface. A heating and baking treatment is applied separately to the different said shellfishes and calcium carbonate-containing minerals and charcoal of bamboo to the temperature and maintaining the temperature not less then the decompose point of each calcium component-containing substance, a sufficient time of heating and baking treatment from 3 hours up to 18 hours depend on materials treated. An ionization and stabilization process is applied to the decomposed calcium components substance in high temperature. A regular pulverizing process is applied to grind the said calcium-containing substance into 500 mesh sizes of powder. A Nano pulverizing process is applied to the said powder into sizes not larger then 18000000 mesh (size of Nano). A formulation process is applied to the different pulverized calcium containing powder in different percentage to formulas which suitable for different applications.
US07704535B2 Freezer to retarder to oven dough
A frozen dough comprising flour, a high yeast level comprising one or more yeast with activity covering temperature range of 33-140° F., emulsifiers, dough conditioners, stabilizers, sugar, lipid source and optionally supplemental gluten such that the frozen dough does not require a conventional proofing (proofer) step prior to freezing or prior to baking. When the frozen dough is thawed in a retarder at 33-42° F. for at least 12 hours, or at an elevated temperature of between 43-85° F. for at least 1 hour, and then baked, the baked products have good appearance, taste and texture, and a specific volume of at least 4 cc/gram.
US07704534B2 Continuous process for production of oil seed protein isolate
Oil seed protein isolates, particularly canola protein isolate, are produced continuously from oil seed meals, preferably at a high purity level of at least about 100 wt % (Nx 6.25), by a process wherein oil seed protein is continuously extracted from oil seed meal, the resulting protein solution is continuously concentrated, preferably to a protein content of at least about 200 g/L, and the concentrated protein solution is continuously mixed with chilled water having a temperature below about 15° C. to form protein micellar, which are settled in the settling vessel to provide a protein micellar mass (PMM) while supernatant overflows the vessel. The PMM, when accumulated to a desired degree, may be separated from supernatant and dried. The supernatant may be processed to recover additional oil seed protein isolate.
US07704530B2 Antimicrobially treated material and methods of preventing coloring thereof
The present invention is an antimicrobially-treated material which has a coloring preventing function and is in contact with water or moisture or contains water, comprising (A) a silver-based antimicrobial agent which dissociates silver ions in the water system and (B) a silver ion trapping agent for trapping silver ions comprising one or more kinds of compounds selected from the group consisting of purine bases, pyrimidine bases, thiabendazole, and potassium iodide, wherein a ratio of (A)/(B) is 1/1 to 100/1 by weight.
US07704528B2 Binder composition and method for processing poorly compressible drugs into tablets of predetermined hardness and friability
Tablets of a poorly compressible drug are made by direct compression using a binder composition which is a polymer, preferably a copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and vinyl acetate (VA), having a defined glass transition temperature (Tg), admixed with a plasticizer, e.g. an organic ester or polyol, which reduces the Tg of the copolymer by at least 10° C. The binder composition and the drug are directly compressed into a tablet of predetermined hardness and friability, and at an acceptable compression force.
US07704527B2 Modified release compositions of milnacipran
A milnacipran formulation that provides delayed and extended release of milnacipran has been developed. The formulation comprises milnacipran or a salt thereof; an extended release excipient, and a delayed release excipient. The formulation provides, upon administration to a human subject, a Tmax of 4-10 hours.
US07704522B2 Topical medicament
New topical medicaments are provided. The medicaments comprise menthol and camphor, preferably provided as part of a base gel, supplemented with potassium and a source of oxygen. The most preferred base gel is sold under the name SOMBRA, while the most preferred source of oxygen is a chlorite (e.g., sodium chlorite) and/or spirulina. The medicaments provide high metabolic activities and sustain those activities over prolonged periods of time, thus being useful for treating a large variety of ailments, including diabetic neuropathy, post hepatic neuralgia, scleroderma, psoriasis, strain, spasticity, headaches, neuropathy secondary to drugs, peripheral neuropathy, leg pain, muscle cramps, muscle aches and pains, bruise, sinusitis, sprain, arthritis, joint pain (arthralgia), and edema.
US07704521B2 Rumen protected essential amino acids
Use of essential amino acid imines and compositions containing them as a source of rumen protected essential amino acids for ruminant animals. Preferred are histidine and methionine.
US07704516B2 Percutaneous composition comprising 4-hydroxy tamoxifen
Pharmaceutical compositions of 4-hydroxy tamoxifen, particularly compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, are useful in methods for treating and preventing breast cancer. When percutaneously administered to a patient's breasts, 4-hydroxy tamoxifen concentrates locally, and exerts an anti-estrogenic effect. In patients with breast cancer, this effect reduces tumor tissue proliferation. In patients at risk for developing breast cancer, the anti-estrogenic effect prevents breast tumor formation.
US07704514B2 Vaccines
The invention refers to an improved vaccine against infections with pathogens, especially viral pathogens, comprising an antigen, a peptide of the formula R1—XZXZN-XZX—R2 and an immunostimulatory deoxynucleic acid containing deoxyinosine and/or deoxyuridine residues.
US07704511B2 Methods for treating headache
The present invention features methods for selecting a patient with an enhanced therapeutic response to a botulinum toxin treatment of a headache. In some embodiments, the methods comprise the step of identifying a patient who is not using a prophylactic headache pain medication, a patient who is overusing an acute pain medication, a patient who suffers four or more hours of headache pain per headache, a patient who has a chronic daily headache for twenty or more years, and/or a patient who has twenty or more headache days out of a 30-day-month.
US07704510B2 Cytomegalovirus surface protein complex for use in vaccines and as a drug target
Immunogenic compositions and prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines for use in protecting and treating against human cytomegalovirus (CMV) are disclosed. Subunit vaccines comprising a human CMV protein complex comprising pUL128 or pUL130, and nucleic acid vaccines comprising at least one nucleic acid encoding a CMV protein complex comprising pUL128 or pUL130 are described. Also disclosed are therapeutic antibodies reactive against a CMV protein complex comprising pUL128 or pUL130, as well as methods for screening compounds that inhibit CMV infection of epithelial and endothelial cells, methods for immunizing a subject against CMV infection, methods for determining the capability of neutralizing antibodies to inhibit human CMV infection of cell types other than fibroblasts, and methods of diminishing an CMV infection.
US07704508B2 Babesia subtilisin
Provided is an isolated and purified protein produced by a naturally occurring Babesia sp. comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 and an isolated and purified nucleic acid encoding the above protein. Additionally provided is an isolated and purified nucleic acid comprising at least 20 nucleotides having a sequence 100% identical to a portion of SEQ ID NO:2 or its complement. Further provided is an antibody preparation comprising an antibody that specifically binds to the above protein. Also provided are methods of diagnosing a Babesia sp. infection in a mammal, methods of determining whether a blood preparation is contaminated with a Babesia sp., methods of determining whether a blood preparation is contaminated with a Babesia sp., and methods of treating a mammal infected with a Babesia sp., the method comprising inhibiting the production or activity of the protein comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% identical to SEQ ID NO:1 by the Babesia sp. in the mammal. Additionally provided are methods of screening a compound for treating an infection by a Babesia sp.
US07704507B2 Anticancer vaccine and diagnostic methods and reagents
The invention provides a method for vaccinating a patient against a malignancy comprising introducing a protein or peptide comprising of all or an immunogenic fragment of a cyclin protein into the patient. The invention further provides a method of identifying tumor antigens.
US07704506B2 Fcε-PE chimeric protein for targeted treatment of allergy responses a method for its production and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same
The present invention generally relates to a new approach for the therapy of allergic responses, based on targeted elimination of cells expressing the FcεRI receptor by a chimeric cytotoxin FC2′-3-PE40. A sequence encoding amino acids 301-437 of the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule was genetically fused to PE40—a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The chimeric protein, produced in E. coli, specifically and efficiently kills mouse mast cell lines expressing the FcεRI receptor, as well as primary mast cells derived from bone marrow. The present invention provides a chimeric protein for targeted elimination of FcεRI expressing cells especially useful for the therapy of allergic responses. The said chimeric protein is comprised of a cell targeting moiety for FcεRI expressing cells and a cell killing moiety. The preferred killing moiety is the bacterial toxin Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE). This Pseudomonas exotoxin is a product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The present invention also relates to a method for the preparation of said protein. This chimeric protein is prepared by genetically fusing the Fc region of the mouse IgE molecule to PE40, a truncated form of PE lacking the cell binding domain. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, for the treatment of allergic diseases and for the treatment of hyperplasias and malignancies, comprising as an active ingredient the above mentioned chimeric protein and a conventional adjuvant product.
US07704499B2 Antibodies against a peptide epitope of apoliporotein B
The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of such antibodies.
US07704497B2 Molecules with extended half-lives, compositions and uses thereof
The present invention provides molecules, including IgGs, non-IgG immunoglobulins, proteins and non-protein agents, that have increased in vivo half-lives due to the presence of an IgG constant domain, or a portion thereof that binds the FcRn, having one or more amino acid modifications that increase the affinity of the constant domain or fragment for FcRn. Such proteins and molecules with increased half-lives have the advantage that smaller amounts and or less frequent dosing is required in the therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic use of such molecules.
US07704496B2 Antibodies against PRO1341 polypeptide
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.
US07704495B2 Process for producing cartilage cells for transplantation
This invention is intended to provide a method to quickly obtain a large amount of normal human chondrocytes or a mass thereof without fear of bacterial or viral infection. Namely, a method of producing human chondrocytes characterized by comprising co-culturing chondrocytes obtained from a cartilage having perichondrium, for example, auricular cartilage together with the perichondrium; and a method of producing human chondrocytes characterized by comprising monolayer or multilayer seeding the cultured cells once or more and culturing to give a chondrocyte mass.
US07704491B2 Recombinant human metapneumovirus and its use
Recombinant HMPV (rHMPV) and related immunogenic compositions and methods are provided. The rHMPVs, including chimeric and chimeric HMPV vectors viruses, provided according to the current disclosure are infectious and attenuated in permissive mammalian subjects, including humans. The rHMPVs are useful in immunogenic compositions for eliciting an immune response against HPIV, against one or more non-HMPV pathogens, or against a HMPV and a non-HMPV pathogen. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a recombinant HMPV genome or antigenome.
US07704490B2 Method for inducing selected useful activities of IL-2 in a patient with peptides from IL-2
The present invention relates to new peptides of IL-2, and derivatives thereof and their use as therapeutic agents.
US07704489B1 Method of photocatalytic nanotagging
A nanotagged chemical structure comprising a chemical structure with an associated photocatalyst and a tagging nanoparticle (a nanotag) grown in proximity to the photocatalyst, and a method for making the nanotagged chemical structure. The nanoparticle is grown in proximity to the photocatalyst by using a photocatalytic reduction reaction.
US07704485B1 System and method for processing fuel for use by a fuel cell using a micro-channel catalytic hydrogen separator
A power generation system and a fuel processor for use within a power generation system. A common hydrocarbon fuel is introduced into the heated reaction chamber along with water vapor. The hydrocarbon fuel and water react, producing less complex resultant gases. The resultant gases are passed into a hydrogen separator. The hydrogen separator separates hydrogen from the resultant gases. The separated hydrogen is used to power a fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity and water that can be recycled back into the system. A standard hydrocarbon fuel can therefore be used to power a fuel cell in a highly efficient, singe-step process.
US07704484B2 Method for producing hydrogen by using different metals
A method for producing hydrogen by using different metals includes: providing a metal of lower reduction potential as an anode metal and a metal of higher reduction potential as a cathode metal, then immerse the anode metal and the cathode metal in an electrolyte, while the anode metal and the cathode metal can be combined with appropriate steps before or after being immersed in the electrolyte, whereby hydrogen and side-products generated from a reaction of electrochemistry caused by reduction potential difference between the different metals, that is, the method for producing hydrogen is through spontaneous chemical reaction without extra energy consumption.
US07704480B2 Method for making carbon nanotube yarn
A carbon nanotube yarn includes a number of carbon nanotube yarn strings bound together, and each of the carbon nanotube yarn strings includes a number of carbon nanotube bundles that are joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force, and each of the carbon nanotube bundles includes a number of carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to each other. A method for making the carbon nanotube yarn includes soaking the at least one carbon nanotube yarn string drawn out from a carbon nanotube array in an organic solvent to shrink it and then collecting it.
US07704475B2 Zeolite catalyst with improved NOx reduction in SCR
The present invention is directed to a novel metal-promoted zeolite catalyst, a method of producing the catalyst and a method of using the catalyst for the selective catalytic reduction of NOx with improved hydrothermal durability. The novel metal-promoted zeolite is formed from a low sodium zeolite and is hydrothermally treated after metal ion-exchange.
US07704472B2 Air pollutant control system and method for removing mercury in flue gas
An air pollutant control system comprises: a denitration apparatus that reduces nitrogen oxide in flue gas discharged from a coal combustion boiler, and that sprays hydrogen chloride into the gas to oxidize mercury, an air heater that recovers heat in gas, a dust collector that reduces dust in gas, a desulfurization apparatus that reduces sulfur oxide in gas from which the dust has been reduced, a hydrogen chloride vaporizer that evaporates concentrated hydrochloric acid to obtain the hydrogen chloride, and a hydrochloric acid neutralization tank where dilute hydrochloric acid discharged from the hydrogen chloride vaporizer or the concentrated hydrochloric acid is neutralized with an alkali agent. Neutralized chloride is supplied to a fuel feeder, mixed with a fuel, and then burned as a fuel in a boiler to produce hydrogen chloride in flue gas. Together with sprayed hydrogen chloride derived from the hydrogen chloride vaporizer, the mercury is reduced.
US07704466B2 Self-propagating combustion cyclone reactor
A self-propagating combustion cyclone reactor includes a reaction chamber delimited by a circumferential wall in which at least one reductant inlet and a plurality of oxidizer inlets are formed in a tangential manner. Reductant and oxidizer are fed, together with inert gas, through the inlets into the chamber in a cyclonic manner to induce self-propagating combustion reaction to generate a product of high purity metal, such as titanium, zirconium, hafnium, or silicon, semiconductor substance. The reactor serves as a continuous reactor for generation of metal or semiconductor substances of high purity.
US07704463B2 Low voltage ultraviolet HVAC light
This UV light system for use in a central air handling unit of a heating or air conditioning system includes a UV light source and is adapted for operation on, and receives power from, an approximately 24VAC low voltage power supply for a thermostat of the heating or air conditioning system. In its preferred embodiments it is provided with a mounting system including a bendable “Z” shaped mounting bracket, which bracket can be bent to multiple angles allowing the UV light source to be positioned in numerous ways within the central air handling unit. It is preferably packaged in a cylindrical packing case where the elongate cylindrical emitter portion of the UV light source is aligned with the axis of the case.
US07704461B2 Virtual sorbent bed systems and methods of using same
Virtual sorbent bed systems and methods for receiving contaminants from a waste stream are presented. In an embodiment, the virtual sorbent bed system comprises an outlet for introducing into the gas stream a material capable of receiving contaminants, a first charged DC electrode oriented substantially peripheral to the gas stream and normal to the flow of the gas stream; a second charged DC electrode oriented substantially peripheral to the gas stream and normal to the flow of the gas stream, wherein the first DC charged electrode and the second charged DC electrode cooperatively generate a first electric field that imparts a drift velocity to the material; and a plurality of charged AC electrodes oriented substantially peripheral to the gas stream and normal to the flow of the gas stream, wherein the charged AC electrodes generates a second electric field that imparts additional three-dimensional motion to the material.
US07704460B2 Gas separation device
A gas separation apparatus includes an irradiation chamber for receiving a gas. An irradiation device irradiates the gas within the irradiation chamber for causing molecules of the gas to break apart into larger and smaller constituent components. A separation arrangement separates the larger and smaller constituent components from each other within the irradiation chamber by forcing the larger and smaller constituent components toward different regions of the irradiation chamber. An outlet removes the smaller constituent components from the irradiation chamber.
US07704458B2 Reaction plate adaptor apparatus
A reaction vessel support device for mounting on a magnetic stirrer hotplate. The modular device comprises a base unit capable of positioning and seating at the reaction hotplate, and an insert formed non-integrally with the base unit comprising a reaction vessel receiving portion capable of seating and locating about a portion of a reaction vessel. At any one time, the base unit is capable of accommodating a plurality of different shaped and sized inserts each insert being configured to seat and support a specific reaction vessel of particular shape and size. The device therefore serves as a magnetic stirrer hotplate adapter.
US07704456B2 NOx removal catalyst management unit for NOx removal apparatus and method for managing NOx removal catalyst
To provide an NOx removal catalyst management unit for use with an NOx removal apparatus, the management unit detecting an NOx removal catalyst layer that is actually deteriorated, whereby the deteriorated catalyst layer can be effectively replaced by a new catalyst layer, and to provide a method for managing the NOx removal catalyst. The management unit for managing a plurality of NOx removal catalyst layers provided in a flue gas NOx removal apparatus includes NOx measurement means 16A through 16E for determining NOx concentrations on the inlet and outlet sides of respective NOx removal catalyst layers 14A through 14D; NH3 measurement means 17A through 17E for determining NH3 concentrations on the inlet and outlet sides of the same NOx removal catalyst layers; and percent NOx removal determination means 18 for determining percent NOx removal (η) on the basis of an inlet mole ratio (i.e., inlet NH3/inlet NOx).
US07704455B2 Active air removal system operating modes of an extracorporeal blood circuit
A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.
US07704446B2 Inducing swirl in a gas flow
The present invention relates to an apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel. The apparatus may include a gas flow duct and a central body within a forward end region of the duct. The central body and the gas flow duct form an annular nozzle for the discharge of gas from the duct. A plurality of flow directing vanes are disposed about the central body to impart swirl to a gas flow through the nozzle. The flow directing vanes have substantially straight leading end portions radiating outwardly from the central body and extending along the duct. The vanes also have substantially helical trailing end portions extending helically about the central body toward the front end of the duct and transition portions joining the leading end portions to the trailing end portions. The transition portions are shaped so as to merge smoothly with both the leading end portions and the trailing end portions and to smoothly and progressively change shape between them.
US07704444B2 Method and apparatus for testing characteristics of a furnace melt
A method and apparatus for testing characteristics of a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient testing of metal temperature and composition of molten metal during the melt cycle of the metal. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace probe is reciprocated through a furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the furnace probe plug aperture, a furnace probe is inserted through the furnace probe plug aperture, the furnace probe is retracted from the aperture, and the furnace probe aperture plug is inserted into the furnace probe plug aperture.
US07704439B2 Method for making air-laid structures
A method for forming air-laid fibrous articles. The method includes the steps of providing a stream of loose air-entrained fibers, providing a core pocket assembly comprising a central foraminous forming surface and an edge foraminous forming surface, applying a first pressure to the central foraminous forming surface, applying a second pressure to the edge foraminous forming surface wherein the second pressure applied to the edge foraminous forming surface differs from the first pressure applied to the central foraminous forming surface, depositing a portion of the stream of loose air-entrained fibers on the central foraminous forming surface, and depositing a portion of the stream of loose air-entrained fibers on the edge foraminous forming surface.
US07704435B2 Apparatus and method for utilizing a universal plunger
An assembly, for stripping a medium from a mold cavity according to one embodiment of the present invention, may include a stripper shoe, a head structure, and a plunger component attaching the stripper shoe to the head structure. The plunger component may have an elongated body, a first portion with a first end, and a second portion with a second end. The second portion may be substantially perpendicular to the first portion and have an opening configured to facilitate fastening the stripper shoe to the second portion of the plunger component.
US07704432B2 Imprint lithographic method for making a polymeric structure
An imprint lithographic method for making a polymeric structure comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mold having a shape forming a mold pattern; (b) providing a substrate having a higher surface energy relative to said mold; (c) providing a polymer film on said mold, said polymer film having a selected thickness, wherein the selected thickness of the polymer film on the mold pattern is capable of forming at least one frangible region in the polymer film having a thickness that is less than the remainder of the polymer film; (d) pressing the mold and the substrate relatively toward each other to form said frangible region; and (e) releasing at least one of said mold and said substrate from the other, wherein after said releasing, said frangible region remains substantially attached to said mold while the remainder of said polymer film forms the polymeric structure attached to said substrate.
US07704430B2 Method for making a tread assembly
A method for making an article of footwear is disclosed. The method can include a number of steps where various molds are used to attach or mold a tread element onto a substrate or matrix lining. The tread element can be formed by compressing a rubber block between various molding members to cause the resulting rubber material to flow through at least one injection cavity, which penetrates through holes in the matrix lining, into at least one lug cavity disposed on the side of the matrix lining opposite to the injection cavity. The rubber material eventually enters the lug cavity and becomes attached to the matrix lining.
US07704421B2 Method for preparing dental restorations
The present invention relates to a method for preparing dental restorations from ceramic or polymeric material to achieve color and opacity gradients simulating natural dentition, wherein an ingot of ceramic or polymeric material is entirely or partially forced through a system of channels in a press mold into a mold cavity in the press mold, wherein the mold cavity corresponds to a dental restoration.
US07704419B2 Process for the preparation of urea granules
Process for the preparation of urea granules in a fluid bed granulator comprising at least one inlet for fluidization air, a distribution plate above which the fluid bed is present and sprayers that are mounted in the distribution plate, from which the urea melt is sprayed on or over the urea particles present in the fluid bed, which particles are kept in motion by the fluidization air, characterized in that the fluidization air contains very finely atomized water and in that the urea concentration of the urea melt is higher than 97 wt. %.
US07704416B2 Conductor paste for ceramic substrate and electric circuit
A conductor paste for a ceramic substrate contains a) a conductive metal powder comprising a silver powder and a palladium powder; b) a glass powder; and c) an organic solvent, wherein the conductive metal powder has an average particle diameter of not more than 1.2 μm, and the glass powder is a Bi2O3—SiO2—B2O3 type glass powder, and the content of the glass powder is in a range of from 1 to 6 wt % based on the weight of the paste.
US07704415B2 Composite material with electron-donating and electron-accepting property, method for forming the same, and their application
The present invention discloses a composite material with electron-donating and electron-accepting property is disclosed, wherein the composite material comprises a plurality of nanoparticles with electron-accepting property, a plurality of diblock copolymers, and a bi-continuous structure. Each diblock copolymer comprises a first polymer chain with electron-donating property and a second polymer chain connected with the mentioned nanoparticles. Additionally, the bi-continuous structure containing a first domain and a second domain, wherein the bi-continuous structure is self-assembled from the diblock copolymers, wherein the first polymer chain is in the first domain, and the second polymer chain and the plurality of nanoparticles are in the second domain. Furthermore, this invention also discloses methods for forming the composite material and their applications.
US07704412B2 Process for catalytic partial oxidation reactions
Partial oxidation process of liquid and/or gaseous fuels, by means of a catalytic system, preferably consisting of oxides, nitrides or oxynitrides containing one or more elements selected from Rh, Ru, Ir, Pt, Ni, Fe, Co, Cr and Cu, comprising the following steps: —premixing and, upon start-up, preheating the reagents consisting of natural gas, oxygen or air or air enriched in oxygen, optionally vapour and/or CO2, to temperatures ranging from 150 to 600° C., below the flash-point values, so that the surface rate of the reaction gases is maintained above the flame rate and the temperature of the reagent mixture in the area preceding the catalytic bed is below its flash point; —reacting the reagent mixture in the reaction zone by interaction of the catalyst, activating it at temperatures ranging from 150 to 600° C. and at space velocities ranging from 50,000 to 5,000,000 Nl reagents/L cat×h, reaching temperatures ranging from 600 to 1350° C.
US07704411B2 Phosphor
A phosphor is provided. The phosphor includes a composition represented by the formula: M1O2.aM2O.bM3X2:M4,where M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Ti, Zr, and Sn; M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; M3 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn; X is at least one halogen element; M4 is at least one element essentially including Eu2+ selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements and Mn; a is in the range of 0.1≦a≦1.3; and b is in the range of 0.1≦b≦0.25.
US07704410B2 Light-emitting device and phosphor
The present invention provides a light-emitting device having an excitation source which emits a light having a wavelength of from 420 to 500 nm and a phosphor in combination, and having a high luminance.A light-emitting device having a first illuminant which emits a light having a wavelength of 420 to 500 nm and a second illuminant which emits a visible light when irradiated with the light from the first illuminant, characterized in that the second illuminant contains a phosphor, and the object color of the phosphor satisfies L*≧90, −22≦a*≦−10, and b*≧55, in the L*, a*, b* color system.
US07704403B2 Composition of matter tailoring: system I
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
US07704401B2 Liquid treatment apparatus and liquid treatment method
A liquid treatment apparatus and a liquid treatment method are provided. The liquid treatment apparatus includes a nozzle configured to cause cavitation bubbles to be generated in liquid to be treated, and a discharger which generates discharge plasma in a region where the cavitation bubbles are generated. The liquid treatment method includes causing the cavitation bubbles to be generated in the liquid to be treated, and generating discharge plasma in the region where the cavitation bubbles are generated.
US07704397B2 Coaxial full-flow and bypass oil filter having cap with blades
A fluid filter includes a first filter, a second filter coaxial with the first filter, an inlet adjacent the first and second filters, a first outlet adjacent the inlet, and a second outlet at a distal end from the inlet and the first outlet. Further, the first and second filters may be housed in a unitary canister or a canister that has a canister body coupled to a removable canister cap. The bypass flow filter includes a cap having a plurality of blades.
US07704395B2 Multiple laminar flow-based rate zonal or isopycnic separation with holographic optical trapping of blood cells and other static components
The invention provides a method and apparatus for separating blood into components, may be expanded to include other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.
US07704390B2 Wastewater treatment system
A wastewater treatment system for removing contaminants from wastewater on a vessel using electricity. The wastewater treatment system may inject wastewater with one or more disinfectants or ionized gases, or both, to remove at least a portion of contaminants from the wastewater. The water treatment system may produce disinfectants from saltwater using one or more disinfectant generators and return the byproducts to a water body. The wastewater treatment system may also pass wastewater through an electrical coagulation unit in which an electrical current may be emitted into the wastewater, whereby flocculants are formed and cause suspended solids and other materials to settle out of the wastewater. The wastewater treatment system may include a secondary treatment system for further reducing concentrations of contaminants. In addition, the wastewater treatment system may include a solid waste treatment system for incinerating solids produced by the wastewater treatment system.
US07704389B2 Apparatus for groundwater remediation
A process for in situ groundwater decontamination within a subsurface region of earth includes: directing a liquid feed stream through a first conduit; injecting a treatment gas into the first conduit and/or a second conduit; discharging the liquid feed stream downwardly from the first conduit through an orifice restriction into the second conduit to form a confined plunging liquid jet gas and liquid contact zone in the second conduit; dissolving at least a portion of the treatment gas into the liquid feed stream in the contact zone to form an enhanced gas concentration liquid stream; passing the enhanced gas concentration liquid stream downwardly from the contact zone; and passing the enhanced gas concentration liquid stream from the second conduit into the groundwater. A device for performing this process is also disclosed.
US07704386B2 Filter assembly
A filter assembly (10) for a floor drain including a strainer (11) adapted to be located in the floor drain and a filter basket (13) detachably secured to the strainer (11) on the underside thereof to extend into the floor drain to filter liquid passing through the strainer (11). The strainer (11) includes an upper set of slots (19) and a lower set of slots (18) and may be secured to the strainer (11) by a fastener (29) or frictionally engaged with the strainer (11).
US07704385B2 Water treatment system
An aeration-less water treatment system includes an anaerobic treatment tank which subjects sewage supplied by a pump to anaerobic treatment by causing the sewage to upflow, and an aerobic treatment tank which subjects anaerobically treated water to aerobic treatment by letting the anaerobically treated water to downflow by natural downflow. The aerobic treatment tank includes an aerobic filter bed section in which carriers to which aerobic microorganisms are adhered are arranged. The aerobic filter bed section subjects the anaerobically treated water to decomposition treatment by putting the anaerobic treatment water in contact with the aerobic microorganisms adhered to surfaces of the carriers. The aerobic filter bed section is provided with an air port which takes in air into under normal pressure, thereby activating the aerobic microorganisms.
US07704382B2 Gravity type fiber filter
The present invention provides a gravity fiber filter, comprising: a filter tank placed in a portion of a large amount of running water; at least one unit filter disposed in the filter tank; a filtered water collecting tank disposed in a lower portion of the filter tank; a discharging pipe extended from the filtered water collecting tank to the height lower than a influent inlet of the filter tank, so that the height of the extended discharging pipe is defined as a height of starting filtration; a sensor; a air inflow pipe through which a backwash air flows in from outside to a lower portion of the filter tank; a control means controlling the operation of filtering and backwashing; and backwash water discharging pipe.
US07704376B2 Fouling inhibition of thermal treatment of heavy oils
The use of water-soluble aromatic polysulfonic acid salts for inhibiting fouling in process equipment used in the thermal treatment of heavy oils.
US07704375B2 Process for reducing corrosion in a condensing boiler burning liquid fuel
The invention relates to a process for operating a condensing boiler in which the fuel is a Fischer-Tropsch product which boils for more than 90 wt % between 160 and 400° C. and contains more than 80 wt % of iso and normal paraffins, less than 1 wt % aromatics, less than 5 ppm sulfur and less than 1 ppm nitrogen and wherein the density of the Fischer-Tropsch product is between 0.65 g/cm3 and 0.8 g/cm3 at 15° C.
US07704373B2 Waste fluid or waste water treatment method and its apparatus
A method for electrochemical oxidation decomposition of difficult to decompose compounds such as aromatic compounds, organic chlorine compounds, agricultural chemicals, dioxin, PCB's and water soluble polymers that are contained in waste fluid, such as print developing waste fluids, factory waste water and industrial waste water, and landfill soil seeping waste water by carrying out electrolysis at a high current density to eliminate and purify difficult to decompose substances in the waste fluid. Waste fluid containing difficult to decompose substances is introduced into an electrolytic chamber having a ferrite electrode anode, electrolysis is performed at a high current density of 10 A/dm2 or higher, hypohalogenous acid and active oxygen are generated in the waste fluid along with a strong anode oxidation action being brought about, and the oxidation decomposition is repeated by re-circulating the waste fluid through a filter, electrolyzer and an intermediate collecting chamber.
US07704367B2 Method and apparatus for plating semiconductor wafers
First and second electrodes are disposed at first and second locations, respectively, proximate to a periphery of a wafer support, wherein the first and second location are substantially opposed to each other relative to the wafer support. Each of the first and second electrodes can be moved to electrically connect with and disconnect from a wafer held by the wafer support. An anode is disposed over and proximate to the wafer such that a meniscus of electroplating solution is maintained between the anode and the wafer. As the anode moves over the wafer from the first location to the second location, an electric current is applied through the meniscus between the anode and the wafer. Also, as the anode is moved over the wafer, the first and second electrodes are controlled to connect with the wafer while ensuring that the anode does not pass over an electrode that is connected.
US07704365B2 Metal plating process
In order to make plating thickness uniform in a metal plating apparatus, a metal plating apparatus capable of performing metal plating to a uniform thickness is provided by aligning lines of electric force uniformly and in parallel by disposing a pair of conductive perforated plates 20a and 20b, which are electrically connected to each other, between plating metals 16 immersed in a plating solution and an object 18 to be plated.
US07704363B2 Methods and apparatus for the location and concentration of polar analytes using an alternating electric field
A method is disclosed for effecting the concentration of a polar analyte in an alternating electric field. In the method, a relative translation of the polar analyte and an alternating electric field along a translation path is effected. A portion of the polar analyte is then trapped and concentrated in a concentration zone formed by the intersection of the translation path and the alternating electric field. Also disclosed are various devices for carrying out the forgoing method.
US07704362B2 Apparatus for transport and analysis of particles using dielectrophoresis
Dielectrophoresis is used to attract particles to an electrode edge then to controllably allow the transport of particles along that edge under a fluid flow to a particular region. The particles may be bacteria which may be maintained in this process in a live state through capture, transport and release.
US07704361B2 Method and apparatus for isolation of ionic species from a liquid
The present invention relates to a method for isolation of ionic species from a liquid and an apparatus for isolation of ionic species from a liquid. Moreover the invention relates to an electro enhanced dialysis cell and the use of the cell in the method and the apparatus.
US07704358B2 Oxygen sensor
An oxygen sensor includes a base body portion; and a plurality of function layers laminated on a surface of the base body portion. The function layers includes a solid electrolyte layer adapted to conduct oxygen ions; a reference electrode layer located on a base body portion side of the solid electrolyte layer; a sensing electrode layer located on the opposite side of the solid electrolyte layer to the reference electrode layer; a heater portion adapted to activate the solid electrolyte layer by heating; and a gas diffusion layer formed between the reference electrode layer and the base body portion, and adapted to diffuse a reference gas within the gas diffusion layer. The gas diffusion layer is formed to have a porosity indicating a limit current value ranging between 60 μA and 200 μA. The limit current value is a value of a current flowing between the reference electrode layer and the sensing electrode layer when the current flowing therebetween becomes substantially constant during the process of bringing a voltage applied therebetween higher.
US07704355B2 Anode for gas evolution reactions
The invention describes an improved anode suitable for being installed in chlor-alkali electrolysis cells intercalated to cathode elements provided with a diaphragm.In operation, the anode of the invention is in direct contact with the diaphragm so as to form mutually equivalent vertical channels defined by the surfaces of the plates, of the supporting sheets and of the diaphragm, allowing a predefined and controlled upward motion of the chlorine-brine biphasic mixture.
US07704352B2 High-aspect ratio anode and apparatus for high-speed electroplating on a solar cell substrate
Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a low cost solar cell using a novel high speed electroplating method and apparatus to form a metal contact structure having selectively formed metal lines using an electrochemical plating process. The apparatus and methods described herein remove the need to perform one or more high temperature screen printing processes to form conductive features on the surface of a solar cell substrate. The resistance of interconnects formed in a solar cell device greatly affects the efficiency of the solar cell. It is thus desirable to form a solar cell device that has a low resistance connection that is reliable and cost effective. Therefore, one or more embodiments of the invention described herein are adapted to form a low cost and reliable interconnecting layer using an electrochemical plating process containing a common metal, such as copper.
US07704351B2 Processing device and method of operating the device for processing a coated or uncoated fibrous web
A processing device and method applying the same for processing a coated or uncoated fibrous web is provided. The device comprises a belt configured to extend around a guiding element, at least one counter-element being disposed outside said belt to provide a contact area with the belt, such that the belt and the counter-element establish therebetween a web processing zone for passing a web to be processed therethrough. The processing zone length is defined by the disposition of the belt's guiding element and/or by the configuration of the counter-elements. The contact pressure applied to a web in the processing zone is within the range of between about 0.01 MPa and about 200 MPa.
US07704346B2 Method of fabricating a security tag in an integrated surface processing system
A method of fabricating a tag includes the steps of applying a first patterned adhesive to the surface of the substrate and applying a first electrically conductive foil to the first patterned adhesive. A portion of the first electrically conductive foil not adhered to the first patterned adhesive is removed and a second patterned adhesive is applied to a portion of a surface area of the tag. A preformed second electrically conductive foil is applied to the second patterned adhesive to adhere the second electrically conductive foil to the surface of the substrate and portions of the first and second electrically conductive foils are electrically coupled to each other to form a tag circuit. A second patterned adhesive can be disposed between the first and second electrically conductive foils.
US07704343B2 Method of manufacturing pneumatic tire and tire building machine used therefor
A method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire having an innerliner formed of thermoplastic elastomer. The method comprises the steps of: heating a surface of a tire building drum in advance; placing the innerliner on the heated surface of the tire building drum, the innerliner being cylindrically shaped and having a radially outer surface to which an adhesive has been applied; disposing uncured tire components radially outwardly of the innerliner to form a green tire; and curing the green tire.
US07704336B2 Method for treating molten metal
The invention relates to a method for treating molten metal that is contained in a metallurgical vessel, according to which a fine-grained blanket material containing silicon oxide and aluminium oxide is spread over the surface of the molten metal. The aim of the invention is to prevent the formation of dust and to facilitate the distribution of the blanket material over the surface of the molten metal. To achieve this, the blanket material consists of a synthetic zeolite material, which contains essentially equal fractions of silicon oxide and aluminium oxide. Said blanket material comprises a close grain-size distribution, in such a way that less than 20% of the grains have a diameter of less than 30 μm or greater than 125 μm. According to an additional embodiment of the invention, a vegetable ash, in particular a rice chaff ash, can be added to the blanket material.
US07704329B2 Semiconductor substrate cleaning method and semiconductor substrate cleaning machine
A semiconductor substrate cleaning method includes a first cleaning step of cleaning the surface of a semiconductor substrate with the use of a first brush and a second cleaning step of cleaning the surface of the semiconductor substrate with the use of a second brush after the first cleaning step. The second cleaning step is performed under a condition that suppresses recontamination of the surface of the semiconductor substrate in comparison with the first cleaning step.
US07704327B2 High temperature anneal with improved substrate support
A method including removing an impurity from a gas stream to a processing chamber at a point of use. An apparatus with a point of use purifier on a gas stream. An apparatus including a shelf having dimensions suitable for placement within a thermal processing including a body of a material that renders the body opaque to radiation frequency range used for a temperature measurement of a substrate in a thermal processing chamber.
US07704322B2 Microfluidic free interface diffusion techniques
A static fluid and a second fluid are placed into contact along a microfluidic free interface and allowed to mix by diffusion without convective flow across the interface. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fluids are static and initially positioned on either side of a closed valve structure in a microfluidic channel having a width that is tightly constrained in at least one dimension. The valve is then opened, and no-slip layers at the sides of the microfluidic channel suppress convective mixing between the two fluids along the resulting interface. Applications for microfluidic free interfaces in accordance with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, protein crystallization studies, protein solubility studies, determination of properties of fluidics systems, and a variety of biological assays such as diffusive immunoassays, substrate turnover assays, and competitive binding assays.
US07704316B2 Coatings for building products and methods of making same
A method of making and improving a coating formulation which includes a hydraulic binder. To the formulation is added a quantity of dewatering agent. The resultant slurry produced from said formulation may be applied to the product to be coated and dewatered through said product. Dewatering can be accomplished with or without vacuum assistance.
US07704315B2 Highly-filled, aqueous metal oxide dispersion
Aqueous dispersion containing a metal oxide powder with a fine fraction and a coarse fraction, in which—the metal oxide powder is silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, cerium oxide or a mixed oxide of two or more of the aforementioned metal oxides,—the fine fraction is present in aggregated form and has a mean aggregate diameter in the dispersion of less than 200 nm,—the coarse fraction consists of particles with a mean diameter of 1 to 20 μm, —the ratio of fine fraction to coarse fraction is 2:98 to 30:70, and—the content of metal oxide powder is 50 to 85 wt. %, referred to the total amount of the dispersion. The aqueous dispersion is produced by a process comprising the steps:—production of a fine fraction dispersion by dispersing the pulverulent fine fraction in water by means of an energy input of at least 200 KJ/m3?, and—introducing the coarse fraction in the form of a powder into the fine fraction dispersion under dispersing conditions at a low energy input. Process for the production of molded articles using the dispersion.
US07704311B2 Ink composition, manufacturing method of ink, ink set, and recording method
An ink composition, which comprises at least two kinds of water-soluble dyes, wherein at least one of the at least two kinds of water-soluble dyes is a compound selected from the group consisting of a compound represented by formula (S-1), which is described in the specification, and a salt of the compound represented by formula (S-1) and at least one of the at least two kinds of water-soluble dyes is a compound represented by formula (L-1), which is described in the specification, or a compound having a naphthalene ring substituted with at least one hydroxyl group and three or more azo groups.
US07704310B2 Trisazo-dyes with a pyrazolyl end group and their use in ink-jet printing
A compound of Formula (1) or a salt thereof: A-N═N-D-N═N—B—N═N-A/  Formula (1) wherein A is an optionally substituted aryl, heteroaryl, non-aromatic heterocyclic or alkenyl group; D is an optionally substituted, optionally metallized 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene group; B is an optionally substituted organic linking group; and A/ is an optionally substituted pyrazolyl group which does not have an aromatic group as a substituent directly attached to either of the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazolyl ring. Also provided are compositions, inks, ink sets, substrates and cartridges all containing the compound or salt and printing processes using the compound or salt. The compounds and salts are especially useful for ink-jet printing.
US07704308B2 Method of highlighting with a reversible highlighting mixture, highlighting kit, and highlighted complex
A highlightable mixture, such as an ink, including a colored pigment, an eradicable colorant, and a non-eradicable colorant; a kit including the highlightable mixture and an eradicator fluid; an colorant complex including a colorless or substantially colorless eradicable dye selected from the group consisting of diarylmethane derivatives, triarylmethane derivatives, and methine dyes, and a colored pigment; and methods of applying an eradicator to at least a portion of a marking made with a highlightable mixture, are described herein.
US07704307B2 Electroless palladium plating liquid
An electroless palladium plating liquid, with excellent bath stability, that can provide a film with excellent corrosion resistance, solder bondability, and wire bondability is provided. The invention is an electroless palladium plating liquid, containing: a water soluble palladium compound; at least one of ammonia, an amine compound, an aminocarboxylic acid compound, and carboxylic acid as a complexing agent; and bismuth or a bismuth compound as a stabilizer. Preferably the electroless palladium plating liquid further contains at least one of hypophosphorous acid, phosphorous acid, formic acid, acetic acid, hydrazine, a boron hydride compound, an amine borane compound, and salts thereof as a reducing agent.
US07704301B2 Reactive gas detection in complex backgrounds
A differential absorption spectrum for a reactive gas in a gas mixture can be generated for sample absorption data by subtracting background absorption data set from the sample absorption data. The background absorption data can be characteristic of absorption characteristics of the background composition in a laser light scan range that includes a target wavelength. The differential absorption spectrum can be converted to a measured concentration of the reactive gas using calibration data. A determination can be made whether the background composition has substantially changed relative to the background absorption data, and new background absorption data can be used if the background composition has substantially changed. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
US07704297B2 Nickel powder manufacturing method
A melt of nickel nitrate hydrate is introduced as droplets or liquid flow into a heated reaction vessel and thermally decomposed in a gas phase at a temperature of 1200° C. or more and at an oxygen partial pressure equal to or below the equilibrium oxygen pressure of nickel-nickel oxide at that temperature to manufacture a highly crystalline fine nickel powder with an extremely narrow particle size distribution. The oxygen partial pressure during the thermal decomposition is preferably 10−2 Pa or less, and a metal other than nickel, a semimetal and/or a compound of these may be added to the nickel nitrate hydrate melt to manufacture a highly crystalline nickel alloy powder or highly crystalline nickel composite powder. The resultant powder is suited in particular to thick film pastes such as conductor pastes for manufacturing ceramic multilayer electronic components.
US07704291B2 Methane gas recovery and usage system for coalmines, municipal land fills and oil refinery distillation tower vent stacks
Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) exhaust gases from coal pre-mine gob wells, land fills and oil refinery (Installations) vent stacks are used, after adequate compression, for energizing a high-speed gas turbine. The convoluting gas discharge causes a first separation stage by stratifying of heavier non-combustible and lighter combustible gas components that exit from the turbine in opposite directions, the heavier components having a second stratifying separation in a vortex tube to separate non-combustible, heaviest pollutants from non-combustible medium-heavy components. The noncombustible, medium components exit a vortex tube open end to atmosphere. The lighter combustible, pollutants (high purity Methane) effected in the first separation are piped to the Installation's engine air intake for re-combustion, thereby reducing the Installation's Methane pollution and improving its fuel economy. The non-combustible, heaviest pollutants from the second separation stage are piped to air filter assemblies. This gas stream convoluting at a high-speed through the top stator-vanes of the air filters, centrifugally separates the coalescent water, coal/carbon or silico-ethanes or sulfur particles, (PM) respectively, which collect at the bottom of the bowl, wherein it is periodically released to the site. Whereas, the heaviest gases: traces of hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide & micron size carbon, silico-ethanes or sulfur particles, respectively are released to the atmosphere.
US07704289B2 Method of operating a direct injection spark-ignited engine with a fuel composition
The present invention is directed to a method to clean up or keep clean the fuel system of a direct injection spark-ignited engine by operating the engine with a fuel composition that includes a liquid fuel and a fuel additive composition. The fuel additive composition useful in the present invention has at least one nitrogen-containing dispersant and optionally a fluidizer where the dispersant has a specific lipophilic parameter and the dispersant or the dispersant and the fluidizer have a specific hydrophilic-lipophilic parameter, the dispersant provides about 0.15 to about 50 ppm by weight nitrogen in the fuel composition, and the fluidizer and/or the dispersant provide about 10 to about 10,000 ppm by weight active components in the fuel composition. The method of the present invention is effective in controlling deposits in fuel injectors and combustion chambers of a direct injection spark-ignited engine.
US07704288B2 Water in hydrocarbon emulsion useful as low emission fuel and method for forming same
A water-in-hydrocarbon emulsion includes a water phase, a hydrocarbon phase and a surfactant, wherein the water phase is present in an amount greater than or equal to about 5% vol. with respect to volume of the emulsion, and the water phase and the surfactant are present at a ratio by volume of the water phase to the surfactant of at least about 1. A method for preparing the emulsion is also provided.
US07704283B2 Prosthetic leg
In a prosthetic leg installed with a hydraulic cylinder for adjusting bending and extension resistance of a knee joint portion, a buffer device is provided between a lower leg portion and a foot portion below the knee joint portion for displacing movably in opposite directions when the toe and the heel of the foot portion contact the ground, respectively. An extension passage and a bending passage are provided in the hydraulic cylinder, a toe grounding closing valve is provided in the bending passage, and a heel grounding closing valve is provided in the bending passage. The toe grounding closing valve and the heel grounding closing valve are connected in an interlocking manner by a closing valve connecting/operating member such that valve open/close orientations thereof are set in opposite directions. A grounding detection member is provided for detecting movable displacement of the buffer device and displacing movably when the toe or heel on the foot portion of the prosthetic leg contacts the ground, and a grounding transmission member is provided for transmitting the movable displacement of the grounding detection member to the closing valve connecting/operating member to cause the closing valve connecting/operating member to displace movably.
US07704281B2 Intervertebral implant for the lumbosacral articulation
An intervertebral implant for the lumbo-sacral joint is provided. The intervertebral implant comprises a spacer adapted to fit between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the sacral vertebra articulated thereto and a strap. The spacer comprises a body. The body comprises a top end face and a bottom end face opposite the top end face. The top end face comprises a groove that extends along a midplane of the spacer. The groove comprises a first side and a second side, wherein between the first side and the second side the groove is adapted to receive the spinous process of said lumbar vertebra. The bottom end face comprises a longitudinal housing. The longitudinal housing extends orthogonal to the groove. The longitudinal housing is adapted to receive and rest directly on a top portion of the sacral vertebra.
US07704276B2 Endoprostheses and methods of manufacture
A woven tubular endoprosthesis comprising means for locking the endoprosthesis in a deployed configuration is disclosed. The means for locking the endoprosthesis may comprise locking protrusions, notches, a chemical bond, a curable bond, or other mechanism. The woven fibers comprising the endoprosthesis may be hollow and comprise circumferentially oriented polymeric chains, and may be filled with a curable material. A method of treatment using an endoprosthesis according to the invention is also disclosed.
US07704273B1 Therapeutic cold pack
A therapeutic cold pack comprises a sleeve member adapted to accommodate a portion of the leg of an individual. Attached to a surface of the therapeutic cold pack are one or more containment bags each defining an internal volume adapted to hold a therapeutic amount of a cold substance. Each containment bag is positioned to substantially coincide with an intended part of the leg of an individual such that the cold substance provides a therapeutic cooling to that area.
US07704266B2 Vein filter
A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and the second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts with adjacent struts being joined.
US07704265B2 Disposable/single-use blade lancet device and method
Single-use blade lancet device includes a body having a rear end and a front end. A triggering mechanism has a blade tip opening and is mounted to the body. A blade member is movably mounted within the body and includes a front end and a rear end. The blade member is movable at least between a first retracted position, an extended position, and a second retracted position. A biasing arrangement biases the blade member from the first retracted position towards the extended position and then towards the second retracted position. A guiding arrangement guides the blade member while the blade member moves from the first retracted position towards the extended position and then towards the second retracted position. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07704263B2 Method and device for suture isolation
A method and device provides features for the temporary “parking” of sutures with respect to a cannula. In the preferred embodiments the features are slots that maintain tension on, and orientation of, sutures placed therein. The slots or features may be integral with the cannula or part of a separate device which may be removably affixed to the external portion of a cannula. The invention eliminates the multiple steps inherent in current suture management techniques for arthroscopic procedures, particularly rotator cuff repair and assists in tensioning/advancement of tissue into its repair site.
US07704261B2 Ligature and suture device for medical application, ligature and suture system for medical application, and ligaturing and suturing method for medical application
A ligature and suture device for medical application that ligatures or sutures biomedical tissue that has been suctioned by a suction device using a suturing member. The ligature and suture device includes an insertion portion having a lumen into which an endoscope can be inserted, and a distal end portion that is connected to the lumen and in which at least one side aperture is provided, at least one hollow needle that is able to support inside itself the suturing member, and that is placed inside the insertion portion such that a tip of the hollow needle is able to move between a first position, which is on a base end side of the side aperture, and a second position, which is on a distal end side of the side aperture, an operating section that performs an operation to move the needle, and at least one pledget that can be penetrated by the needle, and that is placed in a vicinity of the distal end of the side aperture so as to be freely removable from the distal end portion.
US07704260B2 Low profile instrument immobilizer
This document discusses, among other things, examples of a low profile instrument immobilizer and means for positioning the same. In one example, the low profile instrument immobilizer grasps, secures, and immobilizes an electrode or other instrument that extends through a burr hole in a skull to a target location in a patient's brain.
US07704258B2 Disposable intraocular lens insertion system
An intraocular lens injection system comprising an injecting device and cartridge. The cartridge comprises a lens holding portion and an outer sleeve portion. The invention includes a method of pre-loading the injecting system, particularly the cartridge, to reduce the amount of packaging, prevent damage to the intraocular lens during packaging and shipping, allow the pre-loaded injecting cartridge to be autoclaved as a unit, and eliminate the step of loading the cartridge with the intraocular lens by the end user to prevent potential damage during this step.
US07704257B2 Compression instrument
An instrument for use in moving bone fragments of a bone fracture with respect to one another is disclosed. Preferably, movement of a portion of the instrument causes translational movement of a first bone fragment with respect to a second bone fragment. In certain embodiments, the instrument is used in conjunction with a bone plate and an elongate element, such as a K-wire. Methods for utilizing the instrument and moving bone fragments with respect to each other are also disclosed.
US07704256B2 Systems and methods for injecting flowable materials into bones
A cavity creation device is introduced into a cancellous bone volume of a vertebral body through a percutaneous access path. The cavity creating device is manipulated to form a cavity in the cancellous bone volume. A volume of filling material is placed in the cavity by introducing a tube through the percutaneous access path and by conveying the filling material through a side dispensing port of the tube.
US07704254B2 Surgical sagittal saw with indexing head and toolless blade coupling assembly for actuating an oscillating tip saw blade
A surgical sagittal saw with an indexing head. The saw actuates a blade assembly that includes a bar from which a blade head extends. An oscillating head extends upwardly from the saw head. The oscillating head, in addition is mounted to the saw head to be able to rotate around its longitudinal axis and so that it can move along the saw head. A biasing spring normally holds the oscillating head in a fixed position. When the oscillating head is in the fixed position, the oscillating head holds the blade assembly against a restraining bracket integral with the saw head. Manual force is used to overcome the biasing spring to allow replacement and removal of the blade assembly.
US07704253B2 Single use resection guide
Single use or disposable cutting blocks and methods for utilizing same are disclosed. The blocks are preferably constructed of polymer and/or other suitable low cost and light weight materials. The blocks may be adapted for use with low friction cutting instruments, as well as other such cutting instruments. Several differently sized and configured blocks may be utilized to perform a single surgical procedure. In addition, kits housing one or more such blocks, with or without other instruments are possible.
US07704250B2 Instrumentation for use with dynamic multilock anterior cervical plate system having non-detachably fastened and moveable segments
An anterior cervical plating system having moveable plate segments to vary the overall length of the plate, moveable to allow and/or cause intersegmental compression of vertebral bodies, and coupled together by a non-detachable fastener. The plating system includes locking elements, each locking element adapted to lock at least two bone screws to the plate, instrumentation, and method for installation thereof. The plating system is capable of both passive and active dynamization and the ability to produce the former from the latter.
US07704248B2 Ablation device with compression balloon
A tissue ablation device includes an array of elongate electrodes configured to be deployed in tissue, wherein the deployed electrode array defines a tissue ablation region, an inflatable balloon configured to be deployed in tissue, and a coupler securing the balloon relative to the one or more elongate electrodes, wherein the balloon, when inflated, is configured to apply a force to tissue located in the tissue ablation region. An ablation device includes a first array of electrodes, a second array of electrodes, a first inflatable balloon, and a coupler securing the first balloon relative to the first and second electrode arrays. A method of ablating tissue includes positioning an array of elongate electrodes and an inflatable balloon proximate tissue to be ablated, inflating the balloon to compress a tissue region located between the balloon and the electrode array, and energizing the electrode array to ablate the tissue region.
US07704247B2 Dual fiber-optic surgical apparatus
Consistent with the present invention, a tube is provided that contains both a sensing and a laser delivery fiber to the target area. The length of the tube can be varied to any desired length. The end portion of the tube includes a second piece, which is a cap having two through holes or passages. These holes can be formed by standard machining or micromaching methods. The first hole can accommodate the sensing fiber, while the second hole contains the laser delivery fiber. The first and second holes extend in first and second directions, respectively, and form an angle therebetween such that the sensor fiber viewing area is within the radiation area created by the laser delivery fiber. Accordingly, the sensor fiber receives energy emitted from a central portion of the radiation area so that the temperature of the exposed tissue can be accurately determined.
US07704244B2 Surgical method
A method for using a smaller diameter infusion sleeve that reduces the potential for heat buildup and also provides adequate irrigation flow.
US07704243B2 Disposable absorbent article having leg wraps and method of making same
A leg wrap structure is provided in a disposable absorbent garment such as a diaper or training pants. The leg wrap structure has a base layer, a top layer, and an elastic construction disposed therebetween. The elastic construction includes a plurality of spaced apart (e.g. generally equally spaced apart) elastic elements (e.g. strands or threads) that are aligned in a generally in generally parallel relation. Further, the top and base layers define a region of inelasticity. The leg wrap structure provides for the efficient formation of a reservoir and a plurality of fluid dams each capable of capturing a quantity of fluid to minimize the occurrence of fluid leaks from the absorbent article. Methods of forming such absorbent articles are disclosed.
US07704242B2 Barrel for a tampon applicator assembly and methods of forming
A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly including molding a barrel then forming a rearward taper region in an area of the barrel is provided. The method includes molding a first portion of the barrel in a first mold part and a second portion of the barrel in a second mold part, the first and second mold parts meeting at a maximum outer dimension of the first portion, ejecting the barrel from the first and second mold parts, and forming a flared region in an area of the second portion.
US07704238B2 Medication injector apparatus with drive assembly that facilitates reset
A medication injector apparatus such as an injection pen. The injection pen includes a resettable, cartridge plunger drive assembly including an axially floating nut, a cartridge plunger engaging screw, and a drive clutch movable with the nut and which when rotated causes the screw to screw through the nut. When a cartridge assembly is mounted to the pen base, the floating nut and drive clutch are shifted proximally such that the drive clutch is in torque transmitting engagement with a rotatable drive member of the pen, such that rotation of that drive member results in drive screw advancement through the nut in the distal direction. The injection pen also may include an injection clicker assembly having a collar arranged coaxially on a drive sleeve and which oscillates axially on the drive sleeve that rotates during medication dispensing to provide an audible clicking sound that indicates injecting use of the pen.
US07704236B2 Distribution device for a supply network for supply of medical fluids to a patient
This distribution device comprises a syringe body (30), a distributor (32), a feed tube (56) for a first active medical fluid opening into the syringe body (30), a tube (60) for the injection of this active fluid connected to a distal extremity (46) of the syringe body (30), a pressurized tube (64) designed to be connected to a patient through a pressurized line (12) and a tube (66) for the measurement of venous or arterial pressure. The pressurized, injection and measurement tubes open into a chamber (62) bounded within the body (32B) of the distributor (32). The device (2) comprises a flush tube (68) which is at least partly bounded by the body (32B) of the distributor (32), which opens into the chamber (62) and is fitted with a valve (70, 80) which can be operated manually.
US07704234B2 Dynaflex
Utilizing the technology and methods disclosed, the characteristics of flexibility and rigidity for intralumenal devices, including coaxial two piece devices such as stylet and needle sets, can be adapted by the physician or device manufacturer according to the type of procedure, the patient size and unique anatomical challenges of a given procedure. Rigidity and flexibility can be actively controlled by the operator at predefined portions of a device through rotating the stylet within the cannula to bring about alignments of customized notches to impart target flexibility or rigidity profiles at specific spots on the device. The device operator may alter the relationship and orientation of specific notched and non-notched segments of either or both the stylet and cannula that are strategically located at said critical points along the length of the device.
US07704229B2 Insertion device
An insertion device, generally used with an infusion set, including a needle being adapted for puncturing at one end and including at the opposite end a hub. The hub includes a handle part and a guard part that are capable of securing the needle through the use of locks. Locking structures are used to secure the insertion device in a position where the needle is covered in a locked position, avoiding unintended contact with the needle.
US07704228B2 Infusion device
The disclosures made herein relate to an infusion device specifically adapted for syringe injections. In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, an infusion device comprises a body including an accessible surface having a single inlet port therein, an engagement surface having a single outlet port therein, a medication delivery channel extending between the single inlet port and the single outlet port, and an identification feature on the accessible surface of the body adjacent to the single inlet port. The single inlet port of the medication delivery channel is tapered thereby forming a funnel-shaped entry into the medication delivery channel. A cannula is coupled to the body at the single outlet port and is adapted for receiving medication from the single outlet port and transmitting the medication therethrough.
US07704227B2 Methods and apparatuses for detecting medical device acceleration, temperature, and humidity conditions
An ambulatory medical device for detecting acceleration, temperature, and/or humidity conditions in or around the medical device is provided. The medical device includes one or more acceleration, thermal, and/or humidity sensors which detect acceleration, temperature, and/or humidity conditions in or around the medical device. In response to detected conditions, the medical device may, among other things, alter the operation of the device, provide an alarm or warning to the user, or transmit data about the detected conditions to another device.
US07704225B2 Percutaneous access device system facilitating cell growth thereon
A biocompatible implantable portal is provided that has a wall defining a communicative passage through an interior bore. The exterior of the portal has a neck region adapted to promote autologous cell growth on the neck region. A series of channels are provided on the exterior neck region to facilitate autologous cell growth while disfavoring fluid pooling and bacterial growth. Typical channel widths are from 20 to 300 microns, with adjacent channels being separated by plateaus having a width of between 0 and 600 microns. Providing the portal exterior neck region with a texture varying on a nanometer length scale facilitates autologous cell growth. Applying a coating such as a tissue scaffolding matrix to the neck region prior to implantation also facilitates cell growth. A coupling or a manifold encompassing the neck region facilitates the draw of vacuum and/or mechanical protection for the growing cells.
US07704223B2 System and method for delivering a substance to a body cavity
A system and method for creating a medicated atmosphere in an organ, or body cavity is disclosed. The system includes a flexible aerosolization catheter, a device for introducing of the aerosolization catheter, a medication delivery apparatus configured to control delivery of a medication to the catheter, a gas delivery apparatus in communication with the catheter, a gas pressure relief apparatus configured to relieve pressure in the organ or body cavity, and a central controller in communication with the medication delivery apparatus, gas delivery apparatus, and gas pressure relief apparatus. The method includes providing insufflation gas and an aerosol of medication to an organ or body cavity while controlling overall pressure in the organ or cavity. The method may also include re-entering a patient through at least one port to apply gas and an aerosolized medicament, in either a post-operative procedure or in a chemotherapy context.
US07704222B2 Methods and conduits for flowing blood from a heart chamber to a blood vessel
Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery. The conduit is a tube adapted to be positioned in the heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a heart chamber and a coronary artery, at a site distal to the occlusion or stenosis. The conduit has a section of blood vessel attached to its interior lumen which preferably includes at least one naturally occurring one-way valve positioned therein. The valve prevents the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.
US07704220B2 Systems and methods for selective thermal treatment
Systems and methods for selective cooling or heating of a target site in the human body include a catheter having a supply elongated element and a delivery elongated element, with inlet and exit ports. Blood is withdrawn from the supply elongated element and cooled or heated in a control unit. The treated blood is sent to the targeted area via delivery elongated element. The supply elongated element can act as an insulator for the treated blood in the delivery elongated element.
US07704219B2 Wrist support
A wrist support includes a first section for receiving a forearm, a second section for receiving a hand, and a bridging section spanning a wrist and connecting the first and second sections together. The bridging section is integrally formed with some portion of the first section or second section. The disposition of the second section relative to the first section is variable, for example, according to the tension in a tensioning line, wherein the tension may be adjusted by a rotary device.
US07704214B2 Device and method for the quantitative determination of nitrogen oxides in exhaled air and application thereof
A volumetric flow of an analyte, including exhaled air, is fed to a gas sensor unit by used of gas flow device, which can include various sensors for the determination of nitrogen oxides. An oxidation catalyst is used when using an NO2 sensor, which converts nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen dioxide and the gas sensor unit measures the content of nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen monoxide content is calculated from the nitrogen dioxide content. In order to eliminate cross-sensitivity moisture and ethanol are also measured. The device can be applied to the determination of nitrogen monoxide content of exhaled air.
US07704211B1 Method and apparatus for assessing fluid level in lungs
The invention relates to an apparatus and method to assess the fluid level in lungs. An implantable medical device or external monitor is used to sense or monitor the patient's respiratory patterns to identify the presence of periodic breathing or Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR) which is common in patients with congestive heart failure. A fluid index is used to assess the severity of congestive heart failure in a patient. A ratio of Δ blood gas/Σtotal lung volume can be used to determine the lung fluid index.
US07704208B2 Synchronizing a swiveling three-dimensional ultrasound display with an oscillating object
An ultrasound image display method and System for a two-dimensional monitor (40) that synchronizes a swiveling or rotating volumetrically rendered three-dimensional ultrasound image (76) with the oscillation of an oscillating ultrasound object (72), such as a beating heart or breathing lung. The invention includes swiveling instructions for repetitively swiveling the volumetric ultrasound image (76) in three-dimensional space. Oscillation frequency measuring instructions (108) measure the oscillating ultrasound object's oscillation frequency. Synchronization instructions (118) synchronize a repetitive rotation of the object with the oscillation frequency such that at a predetermined point the beginning of a rotation repetition (110) coincides with the beginning of an oscillation. The volumetric ultrasound image display (76) provides the options of a live display, a variably static display, and pre-recorded display capable of continuous replay.
US07704207B2 Circular surgical retractor
A wound retractor for retracting a surgical incision includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a distensible sleeve coupled to the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes at least a pair of circular tubes coupled to each other. At least one of the circular tubes includes a lumen and a split that forms open ends. A noncompliant tubular hoop having a split therein is positioned in the lumen. The tubular hoop is oriented with its open ends positioned away from the split of the circular tubes. A core is positioned in the lumen of the tubular hoop. The core has a first end and a second end and is oriented with the ends positioned away from the split in the tubular hoop. The circular tubes may be parallel or may form a helical pattern similar to a Mobius strip.
US07704206B2 Endoscope that provides selection of each illumination mode of four different illumination modes
An endoscope is disclosed that provide selection of each illumination mode of four different illumination modes, with one of the four different illumination modes being a mode which sequentially transmits very narrow wavelength ranges at three different wavelength regions within the visible spectrum.
US07704205B2 System and method of obtaining images of a subject using a capsule type medical device
A system and method is provided for obtaining images of a subject using a capsule type medical device, The method performs the steps of preparing a swallowable capsule type medical device including at least an imaging device and a memory for storing a setting associated with an operation; changing the setting stored in the memory; introducing the capsule type medical device into the subject; and controlling the operation based on the setting. The operation can include controlling an imaging device. The system includes a swallowable case; an imaging device arranged in the case, the imaging device being operated based on a setting stored in a memory disposed in the case; and a receiver arranged in the case adapted to receive an instruction to change the setting from outside of the case.
US07704203B2 Kit for treating gastrointestinal tract
A method for treating a gastrointestinal tract in a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution to treat the wall. A kit for use in the procedure is provided.
US07704196B2 Weight plate
An improved weight plate includes a planar body having a central opening for receiving a barbell or dumbbell bar therethrough. The weight plate includes oppositely facing flange members extending partially about the perimeter of the weight plate. The opposed ends of the flange members are spaced from each other and define a gap therebetween. The flange members extend perpendicularly from both sides of the weight plate planar body about the perimeter thereof. The weight plate includes at least one opening formed adjacent the perimeter of the weight plate. The opening is adapted to receive one or more fingers of an average human hand for securely grasping and lifting the weight plate. Adjacent weight plates mounted on a barbell bar are adapted for interlocking engagement.
US07704195B2 Gymnastic machine
A gymnastic machine having a frame (10) supporting a load group (30), and at least one gripping station (80) presenting a respective implement (20) for the execution of a physical exercise, with the load group (30) connected to each implement (20) by at least one flexible member (40) supported by the frame (10) through a plurality of pulley-blocks (50) along a route (P), at least one implement (20) connected to flexible member (40) at the respective gripping station (80), and a return device (90) being connected to each implement (20) to restrain the implement (20) itself along the route (P) in at least one uniquely determinate position (DP) with respect to frame (10) in a indefinitely repeatable manner.
US07704192B2 Elliptical exercise equipment with adjustable stride
An exercise device is provided including a foot link having a rearward end and a forward end. An adjustable stride mechanism is provided. The adjustable stride mechanism includes a primary gear and a secondary gear. The primary gear is sized larger relative to the secondary gear. A primary crank connects the primary gear and the secondary gear. A timing belt connects the primary gear to the secondary gear. The primary crank and the timing belt enable the secondary gear to rotate around the primary gear. A secondary crank is pivotally attached to the secondary gear and to a foot link. The secondary crank creates an ellipse-shaped path for the foot link as the secondary gear rotates around the primary gear. Thus, the foot link motion combines an at least a dual ellipse motion. An automatic adjusting mechanism can be provided to adjust the adjustable stride mechanism.
US07704190B2 Power generation device for exercise equipment
The present invention provides a power generation device for exercise equipment including a fixing seat, a swinging seat and a power generating component. The joint and positioning end of the swinging seat has a hinge connection part to be connected with the fixing seat, and the power generating component is configured on a preset position on the swinging seat. A magnetic lifting component is configured to cause magnetic repelling between the swinging end of the swinging seat and the fixing seat, so that the swinging end of the swinging seat can be elastically lifted. The driven part of the power generating component will constantly maintain tight contact with the flywheel of exercise equipment. The magnetic lifting component can exert a magnetic repulsing function without elastic fatigue and solid abrasion.
US07704189B2 Starting method for internal combustion engines with a double clutch transmission
A method implements a starting process for an internal combustion engine which has a drive unit and a transmission with at least two transmission input shafts and a multiple clutch device, in particular a double clutch device. During the starting process, the first gear is engaged in a first clutch of the multiple clutch device and is activated, while the second gear speed is engaged in a second clutch of the multiple clutch device but not activated. During the starting process, a current velocity is compared with a predefinable reference velocity, and when the reference velocity is reached a control unit causes the first clutch to be opened and thus causes the first gear to be deactivated while, in parallel with this, the second clutch is closed and the second gear is thus activated.
US07704184B2 Infinitely variable transmission
An infinitely variable transmission comprising a pair of rotary, generally conical, torque-transmitting members, each being mounted for rotation on its geometric axis, the angularity of the axes, one with respect to the other, being variable, the outer surfaces of each member having torque-transmitting needles extending outwardly from the generally conical surface, the needles of one member meshing with the needles of its companion member, the needles being capable of flexing whereby torque may be transmitted through the rotary members without frictional sliding motion at the area of meshing engagement of the needles, the angularity of one member with respect to the other permitting a wide torque-transmitting ratio range.
US07704183B2 Outboard motor
An outboard motor includes a drive shaft including a pinion gear arranged at one end of the drive shaft, a first driven gear engaged with the pinion gear, a second driven gear engaged with the pinion gear, a first propeller shaft connected to a second propeller, a second propeller shaft connected to a first propeller, and a shift change mechanism arranged to selectively engage the first driven gear with the second propeller shaft, and to selectively engage the second driven gear with the first propeller shaft and with the second propeller shaft.
US07704182B2 Automatic transmission
On an input shaft are provided in order from a side of an engine a torque converter with a lock-up clutch, a first planetary gear set as a multiplying mechanism, a counter drive gear outputting a rotational drive force to a countershaft, a second planetary gear set as a speed-change element, a third planetary gear set as a speed-change element. Accordingly, there can be provided an automatic transmission for six forward speeds with plural planetary gear sets, clutches and brakes that can properly reduce a clutch capacity and restrain gear noises with its compact and light-weighted structure.
US07704178B2 Oil baffle for gas turbine fan drive gear system
A gas turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear train that drives a turbo fan. The epicyclic gear train employs a one-piece carrier in which the spaced side walls are interconnected with circumferentially spaced apart mounts to form a unitary structure. Baffles are secured to the carrier near the mounts and provide lubrication passages that spray oil onto the sun gear and/or intermediate gears arranged between the baffles. The baffles can be constructed from a different material than the carrier since the baffles are not structural components in the gear train.
US07704175B2 Link plate for roller chain and manufacturing method thereof
A method of manufacturing a link plate for a roller chain, and the resulting link plate in which (1) the link plate has a shape comprising a pair of right and left pin holes, a pair of right and left half arcs, which are spaced outwardly from the pin holes respectively, and a pair of upper and lower straight line portions connecting both ends of the pair of right and left half arcs. There are shaved lengths along the pair of upper and lower straight line portions extending into the half arcs, the shaved length extending between the outermost positions of both ends of said pin holes.
US07704173B2 Motorized bicycle derailleur assembly
A motorized bicycle derailleur assembly has a motor unit, a movable part (e.g., a motor linkage, a derailleur linkage and/or a chain guide) and a controller. The movable part is in response to activation of the motor unit within a mechanical stroke. The motor unit has a motor output stroke with a prescribed maximum movement range that is larger than the mechanical stroke of the movable part. The movable part has an anti-jamming arrangement having an anti-jamming spring. The anti-jamming spring is configured and arranged to compress when the motor unit continues to apply a moving force to the movable part after the movable part reaches a lockup position. The controller is configured to set the motor unit output stroke to an operating movement range that is smaller than the prescribed maximum movement range so that the anti-jamming biasing element remains uncompressed during normal shifting operation.
US07704170B2 Four piece table tennis table having a stabilized joint
A multi-section table tennis table half comprises first and second table sections which abut to form a first table half. Each of the sections includes an upper surface for playing table tennis, an opposite lower surface an inner edge. The inner edges of the first and second sections abut to form a first table half joint. The vertical cross-section of the joint may be stepped, with each of the inner edges being stepped and thereby including a horizontal section positioned between two vertical sections. The table half may further include a fastener spanning the abutment between the sections to secure the connection of the sections.
US07704156B2 Releasable and interchangeable connections for golf club heads and shafts
Golf club heads are releasably engaged with shafts so that the club heads and shafts can be readily interchanged and/or so that the shaft position with respect to the club head can be readily changed. Assemblies for connecting the club head and shaft may include: (a) a shaft engaging member including a rotation-inhibiting structure; (b) a club head engaging member including a shaft-receiving chamber and a retaining structure for engaging the rotation-inhibiting structure; and (c) a securing system for releasably securing the shaft engaging member with respect to the club head engaging member. The club head and shaft may be changed by releasing the securing system and exchanging the original parts with different parts. Furthermore, the shaft may be bent or otherwise extend at an angle from the shaft engaging member so as to allow adjustment of the shaft position with respect to the club head.
US07704155B2 Metal wood club
In one embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole with three recessed cavities for attachment to a hosel-bending tool. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole that includes one predetermined contact area proximal to the toe edge of the sole. In another embodiment, a golf club head is presented having a sole in which pads of material are incorporated that may be milled to vary the relief of the sole and to modify mass characteristics of the club head. Yet another embodiment presents a golf club head having a body with a cavity to receive a cartridge that has a constant density and weight.
US07704153B2 Golf swing trainer
A golf swing assistance device has a base having a flat upper surface with a hitting spot, a shallow lower surface indented adjacent to a hitting spot of the upper surface. The hitting spot is located in the middle of a golf swing that a user takes. A rear position sensor is located behind the golf swing, and behind the hitting spot. A front position sensor is located after the swing and in front of the hitting spot. A ball holder has a ball holding plate, a ball holding arm and a ball holder connector. A block receives the ball holder connector. An adjusting mechanism allows vertical adjustment of the ball holder connector. A ball target has a ball end, a ball target arm and a ball target connector. Also, position sensors mounted on stands can monitor other sections of the golf swing.
US07704152B1 No-slide pin spot
An easily installed frictional bowling pin spot and a method of installing frictional pin spots on the pin deck of a bowling lane are disclosed. The preferred frictional pin spot is preferably a thin, circular polyurethane piece having a high coefficient of friction and packed with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The pin spot increases the friction between a bowling pin and the pin deck thereby decreasing the likelihood of bowling pins hit by a ball or other pin sliding out of position instead of being knocked over.
US07704143B2 Apparatus and method for a cashless actuated gaming system
A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.
US07704140B2 Method of playing a game of chance including purchase of additional game play information and system for facilitating the play thereof
A method for playing a game of chance and system for facilitating the play of the game are disclosed, in which an initial ticket containing initial game play information is received, a second ticket containing additional game play information is received, and the combination of the initial game play information and the additional game play information determines if the second ticket is a winning ticket.
US07704139B2 Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of occurrences
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
US07704129B2 Ruckers capable of rucking fixed diameter coverings and associated devices, methods, systems and computer program products
Methods, apparatus and associated devices for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a translating member disposed in a housing having an axis of movement configured to reciprocally translate a chute body about the axis of movement; and at least one gripping member disposed in the housing in cooperating alignment with the translating member. Each at least one gripping member has a gripping edge portion that defines a gripping surface. The at least one gripping member configured to reciprocally translate substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement. In operation, the at least one gripping member has an automated stroke cycle whereby the at least one gripping member is configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of the chute body while the chute body travels in a first direction about the axis of movement and to travel outwardly a sufficient distance to prevent contact with the chute body while the chute body travels in a second opposing direction about the axis of movement.
US07704128B1 Tank cleaning system and method
A tank cleaning apparatus is steered by an operator for cleaning the inside of a tank includes a connector operable with a vacuum removal system. The apparatus includes a cutter head that is rotationally driven to cut into settled solid material and to move the solid material to an area where suction from the vacuum system removes the material from the tank.
US07704127B2 Electrodeposited wire tool
A plating layer 18 of Ni or the like is formed around the outer peripheral face 14 of a wire tool 10, and super abrasive grains 16 are electrodeposited so as to be embedded in the plating layer 18. A coating layer 20 is formed on the surface of the super abrasive grains 16 to increase efficiency during electrodeposition. The thickness of the coating layer 20 formed on the super abrasive grains 16 is less than 0.1 μm, and preferably not more than 0.05 μm. The coating layer 20 is thin enough that its mass is less than 10% of the mass of the super abrasive grain 16. Accordingly, the super abrasive grains 16 are electrodeposited in a single layer around the outer peripheral face 14 of the core wire 12. As a result, the super abrasive grains 16 do not readily come off the core wire 12, which means that the wire tool will have a longer life. Also, since there is no need to remove any excess super abrasive grains after their electrodeposition, manufacturing costs can be cut and less work is entailed.
US07704125B2 Customized polishing pads for CMP and methods of fabrication and use thereof
The present application relates to polishing pads for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of substrates, and methods of fabrication and use thereof. The pads described in this invention are customized to polishing specifications where specifications include (but not limited to) to the material being polished, chip design and architecture, chip density and pattern density, equipment platform and type of slurry used. These pads can be designed with a specialized polymeric nano-structure with a long or short range order which allows for molecular level tuning achieving superior thermo-mechanical characteristics. More particularly, the pads can be designed and fabricated so that there is both uniform and nonuniform spatial distribution of chemical and physical properties within the pads. In addition, these pads can be designed to tune the coefficient of friction by surface engineering, through the addition of solid lubricants, and creating low shear integral pads having multiple layers of polymeric material which form an interface parallel to the polishing surface. The pads can also have controlled porosity, embedded abrasive, novel grooves on the polishing surface, for slurry transport, which are produced in situ, and a transparent region for endpoint detection.
US07704124B2 Roller shaft for a vegetable peeler
An improved roller shaft for a food peeling machine that allows for an improved method of changing abrasive sections that are on the shaft, the improved shaft having a first and second end with removable retaining elements and the method involving the use of a hydrostatic cylinder to place a new abrasive section on the roller shaft thus causing the most worn section to slide off the shaft.
US07704123B2 Handle assembly for a concrete saw
An adjustable handle assembly for a road surface cutting saw is provided that includes a back plate attached to the saw housing, an outer gear attached to the back plate, a bracket assembly including an inner gear, a tubular member slidably attached to the bracket assembly, and an adjustment lever having a threaded engagement end. The adjustment lever secures the bracket assembly to the saw such that the inner gear engages the outer gear. When the adjustment lever is loosened a bias spring biases the bracket assembly away from the saw such that the inner gear disengages from the outer gear to thereby allow rotation of the handle assembly to a desired operating position.
US07704121B2 Lower uterine segment maternity support belt
A one piece maternity support for the relief of discomfort associated with the progressive changes in the human body associated with a normal pregnancy. The support has a body encircling upper band for the support of the lower uterine segment and a lower belt having a pair of tensionable arms that connect to the upper band to support the lumbar region and offer counter rotational force for the anteriorly tilted pelvis. The position of the lower arms is optimized to apply a constant pressure to the muscles above the hip joint providing relief from so-called hip pain associated with many pregnancies.
US07704117B2 Electron emission display and method of fabricating mesh electrode structure for the same
An electron emission display and method of fabricating a mesh electrode structure for the same. The electron emission display includes: an electron emission substrate having an electron emission region; a mesh electrode structure including a mesh electrode having an opening, through which electrons emitted from the electron emission region can pass, and a mesh electrode insulating layer formed at one side of the mesh electrode using a direct printing method; and an image forming substrate having an image forming region for emitting light by the emitted electrons. The method improves voltage resistance characteristics between the gate or cathode electrode and the mesh electrode, and eliminates the need for a lower spacer.
US07704115B2 Supporting structure, method of manufacturing supporting structure, and display apparatus using the same
A display apparatus includes a first substrate having an electron-emitting device, a second substrate having a light emitting member that emits light through irradiation with electrons emitted from the electron-emitting device and an electrode, and a plate-like supporting structure which is situated between the first substrate and the second substrate to support the two substrates and which has in its surface a plurality of grooves parallel to the first substrate or the second substrate. End portions of the grooves are spaced apart from an end portion of the supporting structure which does not face the first substrate or the second substrate by a distance longer than a thickness of the plate-like supporting structure.
US07704111B2 Exhaust system of outboard motor
An outboard motor includes a multi-cylinder engine which includes cylinders longitudinally oriented and vertically paralleled in a cylinder block, a cylinder head arranged at a rearward position of the cylinder blocks, and a crankcase arranged at a forward position of the cylinder block, the cylinder head having an outlet of an exhaust port at one side thereof. An exhaust system for the outboard motor includes an exhaust manifold which communicates the outlet of the exhaust port with an exhaust outlet opening, the exhaust manifold including a first exhaust gas passage extending in a vertical direction for gathering exhaust gas discharged from the outlet of each exhaust port and a second exhaust gas passage extending in a vertical direction adjacently to the first exhaust gas passage, and a catalyst unit is provided on the way of the second exhaust gas passage.
US07704095B2 Electrical connector
The invention relates to an electrical connector for connecting a contact pin to an electrical conductor. It is proposed that the insulator housing of the connector provide a connecting space, in which the contact pin and the electrical conductor can be plugged in opposite direction in roughly parallel alignment and overlap by their axial lengths, the conductor being able to move crosswise to its conductor axis within a range of movement permitted by the construction and the leaf springs of the conductor clamp connection pressing the conductor in the direction of the contact pin.
US07704094B2 Connection structure connecting an LED component
The present invention has an object of providing a connection structure capable of easily connecting an LED component to a flat cable. An LED unit 1 includes an upper case 7, a pierce terminal 6, a lower case 9 and an intermediate terminal 5. An LED chip 3 is pressed to the pierce terminal 6 by a convexed spring 51 to electrically connect the LED chip 3 to the flat cable 100. Conductors 101 included in the flat cable 100 are formed of phosphor bronze formed of tin (Sn), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu) and unavoidable impurities and having a tensile strength of 480 to 550 MPa, whereas a pierce plate 63 of the pierce terminal 6 piercing through the conductor 101 is formed of a copper alloy, which is a high strength conductive member having a higher strength than that of the conductor 101 and having conductivity.
US07704087B1 Check valve for charge tank
A method and apparatus are described to prevent the unwanted energizing of equipment not normally intended to be energized when delivering a fluid to an energized power cable. The method and apparatus relate to the installation of a fluid back-flow prevention device in the line or equipment carrying a fluid to the cable, and also providing a pressure relief device that may relieve excess pressure to prevent damaging equipment.
US07704086B2 Sealed plug connection through a partition wall and method of fitting
A plug connection comprises a first plug having a seal and a second plug configured for fitting in an opening in a partition wall. The second plug is mateable with the first plug such that the seal substantially surrounds the opening in the partition wall. A clamping device is provided on the first plug and is configured for drawing the first plug into engagement with the second plug. The clamping device engages with the second plug at a connection region. The connection region is provided with a sealing member configured to seal the connection region between the clamping device and the second plug.
US07704083B1 Busbar connector
In one aspect, a busbar connector includes first and second portions. Each portion includes a rigid member forming an exterior portion of the busbar connector, a conduction member forming an interior portion of the busbar connector and a compliant member having a stiffness less than the rigid member and including a first surface attached to the rigid member and a second surface opposite the first surface attached to the conduction member. The busbar connector also includes a fastener structure configured to secure a first busbar and a second busbar between and in contact with the conduction members of the first and second portions to allow current to flow between the first and second busbars.
US07704078B2 Systems for wireless antenna connection
A system for connecting a plurality of antenna cables to a wireless card includes a header connector and a connector plug. The header connector includes a header connector housing and multiple terminal pairs positioned in the header connector housing, each terminal pair including a first terminal and a second terminal. Each terminal includes a connection surface for securing the terminal to a substrate. The connector plug houses and positions multiple antenna cable end portions, each including an inner conductor and an outer conductor. The connector plug is configured to be mated with the header connector such that each cable end portion mates with one of the terminal pairs of the header connector, the inner conductor of the cable end portion mating with the first terminal of the terminal pair, and the outer conductor of the cable end portion mating with the second terminal of the terminal pair.
US07704077B1 Low loss board to board connection system
A board to board connection system is disclosed for RF signals, and comprises coaxial interconnection systems which interconnect a daughter card to a backplane.
US07704076B2 Dental attachment assembly and method
A dental attachment system has an abutment member configured for attachment to a tooth root, implant, or adjacent tooth, the abutment member having a head and an annular seat adjacent the head. An elastomeric ring is configured for releasable engagement in the seat on the abutment member, and is retained in a retainer ring which in turn is in swivel engagement with a concave inner surface of a cavity in a cap which is secured in a recess in a dental appliance such as a denture, partial denture, or the like.
US07704073B2 Orthodontic archwires of various colors and their preparation methods
This invention provides orthodontic archwires with more than one colors, which can be prepared by subjecting the orthodontic archwires to an anodizing treatment.
US07704072B2 Orthodontic bracket
An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.
US07704068B2 Drive unit
Disclosed is a drive unit, in particular for a closing unit, an injection unit, or an ejector of an injection molding machine. The drive unit comprises a double-acting force transmitting element provided with a small and a large piston unit which are disposed in a cylinder. The large piston unit is adapted to be pressurized by a great force both in input and in output directions. According to the invention, both the large piston unit with respect to the cylinder and the cylinder with respect to a movable element of the drive of the small piston unit are spring-prestressed.
US07704067B2 Method and mold for making non-metallic fiber reinforced parts
A mold and a method for molding high strength, non-metallic fiber reinforced composite parts having a variety of (e.g., cylindrical) shapes that are lighter in weight than similar parts manufactured from metal. An unmolded non-metallic pre-form having long continuous fibers is placed around a mandrel, and a segmented, adjustable diameter compression ring is disposed in surrounding engagement with the pre-form at an upper position within an inwardly tapered compression ring support. The compression ring is formed from a plurality of loose compression ring segments that are initially spaced circumferentially from one another at the upper position of the compression ring support. The mandrel and the pre-form are first heated and then located in a press. The press is closed to push the compression ring and the heated mandrel from the upper position of the compression ring support, at which the compression ring has an open configuration and a wide diameter, to a lower position, at which the compression ring has a closed configuration and a narrow diameter. As the compression ring is pushed to the lower position, the compression ring segments slide along the inwardly tapered compression ring support so as to be moved end-to-end one another to apply a compressive force for consolidating and shaping the heated pre-form into the molded part.
US07704065B2 Injection stretch blow molding apparatus
An injection stretch blow molding apparatus includes a lower base which is secured on a stage, an upper base which is disposed above the lower base and supports a turntable, and vertical clamping device that raises and lowers the upper base with respect to the lower base. The vertical clamping device includes a pulling plate disposed in the stage under the lower base, a plurality of tie rods which pass through the lower base and connect the upper base and the pulling plate, a vertical clamping toggle mechanism which is disposed in the stage at a position under the injection molding section and expands and contracts with respect to the lower base as a reference position to raise and lower the pulling plate, and a first motor which transmits a driving force to the vertical clamping toggle mechanism.
US07704064B2 Extrusion head
An extrusion head for at least one extruder including a first head part having a first joint and a second head having a second joint wherein the first head part and the second head part are pivotable with respect to each other using the respective first joint and second joint. When the extrusion head is in an operative position, the first head part rests against a first sealing face and the second head part rests against a second sealing face. A drive element is connected to the first head part and the second head part using a connecting element. The first head part and the second head part are movable using the drive element from a fixed operative position into an open rest position.
US07704062B2 Machine for the production of different quality nonwovens
A nonwoven production machine includes a spun-bond tower for extruding filaments and associated apparatus for forming the filaments into a web that is consolidated by water jets, a web that is calendered and then softened by water jets, or a web that is only calendered.
US07704061B2 Oil pump
An oil pump includes pump chambers each having a volume varied by engine drive and for pressurizing oil inhaled through an inlet port and discharge it through an outlet port, and a branch passage connected between upstream and downstream sides of the outlet port at branch and confluent points, wherein the branch passage in the vicinity of the confluent point is shifted in pulse-pressure phase with respect to the outlet port.
US07704057B2 Peristaltic pump with a removable and deformable carrier
A peristaltic pump includes a removable carrier against which a flexible tube is pressed by rollers. The carrier includes an intermediate deformable section having an internal cylindrical surface whose axis coincides with the main axis of rotation of the rollers and lateral rigid arms arranged on both sides of the intermediate section. The free ends of the lateral arms include guides. The pump case is provided with paths on which the guides are slidable. The path directions are predefined in order to constrain the displacement of the free ends of the lateral arms and to deform the intermediate section in such a way that the radius of the internal face is modified keeping the axis thereof coinciding with the main axis, thereby making it possible to use a tube having variable characteristics.
US07704055B2 Switching device for a hydraulic high-pressure system
The invention relates to a switching device for a hydraulic high-pressure system, particularly for operating hydraulic screw-tightening devices, comprising: a directional seat valve (17), which is subjected to the action of high pressure in the closing direction; a control piston (22), which can be subjected to the action of low pressure and which displaces the directional seat valve in the opening direction, and, a control valve (23), which either establishes or interrupts a connection to a pressureless low-pressure return flow line.
US07704054B2 Two-stage rotodynamic blood pump
A pump (10) includes a housing, a stator (20) supported in the housing, and a rotor assembly (30). The rotor assembly (30) includes a rotor (32) supported in the housing for rotation relative to the stator (20) about an axis (12). The rotor assembly (30) also includes a first impeller (34) operatively coupled to a first axial end of the rotor (32) for rotation with the rotor about the axis (12). The rotor assembly further includes a second impeller (36) operatively coupled to a second axial end of the rotor (32), opposite the first axial end, for rotation with the rotor about the axis (12). The rotor assembly (30) is movable along the axis (12) relative to the housing to adjust hydraulic performance characteristics of the pump (10).
US07704051B2 Pump controller system and method
A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.
US07704049B1 TBC attachment construction for a cooled turbine airfoil and method of forming a TBC covered airfoil
A TBC covered substrate, such as an airfoil used in a gas turbine engine, the substrate has a plurality of open cells formed thereon with the cell walls being formed by ribs arranged to form substantially rectangular shaped cells. The walls or ribs or the cells have cross-over holes formed at about the mid-point of the cell wall and a wire band is passed through the cross-over holes and extends through the cells. A TBC is sprayed into the cells to fill the cell and cover the wire band such that the wire band functions to reinforce the TBC. The cell floors include at least one cooling air feed hole and the TBC is a porous material such that cooling air passing through the feed holes will also pass through the TBC. During the process of forming the airfoil with the TBC covered, air is passed through the feed holes while the TBC is being applied to prevent the feed holes from being blocked by the TBC.
US07704048B2 Turbine airfoil with controlled area cooling arrangement
A gas turbine airfoil (10) includes a serpentine cooling path (32) with a plurality of channels (34,42,44) fluidly interconnected by a plurality of turns (38,40) for cooling the airfoil wall material. A splitter component (50) is positioned within at least one of the channels to bifurcate the channel into a pressure-side channel (46) passing in between the outer wall (28) and the inner wall (30) of the pressure side (24) and a suction-side channel (48) passing in between the outer wall (28) and the inner wall (30) of the suction side (26) longitudinally downstream of an intermediate height (52). The cross-sectional area of the pressure-side channel (46) and suction-side channel (48) are thereby controlled in spite of an increasing cross-sectional area of the airfoil along its longitudinal length, ensuring a sufficiently high mach number to provide a desired degree of cooling throughout the entire length of the airfoil.
US07704047B2 Cooling of turbine blade suction tip rail
A turbine blade including an airfoil, the airfoil including an airfoil outer wall having pressure and suction sidewalls joined together at chordally spaced apart leading and trailing edges extending radially outwardly from a blade root to a blade tip surface. A continuous squealer tip rail extends radially outwardly from and substantially continuously around the blade tip surface forming a radially outwardly open squealer pocket. The squealer tip rail includes an aft portion adjacent to the trailing edge, where the pressure side tip rail is discontinued in the chordal location of the aft portion. A plurality of chordally spaced film cooling holes are provided in a surface of the suction sidewall and provides a cooling fluid flow along the aft portion of the squealer tip rail surface to define a sub-boundary layer or film of cooling fluid between a hot gas vortex flow and the aft portion of the squealer tip rail at the suction sidewall.
US07704044B1 Turbine blade with attachment shear inserts
A rotor disc and rotor blade assembly in which the rotor blades include curved shear pins to secure the blade to the rotor disc. The blade includes an airfoil portion with an airfoil outline shape at the junction of the airfoil with the platform, and the root extends below the platform and has the general shape of the airfoil at the junction. An opening in the rotor disc also has the shape of the airfoil outline such that the root will fit snuggly within the opening in the rotor disc. Curved slots in both the opening and the root wall are formed on both sides of the opening and the blade root. Shear pins having a rectangular cross sectional shape fit within the slots to secure the blade to the disc. Because the root curvature follows the airfoil shape, the shear pins are located below the airfoil walls and absorb the shear stress caused by bending forces acting on the airfoil from the fluid reaction.
US07704042B2 Turbomachine, especially a gas turbine
A turbomachine has a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor has blades (21) and the stator has a housing (20) and stationary guide vanes (17), wherein the guide vanes (17) form guide vane rings (11, 12) that adjoin the housing (20) with radially outwardly positioned ends (18) and adjoin the rotor with radially inwardly positioned ends. The guide vane rings are spoke-centered with the aid of bearing journals or guide pins (24) allocated to the housing (20) and penetrating through the housing (20). The guide pins (24) extend at a slant relative to the radial direction and the axial direction of the turbomachine, wherein the ends (26) of the guide pins (24) reaching into the housing engage in forked elements (27) allocated to the radially outer ends (18) of the guide vane rings (11, 12).
US07704035B2 Powered hand truck
The powered hand truck has a chassis supported at one end by a single axle with two independently operable drive wheels. A prime mover is provided generally medially on the chassis, driving the drive wheels and powering the forklift mechanism. An operator console extends from the end of the chassis opposite the wheels, with an operator platform extending beyond the base of the operator console. The forklift mechanism has a pantograph arrangement supported by a pivotally mounted column. The forklift mast remains parallel to the column at all times and includes a manually actuated upper extension. A storage rack and dolly may be installed upon a suitable transport vehicle for transporting the powered hand truck. The hand truck forks engage the storage rack dolly, with the dolly translating along the rack to allow the truck to be deployed from, or loaded onto, the transport vehicle.
US07704033B2 Long axis component loader
A component loader for orienting a component along its long-axis for transfer to transmission means such as a carrier belt. The loader includes a rotatable load plate having an outer peripheral edge and an upper surface where the upper surface is inclined from a horizontal plane. A plurality of slots is on the upper surface, and each is located about the outer edge of the load plate. Each of the plurality of slots is sized to receive at least one chip, preferably lying with its long axis perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotatable load plate. An outer wall conforms to the curvature of the outer peripheral edge and is mounted adjacent thereabout. A transfer slot extends axially into the upper surface of the load plate. Preferably, each transfer slot is shaped so that a chip descending into each transfer slot from a respective slot has a ninety degree rotation about the long axis. The loader can include an inner wall mounted above the plurality of slots and interior of the outer wall, also along the rotational axis of the load plate.
US07704024B2 Methods and systems for transporting wind turbine components
A mounting system includes a plurality of adjacent railcars including a first railcar that includes spaced first and second wheel assemblies each including at least one wheel pair. The mounting system also includes a first and second frames coupled to the first railcar. The first frame includes a space defined between at least two portions of the first frame and at least one cushion selectively positionable within the first frame space. The second frame includes a space defined between at least two portions of the second frame and at least one cushion selectively positionable within said second frame space. The first and second frames are spaced to facilitate at least one of partially containing and partially supporting the load. The first frame is substantially centered over at least one first wheel assembly wheel pair, and the second frame is substantially centered over at least one second wheel assembly wheel pair.
US07704021B2 Method and tooling for machining the annulus of gas-turbine rotor provided with integrally formed-on blades
With an integrally bladed rotor, material removal is performed from the annulus (5) on a wide, even machining path (8) using the front-side cutting area of an essentially cylindrical cutter head (7). The tool shank (9) is shaped and dimensioned such that it does not collide with the opposite lateral surfaces of the differently curved and twisted blades (4). This type of machining enables an essentially even, smooth annulus surface to be obtained with a reduced number of overlapping machining paths (8). The time required for machining the annulus and the tool wear are reduced. With an annulus machined in accordance with the present invention, the rotor will satisfy high requirements on aerodynamics.
US07704019B2 Levitation transportation device and levitation transportation method
A levitation transportation device capable of adjustment when an object being transported is displaced from the center of a transportation path, A levitation transportation device having a transportation path forming a transportation router for an object to be transported, a plurality of jetting nozzles for transporting the object in a levitated manner along the transportation path, one or more detection sections for detecting the direction of the transportation of the object being transported in the transportation path and a control section for independently controlling the plurality of jetting nozzles based on a detection result by the detection sections.
US07704017B2 Friction shaft coupling with perpendicular adjustment
There is provided a system and method for coupling with a shaft. In particular, there is provided a friction shaft coupler that includes a center plate and a plurality of outer plates, wherein the outer plates are configured to abut the center plate. The center plate and the plurality of outer plates each include a shaft bore configured to receive a shaft and a plurality of stub bores. The friction shaft coupler also includes a plurality of stubs, wherein each stub is configured to fit inside one of the plurality of stub bores, the plurality of stubs comprising a plurality of apertures that are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stubs. Additionally, the friction shaft coupler includes a plurality of set screws configured to fit inside the apertures of the stubs, wherein the set screws are accessible for adjustment via access holes in the plurality of outer plates.
US07704016B2 Subsea docking system for electronic modules in subsea installations
A subsea docking unit 2 including an electronic module for being removably connected to a subsea docking station 1 comprises a canister B containing electronics to be connected to the docking station, and a selectively, engageable locking device for locking the docking unit to the docking station. The locking device comprises one or more arm structures adapted for being pivotally mounted into a corresponding arm holding detail on said docking unit, and an actuator means for moving said arm structure in relation to one or more corresponding arm receiving and retaining details on said docking station, whereby a releasable locking engagement and disengagement of the docking unit and docking station is obtained. The docking station correspondingly comprises arm receiving and retaining detail adapted for receiving and retaining a docking unit. The docking unit and docking station are parts of a multiphase flow meter.
US07704012B2 Power roller screed with multiple screed rollers
A rotating cylinder cement screeding system having a drive assembly and handle at one end for powering and controlling the screeding system. The rotating cylinder is made of tubular screed rollers of varying lengths allowing a user to customize the length of the system to match a specific cement pour. Further, each tubular screed roller is supplied with a male and female end for interlocking with each other and for receiving a variety of add on attachments. The rotating cylinder may also be equipped with a constant velocity type U-joint to allow the rotating cylinder to flex and thus, allow for pours with crowns or valleys, as need by the cement installer.
US07704011B2 Structural module
A sub-base layer for use in construction, comprises a plurality of connected substantially cuboid modules each having spaced-apart, substantially parallel top and bottom walls joined by a peripheral sidewall defining an enclosed volume. The connection between the modules is effected by a plurality of tie members which prevent lateral movement of the modules relative to one another. The layer is particularly useful as a lightweight replacement for aggregate sub-base layers in foundations, roadways, pavement, carparks, and the like.
US07704009B2 Axial spacer for a rotational assembly
An axial spacer for a rotational assembly comprising a body, a rotational assembly attaching member and a centering member. The body comprises an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of reinforcing members extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The reinforcing members each comprise an annular reinforcing rim extending from the outer ring and a connecting beam extending from the annular reinforcing rim to the inner ring. A plurality of web members extend between adjacent reinforcing members and the inner and outer ring, to, in turn, substantially couple adjacent reinforcing members with the inner and outer ring therebetween. The attaching means comprises an opening extending through at least a plurality of the plurality of reinforcing members. The centering member centers the spacer relative to the rotational assembly.
US07704007B2 Dust boot with grease channel
A dust boot with enhanced protection from contaminants and improved lubrication characteristic includes a dust boot body having a housing opening on one end and on an opposing end a stud opening in an upper boot wall. The boot also includes a wiping lip located on an inner face of the upper boot wall in the stud opening, a grease channel on an outer surface of the upper boot wall bounded circumferentially by a rim seal, an offset opening hole through the upper boot wall into the grease channel which is offset from the wiping lip, and a flexible flap portion of said rim seal which is spaced away from said offset opening hole. The dust boot may also include an insert made from a plastic such as nylon housed in the upper boot wall such that the offset opening hole extends through the insert. The insert may also form a portion of the grease channel. The offset opening is preferably spaced opposite the flexible flap to promote the flow of grease around the outer surface of the stud. The dust boot may be incorporated into a joint assembly by placing it in sealing engagement with a housing which holds a stud in articulating engagement.
US07704001B2 Image forming apparatus
A door main body of a door unit is swingably supported at a casing main body by a hinge mechanism. A conveying guide part is configured to guide conveying of a recording medium. A positioning contact part is configured to be in contact with a main-body-side contact part when the door unit is closed, thereby positioning the conveying guide part with respect to the casing main body. A locking mechanism is provided on a first side with respect to the positioning contact part. The hinge mechanism is provided on a second side that is opposite to the first side. The urging member is configured to apply an urging force to a predetermined part of the door main body. The predetermined part is located on the second side, thereby increasing contact pressure between the positioning contact part and the main-body-side contact part.
US07703997B2 Image sensor module having precise image-projection control
An image sensor module comprises an image sensor chip, at least one lens layer, and at least one bonding layer. The image sensor chip has an image capturing zone manufactured with an image capturing element, and a partition zone surrounding the image capturing zone. The at least one lens layer is stacked on the image sensor chip, having a transparent substrate and a lens mounted on the transparent substrate and adapted to focus the projected image onto the image capturing zone of the image sensor chip. The at least one bonding layer is arranged corresponding to the partition zone of the image sensor chip and bonded between the image sensor chip and the at least one lens layer, mixing of a glue agent and a plurality of spacer elements with which the height of each the spacer elements is determined to be the height of the bonding layer.
US07703993B1 Wafer level optoelectronic package with fiber side insertion
Optoelectronic packages and wafer level techniques for forming optoelectronic packages are described. In accordance with one apparatus aspect of the invention, a pair of substrates are bonded together to form an optical coupler. A first one of the substrates has a recess that faces the second substrate to at least in part define a channel suitable for receiving an optical transmission medium. A photonic device is mounted on a mounting surface of the second substrate that is opposite its bonded surface. The photonic device faces the reflective surface and an optical path is formed between the channel and the photonic element that both reflects off of the reflective surface and passes through the second substrate. In some embodiments an integrated circuit device and/or solder bumps are also attached to the mounting surface and the second substrate has conductive traces thereon that electrically couple the various electrical components as appropriate (e.g., the photonic device, the integrated circuit device, the solder bumps and/or other components). The substrates may be formed from a wide variety of materials including, glass, plastic and silicon. In some embodiments, at least the second substrate is formed from an optically transparent material and the optical path passes directly though the optically transparent material. In a method aspect of the invention, a variety of wafer level methods for forming such devices are described.
US07703990B1 Furcation bodies and fiber optic assemblies using the same
Furcation bodies and furcation assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a furcation body includes a channel forming a passageway extending from the front end to a back end of the furcation body. The furcation body may accommodate different styles and/or sizes of fiber optic cables. For instance, the furcation body may be secured to either a buffer tube of a buffered drop cable or a cable jacket of an unbuffered drop cable. Additionally, assemblies may include a furcation tube secured to the furcation member back end for protecting the optical fiber extending from the furcation body and/or a fiber optic connector. Furcation assemblies having multiple fibers are also disclosed.
US07703988B2 Optical connector assembly
Optical connector assemblies suitable for use in harsh environments such as down hole oil and gas well applications and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly suitable for down hole oil field applications comprises a first and second optical waveguide urged by a biasing member against a bracket. Each of the waveguides has at least one base surface formed on the exterior of the waveguide that is disposed against at least one of a plurality of reference surfaces of the bracket. In another embodiment, flats comprise two of the base surfaces on each optical waveguide. In another embodiment, a method of fabricating an optical connector assembly suitable for down hole oil field applications includes the steps of forming a first flat on a first optical waveguide, forming a second flat on the first optical waveguide, forming a first flat on a second optical waveguide, forming a second flat on the second optical waveguide, and biasing the first flats of the first and second optical waveguides against a first seating surface and second flats of the first and second optical waveguides against a second seating surface.
US07703983B2 Sliding material and sliding bearing
A sliding material including a resinous porous article having an interconnected hole porosity of not less than 30% and a lubricating oil which impregnates the resinous porous article is disclosed. The resinous porous article has an interconnected hole formed by molding a resin mixed with a pore-forming substance into said resin, and extracting said pore-forming substance from said molded article with a solvent which dissolves said pore-forming substance and does not dissolve said resin. A sliding bearing composed of a sliding material having a sliding surface which slides on a mating member and a lubricating oil supply layer which supports the sliding material and supplies the sliding surface with the lubricating oil.
US07703982B2 Bearing apparatuses, systems including same, and related methods
A bearing apparatus is disclosed. Such a bearing apparatus may comprise a rotor including at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and a stator including at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. At least one compliant member may be positioned between at least one selected bearing element of the at least one bearing element mounted to the rotor and the at least one bearing element mounted to the stator. Mechanical systems including such a bearing apparatus are disclosed, such as, for example, a motor for use in subterranean drilling. A method of assembling a bearing apparatus is disclosed. More specifically, a rotor and a stator each including at least one bearing element may be provided and a compressive force may be applied to the rotor and the stator to compress the bearing surfaces of the rotor and the stator against one another. Rotors and stators are disclosed.
US07703977B2 Aseptic thermometer storage case
The invention describes and claims an apparatus and method of maintaining cleanliness of the thermometer storage case. The apparatus is an improved elongated end-loading storage case for thermometers. The improvement comprises two or more elongated sections of the case. Each section comprises a connection edge, an insertion tip, and a distal tip. The elongated sections of the case are detachably connected to each other to form a thermometer storage case that opens up to reveal the inner surface of the case for easy inspection and cleaning. The case comprises a fastener for fixating the case in the assembled case body position. The method of cleaning the thermometer storage case comprises the steps of unfastening and opening the case, inspecting and sanitizing the inside surface of the case, and then reconnecting and fixating the elongated sections to form the thermometer storage case.
US07703974B2 Reversible watch
The invention concerns a device enabling reversibility and interchangeability of an object, such as a watch and a wrist watch, comprising at least one reversible and interchangeable element (110, 111) including a cavity (120, 121) and a removable projecting fixing element (203) integral with the bracelet or other support to be inserted axially parallel or not and to be moved in parallel with the element to the cavity (120, 121) up to a stop position and brought by rotation into its fixing position. The removable fixing element (203) can be made in different embodiments desired by a user. The device comprises a cavity in the middles (110, 111) wherein is housed the base (210) of a pivot (211) of the removable fixing element (203) which is integral with one end of the bracelet (204), whereby a rotational motion is imparted to a watch case (100, 104) and to its bracelet (204), independently of each other, so as to provide a watch with interchangeable double dial and a double-sided bracelet.
US07703970B2 Illuminated background display apparatus
An illuminating display including a transparent substrate in the form of a sheet or slab having an upper face, a lower face and a plurality of edge faces. The edge faces are provided with an internally reflective treatment and at least one light source associated with the substrate, causing a relatively narrow beam of light rays to emanate into said substrate. At least one reflective surface arranged internally of said substrate to operatively internally reflect light rays from said at least one light source within the substrate. Either (or both) the upper face and the lower face having material in contact therewith for directing light from within the substrate out of a face. The display may be employed in combination with a liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly.
US07703968B2 Display unit
A display unit includes a light source and at least one or more transparent display plates. Each transparent display plate has a plurality of fine dimples formed on at least one surface thereof Light rays from the light source are respectively made incident on the transparent display plates and are reflected by the plurality of fine dimples so that a pattern of at least one of characters, graphics, and symbols is made visually observed uniformly.
US07703966B2 Work light
In one aspect, a light device is provided having an elongate body that has a high strength construction. The high-strength light device is especially well-suited for use as a work light. The work light includes a high-strength body that has a handle and an elongate light-transmissive portion extending from the handle. Preferably, the light-transmissive portion includes a one-piece tubular wall that is tapered and which is molded from a high-strength material. In another aspect, the light device includes anti-rolling surfaces axially between the handle and light transmission portion along the elongate body. The anti-rolling surfaces preferably have a flat configuration so that the flat surfaces keep the elongate body from rolling when placed on a support surface.
US07703965B2 Diffusing light system with light collector
The present invention provides an improved optical light diffusing system for effective and uninterrupted illumination purposes. In particular, the invention is concerned with providing a light collector in the improved diffusing light device that can direct light from a light source to at least one diffusing light guide and can thus prevent the formation of excessively visible or discrete zones within the light guide, resulting in quite uniform and continued lines of light wherein the level of luminance can be flexibly adapted according to different illumination applications.
US07703964B2 Illumination device and display apparatus including the same
An illumination device for a display apparatus provided on a rear side of a display panel of the display apparatus includes a plurality of rod-like light sources arranged substantially parallel to each other; and a light scattering member for scattering light, the light scattering member being provided between two adjacent rod-like light sources among the plurality of rod-like light sources.
US07703961B2 Lamp, optical module, vehicle headlight including the same, and method for controlling color tone of emitted light
A lamp, an optical module, a vehicle headlight, and a method for controlling a color tone of the same can be configured to ensure visibility of the surroundings of a vehicle on a wet road in rainy weather, in dense fog, and on a snowpacked road, for example. The lamp can include a first LED chip which emits blue light, a second LED chip which emits light with a different color from blue. A wavelength conversion layer can be provided in front of light emitting areas of the first and second LED chips in an emitting direction, and can include a wavelength conversion material. A driving control unit can be configured to drive and control the first and second LED chips. The optical module can be configured to include the lamp along with optical components, such as a reflector. A vehicle headlight can include a plurality of optical modules. The control unit can be configured to control the ratio of light from the first and second LED chips, thereby obtaining light of a desired color.
US07703960B2 Light for motor vehicles
A light for motor vehicles includes a rod-shaped optical waveguide having at least two optical waveguide arms arranged behind one another in their longitudinal direction, and between which at least one light source is arranged whose light can be coupled on a front side of the light into the optical waveguide arms and can be emitted transversely to their longitudinal direction by way of a light exit surface situated opposite a reflecting surface. In a central area between the optical waveguide arms, a row of more than two light sources is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide arrangement. The light of two outer light sources can be coupled into the respective front sides of the adjacent optical waveguide arms, and the light of at least one light source situated in-between the two outer light sources can be emitted directly in the direction of the light exit surface.
US07703959B2 Lamp unit of vehicle headlamp
A lamp unit of a vehicle lamp includes a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light-emitting element arranged so as to face upward behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and in the vicinity of the optical axis, a reflector arranged so as to cover the light-emitting element from above and to reflect light from the light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis, and a mirror member disposed between the reflector and the projection lens. The mirror member includes an upward reflecting surface that upward reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector, and a front end edge formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens. A region of the upward reflecting surface located nearer a self-lane side than the optical axis includes a first horizontal plane including the optical axis. A region of the upward reflecting surface located nearer an opposite-lane side than the optical axis includes a middle slope extending obliquely downward from the optical axis and a second horizontal plane extending parallel to the first horizontal plane from a lower end edge of the middle slope. A diffusing and reflecting portion that diffuses and reflects the reflected light from the reflector is formed in a position of the middle slope that is apart from the front end edge of the upward reflecting surface to a rear side.
US07703956B2 Aircraft cabin lighting
The incorporation of a variety of illumination sources to provide the additional light sources that reflect against a ceiling panel to provide an altered ceiling height effect in an aircraft. The incorporation of floor, aisle and door illumination provides the added benefit of facilitating emergency evacuation of the aircraft.
US07703953B2 Skid device for spotlights
The invention relates to a skid device (6) for spotlights with skids (7, 8), which extend essentially parallel to the optical axis of the spotlight, and cross members (11, 12), which connect the skids (7, 8) to one another and which serve to hold a bottom section of the spotlight housing (3). The invention provides that at least one skid (7, 8) has a section (73 to 75, 83 to 85) situated at an angle to the center longitudinal axis (M) of the spotlight housing (1, 3).
US07703951B2 Modular LED-based lighting fixtures having socket engagement features
Modular lighting fixtures that allow convenient installation and removal of LED-based light-generating modules and controller modules. In one example, a modular lighting fixture includes a housing configured to be recessed into or disposed behind an architectural surface such as ceiling, wall, or soffit, in new or existing construction scenarios. The fixture housing includes a socket configured to facilitate one or more of a mechanical, electrical and thermal coupling of the light-generating module to the fixture housing. The ability to easily engage and disengage the LED-based light-generating module with the socket, without removing the fixture housing itself, allows for straightforward replacement of the light-generating module upon failure, or exchange with another module having different light-generating characteristics. Modular lighting controllers for such fixtures also may be easily installed in or removed from the fixture housing via the same access route by which the light-generating module is installed and removed.
US07703950B2 Side-emitting lens for LED lamp
A side-emitting lens for use with an LED lamp provides a distribution of emitted light that is substantially normal to an axis of symmetry of the lens; the light can also be symmetrical with respect to a plane normal to the lens axis. The lens has a cavity in which the LED lamp can reside, having a cavity refracting surface with a central section and a stepped cavity sidewall. The lens also has a base external refracting surface surrounding the cavity, an internal reflecting surface spaced apart from the cavity, and a side surface; these surfaces redirect light that enters the lens through the cavity refracting surface. For many applications, the lens axis is vertical in service and the lens is configured to provide a narrow distribution of light in the horizontal plane.
US07703947B2 Method and apparatus for bidirectional control of the color and diffusion of a light beam
A light fixture includes a flexible color filter material coupled to a scrolling mechanism that moves the material in a first direction to position a selected portion of the color filter material in a part of a light beam from the fixture. A device coupled to the mechanism may move the mechanism in a second direction so that another part of the light beam passes unfiltered. Different areas of the color filter material produce different colors. The device may move the mechanism in a direction parallel to a plane of the color filter material. The device may rotate the scrolling mechanism about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the plane of the color filter material. The color filter material may include a dichroic filter. The light fixture may also include a second scrolling mechanism coupled to flexible diffusion material, such that at least a part of the light beam of the light fixture may be diffused by a predetermined amount.
US07703946B2 LED wall wash light
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an LED light fixture that linearly arranges a plurality of LEDs within a housing such that each LED has a respective collimator. The output from the collimators is directed to a diffuser that shapes the light provided by the fixture so that a desired viewing angle is achieved. More particularly, the LEDs are located on a first circuit board and the driver chips for the LEDs are located on a second circuit board which sandwich a heat sink.
US07703945B2 Efficient emitting LED package and method for efficiently emitting light
An LED package comprises an LED for emitting LED light, and a conversion material remote to said LED for down-converting the wavelength of LED light. The package further comprises a reflector directing at least some of the LED light toward the conversion material, the conversion material down-converting the wavelength of at least some of the reflected LED light. A method for emitting light from an LED package comprising providing an LED, reflector and conversion material, and emitting light from said LED, at least some of the LED light emitted toward the reflector. The method further comprises reflecting at least some of the LED light toward the conversion material, and converting at least some of said reflected LED light at the conversion material. At least some of the converted reflected LED light is emitted by the LED package.
US07703944B2 Lighting control system
A lighting control system has at least one light fixture for illuminating buildings or partial surfaces thereof or goods or objects. Each light fixture has a plurality of light sources that generate light of different colors, and each fixture produces a total light output as a sum or mixture of the light emissions of these light sources. The control system itself has at least one control for adjusting the light emitted by the light source, a color selector that sets the color of the total light output, and a balancer that retains a set color of the total light output when a light output of at least one of the light sources is changed.
US07703940B2 Lighting device
A lighting device (30) having a housing (12) which includes a lamp means, a battery housing to receive at least one battery and a switch means to open and close a circuit between said lamp means and terminals of said at least one battery when located in said housing. Said lighting device includes a lanyard (110, 112) attached to said housing (12) characterised by said lanyard having a proximal end attached to said housing (12) and a distal end, whereby said distal end or a portion of said lanyard (110, 112) is adapted to be releasably attached to said housing (12).
US07703935B2 Arrangement structure of backlight in direct type liquid crystal display device
A backlight unit in a direct type liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of lamps, wherein each lamp includes a first end, a second end opposing the first end, and a fluorescent part between the first and second ends, and a supporter supporting the plurality of lamps, wherein fluorescent parts of adjacent lamps are longitudinally offset from each other, and each lamp includes a first external electrode at the first end of the lamp, and a second external electrode at the second end of the lamp.
US07703933B2 Mirror surface angle adjusting device
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a mirror surface angle adjusting device in which an assembly error between first housing (A1) and second housing (A2) does not affect the assembly accuracy of worm wheels (A71) badly, and which can be assembled by simple and prompt processes. The mirror surface angle adjusting device according to the aspect is characterized in that the worm wheels (A71) contained in the actuator (A) are held by the second housing (A2) in such a way that the worm wheels are not detached along their respective central axes and rotate around the respective central axes. This mirror surface angle adjusting device can be assembled by simple and prompt processes. In addition, even if there is any assembly error between the first housing (A1) and the second housing (A2), this error does not affects the assembly accuracy of the worm wheels (A71) badly.
US07703932B2 All-reflective, wide-field-of-view, inverse-telephoto optical system with external posterior aperture stop and long back focal length
An imaging optical system includes a set of mirrors including at least three mirrors on a beam path. Only a last mirror on the beam path has a positive optical power and all other mirrors have negative optical power. The sum of the optical powers of the mirrors is zero. An external posterior aperture stop is on the beam path between the last mirror and the image plane. A back focal length of the optical system is equal to or greater than an effective focal length of the optical system. The field of view is large, and typically at least 30-40 degrees in one plane.
US07703931B2 Two-sided corner-cube retroreflectors and methods of manufacturing the same
In a retroreflective sheeting, and methods of formation thereof, the sheeting comprises a body of material, the body having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of first full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the first surface of the body, the first full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other. A plurality of second full-square-sided corner-cube structures are on the second surface of the body, the second full-square-sided corner-cube structures each having three facets that lie along planes that are orthogonal to each other. The body is constructed and arranged to be transparent to incident electromagnetic energy at a range of wavelengths and to have a thickness so that an incident electromagnetic energy ray that is incident at one of the first and second surfaces enters the body, and is redirected by both the first surface and the second surface so that both the first surface and the second surface contribute to retroreflection of the incident electromagnetic energy ray, and exits from the one of the first and second surfaces at which the incident electromagnetic energy ray was incident to emit a retroreflected electromagnetic energy ray of the incident electromagnetic energy ray.
US07703929B2 Edge blending device, light shielding device and multi-projection system
An edge blending device which suppresses an increase in a luminance of a projection screen in an overlap area in which projection lights projected from a plurality of projection units onto a screen overlap each other, is characterized by including: a light shielding unit holder which includes light shielding pattern formation portions which can form a light shielding pattern corresponding to the projection lights forming the overlap area; and a light shielding pattern drive controller which controls a drive of the light shielding unit holder in such a way that the light shielding pattern formation portions are positioned corresponding to the projection lights from the projection units.
US07703927B2 Liquid crystal projector apparatus using heat exchanger and method of cooling liquid crystal projector apparatus
A liquid crystal projector apparatus has a liquid crystal unit having a liquid crystal panel for modulating light, an incident side polarizing plate and an exit side polarizing plate disposed in front of and behind the liquid crystal panel along the optical axis, respectively, a first holder member for holding the liquid crystal unit, a first heat exchanger disposed in close proximity to the first holder member for dissipating heat generated by the liquid crystal unit and then conducted to the first holder member using a coolant liquid which passes through a first channel formed inside the first heat exchanger, a pump for circulating the coolant liquid, and a radiator for cooling the coolant liquid.
US07703925B2 Miniature projector module having effective utilization of light with two polarizations
A miniature projector module includes: a light source unit capable of emitting source light with first and second polarizations; a polarization beam splitter capable of reflecting the source light with the first polarization, and permitting transmission of the source light with the second polarization therethrough; a first image modulator capable of converting the source light with the first polarization reflected by the beam splitter into image light with the second polarization, and directing the image light with the second polarization toward the beam splitter for further transmission therethrough; a second image modulator capable of converting the source light with the second polarization transmitted through the beam splitter into image light with the first polarization, and directing the image light with the first polarization toward the beam splitter for further reflection thereby; and a projector lens for receiving and projecting the image light from the beam splitter.
US07703920B2 Ophthalmic apparatus
An ophthalmic apparatus capable of alignment in total automation and manual alignment with an examinee's eye comprising an ophthalmic examination unit, a unit detecting an alignment state of the examination unit with the eye, a main base, a mobile base on which the examination unit is mounted and moved horizontally on the main base through operation of a control member, driving mechanisms moving the examination unit vertically and horizontally with respect to the mobile base, means switching a mode between a manual mode of performing alignment of the examination unit with each eye in sequence through the operation and a fully automatic mode of performing the alignment through driving of the driving mechanisms, and a control unit controlling the driving based on the detection result which starts in the fully automatic mode the driving based on a predetermined trigger signal so as to perform the alignment.
US07703919B2 Application of neuro-ocular wavefront data in vision correction
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for diagnosing and treating subjects using neuro-ocular wavefront data. As such, in some embodiments, among others, neuro-ocular wavefront data is obtained, and one or more characteristics of a visual system are ascertained from the neuro-ocular wavefront data.
US07703914B2 Durable eyeglass frame assembly
A novel eyeglasses frame allowing sizing, assembly and disassembly without the need for special training, screws, bolts, or pins, or special tools.
US07703911B2 Apparatus for forming a thin film using an inkjet printing method
In an apparatus of forming a thin film, the apparatus has a printing chamber that forms a thin film on a substrate. The apparatus has at least two drying chambers that receive the substrate on which the thin film is formed and dry the thin film on the substrate. The two drying chambers may be independently controlled. Accordingly, the apparatus may reduce process time for forming the thin film without contamination of the substrate.
US07703909B2 Ink set and media for ink-jet printing
An ink set for ink-jet printing includes a medium cyan ink-jet ink, a magenta ink-jet ink, and a gray ink-jet ink. Each of the medium cyan ink-jet ink, the magenta ink-jet ink, and the gray ink-jet ink are configured to have a lightness at a predetermined/given number of drops per unit area of an image-receiving medium such that the lightness of each of the inks are substantially matched.
US07703903B2 Ink reservoir for inkjet printhead
An ink reservoir (1) for maintaining ink (10) at a negative pressure by using the suction provided the printhead and then regulating the negative pressure with a pressure regulator (16) that allows air into cartridge at a specified pressure difference. The pressure regulator may be a porous member such as a membrane or mesh filter, or a simple pressure relief valve. The membrane (16), mesh or foam is selected such that its bubble point equates to the specified pressure difference.
US07703902B2 Liquid cartridge, contact device for contacting connection terminal portion of liquid cartridge with connector of recording apparatus, recording apparatus, and liquid consuming apparatus
A holder 204 which holds a connector 203 contacting with an electrical connection terminal portion 202 and can move with respect to a recording apparatus is provided, and a relative positioning unit 210 which allows the ink cartridge 11 to contact with the holder 204 and move the holder 204 in an mounting direction (Y-axis direction) of the ink cartridge 11 to determine a relative position between the ink cartridge 11 and the holder 204 when the ink cartridge 11 is mounted is provided.
US07703901B2 Printhead ink supply system comprising ink pressure regulator
A printhead ink supply system is provided. The system comprises an inkjet printhead; an ink reservoir; an ink pressure regulator and an ink line connecting the printhead and the regulator. The ink pressure regulator regulates a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to the printhead and comprises an ink chamber having an ink outlet; an air inlet open to atmosphere; a bubble outlet for bubbling air bubbles into the chamber and an air channel connecting the air inlet and the bubble outlet. Each air bubble comprises an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink and the bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn into the chamber as result of supplying ink to the printhead.
US07703896B2 Liquid-droplet jetting apparatus and liquid transporting apparatus
An ink-jet head includes a channel unit having pressure chambers; and a piezoelectric actuator which includes a vibration plate having an electroconductive substrate and an insulating layer, a piezoelectric layer arranged in an area overlapping with the pressure chamber, and a common electrode and an individual electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer. A recess is formed in an area overlapping with the pressure chamber. A wiring connected to the individual electrode is formed on the upper surface of the vibration plate in an area in which the piezoelectric layer is not formed. Accordingly, there is provided a liquid-droplet jetting apparatus and a liquid transporting apparatus having an improved durability, requiring a less electric power consumption, capable of performing a pulling ejection, and in which a wiring can be performed highly densely.
US07703895B2 Piezoelectric inkjet printhead and method of manufacturing the same
A piezoelectric inkjet printhead including an upper substrate, having an ink inlet, a manifold connected with the ink inlet, and a plurality of pressure chambers arranged along at least one side of the manifold, wherein the ink inlet passes through the upper substrate, and the manifold and the pressure chambers are formed in a lower surface of the upper substrate, a lower substrate disposed directly adjacent the upper substrate, the lower substrate having a plurality of restrictors each connecting the manifold with one end of each of the pressure chambers, and a plurality of nozzles each being formed in a position of the lower substrate that corresponds to the other end of each of the pressure chambers to vertically pass through the lower substrate, wherein the plurality of restrictors are formed in an upper surface of the lower substrate, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators.
US07703894B2 Apparatus of fabricating and method of fabricating liquid ejection head, and liquid ejection head
An apparatus of fabricating a liquid ejection head is provided. The apparatus includes: a first die including projected streak portions aligned in parallel by a predetermined pitch and gap portions formed between the adjacent projected streak portions, wherein the first die is adapted to form the groove-like recess portions by pressing the projected streak portions to a metal plate; and a second die for supporting the metal plate to which the projected streak portions of the first die are pressed. Each of the projected streak portions includes: an inner wall forming portion for forming an inner wall of the corresponding groove-like recess portion extending in a depth direction of the corresponding groove-like recess portion; a connecting face portion; and an inclined face portion, continuous via the connecting face portion to the inner wall forming portion, for forming a bottom portion of the corresponding groove like recess portion into a substantially V-like shape.
US07703892B2 Printhead integrated circuit having suspended heater elements
A printhead integrated circuit comprising a substrate having a plurality of nozzle assemblies. A nozzle plate has a plurality of nozzles openings defined therein and each nozzle opening corresponds to a respective nozzle assembly. Each nozzle assembly havs a respective nozzle chamber and a heater element positioned in the nozzle chamber. Each heater element is suspended in the nozzle chamber and parallel with a plane of the nozzle plate. The integrated circuit includes drive circuitry for controlling actuation of the heater elements. Each heater element includes solid material having a thickness of at least 0.25 microns and a mass of less than 10 nanograms.
US07703891B2 Heater to control bubble and inkjet printhead having the heater
A heater to control an ink bubble, and an inkjet printhead having the heater. The heater has different resistances according to portions thereof.
US07703886B2 Printhead assembly with pagewidth ink and data distribution
A pagewidth printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, that has a body portion for receiving ink from an ink source, an elongate ink distribution member mounted to the body portion, the body portion and the elongate ink distribution member being in fluid communication at a series of spaced locations along the length of the elongate ink distribution member, one or more integrated circuits fixed to the ink distribution member, the or each integrated circuit having nozzles for ejecting ink supplied by the distribution member onto a passing media substrate, and an electrical connector for transmitting data to the or each integrated circuit, the electrical connector having an elongate array of contacts for electrical connection with a corresponding array of contacts on the inkjet printer.
US07703885B2 Cradle unit which electromagnetically operates printhead capper
A cradle unit is provided which has a body complementary to a removable printhead cartridge, the removable printhead cartridge having a pagewidth printhead and a capper assembly, a controller for controlling operation of the printhead to facilitate printing when the removable printhead cartridge is received within the body, and an electromagnet assembly on the body which is controlled by the controller for operating the capper assembly of the removable printhead cartridge to permit the operation of the printhead.
US07703882B2 Method of purging using purging ink and printing using printing ink from an inkjet printhead
A method of purging and printing from an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) fluidically connecting the printhead to a second ink reservoir containing purging ink; (ii) purging the printhead using the purging ink, thereby flooding an ink ejection face of the printhead; (iii) removing the flooded ink from the ink ejection face; (iv) fluidically connecting the printhead to a first reservoir containing printing ink; and (v) printing from the printhead using the printing ink.
US07703875B2 Printing nozzle arrangement having movement sensor
A printing nozzle arrangement is provided having a substrate having a CMOS layer and a chamber with a fluid inlet and ejection port, a paddle within the chamber, an actuating arm pivotally coupled between the substrate and the paddle and having an arm portion electrically connected to the CMOS layer, and a movement sensor having a moving contact element associated with the arm portion and a fixed contact element associated with the substrate. The arm portion thermally expands when an electrical current is applied thereto via the CMOS layer causing pivoting of the actuating arm thereby displacing the paddle to cause ejection of fluid from the ejection port. The moving contact completes an electrical circuit when contacted with the fixed contact element when the actuating arm pivots to a predetermined extent.
US07703872B2 Ink jet printing apparatus and ink jet printing method
A plurality of print modes having different drive voltage values are provided for each ink temperature and, in each print mode, the ejection volume control is performed by adjusting the drive pulse. In a high quality mode that gives priority to an image quality, a drive pulse of relatively low voltage and long pulse width is applied. In a high speed mode that gives priority to a print speed, a drive pulse of relatively high voltage and short pulse width is applied. In the high quality mode this control allows the ejection volume to be controlled in a wide temperature range, stabilizing the color reproduction. In the high speed mode this control allows the drive frequency of the print head to be raised, increasing the print speed.
US07703868B2 Method for detecting printing material amounts in printing material container attached to printer
The amount of ink is determined using both a first vibration frequency that is measured when a driving signal of a first frequency is provided to a sensor, and a second vibration frequency that is measured when a driving signal of a second frequency, which is less than the first vibration frequency by a specific ratio, is provided to the sensor. When there is an incorrect measurement of either the first vibration frequency or the second vibration frequency, the natural frequencies to which the vibration frequencies are near will be different. Because the cases wherein the vibration frequency is measured incorrectly are the cases wherein there in no ink, when the first vibration frequency and/or the second vibration frequency is near to the target natural frequency, it is determined that the amount of ink is stored in the cartridge being processed is less than a specific amount.
US07703866B2 Article support divider system
An article support divider system includes a base for supporting articles thereon. The base includes a matrix of openings. Supporting members include a lower portion sized for being press fit into selected respective ones of the openings. A receiving slot is also provided on the receiving members to receive at least one divider plate in a substantially vertical orientation on the surface of the base for dividing the base into different storage regions. In a more specific aspect, a divider system is provided for use within a refrigerator, including at least one of the freezer compartment or refrigerator compartment thereof. The divider system also can be utilized in walls or the ceiling of the compartment with a plurality of openings formed therein.
US07703865B2 Storage compartment for a refrigeration device
A storage compartment for a refrigeration device, including a frame that having at least two elongated arms lying at a distance from one another forming an intermediate space therebetween. A holder for the refrigerated products, configured to rest on the arms and to lock into the intermediate space lying between the arms.
US07703856B1 Manhole cover frame removal saw
A manhole cover frame removal apparatus has a ring-shaped base with a circular track thereon and a saw mounting framework disposed atop the base. Rollers allow the saw mounting framework to advance in rotation about aligned vertical axes of the frame and the base. A saw mounting arm is joined to the framework and may be raised and lowered and locked in the raised position. A saw carriage is mounted on the saw arm for reciprocal movement toward and away from a saw arm hinge axis. A single saw motor is mounted on the carriage and can be immobilized at selected angles. Separate horizontal-cut and vertical-cut saw blades are alternatively and interchangeably attached to the saw blade rotor.
US07703854B2 Lounge chair with adjustable arm rests
According to some embodiments of the invention, the convenience of lounge, pool, and patio furniture is increased by providing adjustable armrests that do not require cumbersome adjustments in order to reposition the armrest. According to some embodiments of the invention, an additional pair of armrests may be attached to existing conventional chair designs that have only one pair of armrests in order to increase the utility of the chair, which may be especially useful for lounge chairs, patio furniture, chaise lounges, and the like.
US07703852B2 Heavy duty reclining mechanism for vehicle seats
A manual vehicle seat reclining mechanism and seat assembly incorporating the reclining mechanism is disclosed. A guide plate and a pivotal plate are assembled together and disposed between the seat base and seat back. A cam is biased by a spring to hold locking elements in engagement with the pivotal plate. A control plate is manually rotated with the cam to release the locking elements by drawing pins on one side of the locking plates radially inwardly with slots provided in the control plate. Ribs are provided on the pivotal plate that prevent the locking elements from returning to the locked position in certain radial alignments of the pivotal plate relative to the guide plate.
US07703851B2 Seat device
A tilt mechanism portion is connected to an front downward-extending portion of a side frame (cushion side fame) of a seat cushion so as to move vertically the seat cushion. A rear downward-extending portion of the cushion side frame is supported at a support pin of a base side frame. Thereby, the rear end of the seat cushion changes little longitudinally despite the vertical movement (tilt) of the front portion of the seat cushion. Accordingly, any conformability deterioration that may be caused by a large forward movement of the seat cushion at a seat back taking a large reclining position can be prevented properly.
US07703847B2 Backrest for a vehicle seat
The invention relates to a backrest for a vehicle seat, with a head support (1) which is adjustable in terms of the height of the head support (1) with respect to the backrest, and with a proximity sensor (5) for detecting the head position of a person sitting on the vehicle seat in relation to the head support (1), an indication for adjusting the head support (1) in the event of a mispositioning and/or an adjustment of the head support (1) by an electric drive (4) out of an initial position taking place until the head of the person sitting on the vehicle seat causes a triggering of the proximity sensor (5), the proximity sensor (5) being arranged in the upper part of the head support (1) and being directed downward onto the region of greatest curvature of the back of the head of the person sitting on the vehicle seat.
US07703846B2 Cycle seat with adjustable sides
The cycle seat with adjustable sides includes a base plate having a forward and optionally a rearward guide plate thereon. Each guide plate includes laterally adjustable left and right arm extensions, with each arm having a generally vertical wing extending upwardly therefrom. The arms of each pair simultaneously adjust inwardly and outwardly opposite one another, permitting a single adjustment to adjust both wings of a set equally. Each wing pair includes a latch mechanism, which is adjustable as the cyclist rides the cycle. The seat may be installed per se upon a bicycle or other cycle, or may be installed in combination with a longitudinal and/or arcuate and vertical adjustment mechanism for the seat. The cycle seat greatly reduces or eliminates the need for a pommel, while assuring that the seat remains in contact with the hips and/or thighs of the cyclist at all times to assure more complete control.
US07703845B2 Saddle-adjusting mechanism of a fitness apparatus
A saddle-adjusting mechanism of a fitness apparatus having: a) a set of upper and lower parallel slide rails pivotally attached to a front and a rear connecting rod; and b) a saddle support with guide rollers and an engaging gear such that the upper and lower parallel slide rails may be adjusted at a certain angle. Meanwhile, a saddle can be moved forward and backward and maintained at a certain angle so that the operators have a comfortable sitting. Moreover, a back pad support is installed in such a way that a fine adjustment of the backing angle of a back pad is achieved by moving it upward and downward.
US07703842B2 Sliding roof structure and vehicle having the same
A sliding roof structure of a vehicle includes rails 5a, 5b installed on the right and left roof side portions of the vehicle and a cover member 2 that can be slid and folded along the rails 5a, 5b, wherein the cover member 2 is comprised of a detachable inner cover member 30 and an outer cover member 40, which is slid along the rails 5a, 5b and to which the inner cover member 30 is mounted in detachable state, or the cover member 2 is comprised of a base cover member 7, which is made by attaching a bottom cover sheet 9 to the bottom frame member 10, and a top cover member 8, which is made by attaching a top cover sheet 8a to the top frame member 14, either the top frame member 14 or the bottom frame member 10 is equipped with an engaging portion 14a and the other with a groove 12 for supporting the engaging portion 14a, and the engaging portion 14a is inserted into the groove 12 and the top cover member 8 attached to the base cover member 7 in detachable state.
US07703840B2 Vehicle with cabin
A vehicle with a cabin comprises a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; a cabin bracket supported by the vehicle body; an elastic member for supporting the cabin, disposed between the cabin and the cabin bracket; and a weight member attached to a plate-shaped member of the cabin.
US07703839B2 Airflow control devices based on active materials
An airflow control device comprises a body and an active material in operative communication with the body. The active material, such as shape memory material, is operative to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material can change its shape, dimensions and/or stiffness producing a change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness to control vehicle airflow to better suit changes in driving conditions such as weather, ground clearance and speed, while reducing maintenance and the level of failure modes. As such, the device reduces vehicle damage due to inadequate ground clearance, while increasing vehicle stability and fuel economy. An activation device, controller and sensors may be employed to further control the change in at least one feature of the airflow control device such as shape, dimension, location, orientation, and/or stiffness of the device. A method for controlling vehicle airflow selectively introduces an activation signal to initiate a change of at least one feature of the device that can be reversed upon discontinuation of the activation signal.
US07703837B2 Sealing system of B-pillarless rear sliding door
The invention relates to a vehicle door for closing a door opening provided in a vehicle frame, and to a vehicle door system with the vehicle door according to the invention. The vehicle door has body panels, an inner panel which, in the fitted position, faces the vehicle interior, and an outer panel which, in the fitted position, faces away from the vehicle interior, said panels being connected fixedly to each other and delimiting a cavity.With the proviso of providing a vehicle door of the type mentioned at the beginning, which can be produced in a less complicated manner, it is proposed that an end panel for delimiting the cavity is provided as a further body panel at least on one narrow side of the vehicle door, and that the end panel is connected fixedly laterally to the outer panel and the inner panel.
US07703835B2 Secondary door and temperature control system and method
An inner or secondary door and temperature control system for use on a vehicle or trailer having a storage compartment and a first or primary door associated with a first entry or entryway into the storage compartment. The secondary door provides a moveable barrier or door that is situated in operative relationship to the first entry or entryway associated with the first door in order to prevent thermal loss from the storage compartment area during deliveries or at times when the first door is open.
US07703833B2 Side roll up tarpaulin system for a flatbed trailer
The invention relates to a side lifting/closing tarpaulin system for a flatbed trailer, the trailer having an elongated platform having front and rear ends, sides, a pair of bulkheads of similar construction extending upwardly from the platform at its front and rear ends, and a plurality of tarpaulin supporting beams extending laterally across the platform, and longitudinally along the platform. The system comprises a pair of pivoting arms, each arm supported by a corresponding bulkhead. The arms are pivotable, in corresponding fashion, with respect to a side of the platform, between an upper, open orientation and a lower, closed orientation. Each arm is provided with an elongated slot along a longitudinal axis of the arm. Each arm is mounted relative to the bulkhead such that the pivot sits within the slot in a manner that permits longitudinal movement of the arm relative to the pivot. There is further provided mechanical drive means to rotate the roller to roll or unroll the tarpaulin thus causing movement of the arms between the open and closed positions.
US07703825B2 Truck bed extender
An extender for a bed of a truck, wherein the extender comprises a frame that has front end, a rear end and sides. At least one, and preferably two, spaced apart connector brackets extend outwardly away from the rear end of the frame. The connector brackets are designed to rest upon an end portion of the truck bed when the truck's tailgate has been removed. The connector brackets are preferably bolted into the truck bed, but may be frictionally engaged therewith. A strut extends downwardly from the frame and is connected to a rearwardly extending longitudinal support. The support is secured to the truck's trailer hitch. The extender is therefore supported by both the connector brackets and the hitch. The length of the strut is vertically adjustable to allow the extender to be secured to any type of truck. The longitudinal support is also slidably adjustable onto the trailer hitch to provide for the extender to be secured to any type of truck. The frame preferably is formed with a pair of spaced-apart wheel wells so as to receive a pair of wheels of a vehicle loaded onto the truck bed. The frame may be provided with a pair of ramps to assist in loading of the truck and with an extended hitch to allow a trailer to be connected to the truck.
US07703822B1 Combination rake and shovel tool
A combination rake and shovel tool having handles of which are crossed and pivoted to one another. The rake having a straight head and prongs pointing in the direction of the shovel scoop and being a leaf type rake. The shovel is similar to a snow shovel. The rake and shovel close together to pick up leaves and debris. The device may also be singularly used as a shovel or rake or in combination, additionally the present invention can be placed in a standing position when not in use.
US07703819B2 Pedestrian protection
A road vehicle 10A with a bonnet or engine compartment 14A and engine 32A is provided with pedestrian protection structure 42. This is formed by first assessing the structure of the vehicle 10A to determine the ability of the structure to provide at least partial absorption of a pre-defined impact to the vehicle (such as a simulated head or leg impact). The additional structure 42 is mounted on the vehicle 10A to provide partial absorption of the initial impact, at least sufficient for the vehicle structure to absorb any remaining energy of impact.
US07703811B2 Security thread
The current invention relates to a security element for security substrates, such as those used for banknotes and the like, having enhanced public recognition, anti-counterfeit and detection properties. A security element comprising an elongate strip of a light transmitting polymeric substrate, said substrate being provided with a magnetic feature and a metallic design, the metallic design being provided by a combination of metal and non-metallic regions and comprising indicia, characters, patterns, designs, or geometrical shapes or a combination of the aforesaid design comprising at least one repeating pattern or which one or more of the frequency, the instantaneous amplitude and/or the maximum amplitude of the pattern varies along the length of the element, said pattern being positioned relative to the magnetic feature such that it does not overlap therewith.
US07703810B2 Security device
A security device that increases the number of design options available for a machine testable security feature formed in part from a light absorbing (e.g., magnetic) material, while more effectively hiding or concealing this material, is provided. The inventive security device achieves these results by physically separating this security feature from a visually detectable or public security feature. Also provided by way of this invention is a process for preparing the inventive security device as well as a security document that employs one or more such devices.
US07703808B2 Expandable business card
An expandable business card is described that includes a first foldable page and a second foldable page. The first foldable page has a detachable business card. The second foldable page is connected to a booklet. The first page and second page are interconnected and slidingly engaged. When in a first folded position, the booklet is concealed within the perimeter of the expandable business card. When the expandable business card is opened in the second position, the booklet can expand to a predetermined size to provide an additional area for promotional information. The first page includes a projection that is not visible in the first folded position but then extends for viewing in the second open position.
US07703806B2 Seat belt system for a motor vehicle
A vehicle seat belt system has seat belt webbing that is attached to a tongue adapted to be located in a buckle mechanism fixed to a load-bearing part of the vehicle. A generally vertically extending strap is adapted to be located in a position against a seat back. An adjustable webbing guide connects the generally vertically extending strap to the seat belt webbing; and there is a device for positively locking the webbing guide to the generally vertically extending strap at any one of a plurality of selectable locations on the generally vertically extending strap. A load limiter is operative for a child seat occupant but not operative for an adult seat occupant.
US07703805B2 Vehicle front body structure
A bridge-shaped frame member is disposed on a front side frame in front of a suspension tower so as to extend vertically and stride over a No. 4 mount. Accordingly, there can be provided a vehicle front body structure that can attain a proper energy absorption of the front side frame with its axial compression can be attained at a vehicle crash.
US07703798B2 Structure of rear portion of vehicle furnished with curtain airbag apparatus
A structure of a rear portion of a vehicle furnished with a curtain airbag apparatus includes a rear pillar, a soft roof trim, a rear pillar trim harder than the roof trim, and a cover constituting part of the rear pillar trim and covering a specific area of a front face portion of the rear pillar trim. The curtain airbag apparatus includes a curtain airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the curtain airbag into the vehicle interior along side window glass. The cover of the rear pillar trim can easily be displaced frontward along an airbag deployment joint. When inflated, the curtain airbag fixed to a vehicle body along an upper edge and a rear edge of the side window glass in a retracted position deploys into the vehicle interior upon separating and displacing the cover of the rear pillar trim frontward from the other part thereof.
US07703796B2 Air bag module including improved inflator retainer assembly
An air bag module (20) including: an inflator (200) for providing inflation gas; a bracket assembly (100) having an integral spring portion for resiliently biasing the inflator toward a retained position.
US07703794B2 Canting device for a snowboard binding and methods
Embodiments of a canting device for use with a snowboard system are described herein. According to one exemplary embodiment, a snowboard system includes a snowboard, a snowboard binding mountable on the snowboard, and an adjustable canting device positionable at least partially within the binding such that the binding is positioned between the snowboard and the adjustable canting device. The canting device can be configured to selectively cant a snowboard boot relative to the binding and the snowboard when the snowboard boot is secured in the binding.
US07703792B1 Rotational trailer hitch coupling assembly
A hitch coupling assembly attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle including a hitch plate that has an upper surface and an open end for receiving a king pin. The coupling assembly has an arm with opposite ends. A skid plate is attached to one end of the arm and the skid plate has a perimeter defined by sides. The king pin extends from a surface of the skid plate. A journal pin is attached to the opposite end of the arm and is rotatable relative to the arm. The journal pin is optionally lockable or the arm relative to the hitch is optionally lockable.
US07703789B1 Load coupling apparatus for wheeled vehicle
A load coupling apparatus for a wheeled vehicle includes load linkage members that pivotally suspend the vehicle and load weight below the axles of the vehicle, allowing limited relative displacement of the axles and the load in the direction of vehicle travel. The load is displaced by moving the axles in the desired direction of travel, whereafter the suspended load follows the axles in a swinging motion as the effects of gravity overcome the load inertia. The effort required to initiate movement of the load is significantly reduced due to the relative displacement of the axles and the load, and the mechanical advantage afforded by the load linkage members. Once in motion, the load continues to track the axles in the direction of travel, providing continued reduction in motive effort even when the load reaches a constant forward speed.
US07703788B2 Force channeling mountain bike rear suspension
An innovated rear suspension system for mountain bikes that includes five structural tubes—a force channeling tube, a front stabilizing tube, a rear stabilizing tube, a top tube, and a seat tube—connected to form an irregular polygon; reinforced with gussets, a torque conversion device pivotally connected to a compression strut, a shock-absorbing element and the force channeling tube, which transfers force or shock from the compression strut to the shock-absorbing element. The shock-absorbing element pivotally connected at the front to a pair of shock mounts attached to the force channeling tube absorbs and compresses force from the torque conversion device and transfers the force to the force channeling tube. The upward and forward direction of the force channeling tube guides the force along the force channeling tube propelling the bicycle and the rider forward, reducing jacking and efficiently utilizing pedal forces.
US07703782B2 Control arm and knuckle assembly
An assembly including a control arm and a steering knuckle, one of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a first end with a ball, the other of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a socket that includes a bearing structure formed so as to surround a portion of the ball to securely fasten the ball to the socket. The control arm has a bayonette configuration to receive a first node and a second node is cast directly onto the control arm.
US07703781B2 Suspensions for low floor vehicle
A low profile chassis and suspension system for a road vehicle. The chassis supports a payload section or cargo compartment, such as for a delivery truck, ambulance, or shuttle bus. The chassis includes a largely planar frame having a top surface which is located beneath the rotational axes of the rear wheels. The wheel suspension system is particularly compact and close to the road surface. In some embodiments each wheel is suspended from the vehicle by a pair of pivotal support arms. Preferably, one arm is located above the other arm, and both arms pivot along pivot axes that are generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the supported wheel. A spring urges one of the arms apart from the frame. In other embodiments, the spring is placed beneath the rotational axis of the wheel. In some embodiments both of the pivoting support arms are located beneath the rotational axis of the wheel.
US07703780B2 Wheel supporting apparatus improving ride comfort of vehicle
A wheel supporting apparatus includes dampers, ball joints, a knuckle, an upper arm and a lower arm. The dampers are attached to a case of an in-wheel motor in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle's body and are connected respectively to the ball joints. The upper arm and the lower arm have respective one-ends connected to respective dampers via the ball joints and respective other ends pivotably fixed to the vehicle's body. The knuckle is connected to the ball joints to rotatably support a wheel hub via hub bearings.
US07703775B2 Metal gasket for cylinder head
A metal gasket for a cylinder head has a lamination of plates. The gasket includes two base metal plates each of which includes cylinder holes, circumferential beads formed around the peripheries of individual cylinder holes, cooling water holes formed outside the peripheries of the circumferential beads, and an outer bead formed so as to entirely enclose the circumferential beads and the cooling water holes. The circumferential beads of the two base plates are aligned in a direction of thickness of the gasket. Claw shaped protrusions are provided for one of an outer step adjustment metal plate and an inner step adjustment metal plate and extend from a cooling water jacket to the outer edges of the base plates into engagement holes in the other of the inner step adjustment plate and the outer step adjustment plate.
US07703769B2 Device for separating overlapping, flat items of mail
A device for separating overlapping, flat items of mail in an upright position in a transport path has separating sections arranged in the transport path and having transport belts. A stationary retaining strip running over a length of all separating sections is attached on the transport path on a side opposite the transport belt and operates on the mail items with friction force. Pressure elements for pressing the retaining strip onto transported mail items are distributed over a length of the retaining strip. Each pressure element comprises a coupling lever, pressure rollers and an elastic belt loop. The belt loop is attached a back of the retaining strip, and guided via the pressure rollers on ends of the coupling lever running in longitudinal direction of the retaining strip. The coupling lever is displaceably supported on a pivot axis.
US07703768B2 Image forming system, relay conveyance apparatus and method for installing image forming system
There is described an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus provided with a first paper sheet outlet to eject the paper sheet outside therefrom; a post processing apparatus that is provided with a second paper sheet inlet; and a relay conveyance apparatus that is installed between the image forming apparatus and the post processing apparatus. The relay conveyance apparatus includes a relay conveyance unit, disposed at an upper space of the relay conveyance apparatus and provided with a first paper sheet inlet and a second paper sheet outlet and a coupling unit, which fixes the image forming apparatus and the post processing apparatus to the relay conveyance apparatus, in such a manner that the first paper sheet outlet and the second paper sheet outlet substantially coincide with the first paper sheet inlet and the second paper sheet inlet, respectively.
US07703767B2 Inertial flattening for note processing
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for maintaining surface smoothness of note as they pass through a high speed processing machine. A note fed into the processing machine is carried through the machine by a series of conveyor belts. The note is conveyed past a line scan camera that records the note as it crosses a gap while passing from a first conveyor belt to a second conveyor belt that is approximately orthogonal to the first conveyor belt. A curved note guide directs the path of the note, helping it make the 90 degree turn as it crosses the gap between the conveyor belts. The inertia of the note causes it to remain flush against the surface of the curved guide, allowing the line scan camera to record each line of the surface of the note with equal resolution.
US07703762B2 Sheet supply device and image forming apparatus
When a paper feed cassette is again mounted, a pressing portion of a pressing member is brought into contact from the front side on a second surface of an extending portion of a contacting member, and the contacting member is pressed by the pressing member to be displaced from the retract position to the contact position. At this time, the pressing portion of the contacting member presses a pressed portion of a disc member to rotate a third cam itself in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing. Accordingly, the lift lever locked by the third cam is released, and an end portion of an arm member is allowed to move upward.
US07703760B2 Method and a device for processing and separating an imbricate formation of flexible, flat objects
The invention relates to a method and to a device for processing and separating an imbricate formation of flexible, flat objects 10, in particular of folded printed products. The imbricate formation is influenced by way of a guide means 1 which at least in regions is inclined with respect to the horizontal such that the objects are differently inclined with respect to the vertical. The guide means 1 serve for reforming the flat objects of the imbricate flow in angle and alignment, wherein at its end there is effected a removal of individual or groups of flat objects. At the end of a guide surface 2 of the guide means 1 there is arranged a conveyor means 9 which serves for conveying away the isolated objects 10.
US07703759B2 Box sheet feeder method and apparatus
An offset sheet feeder comprises a first stack feeder configured to hold a stack of first sheets and to feed individual ones of the first sheets from the stack of first sheets, and a second stack feeder configured to hold a stack of second sheets and to feed individual ones of the second sheets from the stack of second sheets. The second stack feeder is positioned rearward and at a relative offset with respect to the first stack feeder, such that second sheets fed forward from the second stack overlap with first sheets fed from the first stack by an amount related to the relative offset. Aligned, overlapped pairs of first and second sheets can be fed into a box forming apparatus. The offset sheet feeder may include a glue dispenser for depositing adhesive in the overlap area of second sheets fed from the second stack feeder.
US07703758B2 Sheet stacking device and sheet processing device, and image forming apparatus provided therewith
A bundle discharge roller pair is made to rotate backward in a holding state in which the sheets are held between the bundle discharge roller pair, and, at the same time, the upper bundle discharge roller of the pair is separated from the lower bundle discharge roller of the pair. The released sheets slide down on the inclined processing tray at a return velocity Vb; and are made to run into the rear end stopper for aligning. The return velocity Vb may be controlled according to the reverse-rotational speed of the bundle discharge roller pair and is set at a low velocity, when it is found that, for example, the size of the sheet is large, and the return velocity Vb is increased in the case of coated paper with a large coefficient of friction.
US07703756B2 Machine for converting a fabric from a rolled fabric into a superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to a dyeing machine
A machine for converting a fabric from a rolled fabric into a superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to a dyeing machine. The machine includes a frame, a cradle, and a carriage. The frame rests on an unyielding surface. The cradle is operatively connected to the frame, holds the rolled fabric, and dispenses the fabric from the rolled fabric. The carriage is movably mounted to the frame, and receives the fabric dispensed from the rolled fabric, and in response thereto, moves back and forth relative to the frame to dispense the fabric into the superimposingly folded fabric for delivery to the dyeing machine.
US07703751B2 Winch assembly including clutch mechanism
A winch assembly includes a housing member, a drum rotatably coupled to the housing member, a drive shaft extending through the drum and into the housing member, a gear train located within the housing member, and an actuation mechanism. The gear train includes a sun gear driven by the drive shaft, a ring gear, and a planetary gear assembly driven by the sun gear and including a planetary gear rotatably coupled to a carrier plate and engaged with the ring gear. The actuation mechanism includes a locking member displaceable between first and second positions and a biasing member having a radially extending arm engaged with the locking member to provide displacement between the first and second positions. The locking member rotationally fixes the ring gear relative to the housing member in the first position and allows relative rotation between the ring gear and the housing member in the second position.
US07703748B2 Fastener extraction tool
The hand tool is used to extract a fastener from a material. The hand tool has a head with two pivotally joined halves including at least one pair of gripping jaws. The tool head preferably includes tips that may be used to dig beneath a fastener head that is flush with or set below a surface. The tool includes a pair of handles operable to close the gripping jaws. The handles are preferably offset above the plane of the tool head such that they operate as a lever in cooperation with a fulcrum on the bottom of the tool head to extract the fastener.
US07703747B2 Lifting device with securely fastened lift bridge
A two-position lift bridge is used with a jack-stand power unit including a forward end, a rearward end, a pair of upward side flanges, with the rearward end having a hydraulic cylinder. A rear cover plate extends horizontally from the side flanges and over the cylinder, and has vertical apertures for positioning the lift bridge, and has a threaded vertical aperture for securing the lift bridge. The frame has a pair of parallel lift arms having forward end that are extendable by the cylinder. Each forward end has a leveling pad pivotally attached having an outwardly extended flange, and one having a vertical aperture and a threaded aperture. The lift bridge includes a rectangular plate one side having downward extending corner flanges with horizontal openings for engaging one of the outwardly extended flanges of the leveling pad. The other side of the plate has a pin extending downward for engaging the aperture in the other leveling pad, and includes a vertical aperture that is aligned with the threaded aperture of the leveling pad for receiving a fastener. The lift bridge can be stored on the cover plate and secured with the fastener. The lift bridge can be positioned on the forward ends of the lift arm by placing the corner flanges on the outward flange of one leveling pad, then positioning the downward pin into the aperture in the other leveling pad, and secured with the fastener.
US07703744B2 Core push-in seal
A solenoid valve may include a housing, a solenoid coil, and a plunger. The solenoid coil may be disposed about an external portion of the housing and the plunger may be slidably disposed within the housing. The plunger may include a recess in a first end thereof having a seal assembly located and retained therein through a mechanical engagement therewith.
US07703740B1 Clog resistant pilot valve
A clog resistant, pilot operated pilot valve having two fluid paths, one path for fluid flow from the valve input to the valve output, and the second path for fluid flow through input and output pilot apertures. The opening and closing of the pilot apertures controls the flow of fluid between the input and output of the pilot valve. A clog resistant pilot operated valve in which fluid flows through the pilot fluid path only during the time of transition from an valve open to a valve closed condition, or vice-versa, thereby reducing the probability of failure due to contaminants blacking the pilot activation path. A clog resistant pilot operated valve in which the plunger, used to open and close the pilot fluid paths, is ribbed in construction to reduce the probability that contaminants will cause seizure of the plunger movement.
US07703737B2 Pole mounting system
A pole mounting system includes a pole having at least one channel, and a spike having a finger configured to be received in the channel of the pole. The finger is attached to a neck that is configured to extend out of the channel and connect to a connector. The connector may be configured in a number of different ways depending on the particular type of device to be suspended on the pole. For example, the connector may be configured to connect to different types of arms that may be used to hold a flat panel display, or may be configured to hold other things such as a table. The finger is elongate and configured to engage the interior of the channel when the weight of the flat panel display is placed on the spike. Optionally, a spring-loaded pin may be provided to temporarily hold the spike in place while the spike is screwed into place in the channel through the use of set screws. Wire management may be provided within the channel.
US07703733B2 Support for electrical display device
A support for an electrical display device such as a monitor is disclosed. The support includes a pair of support members (2,3) connected by a pivot joint (4) to enable relative movement of the support members (2,3) about an axis of rotation, the joint (4) including an outer hub (11) mounted for rotation about the axis within a clamping member (5) attached to one support member (2), an inner hub (10) mounted to the other support member (3) coaxial with the outer hub (11) and being rotatable about the axis relative to the outer hub (11) in a first direction and, a clutch member (12) between the inner and outer hub (10,11) engageable in response to rotation of the inner hub (10) in the opposite direction such that the outer hub (11) rotates together with the inner hub (10) when a compressive force exerted on the outer hub (11) by the clamping member (5) is overcome. A universal joint (7) is also disclosed.
US07703731B1 Clamping apparatus of web camera
A clamping apparatus of web camera includes a first clamping element, a second clamping element and at least one elastic element. The first clamping element has a base portion for engaging with a web camera. The base portion has a first clamping surface. A guide portion is extended from the first clamping surface. The second clamping element has a main portion which has a second clamping surface. The second clamping surface defines a recess for relatively slidably engaging with the guide portion and then adjusting the width of a clamping space defined by the first and second clamping surfaces. The elastic element is disposed between the first clamping element and the second clamping element for providing a clamping force between the first and second clamping surfaces.
US07703729B1 Universal vibration control stand for high quality audio equipment
A universal height adjustable device for controlling the effects of vibrations on vibration sensitive audio equipment, particularly loudspeakers, by dampening the vibration and eliminating or minimizing the acoustic feedback, producing quality sound without distortion. This device is a collection of embodiments comprising of a centerpiece to hold the arms, feet to support the entire system, and swivel seats assembly with a right angle cut to allow the audio equipment to rest on. This device aims to preserve the acoustic advantages of spikes in a novel manner, without damaging the floor or modifying the loudspeaker enclosure which causes damage.
US07703728B2 K-base for a pole mounting system
A K-base for a pole mounting system includes a central hub formed as a pentagon with legs extending from four of the five sides of the pentagon. The ends of the legs may splay to form clefts configured to receive a flat outer perimeter of the central hub so that the legs may be bolted to the central hub. The ends of the legs and the fifth unoccupied side of the pentagon may be formed to approximate a disk. In the central region of the central hub, on the top surface, an indentation may be formed to approximate an outer perimeter of a pole configured to be attached to the K-base. On the bottom surface, the central region may contain a depression sized to receive a washer and optionally a weight. Bolts extending through the washer and optionally through the weight may be used to connect the K-base to a pole. The washer may be formed to distribute stress from the bolts on the central hub.
US07703723B1 Bag support device
A bag support device comprising an inner ring, having a locking flap, with a locking button extending therefrom; and one or more leg sockets. The device also includes an outer ring defining a space that is adapted to receive the inner ring, and having a locking hole, corresponding to the locking button; a tapered edge; and one or more convexities, corresponding to the one or more leg sockets. One or more legs are coupled to the inner ring at the leg sockets; and a bag support member is coupled to the outer ring through a support member socket. A handle is coupled to the outer ring.
US07703718B2 Aircraft cabin arrangement and storage unit
An aircraft cabin includes a longitudinal cabin wall, seats, transversal accesses, and at least one storage space. The seats are disposed in rows that are transversal relative to a longitudinal aisle. The transversal accesses permit access to the seats of the transversal rows closest to the cabin wall. At least one storage space is disposed in an immediate proximity of the longitudinal cabin wall and at a dead end of one of the transversal accesses. The dead end of the one of the transversal accesses is not entered by passengers of the aircraft cabin.
US07703714B2 Comminution machine
A coarse material comminution machine 1 comprises a rotor 2 fitted with blades 4 and a stator body 3 located on the stator side with at least one blade 5 adjustable by means of a control device 11 in the direction towards the rotor 2 and in the direction away from the rotor 2. The control device has an adjusting slide 12 that is movable relative to the rotor 2 as well as an activating device 13 for the movement of the adjusting slide 12 in the direction towards the rotor 2 and in the direction away from the rotor 2. The blade 5 is kinetically coupled to a movement of the adjusting slide 12. The blade 5 is connected to the adjusting slide 12 by one or several coupling members 14 connectible to the adjusting slide 11 and the blade 5 in form-fitting and detachable fashion.
US07703711B2 Combination shredder-storage unit
A combination shredder and storage unit that combines various desirable features. The unit includes a cabinet having lower and upper ends and front, rear and side faces. A front access is located in the front face and configured to permit access to the interior of the cabinet. An upper opening is located in the upper end of the cabinet through which a shredding device within the cabinet is accessed. A door is provided for opening and closing the upper opening to allow and prevent access to the shredding device. A receptacle within the cabinet is sized for receiving and storing shredded material, and is accessible by opening the front access of the cabinet. The unit also includes at least one exterior storage compartment on the front access of the cabinet, and at least one closable drawer located beneath the receptacle. The unit can be configured as a floor-standing unit, as well as much smaller counter and wall-mounted units.
US07703709B2 Electromagnetic fuel injection valve
An electromagnetic fuel injection valve in which a first resin-molded layer that is made of a synthetic resin, covers a solenoid section, and forms a coupler main portion that defines a coupler is covered by a second resin-molded layer different from that of the first resin-molded layer so that an outer face of the coupler main portion is exposed from a middle part up to the extremity of the coupler main portion. An endless engagement groove is provided on the outer periphery of the middle pad of the coupler main portion of the first resin-molded layer, the second resin-molded layer engaging with the endless engagement groove. An extending portion extending further outward than the engagement groove is formed in the second resin-molded layer so that the extending portion makes contact with an outer face of the coupler main portion when in a non-engaged state and covers the coupler main portion.
US07703703B2 Reservoir and spray applicator
An apparatus for spraying lawn products adapted for use with a fluid supply source and a reservoir includes a housing defining a mixing chamber therein and a reservoir coupled to the housing. A process for use of the apparatus is also disclosed. The housing includes a substantially cylindrically shaped cap portion having discontinuous internal threads forming flats therein, a lip portion, and an open end portion. The reservoir includes a generally cylindrically shaped neck portion having a partial exterior shoulder, external threads thereon, and an end portion. Internal threads of the neck portion of the reservoir interengage the discontinuous internal threads having flats therein of the cap portion. The partial exterior shoulder of the reservoir interengages the open end portion of the cap portion such that the end portion of the neck of the reservoir does not engage the lip portion of the cap portion aspirating of the reservoir and housing.
US07703701B2 System for the spraying of spray liquid for aircraft windshield, and cockpit provided with such a spraying system
A system for spraying liquid for a windshield of an aircraft includes a spray-liquid supply circuit, a pressurized-gas supply circuit designed to purge the spray-liquid supply circuit, and at least one nozzle disposed downstream from the circuits and designed to spray the spray liquid and pressurized gas on an aircraft windshield, wherein the system includes a control device able to simultaneously actuate the temporary spraying of spray liquid and of pressurized gas respectively in the spray-liquid spraying circuit and in the pressurized-gas spray circuit in such a way that a pressurized-gas spraying time is strictly greater than a spraying-liquid spraying time. For example, the control device includes a time-lag relay controlling the pressurized-gas supply circuit.
US07703699B2 Device for controlling the movement of an outwardly extending beam on an agricultural machine
A beam (16) such as a spray bar of an agricultural sprayer (10) is pivotable about an axis (22) into an operating position. In the operating position, the bar is in contact with a stop (28) located on a two-legged lever (30), one leg (42) of which is acted upon by the beam (16) and the other leg (44) of which is acted upon by a energy storing mechanism (34).
US07703698B2 Ultrasonic liquid treatment chamber and continuous flow mixing system
An ultrasonic liquid treatment chamber has an elongate housing through which liquid flows longitudinally from an inlet port to an outlet port thereof. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends within the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid within the housing. An elongate ultrasonic horn of the waveguide assembly is disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet and outlet ports, and has a plurality of discrete agitating members in contact with and extending transversely outward from the horn intermediate the inlet and outlet ports in longitudinally spaced relationship with each other. The horn and agitating members are constructed and arranged for dynamic motion of the agitating members relative to the horn at the predetermined frequency and to operate in an ultrasonic cavitation mode of the agitating members corresponding to the predetermined frequency and the liquid being treated in the chamber.
US07703694B2 Thermostat capable of displaying received information
A thermostat for controlling a climate control system is provided that comprises a network interface for establishing an internet connection with a website of a remote service provider, and a microprocessor for controlling the operation of a climate control system. The microprocessor is in communication with the network interface for establishing an internet connection and receiving user-specified information from a remote service provider that maintains a user-profile of information requested by the user. The thermostat further comprises a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying user-specified information received via the network controller from the remote service provider.
US07703693B2 Anonymous communication
A method of enabling anonymous communication between a user and an application server, via interaction of a sensing device with coded data disposed on a surface to generate interaction data, the method including the steps, performed in a computer system, of: identifying a first telecommunication address of the user from: an identity of the sensing device received or determined in the computer system; or the interaction data; associating a temporary telecommunication address with the first telecommunication address; sending the temporary telecommunication address and interaction data to an application; receiving information from the application addressed to said temporary telecommunication address; and forwarding the information from the application to the first telecommunication address.
US07703690B2 Non-contact IC apparatus and control method
A non-contact IC apparatus is provided in a simple configuration with a plurality of IC chips, while enabling reliable communication. A non-contact IC apparatus 1 has a plurality of IC chips 30, 50, an antenna 11 for receiving a radio wave for non-contact IC apparatus, a modem part 12 for acquiring a signal from the radio wave received by the antenna 11, and a distribution control part 13 for selecting an IC chip to receive the signal, out of the plurality of IC chips 30, 50, based on the signal acquired by the modem part 12, and for transmitting the signal to the selected IC chip.
US07703686B2 Consumer-computer-readable product label apparatus and method
A user-computer-readable medium provides all or part of a product labeling system for engaging purchasers. Executables, data, or both are recorded in the medium embodied in a tag or other product labeling structure, in order to deliver to a consumer or purchaser engaging presentations of products, information, or registration templates. As a result, purchasers may receive launchers, browsers, viewers, e-mail systems, facsimile centers, players, or interface brokers for the foregoing, if organically installed already on a workstation of a purchaser. Software may provide catalog presentations, user registration templates, communications, linkers, or engines, and the like. Operation modules and profile builders may provide information over ready links implemented by software on the medium. In certain embodiments, entertainment, games, skill tests, and the like, recorded in the medium as a tag or label may execute to engage a purchaser and provide purchaser profiling information, product purchasing information, and the like to a vendor, while providing additional product information, warranty registrations, applications, entertainment, or the like, to a purchaser.
US07703683B2 Method and apparatus for accessing electronic data via a familiar printed medium
The disclosed methods and apparatus relate generally to the electronics media industry, such as cable television (CATV), home shopping services, on-line computer services and computer memory applications. These methods and apparatus allow a user to access and make use of electronic media input and output devices by reference to and/or utilization of standard printed matter, such as magazines, textbooks, or any other printed matter that can be correlated to electronic media.
US07703681B2 Electronic ticket management system
An electronic ticket management system mainly includes a vendor module, a ticket process module, a Web module, a ticket order module, a delivery module and a ticket verification module. After a consumer has purchased a ticket through a communication network, a service center transmits the information of the electronic ticket to a designated mobile communication device equipped with graphic display capability. When in use the consumer displays bar code graphics of the electronic ticket. Through a scanner at a ticket verification end the graphics of the electronic ticket on the mobile communication device can be captured, and identification result is verified online. Thus the total process does not have physical contact. The risk of carrying the currency can be prevented. The costs of manual operation and paper ticket can be saved. Therefore ticket processing efficiency increases.
US07703679B1 Trajectory compensating sighting device systems and methods
A sighting system for visually acquiring a target includes an optic device having a transmissive LCD array affixed thereon. The transmissive LCD array includes two or more LCD elements that are separately addressable to provide an aiming point. In embodiments, the sighting system receives information from an input system, such as ammunition information or environmental information, executes a ballistics program to determine ballistics information using the received information, and determines a range to the target. A controller calculates an aiming point using the ballistics information and the target range. The controller then addresses or energizes one of the LCD elements to provide the aiming point.
US07703677B2 Rectifier circuit
A data transmission method and a unit for performing data transmission. The method and unit include use of a data transmission interface having a controlled rectifier. The data transmission interface is actuated by a rectifier actuation unit.
US07703672B2 Electronic money management system, electronic money management method and computer program
An internet N is connected to an electronic money management server 10 so that communications can be performed with a deposit money terminal device 30 replenishing an electronic money for an user card comprised by recording a card ID and an issuer ID, a member shop terminal device 50 reducing the electronic money utilized from the user card, and the like. The electronic money management server 10 acquires the deposit money amount and the issuer ID from a deposit money terminal device 30 at the replenishment time of the electronic money, and totalizes the deposit money amount for each issuer, and performs the delivery of the cash for the totalized deposit money amount to the issuer. Further, the electronic money management server 10 acquires the utilized amount and a member shop ID and an issuer ID from a member shop terminal device 50 at the utilizing time of the electronic money, and totalizes the utilized amount for each issuer and member shop, and performs the delivery of the cash for the totalized utilized amount between the issuer and the shop.
US07703670B2 Method and apparatus for creating and exposing order status within a supply chain having disparate systems
The present invention describes a method and system for creating and exposing order status within a supply chain of trading partners having disparate systems. A trading partner exchange (TPE) interfaces with each of the disparate systems and gathers information pertaining to a particular transaction. The information can be made available to an access platform through an access platform interface. Initially, a transaction is reported to the TPE where it is assigned a unique identifier. Subsequent activities pertaining to the transaction which are reported to the TPE by the trading partners can be linked to the unique identifier. By using the access platform, a customer or any trading partner can acquire the status of a particular order from the TPE.
US07703669B2 Intelligent fastener installation system
One embodiment of a fastening apparatus may include at least one of a fastener and a collar having a code with information regarding the fastener and/or collar. The code may be communicated to one or more databases of a computer. The fastener and/or collar may be tightened, located, maintained, and/or inspected according to the code and/or database information.
US07703666B2 Carton with dispenser
A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel and a first side panel and a second side panel. The carton has a dispenser for allowing access to the articles in the carton. The dispenser has a dispenser panel that is at least partially defined by a tear line in the carton and is for being at least partially removed for at least further opening a dispenser opening.
US07703665B2 Dispensing carton
A carton accommodates stacked, articles. The carton has a pivoting dispenser that allows the articles to be dispensed from the front of the carton. The bottom panel can be erected using relatively simple folding operations.
US07703655B2 Frictional spot joining method and frictional spot joining apparatus
In a frictional spot joining where plural metal members lapping over are jointed with a joining device comprising a rotating tool, a receiving tool disposed on a rotational axis of the rotating tool and a drive device to rotate and move the rotating tool in a pushing direction, a holding member is provided on a side of the receiving tool, which has a restriction portion to restrain a movement of the receiving tool in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis, and the joining device is moved by a moving device such that the receiving tool is disposed at the restriction portion. Accordingly, the rotational runout of the rotating tool can be restrained effectively with a simple structure of a properly small-sized rotating tool and receiving tool.
US07703653B2 Articulation mechanism for surgical instrument
An articulating elongate surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a tool assembly pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated body portion. The elongate surgical instrument includes as well an articulation mechanism to effect the movement of the tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including a pivot member operatively coupled to the tool assembly. The elongated body includes at least one articulation drive member having at least one retaining surface therein; a firing rod disposed adjacent the articulation drive, with an articulation locking actuating surface disposed upon the firing rod; and an articulation locking means configured to selectively engage and disengage from the actuating surface and to selectively engage and disengage from the retaining surface of the articulation drive member.
US07703650B2 Staple container for electric stapler
From top to bottom of an inner wall of a case in which stacked stapled sheets each composed of linear staples connected in parallel are accommodated, horizontal nonreturn projections are successively arranged. A nonreturn lug is attached to a staple pushing plate pushing the staple sheets by a spring, and the nonreturn lug is engaged with the nonreturn projections of the case. The nonreturn lug and the nonreturn projections are shaped to permit a descent of the staple pushing plate and inhibit an ascent thereof. In addition, a height of an apex of each of the nonreturn projections is reduced step-wise or with no step from top to bottom of the inner wall of the case.
US07703648B2 Gas combustion type driving tool
When a movable sleeve 11 on a cylinder moves upward, a combustion chamber 5 in a sealed state is formed. Mixed gas is explosively burnt within the combustion chamber 5 so as to drive a fastener out. A lock cylinder 22 is disposed beneath the movable sleeve 11. A lock piston 23 is housed within the lock cylinder 22 so as to be movable in an up/down direction. The upper end of the lock piston 23 is capable of being engaged with a holding member 12 which is interlocked with the movable sleeve 11. The lower portion of the lock cylinder is coupled to the combustion chamber via a gas tube 24. The gas tube 24 is provided with a check valve 25. The lock cylinder 22 is provided with an electromagnetic valve 27. The electromagnetic valve 27 opens upon the lapse of a predetermined time period after the combustion within the combustion chamber.
US07703644B2 Slide plate
A process for manufacturing a sliding plate for a valve closure on metallurgical melt containers may include forming the sliding plate by: integrating in a pressing procedure with a press, a pre-pressed annular insert made of a refractory ceramic material in a base body made of a refractory ceramic material; and removing the sliding plate from the press, resulting in an annular gap between a circumferential surface of the insert and a corresponding surface of the base body. The process may also include impregnating a transition area including the annular gap between the insert and the base body with an impregnation agent, and tempering the plate at temperatures between 200° C. and 700° C. to cause the impregnation agent to create a non-positive direct connection between the base body and the insert.
US07703639B2 Granular product dispensing system
A system for dispensing a granular product. The system includes a refillable, sealable receptacle, having a neck at its lower end, a rotatable and flexible impeller within the neck, with the shape and size of the impeller conforming generally to the shape and size of the neck, providing sealing for maintaining the freshness of the granular product. Preferably the impeller comprises a hollow central core, and a shaft extends through the hollow core into at least one through-hole formed in the neck. A handle is present for turning the shaft to rotate the impeller. A base is provided with a retaining arm for removably receiving the receptacle. The system is capable of easy disassembly for cleaning, by removal of the receptacle and impeller from within the receptacle. Also provided is a multi-system for dispensing a plurality of products; having several receptacles and associated dispensing mechanisms mounted on a single support.
US07703633B2 Mouthpiece assembly with a cap
A mouthpiece assembly includes a base connected with a hose and the base has a base tube in which a spring is received and a seal member is inserted in the base tube. The base tube has two symmetrical outlet notches defined in a top edge thereof and the seal member has two outlet holes which can be in alignment with the outlet notches when the seal member is moved to compress the spring. A mouthpiece is mounted on the base tube and has an outlet which is sealed by the seal piece on the seal member so that when the user squeezes the mouthpiece to move the seal member, the outlet is opened. A cap is removably mounted on the mouthpiece and can be positioned on two lugs on the base when being removed from the mouthpiece.
US07703629B2 Bi-laterally cleansing fuel cap
A fuel cap having a cap member with an internal chamber and a downward extending hollow tube in open communication with the internal chamber and in sealing communication with a lower hub bore; vents on side walls of the internal chamber; an absorption media inside the internal chamber below the vents and above the hollow tube; a hub rotatably and slidably connected to the cap member with the hub having a lower hub bore into which the hollow tube is translatable for releasing vapors from the fuel tank as necessary before re-fueling whereby the vapors pass through the absorption media where they are cleansed before being release out the vents.
US07703628B2 Produce packaging system enabling improved drainage for hydrocooling
A produce packaging system incorporates a container having ample top ventilation enabling efficient ingress of cooling water into container to cool produce contained inside. The container also having a sloped bottom for draining water toward a bottom vent and out of the container during hydrocooling. The system also includes a cooling box configured for holding the containers in an upright orientation enabling inflow of cooling water into the containers and out of the box.
US07703624B2 Flexible tab, tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab and method of manufacturing the flexible tab
The present invention generally relates to a flexible tab used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has a plurality of slots provided in about a middle part of the tab between a nose portion and a lift portion on opposing sides of the tab. The slots combine to form a fulcrum that extends generally transverse to an axis that passes along a length of the tab. The fulcrum allows the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion. The tab also has a paneled or beaded area adjacent to the slots at about the middle part of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the flexible tab is additionally provided as well.
US07703620B2 Chain linked capsules
Chain linked capsules comprising multiple capsules interconnected in a chain by chain links. The capsules comprise a sleeve and a piston whereby a powder product can be sealed within the capsule. The capsules are for use in inhalation devices, for example for entraining a dose of an inhalable pharmaceutical powder product to a patient's respiratory tract.
US07703615B2 Lattice piece for a large mobile crane and method of erecting the same
This invention relates to a lattice piece for a large mobile crane, comprising four corner posts and null bars and diagonal bars connecting the same. In accordance with the invention, the lattice piece each is divided in two such that one part of the null and diagonal bars each is foldably hinged at two corner posts connected with each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for erecting such lattice piece.
US07703614B2 Product display tray
A product display tray configured for use on a shelf is disclosed. The product display tray includes a base and at least one side wall. The base includes a front end, a back end, a left side, a right side, a lower surface and an upper surface for supporting items. The side wall is selectively positionable a distance from a side of the base and is substantially parallel to the side.
US07703609B2 Wafer carrier positioning structure
A wafer carrier positioning structure including a carrier body having a bottom face and a frame body provided in a peripheral part of the bottom face to project downwardly, for housing a wafer therein so that the wafer is parallel to the bottom face. Further, the wafer positioning structure includes a guide member detachably attached to the bottom face of the carrier body, a guide groove provided in the guide member, for engaging with a positioning pin projecting from a mounting face upon mounting the carrier body to the mounting face, so as to guide the carrier body to a regular mounting position, and a locking portion provided in the guide member, locking to an inside face of the frame body while elastically having contact with the inside face.
US07703604B2 Package for discs
A package for storing and/or shipping discs has at least one section with a first panel, a second panel and at least one intermediate panel, the intermediate panel being positioned between the first panel and the second panel, where the first and second panels each include at least one opening for receiving a disc and the intermediate panel is solid in at least the area between the first and second panels below the openings where the discs are inserted. The package includes a fastener between the second panel and the intermediate panel positioned above the disc receiving opening on the second panel and a fastener between the first panel and the intermediate panel at a terminal edge of the first panel above the disc receiving opening on the first panel.
US07703602B2 Easy-open encasement
An easy-open encasement formed of a soft encasement member in the form of a film. An opening or an openable portion is formed in the soft encasement member, which allows a user to extract contents from the encasement. Furthermore, a lid member, which can be peelably adhered to the soft encasement member, is adhered to the surface of the soft encasement member such that it covers the opening or openable portion. With such a structure, a tab is provided at a part of the perimeter of the lid member, which serves as a starting point that allows the user to peel off the lid member. Furthermore, the tab includes a hinge portion, which allows the user to raise the tab, or a flap elevated from the surface of the encasement.
US07703597B2 Device for turning flat articles including folded box blanks
A device for the turning of flat articles, particularly blanks of folded boxes, includes conveying elements which define at least two conveying sections that are permeable to air and on which the articles are conveyed lying substantially flat, the conveying elements being mounted in a frame, a suction device arranged below the conveying element and to extend through the conveying section to increase the friction between the conveying elements and the articles, and a separate drive for each of the conveying elements of the respective conveying sections. The frame is mounted such that it can swivel about a pivot in the exit region of the frame relative to a machine frame.
US07703593B2 Structure for adjusting gap of paper money discriminating apparatus
A structure adjusts a gap between a paper money discriminating sensor and paper money feed rollers in a paper money discriminating apparatus. The structure includes a lower body and an upper body upwardly rotating about a hinge shaft to open a conveyance path. The structure includes a paper money discriminating sensor that is provided in the upper body and discriminates whether a paper money to be conveyed along the conveyance path is counterfeit money, paper money feed rollers that are rotatably provided in the lower body facing the paper money discriminating sensor and are spaced from each other at a predetermined interval, and gap adjusters that are provided between the paper money discriminating sensor and the paper money feed rollers and adjust a gap between the paper money discriminating sensor and the paper money feed rollers.
US07703587B2 Rod guide for monotube shock absorbers
A rod guide for use in a piston/cylinder monotube shock absorber includes an annular guide body disposed about the piston rod within the shock absorber cylinder. A rod scraper in a top face of the guide body seals grease and oil inside the cylinder and prevents contaminants from entering the cylinder. A one-piece plastic insert, preferably formed of PPA or other rugged thermoplastic resin with a low coefficient of friction, is retained in a bottom face of the guide body. A rod seal on top of the insert, positioned within the guide body, further seals the cylinder against outward migration of shock oil from the cylinder as it slides along the piston rod and provides support for the rod guide, in both the axial and transverse directions, as the insert moves along and relative to the piston rod.
US07703585B2 Integrated and self-contained suspension assembly having an on-the-fly adjustable air spring
An integrated and self-contained suspension assembly having a gas spring integrated with a shock absorber (damper) is described. The rigid gas cylinder of the air spring is divided into a first gas chamber and a second gas chamber. A flow port connects the first and second gas chambers, and can be manually opened or closed by valve and a simple one-quarter turn rotation of an external knob to instantly switch the gas spring between two different spring rates. The different spring rates are functions of the separate or combined volumes of the two gas chambers. The integrated suspension assembly is compactly packaged and self-contained, i.e., does not require any externalities, such as gas sources or electricity, to operate.
US07703581B1 Disc brake
A disc brake wherein first and second friction member are aligned by first and second rails with a rotor. A piston retained in a caliper has a first radial groove separated from a second groove in a carrier for the first friction member by an oval member. The piston responds to pressurized fluid to create a braking force that acts the piston to move the first friction member into engagement with the rotor. On engagement with the rotor the first friction member rotates to bring the carrier into abutment engagement with the rail and at the same time the oval member pivots within the second groove to push the housing such that a running clearance is eliminated with the rotor such that the pressurized fluid may thereafter act on the housing to define a clamping force between the first and second friction members and rotor to effect a brake application.
US07703579B2 Positioning method in an elevator system
A method and a system for the positioning of the elevator car and the door of the elevator in the condition monitoring system are provided. In the method the accelerations of the elevator car and the door of the elevator are measured with a sensor. By integrating the acceleration information two times in relation to time the position information is determined. When the condition monitoring system detects a fault, forecasts a malfunction occurring in the future or detects a significant change in the operation of the elevator or in the measuring signals related to the elevator, it is possible to attach to this information the location of the fault or event i.e. the position of the elevator or the position of a door of a certain floor level on the slide path. The position information can be synchronized to a separate reference point by means of a positioned switch by making an adjustment to the position information at the reference point. The measuring error caused by the misalignment of the position of the sensor is compensated for either with electronics or using a program.
US07703574B2 Exhaust system
An exhaust system (1) is provided for an internal combustion engine (4), especially in a motor vehicle, with two separate exhaust gas lines (2, 3) with a first sound transmission feature (7), which couples the two exhaust gas lines (2, 3) with one another, and with a control (9) for activating and deactivating the first sound transmission connection (7) as a function of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine (4). To improve the muffling behavior, a second sound transmission connection (8) is provided, which couples the two exhaust gas lines (2, 3) with one another downstream of the first sound transmission connection (7), and makes possible, depending on the particular operating parameter, three switching states (SZ), namely, a first switching state, in which both sound transmission connections (7, 8) are deactivated, a second switching state, in which only one sound transmission connection (7, 8) is activated, and a third switching state, in which both sound transmission connections (7, 8) are activated.
US07703573B2 Ported aerodynamic exhaust tailpipe
A tailpipe for use with a vehicle moveable in a forward direction upon a support surface and adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The tailpipe includes a windward surface facing in the forward direction and a leeward surface facing opposite the forward direction. The tailpipe also includes a tubular body defining a main exhaust gas flow passageway adapted to direct an exhaust gas flow from a proximal end to a distal end of the tubular body and a plurality of exhaust ports. The exhaust ports are disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular body and pass through the leeward surface for permitting at least a portion of the exhaust gas flow, when present in the tubular body, to exit the tubular body through the plurality of exhaust ports.
US07703564B2 Fuel cell vehicle
In a fuel cell vehicle 10 of the invention, fuel cells 20 are integrally placed in a lower space 15 of a front seat 14, while a secondary battery 40 is integrally placed in a lower space 18 of a rear seat 17. The integral arrangements of the fuel cells 20 and the secondary battery 40 separately in the lower space 15 of the front seat 14 and in the lower space 18 of the rear seat 17 ensure high-performance operations of both the fuel cells 20 and the secondary battery 40 having different working environments. This arrangement also attains the effective use of the generally-dead, lower spaces 15 and 18 of the front and rear seats 14 and 17 to receive the fuel cells 20, the secondary battery 40, and their peripheral equipment.
US07703562B2 Energy efficient robotic system
An energy efficient biped robotic system with passive-dynamic locomotion includes a body having a frame. An energy recapture mechanism is suspended within the frame. The energy recapture mechanism includes a load, a mechanical energy storage mechanism that interconnects the load and the frame, and a guide means secured to the load and the frame. A mechanical energy input mechanism interconnects the load with an electric energy generating mechanism. An output means transfers the generated electric energy to an energy storage device. The robot also includes a leg connected to the body portion. The cyclical movement of the leg during passive-dynamic locomotion is transferred to the load through the mechanical energy storage mechanism, and the resulting oscillatory movement of the load is transferred by the mechanical energy input mechanism to the electric energy generating mechanism. The generated electric energy is transferred to the energy storage device for use by the robotic system.
US07703553B2 Downhole tool having radially extendable members
A downhole tool comprises a body, radially extendable members mounted to the body and movable between retracted and extended positions, a cam member operatively associated with the extendable members and movable relative to the body to extend the extendable members, and a support member configurable to permit retraction of the extendable members from an extended position. The tool may be an under-reamer, and the extendable members may be cutting blades.
US07703552B2 Water treatment pad for core drill
A water treatment pad for core drill, attached on a drilling surface in performing drilling work while supplying cutting water with a core drill, wherein the water treatment pad for core drill comprises: a roughly cylindrical pad main body 10 mounted to surround the core drill and having a drain outlet on a side surface; an inner wall plate 20a detachably attached on the inside of the pad main body and formed into an arc shape in cross section when attached and wherein a pressure space communicating with the drain outlet is formed between the inner wall plate and an inner surface of the pad main body. As an attachment structure of the inner wall plate 20a, preferably, the guide 12 formed with a fitting groove 13 in the top rear face of the pad main body 10 is provided on a circumference thereof so that the inner wall plate 20a is fitted.
US07703549B2 Method and apparatus for removing cuttings in high-angle wells
A method of removing cuttings includes the steps of disposing a pipe string in a high-angle wellbore, circulating mud through the wellbore and creating a viscous coupling layer of mud spiraling about a section of the pipe string. Wherein the wellbore may be deviated from vertical thirty degrees or greater. The viscous coupling layer desirably extends outwardly beyond the outside diameter of the tooljoint upsets in the section of the pipe string. A pipe joint for creating a viscous coupling layer of drilling fluid spiraling about the pipe to remove cuttings from high angle wells includes an elongated tubular having an outer surface extending between opposing tooljoints, tooljoint upsets and projections provided on substantially the entire outer surface.
US07703548B2 Magnetic ranging while drilling parallel wells
Methods are disclosed for drilling a first well and a second well. The method includes measuring direction and inclination for at least one of the bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) in the wells, generating a magnetic field in at least one of the BHAs and measuring the magnetic field at the other BHA. The method includes determining the geometrical relationship of one BHA with respect to the other BHA. The method further includes determining the position of one BHA with respect to the Earth's geology or geometry. The method further includes automatically positioning one well with respect to the other well to maintain a predetermined geometrical relationship between them.
US07703545B2 Fire-fighting monitor
A fire-fighting monitor includes a first body having an internal passageway defining an inlet and an outlet, a coupler having an internal passageway defining an inlet and an outlet, the coupler being pivotally mounted to the body at the outlet of the body wherein the internal passageway of the coupler is in communication with the internal passageway of the body, and the coupler having at least one pivot axis. Further, the monitor includes a counterbalance device, which comprises an annular member mounted to the first body at the pivot axis. The counterbalance device further comprises a pivot member mounted to the coupler and a second unitary body mounted about the pivot member, with the second unitary body being adapted to engage and generate an interference with an inner surface of the annular member when the coupler is pivoted about the pivot axis in a first direction and adapted to release the interference with the inner surface of the annular member when the coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in an opposed second direction from the first direction.
US07703542B2 Expandable packer system
The expandable casing packing element systems for cased and open-hole wellbores include an expandable casing member having a sealing device comprising a sealing element disposed between at least two retainer rings. The retainer rings have flat cross-sections and the sealing element is forced radially outward by the expansion of the expandable casing against the two retainer rings such that the sealing element protrudes outwardly beyond the retainer rings and engages the wall of a wellbore in three locations. The retainer rings can also include flares that extend outwardly from the body of the expandable casing to which they are attached. As the expandable casing is expanded, the flares are forced inward to compress the sealing element which is then extruded radially outward through a gap between the two retainer rings to engage and seal off the wellbore.
US07703538B2 Access apparatus from a tubular into a downhole hydraulic control circuit and associated method
Access to a downhole tool through a tubular wall is created with a penetration tool into a surrounding annular chamber. The chamber is disposed around a tool joint between the end connection leaving an annular chamber that is of considerable length and allowing penetration anywhere along such length. The need to precisely position the penetration tool, as in past designs of annular chambers disposed within a pin and box connection is eliminated. Landing shoulders for the penetrating tool are also not required as the long length of the annular chamber allows surface personnel to sufficiently and accurately place the penetration tool somewhere along the length of the annular chamber.
US07703537B2 Recovery of hydrocarbons
A method of bringing hydrocarbons from a well into production by introducing encapsulated bubbles into the fluid in the production string to reduce the hydrostatic pressure holding the hydrocarbons in the reservoir. For reservoirs where the reservoir pressure has been depleted to the point where the reservoir pressure is not sufficient to push a column of hydrocarbons to the surface at an acceptable rate, encapsulated bubbles can be continuously introduced into the production string at a suitable depth to reduce the pressure required to bring hydrocarbons to the surface and allowing the encapsulated bubbles to be recovered and recycled.
US07703533B2 Shear type circulation valve and swivel with open port reciprocating feature
A tool and associated method allows a liner top to be dressed. Then while maintaining a lateral port closed the tool can be used to circulate while being rotated and reciprocated. The tool features discrete j-slot mechanisms. The upper j-slot allows the lateral port to initially open while the lower j-slot keeps the lateral port open despite movement of the tool in opposed directions in the hole due to a barrier to the pin in the lower j-slot. When enough weight is set or the barrier is otherwise removed, the lateral port can be closed and the test packer set by set down weight with the lateral port closed. After the packer is unset the lateral ports can be reopened and circulation and swiveling on a bearing can occur even if the packer is temporarily actuated from the setting down motion that reopened the lateral ports.
US07703532B2 Tubing retrievable injection valve
A flapper type downhole valve is opened by flow against the flapper. The flapper and the housing contain magnets that hold the flapper open after it has been opened by flow to keep the flapper from chattering from the flow going past it. The strength of the force is not sufficient to hold the flapper open against a torsion spring on a pivot pin, when there is no flow through the valve. The valve can still be held in the locked open position with no flow through the housing by pressurizing the surrounding annulus to position another magnet to increase the holding force to a level greater than the force of the torsion spring. The additional magnet is spring biased so that upon removal of annulus pressure it shifts to allow the flapper to close. Alternative designs with and without a flow tube are possible. Fixed or movable restrictions can be associated with the flow tube to create a force to shift it to open a flapper with flow into the well.
US07703531B2 Multifunctional nanoparticles for downhole formation treatments
An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized with an effective amount of an alkaline earth metal oxide alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, and post-transition metal hydroxides. These fluids are more stable and have a reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures, and may also help control fluid loss. When the particle size of the magnesium oxide or other particulate agent is a nanometer scale, for instance having a mean particle size of 100 nm or less, that scale may provide particle charges that use chemisorption, “crosslinking” and/or other chemistries to associate and stabilize the VES fluids, and also help trap or fixate formation fines when deposited into a proppant pack in a fracture.
US07703528B2 Reducing CO2 emissions from oilfield diesel engines
A method of reducing CO2 emission from a wellsite diesel engine includes the steps of: providing the wellsite diesel engine operatively coupled to a wellsite apparatus for transmission of power from the wellsite diesel engine to the wellsite apparatus; and injecting at least one component of natural gas into the wellsite diesel engine, thereby combusting the natural gas component in the wellsite diesel engine. A system for supplying power to a wellsite apparatus includes a wellsite diesel engine operatively coupled to the wellsite apparatus for transmission of power to the wellsite apparatus; a diesel fuel supply; a natural gas component fuel supply which supplies at least one component of natural gas; and each of the diesel and natural gas component fuel supplies being connected to the wellsite diesel engine for combustion therein of a mixture of diesel fuel and the natural gas component.
US07703527B2 Aqueous two-phase emulsion gel systems for zone isolation
A low viscosity wellbore polymer fluid gelling system comprising an aqueous medium and a water-in-water emulsion comprising a plurality of polymers or oligomers, including at least one removable polymer or oligomer, and at least one gelling polymer or oligomer, wherein said fluid has a low viscosity when injected, and the gelling polymer forms a gel downhole which has a storage modulus of at least about 60 Pa after the removable polymer is removed from the fluid. A method of isolating at least one zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore includes the steps of preparing a water-in-water emulsion comprising a plurality of polymers or oligomers including at least one removable polymer or oligomer, and at least one gellable polymer or oligomer; and combining the water-in-water emulsion with an aqueous medium to prepare a low viscosity polymer fluid.
US07703524B2 Cutting windows for lateral wellbore drilling
A system and method for cutting windows for lateral wellbore drilling. A method of cutting a window through a sidewall structure for drilling a lateral wellbore through the window includes the steps of: providing an internal profile in the sidewall structure; then installing the sidewall structure in a parent wellbore; and then cutting the window through the sidewall structure, the cutting step including engaging a cutting tool with the internal profile. The cutting step may include resisting lateral displacement of the cutting tool due to engagement between the cutting tool and the internal profile.
US07703522B2 Methods of underground formation consolidation
Unconsolidated formation sand in the near wellbore region may be uniformly consolidated using a system including a sodium silicate solution and a hardener, such as at least one dialkyl ester of a dicarboxylic acid. Subsequently, a low concentration acid, such as hydrofluoric (HF) acid, is pumped through and into the consolidated sand to create channels or passageways to connect the formation hydrocarbons with the wellbore for production of the hydrocarbons through the wellbore. Hydrofluoric acid may be generated in situ by hydrolyzing a substance to hydrofluoric acid where the substance may include ammonium bifluoride, ammonium fluoride, alkali metal fluorides, alkali metal bifluorides, transition metal fluorides, and the like, and mixtures thereof. The acid may instead or additionally include organic acids and other mineral acids.
US07703517B2 Downhole sampling tool and method for using same
Methods and apparatuses for sampling fluid from a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The subterranean formation has clean formation fluid therein, and the wellbore has a contaminated fluid therein extending into an invaded zone about the wellbore. A shaft is extended from a housing and positioned in a perforation in a sidewall of the wellbore. At least one flowline extends through the shaft and into the housing. The flowline(s) are adapted to receive downhole fluids through the perforation. At least one fluid restrictor, such as a packer, injection fluid or flow inhibitor, may be used to isolate at least a portion of the perforation whereby contaminated fluid is prevented from entering the isolated portion of the perforation. At least one pump selectively draws fluid into the flowline(s).
US07703512B2 Packer cup systems for use inside a wellbore
The present invention provides a packer cup system for use inside a wellbore comprising a packer cup and a backup component coupled thereto. In one configuration, the backup component further comprises a support member and a rubber ring disposed between the support member and the packer cup. The support member is configured to prevent the rubber ring from moving toward the support member.
US07703505B2 Multifluid two-dimensional heat exchanger
A heat exchanger has at least three tubular conduits spaced apart for the flow of air between and around the conduits. The conduits communicate with inlet and outlet manifolds for the flow of a first liquid through the conduits. An intermediate conduit is located between at least two, but not all, of the spaced-apart tubular conduits, and the intermediate conduit has inlet and outlet openings for the flow of a second liquid through the intermediate conduit.
US07703504B2 Air conditioner and manufacturing method therefor
A heat exchanger includes fins arranged in parallel with each other with a predetermined spacing along the rotational axis direction of a blower. Heat exchanger tubes are inserted into the fins to form rows along a longitudinal direction of the fins connected to each other along the airflow direction, to form refrigerant channels. A branch portion is provided to connection portions of the heat exchanger tubes to increase or decrease the number of paths in the refrigerant channels. Refrigerant flows through each of the refrigerant channels passing through paths mutually different at least at one portion between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlets, flows along one direction from the windward-side row to the leeward-side row, or from the leeward-side row to the windward-side row in the airflow direction, in sequence between rows. One-path portion is provided in the most windward-side row heat exchanger tubes. The fins are in close contact with a refrigerant outlet case when the heat exchanger is operated as a condenser, and a connection piping are thermally separated by separation means.
US07703503B2 Heat pipe heat exchanger and method of fabricating the same
A heat pipe heat exchanger and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. A heat pipe heat exchanger 1 is provided with a heat pipe 2, and a heat block 3 having a heat pipe-holding hole 3A, and a fin 4 having a fin base portion 4A, to which the heat pipe 2 is joined by a heating tube expansion method. The heat pipe 2 is plastically deformable and in which a predetermined amount of hydraulic fluid 2a is sealed. The heat pipe 2 is composed of a pipe having a cross section except a perfect circle. The heat pipe-holding hole 3A and the fin base portion 4A are composed of holes each having a cross section except the perfect circle.
US07703502B2 Method of fabricating a longitudinal frame member of a trench-forming assembly
An assembly is provided for forming a trench of a predetermined shape. The trench-forming assembly includes a removable longitudinal form body, a pair of frame members and at least one mounting bracket assembly. The form body is capable of shaping a moldable trench forming composition poured around the form. Each frame member includes a support surface, and is in engagement with a respective side surface of the form body. The mounting bracket assemblies, each of which can include a mounting bracket and a pair of hook members, extend laterally across the top surface of the form body. In this regard, each mounting bracket assembly removably engages a downwardly facing side of the support surface of the frame members.
US07703499B2 Portable curtain retraction device and system
A portable barrier retraction device and system for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The portable barrier retraction device for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The device includes a rotatable shaft in rotational communication with a first drum. The device further includes a detachable rotatable second drum rotational communication with the first drum. The second drum further including at least one spool configured to retract or deploy at least one line in response to rotation of the second drum.
US07703498B2 Hidden window screen
A window screen assembly for a window, which is disposed in a window frame. This assembly can include a housing coupled to a window frame, at least one screen disposed in the housing window frame, and at least one lock for selectively locking the screen to the window. In this case, the screen can be locked to the window, so that it moves with the window in the window frame. An end attachment element can also be coupled to the screen wherein this attachment element can be designed to either stand up in a window to allow attachment to the lock or catch on the window or to lay flat to allow for inactivity and detachment of the screen from the window.
US07703496B2 Safety cutting mechanism for tape dispenser
A safety cutting mechanism for tape dispenser includes a fixing seat located above a hold-down roller of the tape dispenser, a cutter mounted in the fixing seat, and a safety cover located above the cutter. Two curved spring arms are rearward and outward extended from a rear edge center of the safety cover to provide a predetermined elasticity, and a rib is provided across a lower front edge of the safety cover to normally locate in front of and thereby shield a toothed blade of the cutter when the tape dispenser is not in use. When the tape dispenser is forward tilted to tense and press a length of dispensed adhesive tape against a desired location, the rib of the safety cover is pushed upward and rearward by the tensed adhesive tape to slide away from the cutter and expose the toothed blade for cutting the adhesive tape.
US07703493B2 Tyre having asymmetrical self-supporting sidewalls
A tire suitable for extended-mobility travel includes sidewalls reinforced by a sidewall insert, namely an inner insert in the inner sidewall, and an outer insert in the outer sidewall. The inserts are made of rubber composition enabling the sidewalls to bear a load corresponding to part of the weight of the vehicle in a situation in which the inflation pressure is substantially reduced or zero. The inner sidewall, and more particularly the insert of this inner sidewall, has a substantially higher modulus of extension than the outer sidewall (and more particularly than the insert of this outer sidewall). The outer insert is subdivided into at least two zones; the inner insert can comprise one or more zones, but always fewer than the number of zones of the outer insert.
US07703492B2 Tire traction device securing apparatus
A tire traction device securing apparatus having a plurality of elastic tensioning arms extending radially from a central hub, each of the plurality of elastic tensioning arms removably attachable to a tire traction device to provide a tension force directed toward the central hub to secure the tire traction device to the tire. In an embodiment, the plurality of arms and central hub are of an elastomeric material to form a monolithic body; coupled to each tensioning arm of the monolithic body is a hook to removably attach the tire traction device securing apparatus to the tire traction device and thereby secure the tire traction device to the tire.
US07703491B2 Pneumatic tire with tread having grooves including protrusions connected by joint
To provide a pneumatic tire capable of improving resistance to stone drilling while ensuring snow traction performance, protrusions are arranged at intervals in a groove, each of the protrusions being lower than a height of a block and being separated from the block. The protrusion includes a protrusion main portion having a top portion, and a sloped portion having a slope of which angle with a groove bottom is formed in a range from 3 to 60°. The sloped portion is formed at positions in two directions which are mutually opposite to each other at least along the groove. Consequently, a stone trapped within the groove moves up to the top portion along the slope, and is ejected from the groove. Since the protrusions are arranged separately from the block and are arranged at intervals, the capacity of the groove is ensured. Thus, the resistance to stone drilling can be improved while the snow traction performance is ensured.
US07703489B2 Rubber composition for base tread and pneumatic tire
The present invention provides a rubber composition for a base tread, which improves balance in low heat generating properties and steering stability, and a pneumatic tire using the same. Specifically, the present invention provides a rubber composition for a base tread of a tire comprising 5 to 120 parts by weight of a laminated natural mineral having aspect ratio of 3 to 30 and average particle size of 2 to 30 μm, based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber component, and a pneumatic tire having a base tread comprising the rubber composition.
US07703488B1 Through dovetailing jig assembly
A through dovetailing jig assembly comprised of a dovetailing jig removably attached to a workpiece, an indexing strip removably attached to the workpiece and jig, and a front backup board removably attached to the workpiece and jig. The jig is further comprised of a removable pin insert and a removable tail insert.
US07703487B2 Cutterhead
A cutterhead for use with a power tool includes a generally cylindrical body with a knife recess extending generally parallel to an axis of the body. The knife recess has a wall at an acute angle to a tangent of the outer surface. Received in the knife recess are a knife and a bar that includes an angled side configured to sandwich the knife between the angled wall of the recess and the angled side of the bar. A pin extends from the bar and is received in an aperture of the knife to align the knife relative to the bar. A threaded height adjustment screw is received in a threaded bore in the bar to adjust a height of the knife with respect to the body. A securing screw is received in a threaded opening in the body to secure the bar and the knife to the body.
US07703482B1 Labial bow bending device
A labial bow bending device for use in quickly and accurately forming a Hawley retainer or other removable orthodontic appliance. The bending device includes a turret with pins on opposite ends for forming a pair of standardized pre-measured vertical loops in an orthodontic wire for use in a maxillary or mandibular labial bow. A measuring scale is provided on the turret for establishing the distance between the vertical loops during formation of the labial bow such that the distal legs of the vertical loops pass between the canines and first bicuspids of a plaster model of a patient's teeth. The turret also includes a plurality of circular grooves of different diameters for use in forming an incisor section of the labial bow between the vertical loops into a smooth arc that conforms to the curve of the labial surfaces of the incisors on the plaster model.
US07703480B1 Composite tubes and method of manufacturing same
A method of fabricating a composite tubular member includes providing a mandrel having a central longitudinal axis and wrapping a plurality of composite fiber layers around said mandrel wherein the longitudinal axis thereof is oriented at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of said mandrel. The composite tubular member produced does not have any longitudinal seams and is thus considerably stronger and more durable than prior art composite tubes.
US07703478B2 Shifting unit
In a shifting unit (1) for a vehicle transmission gearbox, the switching unit comprising valves which are connected between with one another by a pressure supply line conduit (58) and by a pressure exhaust line (60) associated with a switch chamber (10) of a switch cylinder (2). The switch chamber (10) of switch cylinder (2) has exhibits at least one opening valve (26) and at least one closing valve (28) through additional valves (62, 64, 66, 68); and the pressure supply line (58) and the pressure exhaust line (60) are separately closed, opened, blocked and/or swapped.
US07703476B1 Trigger mechanism for a water heater fail safe apparatus
A trigger mechanism is provided for a water heater fail safe valve assembly which automatically shuts off the flow of water to a water heater when leakage of water from the water heater is detected in an underlying catch tray. The trigger mechanism includes a vertical housing having a drive rod which is upwardly urged by a spring and holds a resilient valve closing component. A cam member holds the drive rod down, representing the open state of the valve. An accumulation of water in the catch tray causes the cam member to release the drive rod to an upper position which closes the valve.
US07703473B1 Valve tester suspension assembly
The system for suspending a valve exerciser from a support comprises a base element for mounting on the support, a first support element pivotally mounted on the base element, a second support element pivotally mounted on the first support element, a linking element pivotally mounted on the first support element, a first stabilizing element linking the base element and the linking element, a mounting element pivotally mounted on the second support element, a second stabilizing element linking the linking element and the mounting element, and a multiple stage assistance assembly for applying multiple degrees of assistance to movement of the first support element with respect to the base element.
US07703468B2 Tent with extendable windows
A tent (10) with extendable windows (14) having a main structure (12) including a plurality of walls (16, 18, 20) which are oriented at a first angle (60) with respect to a vertical reference. The tent (10) also includes at least one window (14) which is extendable to a second angle (62) with respect to a vertical reference, where the second angle (62) is more negative angle than the first angle (60) thus producing windows (14) which are horizontally extendable further than the tent walls (16, 18, 20).
US07703465B2 Lock release mechanism for foldable walkers and rollators
A locking assembly is disclosed for use with a walker or a rollator having foldable side members. The locking assembly includes a locking pin movable between a first position in which the corresponding side member is held in a locked, unfolded state and a second position in which the side member is in an unlocked, folded state. A lock plate extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the corresponding side member, and includes an aperture adapted to receive a locking end of the locking pin when the pin is in its first position. A lever is coupled to the locking pin such that when the lever is pivoted by upwardly applied pressure, the locking pin is moved from its first position to its second position to permit rotation of the corresponding side member to its folded state.
US07703463B2 Method of pickling a hollow part in the form of a body of revolution, and apparatus implementing such a method
Pickling the inside and the outside of a hollow part that is in the form of a body of revolution, such as, in particular, a turbine wheel made of titanium alloy. The part is mounted with its axis of revolution in a horizontal orientation and it is partially immersed in a vessel filled with pickling composition while being caused to rotate about its axis of revolution.
US07703459B2 Apparatus and methods for mapping out endoluminal gastrointestinal surgery
Apparatus and methods are provided for mapping out endoluminal gastrointestinal surgery, including endoluminal gastric reduction. Mapping is achieved by locally marking the interior of the gastrointestinal lumen at specified locations. In some variations, mucosectomy and/or mucosal ablation are performed to map out endoluminal GI surgery, to facilitate direct endoluminal engagement of underlying muscularis tissue and/or to initiate a wound healing response. Specialized apparatus may be provided to achieve desired spacing and/or positioning of tissue markings, as well as to actually form the markings. Methods of using apparatus of the present invention are provided.
US07703454B2 Inhaler with breath actuated dose counter
A device is disclosed for dispensing a fluid supplied from an external fluid source. The device comprises a transducer adapted to receive a fluid from the fluid source, and a collapsible linkage coupling the transducer and the fluid source. The linkage has a collapsible joint inhibiting discharge of the fluid source when in a locked orientation. The device further comprises a movable member coupled to the linkage such that inhalation forces on the device cause the linkage to collapse thereby discharging the fluid from the fluid source. The device may further include a dose counter coupled to the fluid source for registering the amount of doses administered from the fluid source.
US07703453B2 Slide-out half rack
The rack includes a main section including a primary platform area and a secondary platform area. The primary platform area includes a plurality of elongated support bars and at least one cross member provided across a portion of the primary platform area to provide strength. An auxiliary section has an auxiliary platform area and is adapted to be slidably received by the main section to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The auxiliary platform is adapted to support various items independent of whether it is in retracted position or the extended position. In one example, the auxiliary section is adapted to be slidably received in a recessed area. In addition or alternatively, the auxiliary section is adapted to be removable from the main section.
US07703452B2 Skirt
A device for circulating heat along a side wall of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel comprises such device, and a method of using such device. The device can be constructed as part of the cooking vessel or can be an accessory that attaches to different sized cooking vessels via adjusting means. Specifically, the device comprises a skirt-like body extending from the side of the cooking vessel that directs heat to circulate along an underside of the body and over the side wall of the cooking vessel, thereby heating the side wall of the cooking vessel. The device can further comprise diffusers, a bottom portion with a plurality of openings, and a heat shield.
US07703449B2 Limb dampeners
Disclosed is a device made of a soft, flexible elastomer with freely movable members for use as a vibration dampener on an archery bow limb. Upon release of an arrow from an archery bow, the damper members reactively contact and rebound against the bow limb. The device can be installed on a mount to attach to both solid limb and split limb bows at the same general location on both the top and bottom limbs to greatly reduce the duration of vibration, the amount of hand shock and perceived noise generated upon release of an arrow from an archery bow.
US07703444B2 Fuel vapor management for stored fuel using floating particles
A system, method, and article of manufacture for reducing the rate of fuel vapor formation within a fuel storage tank include a plurality of discrete independent floating particles or elements to reduce exposed evaporative surface area of fuel in the fuel storage tank while conforming to a changing fuel tank cross-section as fuel level changes. The elements or particles may have a self-tessellating geometry to facilitate formation of a single or multi-layer barrier or cover and be made or coated with a material that resists fuel wetting and degradation, such as a highly fluorinated polymer including polytetrafluoroethylene.
US07703441B2 Method and device for ascertaining a cylinder pressure feature
A method for determining one or more cylinder pressure features for setting the combustion position in an internal combustion engine includes ascertaining a curve of a cylinder pressure or a curve of a cylinder pressure gradient with respect to a crankshaft angle, filtering the curve of the cylinder pressure or the curve of the cylinder pressure gradient using a filter, in order to eliminate a component of a pressure fluctuation brought about by the piston movement in the combustion chamber, and determining at least one cylinder pressure feature from the filtered curve.
US07703431B2 Connecting rod apparatus and method
An improved two-piece connecting rod (800) that connects a reciprocating piston with a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine. The connecting rod (800) has a shank portion (810, 860), a cap portion (820, 870) and projections (830, 880, 882) extending from one or both of the shank (810, 860) and cap portions (820, 870). When the shank (810, 860) and the cap (820, 870) are connected, the projections (830, 880, 882) mate with the opposite side with an interference fit, thereby resisting relative motion between the shank (810, 860) and the cap (820, 870) along the split-line (A′).
US07703425B2 Electromotive camshaft adjuster
An electromotive camshaft adjuster for adjusting the angle of rotation of the camshaft (14) of an internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft thereof is provided. The camshaft adjuster includes a triple-shaft gear mechanism, which has a driving wheel (2, 2a′) that is fixed to the crankshaft and is embodied as a sprocket or a synchronous belt wheel, an output part which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjustment shaft (18, 18′) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotor of an electric adjustment motor, having a stator that is fixed on the internal combustion engine. In order to keep the effort for producing the adjusting gears relatively low, the triple-shaft gear mechanism is preferably constructed as a swashplate or single eccentric internal gear drive (1, 25), the effort for production thereof being minimized by forming the same in a non-cutting manner, reducing the number of components, and inexpensively adjusting or compensating the backlash.
US07703421B2 Cooling arrangement for a fuel injector and method
A plurality of injector hold-down clamps (310) is arranged to connect, one each, each of a plurality of fuel injectors (106) to an internal combustion engine (100). Each fuel injector forms a neck region (212), and each clamp surrounds each injector around the neck region, such that a plurality of annular volumes (604) is defined, one each, between the neck region of each injector and each injector clamp. Each annular volume collects a quantity of lubrication oil during operation of the internal combustion engine such that the volume of oil collected in each respective annular volume removes heat from the respective fuel injector.
US07703420B1 Split radiator maximizing entering temperature differential
A heat exchanger is provided for dissipating heat from a dual turbocharged engine. The heat exchanger has a jacket water cooler, and first and second charge air coolers. The three coolers are arranged in parallel enabling each to operate with a maximum temperature differential, and have fronts that lie in parallel planes. Charge air from a first turbocharger is directly piped to the first charge air cooler, and charge air from the second turbocharger is directly piped to the second charge air cooler. A first baffle is between and upstream of the first charge air cooler and the jacket water cooler. A second baffle is between and upstream of the second charge air cooler and the jacket water cooler. The baffles can direct selected amounts of air to each of the three coolers and prevent radial convective scrubbing. A fuel oil cooler can also be provided.
US07703415B2 Rodeo release chute apparatus
An animal release chute for use in steer or calf roping competitions is described. The chute has a fixed section and a moveable section that telescopes forwardly relative to the fixed section. A release gate at the forward end of the moveable section is moveable between a closed position for retaining a steer or calf inside the chute and an open position releasing the steer or calf from the chute. A sensor at the rearward end of the fixed section senses the presence of the horse of the roper at the rearward end of the fixed section. Only when the roper's horse is at the rearward end of the fixed section can the gate be released to release the calf. The chute system assures that there is always the fixed, predetermined distance between the calf and the roper at release.
US07703414B2 Chamber device, respiratory pharmacological test system and pharmacological safety test method
The invention provides a system for respiratory pharmacology test and a chamber device that enables respiratory pharmacology test on particular large animals under unanesthetized, unrestrained state, with easy acclimatization and reduced effect of stress, and a method for conducting safety pharmacology studies on the same large animal individual. The chamber device of the invention includes animal cage 10 and transparent chamber 20, which includes first and second compartments 21 and 22 separated by partition plate 23. The compartment 21 has a door and ventilation connection port 26, and the compartments 21 and 22 are provided with communication pipe 29 having opening 29a for introducing ambient air. The device of the invention has ventilation connection port 26 in a side face of the chamber 20, and communication pipe 29 for introducing air on the top face of the chamber 20, so that, with the cage 10 placed in the compartment 21, air flow through the compartment 21 is maintained constantly and allowed to communicate through the cage 10.
US07703410B2 Vehicle gauge having a pointer configured to travel about a gauge face
A gauge, including a gauge face having indicia; a pointer configured to indicate a position on the gauge face based on input received from measurement; and an instrument for driving the pointer. The instrument for moving the pointer includes a flexible member connected to the pointer; a first pulley configured to respectively wind up both ends of the flexible member; a control device for preventing the flexible member from deviating from the first pulley; a second pulley spaced apart from the first pulley and configured to roll up the center portion of the flexible member; a motor configured to rotate the first pulley based on input received from the measurement and to drive the pointer around the gauge face; and a tension member.
US07703406B2 Ship and associated methods of formation with vessels connectable between decks and hulls
A ship and associated methods of operation. In an example embodiment, a method of operating a ship includes providing multiple vessels each having a first deck attached to two spaced-apart hull sections. The deck and hull sections define a cavity when the vessel is afloat. A plurality of like coupling mechanisms are provided, each suitable for joining two of the vessels. First and second vessels are joined along starboard and port sides of the deck of the second vessel with one of the coupling mechanisms. Joining is effected by attaching a first of the hull sections on the first vessel to the deck of the second vessel along the port side of the second vessel, and attaching a second of the hull sections on the first vessel to the deck of the second vessel along the starboard side of the second vessel. When coupled to one another the deck of the second vessel is positioned between the first and second hull sections of the first vessel. Attaching of the first vessel to the second vessel includes positioning of a first pin between the first hull section and the deck of the second vessel and positioning of a second pin between the second hull section and the deck of the second vessel. The first coupling mechanism limits movement of the first and second vessels, with respect to one another, to movement about a single axis of rotation, this permitting the first vessel to undergo changes in pitch relative to the second vessel.
US07703404B2 Seed tank arrangement and planter
A seed tank arrangement is provided with improved access to seed tanks of an agricultural planter and the contents thereof, while simplifying the manufacturing of such tanks. The seed tank has a fill opening formed in the upper surface of the tank for loading and accessing seeds in the interior of the tank. Features of the tank are mirror images about a diagonal plane of the tank, which enables the same tank to be used for both the left and right sides of the planter. This is achieved by rotating the left tank 90 degrees with respect to the right tank. The design provides improved access to the interior of the tanks for filling and servicing the seed.
US07703403B2 System and method for recomposing ammonia from fly ash
A system and method for decomposing ammonia from fly ash contaminated with ammonia is provided which includes maintaining the temperature of a bed of ammonia-contaminated fly ash at a decomposition temperature greater than 500° F. and less than 842° F. to decompose the ammonia from the fly ash. In a preferred embodiment, the ammonia-laden fly ash is maintained at a temperatures less than a lowest carbon combustion temperature at which substantial combustion of carbon in fly ash begins to occur. A preferred embodiment includes a first chamber operating at a decomposition temperature greater than 500° F. and less than 842° F. followed by a second chamber operating at a higher carbon combustion temperature for carbon burn-out.
US07703398B2 Table, especially conference and office table
A table is provided which has variable dimensions, especially a long length, and is mainly used in offices and conferences. The base of the table is supported by feet (6) and carries table leaves (1,1) which are brought together at the longitudinal sides thereof, and an insert (8,81) which can be inserted in-between the leaves, can have different configurations and can be used as a support for various structures. The base of the table includes at least two transversal supports (2) provided with a central sunken channel region (20) from which two extension arms (21) respectively extended in opposite directions, the feet (6) being mounted on the arms, and lateral struts (4) supporting the table leaves (1,1) being arranged on the outside.
US07703394B2 Apparatus and method for the application of a liquid and printing unit and machine having the apparatus
An apparatus and a method for the non-contact, metered application of a liquid, for example a printing ink, to the surface of a cylinder, include an application device which has at least one exit opening for the liquid. An extraction device has at least one entry opening for excess liquid. The excess liquid preferably passes substantially directly from the exit opening to the entry opening. A printing unit and a machine having the apparatus are also provided.
US07703393B2 Devices for adjusting contact pressure exerted on an adjacent rotating body by a roller in a roller strip and/or for arranging the roller on the rotational body and/or for disconnecting the cylinder from the rotating body
Actuators are used to adjust a contact pressure exerted by a roller on an adjacent rotating body in a roller strip, or for arranging the roller on the rotating body or for separating the roller from the adjacent rotating body. The roller has ends that are mounted in a roller lock which includes several of these actuators. The actuators are supplied with a fluid under pressure, with a pressure level that can be controlled. The actuators, and preferably also the roller lock, have an identification characteristic such that for a selected roller lock, the contact pressure of a control unit, which can be actuated remotely, and which is exerted by the roller on the adjacent rotating body, can be adjusted by the actuators in response to the pressure level supplied to these actuators.
US07703391B2 Round baler with scale and moisture meter
A large round baler equipped with moisture sensing apparatus and a bale scale to improve information useful in baling and using bales. Moisture sensing begins after the bale reaches a predetermined diameter. A history of bale weights is used to estimate how much tension to apply to a belt tensioner to achieve both a target bale weight and a target bale size.
US07703387B2 Steak weight
The present invention is a steak weight having a single-piece triangular design comprising a rigid bottom plate portion having two opposite side portions disposed upwardly and inwardly joining above the central portion of said bottom plate portion to form a durable handle portion with each of said side portions having a slot for the user to insert his or her fingers to grip the steak weight, and a removable handle sheath covering the handle portion. Alternate embodiments include a handle configuration having one end disconnected from the side portions and an “L” shaped handle configuration.
US07703376B2 Hydraulic apparatus return to neutral mechanism
A return to neutral mechanism to bias the trunnion of a hydraulic apparatus into the neutral position is provided. The trunnion is rotationally coupled to a bracket which is coupled to a glide member that is positioned between, and biased to a predetermined position by, a pair of compression springs.
US07703375B1 Composite armor with a cellular structure
A composite armor 10 is provided with a cellular structure 12 having a plurality of composite inserts 14 arranged in openings 20 provided in the cellular structure 12. A pair of laminate sheets are arranged on oppositely facing sides of the cellular structure 12 and covering the inserts 14. The laminate sheets 26 and 28 are bonded to the structure 12 and the inserts 14 by an adhesive. The cellular structure 12 includes a plurality of fibers extending continuously throughout the cellular structure 12.
US07703368B2 Knife holder for a microtome having a vibrating knife
A knife holder for a microtome having a vibrating knife comprises a support element and a clamping element movable relative to the support element. The support element is embodied with a support surface for the knife, and the clamping element is embodied with a clamping surface. For clamping the knife, the support surface and clamping surface are settable at a distance of 0.1 to 1.5 from one another.
US07703365B2 Laterally movable trim saw
A lumber trimmer is disclosed wherein only one pair of parallel spaced-apart trim saws is mounted at one or both ends of a shaft. Each pair of trim saws is laterally movable along the shaft parallel to the longitudinal axis of lumber in the lumber trimmer. Each saw of the pair of trim saws is operably coupled with an actuator such that each saw is selectively vertically movable to trim the lumber. The pair of trim saws may be mounted to a carriage. A second actuator is operably coupled with the pair of trim saws for selectively laterally translating the pair of trim saws along the shaft.
US07703362B2 Fiber chopper and method of chopping
A method and system for separating long unwound items like fiber, fiber strands, yarn, etc. into short lengths. The system has a backup roll, a blade roll, an idler roll, a new-strand starting mechanism and a set of pull rolls. The improvements include a second starting roll spaced from a first starting roll as part of the new-strand starting mechanism and a guide aid for the pull rolls.
US07703360B2 Lathe chuck having a hollow arbor
The present invention provides a lathe chuck having a hollow arbor and a cylindrical turning shaft which slides within the hollow arbor. Such an arrangement accommodates a turning shaft of considerably greater length than would ordinarily be possible. For one embodiment of the invention, the chuck is hand-tightenable, the arbor is an integral part of the chuck assembly, and is equipped with a standard Morse taper. The tapered arbor installs in the end of a lathe output shaft or spindle. The turning shaft is equipped with at least one pair of work-securing collets, at least one threaded end and a nut which engages the threaded end and secures one or more work pieces between the collets and to the turning shaft.
US07703359B2 Cutting tool component and a method of manufacturing same
A cutting tool includes two parts releasably interconnectable via serration surfaces which are mechanically engageable in each other. At least one of the parts is composed of a first body and a supplemental body on which the serration surface of the one part is formed, and which via a permanent joint is stiffly united to the first body. The permanent joint can be established by laser-welding a shim disposed between the first body and the supplemental body.
US07703348B2 Device for controlling and/or regulating a hydraulically activatable shifting element of a gearing mechanism and a gearing mechanism
A device (1) is described for controlling and/or regulating a hydraulically activatable shifting element. The shifting element (2) is configured with a piston-cylinder unit (3) that can be acted upon by a hydraulic operating pressure (p) and can be arranged in an installation space that is connected to an oil sump of the gearing mechanism device. In addition, the device (1) is provided with an electric motor (5) that can be actuated by a control and/or regulator unit (4), and which is provided with a drive-transformer device (6) that has a functional connection to the electric motor (5), by way of which the rotational drive of the electric motor (5) can be transformed into the hydraulic operating pressure (p) for the shifting element (2).
US07703344B2 Coupler for attachment of sampling tubes to duct detector
A duct detector includes sampling tubes which slidably engage the detector with a fixed orientation to facilitate fluid flow. The tubes have a connector portion and a conduit portion. The connector portion and the conduit portion engage one another with a predetermined orientation.
US07703341B2 Pressure detecting apparatus utilizing electromagnetic coupling
The object of the present invention is to provide a pressure detecting apparatus that is less affected from noises and can be constructed in a large size. The pressure detecting apparatus according to the present invention utilizes electromagnetic coupling. The sensor section comprises first coils 1, second coils 2 provided on the first coils such that they are superimposed to each other, and a first cushion member 3 provided between the first coils and the second coils. A drive circuit for driving either of the first coils and the second coils and a detection circuit for detecting pressure applied against the sensor section on the basis of signals resulting from electromagnetic coupling from the other of the first coils and the second coils are connected to the sensor section. The sensor sections are disposed in a matrix state so that measurements of pressure distribution can be effected.
US07703340B2 Chip for force sensor and force sensor
A force sensor chip which comprises: a base member, which includes an action portion to which an external force is applied through an attenuator, a support portion supporting the action portion, and a connection portion which connects the action portion and the support portion and deflects according to the applied external force; and a plurality of strain resistance elements which are arranged in the connection portion and detect the applied external force based on a deflection of the connection portion, wherein longitudinal directions of the plurality of the strain resistance elements are oriented in an identical direction.
US07703327B2 Apparatus and method for area limited-access through transmission ultrasonic inspection
An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include receiving probes and area transducers disposed proximate opposite surfaces of a structure under inspection. An area transducer uniformly emits ultrasonic signals over an area which may be scanned by a receiving probe without corresponding movement of the area transducer. An area transducer may be moved over the surface of the structure or repositioned to provide additional inspection area for the receiving probe to scan, including to provide for continuous inspection. Multiple area transducers may be used in sequence to provide for continuous inspection. Multiple receiving probes may be used, independently or collectively as an array, to increase inspection of a structure, taking advantage of the large area of ultrasonic signals emitted by one or more area transducers.
US07703320B2 Flow measuring device having resistors arranged in nesting arrangement
According to a flow measuring device, first ranges formed by a first plurality of resistors form a single continuous value range on a flow direction coordinate axis. Thus, the first plurality of resistors is limited from being thermally insulated from one another in the flow direction, and thereby detectivity is improved. Also, second ranges formed by a second plurality of resistors form an other single continuous value range on a longitudinal direction coordinate axis. The other continuous value range includes a position that corresponds to a half length of a heating element in a longitudinal direction. As a result, detection difference is obtained at the position, at which a temperature is most optimally detected, and thereby detectivity is further improved.
US07703319B2 Characterization of aircraft wake vortices
A bi-static sodar system and method are used to measure and monitor the wake vortices of aircraft in the flight path of an airport runway. A loudspeaker (16) is arranged on one side of the flight path (12) and transmits a series of acoustic pulses to illuminate portion of the flight path. Multiple microphones (18, 20 and 22) are arranged on the opposite side of the flight path (12) so as to receive direct signals from the loudspeaker (16) and forward-scattered echo signals from an echo source (26) within the illuminated portion of the flight path. The microphones (18, 20 and 22) are arranged at different distances from the loudspeaker so that the time intervals between the receipt of the direct and echo signals from each pulse will vary because of the different locations of the microphones. This variation is used to assist in identifying the location and other characteristics of the echo signals and in generating an output indicative of a wake vortex (28).
US07703318B2 Permanently eccentered formation tester
A formation tester for determining the formation pressure of a subsurface formation traversed by a wellbore comprises of:—an elongate tester body;—a support plate (3) that is extendible outwardly from the surface of the formation tester body, said support plate carrying probe means (5) to establish a passageway between the inside of said formation tester body and said formation, and a sealing pad (6) connected to said probe means to isolate said passage way between the inside of said formation tester body and said formation;—anchoring means (7) to settle said tester body at a level within the wellbore. The elongate tester body comprises an eccentric portion (2) wherein said support plate is mounted such that a determined standoff is maintained between said elongate tester body and the wall of the wellbore when said tester body is settled at a level in the wellbore.
US07703316B2 Valve stem assembly for tire pressure detecting systems
A valve stem assembly for tire pressure detecting systems has a valve stem, a connector and a tire pressure detector. The valve stem is conductive. The connector is connected coaxially on the valve stem and is conductive and has a connecting section. The connecting section has an adjusting slot and a domical end. The adjusting slot is formed through the connecting section. The tire pressure detector has at least one tab and at least one conducting washer, the at least one tab protrudes from the tire pressure detector, corresponds to and is adjustably mounted on the connecting section. The at least one tab has a tab slot being formed therethrough. A bolt assembly is mounted in the tab slot and the adjusting slot to hold the tire pressure detector on the connector.
US07703315B2 Electrical system testing using a wireless-controlled load bank
A method for testing a circuit of a D.C. electrical system in a motor vehicle that includes connecting a load bank (30) to a D.C. electrical source such as a battery bank (24) or an alternator (26) and wirelessly operating the load bank (36) to set the load that the load bank imposes on the D.C. source during circuit testing.
US07703313B2 Conformal film micro-channels for a fluidic micro analyzer
Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid containment structure for a micro analyzer comprising one or more shelled thermal structures in contact with a thermally isolated component of the analyzer and wherein the shelled thermal structure comprises a conformal film and also comprises three walls of a channel and the thermally isolated component forms the fourth wall.
US07703312B2 Component with compressive residual stresses, process for producing and apparatus for generating compressive residual stresses
The inventive method discloses the local, adapted and controlled introduction of internal compressive stress in convex and concave regions, such as the root region of turbine blades, by means of at least two pressure generators.
US07703310B2 Door opening and closing device for vehicle and assembly method thereof
In a door opening and closing device for a vehicle in which a cylinder body of a cylinder lock having a rotor turned in response to a key operation and a casing of a door-locking device which has a door-locking lever shaft turned in response to the turning of the rotor and is switched over between a locking state and an unlocking state in response to the turning of the door-locking lever shaft are mounted to a door, a turning movement-transmitting member having a flexibility is disposed between the cylinder lock and the door-locking device so as to transmit a turning force of the rotor to the door-locking lever shaft by its twisting motion responsive to the turning of the rotor. Thus, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom for the relative dispositions of the cylinder lock and the door-locking device, while eliminating the need for a protector for preventing the unauthorized access from the outside.
US07703308B2 Display hook assembly having a secure free end
A securable system for displaying items of merchandise on a display board. The display system includes a lockable end assembly that engages the free end of at least one rod of a merchandise display therein. The end assembly is slidable along the rod between an unlocked position where items of merchandise may be removed therefrom and a locked position where items of merchandise cannot be removed therefrom. The end assembly is lockingly engaged with the rod by a locking mechanism that is linearly moveable within an interior chamber of the end assembly. The end assembly is provided with a specially shaped recess in its outer wall which is positioned perpendicular to the linear motion of the locking mechanism. A complementary dipole magnet key is inserted into the recess to unlock the locking mechanism.
US07703307B2 Driving unit for washing machine and method for controlling the same
A driving unit for a washing machine, and method for controlling the same. The driving unit includes a bearing housing fixedly secured to an outer tub. A motor is mounted on the bearing housing. A ring gear shaft is rotatably mounted to the bearing housing and is coupled to an inner tub. A carrier shaft is rotatably mounted in the ring gear shaft, with a driving shaft rotatably mounted in the carrier shaft. The driving shaft is coupled to the motor. A reduction gear is positioned between the ring gear shaft and the carrier shaft to reduce a speed of the ring gear shaft. A one directional holding device that holds the carrier shaft when the driving shaft rotates in a first direction, and holds two of the carrier shaft, the ring gear shaft, and the driving shaft when the driving shaft rotates in a second direction.
US07703306B2 Clothes washer recirculation systems and methods
A washing machine is provided that includes a tub and a perforated basket rotationally mounted within the tub for relative rotation therewith. A recirculation system is coupled between the tub and the basket and is configured to remove wash liquid from the tub and return wash liquid to the basket. A controller is operatively coupled to the washing machine. The controller is configured to begin recirculation of concentrated wash liquid after an initial fill during a basket slow spin and continue the recirculation of concentrated wash liquid for a predetermined time period prior to a complete fill.
US07703305B2 Overcladding an optical fiber preform using an air-argon plasma torch
The present invention provides an installation for fabricating or overcladding an optical fiber preform, which installation includes an inductive torch for producing a plasma from a plasma generating gas and material feed means and is characterized in that said plasma generating gas is a mixture of a first gas chosen from diatomic gases and mixtures of at least two gases and argon in a proportion by volume from 0.5% to 10%.
US07703301B2 Rapid fluid cooling system and refrigeration device having same
A system for rapidly cooling a liquid in a container within a refrigerator-freezer or freezer is provided. The housing has a space for receiving a container, and a rotator rotates the container about an axis. While the container is rotating, a sprayer sprays chilled cooling medium on the container in the housing. A reservoir stores the cooling medium when the system is not being used and maintains the cooling medium at a given temperature. At least one chilling surface is preferably provided over which the cooling medium flows and where ice may be stored. A recirculator such as a pump recirculates the cooling medium throughout the system.
US07703299B2 Ice making machine, evaporator assembly for an ice making machine, and method of manufacturing same
An ice-making machine having an ice-forming surface upon which ice is formed, a refrigeration system including a microchannel evaporator that cools the ice-forming surface, and a water-supply system. The microchannel evaporator includes a microchannel tube that facilitates a distributed cooling effect in a contact area between the microchannel tube and the ice-forming surface. In some embodiments, the microchannel tube includes a series of recessed portions that define insulated regions and divide the tube into non-insulated regions. The insulated and non-insulated regions can be dimensioned to form individual ice cubes on the ice-forming surface. In other embodiments, spaces between microchannel tubes and/or spaces between the ice-forming surface and microchannel tubes can form insulated regions at least partially defining the size and shape of ice produced by the ice-making machine. The ice-forming surface can be attached to the microchannel tubes by adhesive and/or cohesive bonding material (such as glue, epoxy, or other adhesive).
US07703298B2 Refrigerator with icemaker
Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
US07703295B2 Modular refrigeration unit
A modular refrigeration unit (12) for use in an accessible compartment (37) of a cooler. The modular refrigeration unit (12) includes a wire-frame support (50), a dividing wall (42) mounted to the wire-frame support (50), a condenser assembly (48) mounted to the wireframe support (50) on one side of the dividing wall (42), and an evaporator assembly (46) mounted to the opposite side of the dividing wall (42).
US07703294B2 Indoor unit of an air conditioner
An air conditioner indoor unit has a casing main body and a front panel. The casing main body has an outlet for passing air out into a room. The front panel covers the outlet as seen in a front surface view. Furthermore, the front panel opens and closes the outlet. In addition, the front panel has a projection area greater than the outlet as seen in a front view when the outlet is closed.
US07703288B2 Fuel nozzle having swirler-integrated radial fuel jet
A fuel nozzle for a turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel nozzle has a common axis, a body portion disposed about the common axis, a barrel portion located radially outward from the body portion. The fuel nozzle also has at least one swirler vane disposed between the body portion and the barrel portion and a liquid fuel jet disposed within the at least one swirler vane. The at least one swirler vane is configured to radially redirect an axial flow of air. The liquid fuel jet is configured to inject liquid fuel in a radial direction relative to the common axis.
US07703280B2 Hydraulic ride control system for working vehicle
A hydraulic ride control system for a working vehicle such as a wheel loader is provided with boom cylinders, an actuator control valve for controlling a pressure in bottom pressure chambers of the boom cylinders, an accumulator connected to the bottom pressure chambers of the boom cylinders via a connection line, an opening control valve having a pilot chamber to selectively communicating or cutting off the connection line depending on a pressure in the pilot chamber, and a selector unit for selectively feeding a pressure to or draining a pressure from the pilot chamber. The selector unit comprises a controller for variably controlling an opening of the opening control valve.
US07703278B2 Exhaust emission control device of internal combustion engine
An exhaust emission control device includes a plurality of devices for removing particulates accumulated in a particulate filter. A temperature increasing device increases a temperature of the particulate filter. A temperature estimator estimates the temperature of the particulate filter. A particulate accumulation quantity estimator estimates a quantity of accumulated particulates. A temperature increase quantity controller controls a temperature increase to an output of the temperature estimator when the quantity of accumulated particulates exceeds a predetermined value. A time ratio processor computes a time ratio between performance and interruption of a temperature increasing operation. A base period processor computes a base period such that the base period varies from time to time. A switching device switches between performance and interruption of the temperature increasing operation based on the time ratio and the period that becomes the base.
US07703275B2 Exhaust purification device of compression ignition type internal combustion engine
A fuel adding valve (14), an HC adsorbing and oxidation catalyst (11), and a NOx storing catalyst (12) are successively arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine toward the downstream side. When the NOx storing catalyst (12) should release NOx, particulate fuel is added from the fuel adding valve (14). This fuel is adsorbed once at the HC adsorbing and oxidation catalyst (11), then gradually evaporates to make the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storing catalyst (12) rich. Due to this, NOx is released from the NOx storing catalyst (12).
US07703273B2 Dual-mode chemical-electric thrusters for spacecraft
Spacecraft thrusters capable of dual-mode operation, and a method of applying propulsion to a spacecraft using a dual-mode thruster are provided. In one embodiment, the thrusters of the current invention can operate as a chemical motor to provide high thrust and low propellant exhaust velocity to achieve fast maneuverability, or as an electric propulsion thruster to provide low thrust and high exhaust velocity to perform maneuvers with a minimal amount of propellant.
US07703271B2 Cogeneration method and device using a gas turbine comprising a post-combustion chamber
A cogeneration method and device by turbine, particularly by gas turbine, uses a compression section, at least one expansion section, and a combustion chamber. A combustion agent including oxygen is compressed in the compression section; in the combustion chamber, one combustion step is carried out under pressure with a mixture of combustion agent compressed with a fuel; at least some of the hot gases obtained by pressurized combustion are used to effect an exchange with an external facility; and at least one postcombustion step is carried out of a mixture of hot gases coming from combustion with a fuel, prior to the exchange, and at least one other postcombustion step of a mixture of hot gases, coming from the exchange, with a fuel, in order to obtain hot gases that are sent to the expansion section.
US07703266B2 Method for managing the electrical control system of a windrower header flotation and lift system
A system and method for managing the electrical control system of a header flotation and lift system of an agricultural harvesting machine, particularly one using only once fluid cylinder in connection with each respective side of the header, which system and method, in addition to executing header raise and lower commands, provides several automatically executable operating modes for the flotation and lift system, including a wake-up mode; a normal mode, which can include float; a charge accumulator mode; a transport mode; and a header remove mode, and the ability to seamlessly and easily transition between the modes.
US07703261B2 Method for creating a souvenir amusement item
An amusement item comprising a container filled with compressed air from a geographic location of interest. Compressed air from a geographic region is collected and transported to a manufacturing facility for the production of novelty containers containing the compressed air. Containers are labeled with the region/location from which the compressed air is obtained. Certification and quality is maintained by obtaining records of the chemical make-up of the air at the source and comparing that electronic record to cylinders of air from the geographic location to ensure accuracy of labeling and filling. The amusement items are sold as souvenirs.
US07703257B2 Mobile structure for adapting surfaces
The invention relates to a mobile structure for adapting surfaces, which is formed by a grid assembly (1) which is supported at grid nodes by telescopic columns (2) which can be individually extended in order to use the grid assembly (1) to form a variable surface comprising relief elements.
US07703255B1 Wall and door hole repair kit and method of hole repair
A wall and door hole repair kit used for repairing a hole accidentally punched or intentionally cut during repair or remodeling of a wall or door. The repair kit includes a thin sheet first brace and a thin sheet second brace. A width of one or both braces is dimensioned for receipt inside the hole. Each of the two braces includes a round tube opening with a tube compression slit. The compression slits are disposed next to the tube openings. A small rubber or plastic tube is received through the tube openings in the first and second braces. An adhesive is applied to an inside surface of the first brace. The adhesive is used for securing the first brace to the inside of the wall or door and next to the hole. A portion of the tube is then inserted in the compression slits to hold the braces firmly against an inside and outside of the wall or door and next to the hole. When the adhesive dries, the second brace is removed and the hole is filed with wood putty, spackle and the like and using the first brace as a working surface inside the hole.
US07703252B2 Sub-floor assemblies for sports flooring systems
A sub-floor assembly for a sports flooring system includes a plurality of sub-floor panel components each formed of a plastic material and each having a formed channel wherein the formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components are linearly aligned. A first strip of anchoring material is disposed within the linearly aligned formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components and is used to attach a plurality of flooring strips to the sub-floor panel components.
US07703249B2 Cove molding
A cove molding of tri-planar design comprising a floor mounted base leg, a wall mounted vertical leg and a sloping transition leg integrally connected between the two. A cap anchor is provided along with inside and outside corner transition pieces to provide a smooth flush continuum of cove molding in virtually any structural layout. The cove molding can also be used as a flashing member.
US07703247B2 Sheet metal corner studs
Corner studs (10, 10′) have webs that are folded into two parts (16, 18) separated by an angle of between about 150° and 270°. These studs are used at corners formed where two framing walls meet. The first wall has upper and lower channel members with continuous flanges. The second wall has upper and lower channel members with squared ends that abut continuous flanges of upper and lower channels of the first framing wall. Studs (10, 10′) are provided which webs that include flange-receiving slots (12, 28) that extend from the ends of the studs (10, 10′) longitudinally inwardly along a bend line (14) between the two web parts (16, 18). The flanges (36, 52) are received within these slots (12, 28) so that a first portion of the studs (10, 10′) can be installed into the channel space of the first channel member and the remaining portion of the studs (10, 10′) can be installed into the channel space of the channel members of the second wall.
US07703244B2 Joint structure using a gusset plate, a building using the joint structure and a method of assembling or reinforcing a building
A joint structure includes a splice plate and a gusset plate, which can prevent out-of-plane buckling of the gusset plate without the necessity of welding a stiffening rib plate thereon. The joint structure includes a gusset plate and at least one splice plate connected to the gusset plate. Each of the splice plates is constructed from section steel having a non-rectangular cross-section. The joint structure can be used in a building during assembly of the building or for reinforcement of the building.
US07703243B2 Ceiling tile construction
A ceiling tile of gypsum and cellulose fibers formed into a board by initially mixing the fibers and gypsum in a water-based slurry that is felted and thereafter pressed and dried with a desired board thickness, the dried board being processed to form a plurality of holes in a face thereof through at least the majority of the thickness of the board, the collective volume of the holes being sufficient to reduce the weight of the board by at least 10% and increase the NRC exhibited by the board over that which would otherwise be found in a board of the same composition without such holes.
US07703242B2 Guiding system for a sliding door
A guiding system for a sliding door, especially a motor vehicle, comprising a sliding rail (5) with an upper cover (6) and a lower edge (7) arranged opposite the upper cover (6), and a roller element (101) which is guided in the sliding rail (5) and comprises a roller element housing (102) is presented. Three rollers (103, 104) are rotatably fixed to the roller element housing (102), two rollers (103) extending along the upper cover (6) of the sliding rail (5) and the third roller (104) extending along the lower edge (7). The invention creates one such guiding system in such a way that there is no play, it operates quietly, and has a taut system characteristic. To this end, a spring element (109) is fixed to the roller element housing (102), said spring element pressing on of the first two roller (103) and the third roller (104) against the sliding rail (5).
US07703230B2 Positive striker lock safety for use with a firearm
A firearm has a frame, a slide, a striker-type firing pin (“striker”), and a fire control mechanism including a sear to controllably release the striker and a trigger bar for actuating the sear. An automatic positive striker lock safety includes a pin-like safety element biased downwards to normally block the striker. The bottom of the pin is rounded, and cooperates with a rearwards facing, sloped surface on the trigger bar. If striker becomes free to move forward without full rearwards movement of the trigger bar, the pin blocks the striker. However, rearward movement of the trigger bar forces the pin upwards. As the trigger bar reaches its fully rearward position, the pin is moved to unblock the striker, and the sear is actuated for releasing the striker.
US07703229B2 Safety device for weapons and method for securing weapons provided with a safety device
Safety device for a hand-held weapon comprising a transponder for authenticating at least one authorized weapon user carrying or wearing the Transponder or for authenticating an allowed area for using the weapon. The transponder is adapted to emit a wireless preferably cryptified authenticating signal. The safety device further comprises a safety component for a grip of the weapon which is adapted to be necessarily activated by a hand of the user when the hand is holding the grip of the weapon and which upon activation emits a wireless request signal. The transponder is adapted to emit the authenticating signal upon receipt of the request signal from the safety component. The safety means receives and processes the authenticating signal from the transponder and permits firing of the weapon by the user upon receipt of an authenticating signal from the transponder authenticating an authorized user.
US07703224B2 Wearing parts system for detachable fitting of wearing parts for the tool of a cultivating machine
The invention relates to a wearing parts system (1) intended for the tool of a tilling machine of the type which comprises a holder part (3), having a front end part (8), and an exchangeable wearing and/or replacement part (2), arranged over this end part and comprising a hood-shaped (6) hollow (7) which, when the wearing part (2) is fitted in place, is designed to grip over the end part and is fixed thereto by means of at least one locking device (27) placed through interacting openings (28), the end part and the hollow having front, rear and collateral contact zones (9, 22, 23), each comprising contact faces (10, 25, 26), disposed one on the holder part and one on the wearing part, for the absorption of acting vertical, horizontal and collateral forces Fx, Fy and Fz. The contact faces (25, 26) are designed to interact so as, on the one hand, to limit the pushing-on of the wearing part over the holder part and, on the other hand, to ensure that the contact between the contact faces will be made, primarily, at the common centre M0, of the two radii (of a recess and a projection) essentially in the horizontal plane YZ and secondarily, as the wear has progressed, symmetrically about this mid contact point as an increasingly large contact zone (22′, 23′).
US07703223B2 Motorized snowblower chute control assembly and related methods
A chute control assembly and related methods for mounting a motor to a snowblower are disclosed, wherein the motor is capable of being operated to rotate the chute of the snowblower. The motor and a chute bottom holding bracket can be preassembled so that the assembly can then be slipped over the chute gear for final assembly. The motor can receive electrical impulses from the movement of a standard control handle mounted on the snowblower. The electrical impulses can cause the motor to rotate a worm gear or pinion in either direction depending on the movement of the handle. The worm gear or pinion can rotate a gear chute in an appropriate direction, thereby rotating the chute of the snowblower.
US07703222B2 Snow plow having hitch tongue and pivoting mechanism
A snow plow for use with personal utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having a main surface, a rear surface, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a frame having a mounting upright and a hitch tongue, which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which can be pivotally secured a vehicle. The retention members configured to at least partially encircle and slideably engage the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation. Preferably, the frame pushes the rear surface of the plow blade when the vehicle is moving in a direction towards the plow blade and wherein the frame disengages the rear surface when the vehicle moves in a direction rearward of the plow blade and the plow blade pivots away from the frame.
US07703216B2 Automatic locking mechanism for a measuring tape device
A measuring tape device with automatic locking mechanism comprises of a casing, a bobbin that is set within the casing with a spring, a coilable tape that is contained in the casing. One end of the tape is connected to the spring and is wound around the bobbin, while the other end is extended outside through an aperture that is formed at the lower end to of casing, and this other end is connected to a hook member. The device also comprises of a stopper, it consists of an end that is positioned on the linear portion of tape, and an actuator that is connected to the end portion by a linkage part. The actuator is extruded outside and is settled at the surface of the casing. The device includes a hinge joint for fixating the stopper inside the casing and for allowing the stopper to rotate, and an elastic member placed between the casing and the linkage portion. The measuring tape device of present invention will lock the tape in place after the tape is extracted out from the casing, the locking mechanism of the tape is considered effective, and it has relatively low production cost, hence it is beneficial for mass production.
US07703215B1 Flange alignment tool
A flange alignment tool is provided for aligning misaligned flanges such that one worker can align the flanges, in a safe and efficient manner, with no sledge hammer involved. The flange alignment tool is simple to operate and is adaptable to various sized flange holes. The tool is operated by simple tools, such as a wrench, with no impact forces required. The tool is constructed of rigid materials to provide the strength and support for the alignment process, and has all components attached, and readily accessible, that are needed to accommodate various sizes of flange holes.
US07703214B2 Ruler for multiple picots
Rulers and templates that are used to create several connected picots (or prairie points) made from a single piece of material, as well as methods for making and using such rulers, are described in this application. The rulers described in this application have a plurality of evenly spaced, alternating slots formed or cut in opposite, parallel edges of a substrate, resulting in evenly spaced, alternating tabs located on the opposite, parallel edges of the substrate. The ruler may be used to cut or mark material into connected squares that may be folded to make picots. The resulting picots are of uniform size and spacing, and are connected as a unitary piece of material.
US07703209B2 Powered wet-shaving razor
A razor includes a load and a voltage conversion system coupled to a voltage source and the load for transforming a variable voltage provided by the voltage source into a constant operating voltage for driving a load.
US07703207B2 Blank, chassis component and method for production of said chassis component
According to the invention, a blank intended for the production of a sheet panel (11) for a bodywork part of automotive bodywork by cold forming has two deformation sections (2, 4), which consist of highly ductile sheet metal and in the course of cold forming are subjected to a high degree of deformation, and a support section (3), which is arranged between the two deformation sections (2, 4) and is formed from a rigid material, which is subjected in the course of cold forming only to a small degree of deformation and after forming of the blank (1) provides the side crash support of the respective bodywork part. In particular motor vehicle doors (6) can be made from such a blank (1).
US07703204B2 Method for manufacturing a flat cable harness
Among each of the conductors 4a to 4e that form the flat cable 2 of the flat harness 1, at the installation part of the relay connector 6, conductors 4a and 4e, conductors 4a1 and 4a2, and conductors 4e1 and 4e2 are respectively cut and separated, and then connected to the relay connection terminal 8. Thereby, the number of conductors 4 that form the flat cable 2 is decreased to a minimum, and thus it is possible to decrease the unnecessary amount of material. In addition, in the manufacturing steps, the crimping step of the flat cable 2 to the relay connector 6, the cutting step, and the molding step are carried out in one step, and thus the number of manufacturing steps can be decreased.
US07703201B2 Method of embedding tamper proof layers and discrete components into printed circuit board stack-up
A method for embedding tamper proof layers and discrete components into a printed circuit board stack-up is disclosed. According to this method, a plating mask is applied on a base substrate to cover partially one of its faces. Conductive ink is then spread on this face so as to fill the gap formed by the plating mask. To obtain a uniform distribution of the conductive ink and then gel it, the conductive ink is preferably heated. A dielectric layer is applied on the conductive ink layer and the polymerization process is ended to obtain a strong adhesion between these two layers. In a preferred embodiment, conductive tracks are simultaneously designed on the other face of the base substrate to reduce thermo-mechanical strains and deformations.
US07703200B2 Packaging method for assembling screw on printed circuit board
A packaging method for assembling a screw to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes the steps of: providing a screw having a head, a threaded shank, and a ferrule enclosing the threaded shank; mounting a stop ring on the threaded shank to maintain a predetermined height from top of the head to bottom of the ferrule; using a tool to fetch the screw and align the threaded shank with one through hole provided on the PCB; releasing the screw from the tool for a flange of the ferrule to extend into the through hole on the PCB; heating to melt a solder layer atop of the PCB, so that the ferrule is fixedly held to the PCB when the molten solder layer is cooled and hardened again; and removing the stop ring so that the threaded shank is retracted into the ferrule.
US07703192B2 Method for producing a coil winding for stators or rotors of electrical machines
A method for producing a pattern of coil windings in which each coil turn has one fillet each in two slots, and the two fillets are joined by a head portion. A plurality of coil turns are made simultaneously by winding n parallel wires with intermediate spacing onto a rotatable former. To obtain small winding heads, there is a repeating of: a laying work step where one fillet and the wire length of one head portion are laid on the former; and a displacing work step where the resultant fillets together with the adjoining first end of the respective associated head portions, and the wire guide together with the second end of these head portions, are displaced relative to one another along the former by n times the intermediate spacing of the wires. Next, the winding is removed from the former, and pressed flat.
US07703191B2 Cutting shield machine
This present invention discloses a cutting shield machine used for separating iron shells of connectors from a metal strip. The cutting shield machine includes a worktable, a separation apparatus located in the worktable, a carrying apparatus located in the worktable delivering the metal strip into the separation apparatus, a receiving box located in the worktable for receiving the iron shells from the separation apparatus, a crossing apparatus and a driving apparatus located in the worktable. The separation apparatus has a prop stand located in the worktable, a rotating portion with a columned portion capable of rotation and a pole are fixed in the prop stand in sequence in the transmission direction of the metal strip. The metal strip passes from the top of the rotating portion and the bottom of the pole or from the bottom of the rotating portion and the bottom of the pole.
US07703176B2 Food grating device and improved hinge mechanism
The present invention comprises a hinge device. The hinge device is located within a housing, and may comprise a rotating drum mounted on a hinge bar. The rotating drum is slidable between a first, locked position and a second, unlocked position, and also rotatable with respect to the housing. The hinge device may also comprise a engagement wall positioned within the housing and having a shelf and at least one locking slot. A locking member may be formed on the rotating drum and may cooperate with the engagement wall when the rotating drum is in the first, locked position to prevent the rotating drum from rotating with respect to the housing. A biasing spring may be located within the housing, which biases the rotating drum toward the first, locked position.
US07703175B2 Curl spring cover
A curl spring mount has a separate cover that can snap fit into the mount to cover and protect the curl springs. A portion of the cover disposed over the vertical space occupied by the curl springs is arranged outside a jamb channel so that the curl springs can occupy the full width of the channel. A shield portion of the cover extends transversely of the jamb channel above the curl springs to protect them from dirt.
US07703169B2 Snow removal and deicing device for windshield wiper
A windshield wiper snow removal and deicing device raises a windshield wiper blade away from a windshield, upon which the blade is otherwise maintained in contacting engagement therewith by a wiper biasing spring connected to the wiper arm, such that the blade falls down and impacts the windshield to remove snow and ice accumulated thereon while wiping on the windshield. In a first embodiment, a motor connected to the arm rotates a flap connected thereto to raise the blade above the windshield. In a second embodiment, a cover for a casing attached to the windshield is raised into an idle deployment configuration for engaging the arm and raising the blade above the windshield. In a third embodiment, a body on the arm has a pivoting member to engage an engagement stop on the windshield, with the pivoting member pivoting into a vertical configuration to lift the blade off the windshield.
US07703168B2 Bumper and dusting attachment for vacuum cleaner head
A bumper and dusting attachment for a vacuum cleaner head generally provides a flexible body of mesh material having fleece on its exterior surface. The body defines a medial chamber and has a first end portion, a second end portion, a top edge, a bottom edge, a back surface and a front. Padding, having a retentive memory, fills the medial chamber adding thickness to the body. A protruding lip formed in the front surface extends elongately from the first end portion to the second end portion and protrudes outwardly from the front surface when the body is fastened to a vacuum cleaner head. Cooperating strips of hook and loop fastener carried by the back surface of the body and on the vacuum cleaner head provide for releasable attachment of the body to the vacuum cleaner head.
US07703157B2 Bed, in particular sickbed or nursing bed
A bed, in particular a sickbed or nursing bed, comprises a height-adjustable bedstead to be supported on a floor, a fixing brake having an actuator adapted to be moved between a braking position and a release position and to be operated by hand or by foot, and at least one brake element which is pressed to the floor in the braking position of the actuator, and is spaced apart from the floor in the release position of the actuator. The actuator is adapted to be automatically placed into the brake position by a bedstead element when the lowermost position of the bedstead has been reached.
US07703152B2 Head and neck restraint system
A head and neck restraint system includes a headpiece, a saddle, and tensioners connecting the headpiece to the saddle. The headpiece resides on top of a crew member's head and the saddle includes a saddle strap residing under the crew member's buttocks. The tensioners are pneumatic muscles which contract when a flow of gas is provided by gas generators. The gas generators are triggered by a G-sensor or by the initiation of a predetermined event. Triggering signals pass through a manifold from an ejection seat, aircraft, or vehicle. Contraction of the pneumatic muscles pulls the headpiece toward the saddle, thereby restraining the head, neck, and spine. The system is worn as an undergarment or incorporated into a garment. A manual adjustment provides head support during flight. The system is particularly useful for preventing head and neck injuries during ejection from or crash of an aircraft or vehicle.
US07703151B2 Cuff closure for reversible garments
A cuff closure comprising a flap having one end attached to the cuff and a free end, a longitudinal slit in the cuff adjacent to the attached end of the flap, a flap fastener component on the flap, a first surface fastener component on the first surface of the cuff that mates with the flap fastener component, and a second surface fastener component on the second surface of said cuff that mates with the flap fastener component. When the first surface is the outside surface, the flap fastener component mates with the first surface fastener component and, when the second surface is the outside surface, the flap fastener component mates with the second surface fastener component.
US07707647B2 Probe used for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a probe for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis which has excellent detection sensitivity to laser light having an intensity level at which a sample is not damaged and which has a long life, and a method of manufacturing the probe. The probe for surface enhanced vibrational spectroscopic analysis is formed on a cantilever. A plurality of metal fine particles are dispersed in the probe. The plurality of metal fine particles are exposed on the surface of the probe.
US07707645B2 Microprocessor
A microprocessor includes a decryption unit that decrypts information to be utilized by a processor core to obtain plaintext information when the acquired information is encrypted; and a plaintext information storing unit that stores the plaintext information. The microprocessor also includes a protected attribute adding unit that adds a protected attribute indicating one of protection and non-protection to the plaintext information based on whether the decryption has been performed; an access request acquiring unit that acquires an access request to the plaintext information; a request type identifying unit that identifies a type of request of the access request; and an access controlling unit that controls an access to the plaintext information based on the type of request and the protected attribute.
US07707644B2 Apparatus and method for reporting operation state of digital rights management
A method and apparatus for reporting the operation state of digital rights management are provided. In a home network formed with control devices and a control point, the apparatus for reporting the operation state of digital rights management of the control device to the control point includes: a digital rights management (DRM) module which performs digital rights management; a state variable generation unit which receives DRM operation state information indicating the state of a DRM process currently operating, from the DRM module, and based on the received DRM state information, generates DRM state variables; and a universal plug and play (uPnP) module which by using a uPnP protocol, transmits the generated state variables to the control point.
US07707643B2 System and method for accessing protected content in a rights-management architecture
A digital rights management system for the distribution, protection and use of electronic content. The system includes a client architecture which receives content, where the content is preferably protected by encryption and may include a license and individualization features. Content is protected at several levels, including: no protection; source-sealed; individually-sealed (or “inscribed”); source-signed; and fully-individualized (or “owner exclusive”). The client also includes and/or receives components which permit the access and protection of the encrypted content, as well as components that allow content to be provided to the client in a form that is individualized for the client. In some cases, access to the content will be governed by a rights construct defined in the license bound to the content. The client components include an object which accesses encrypted content, an object that parses the license and enforces the rights in the license, an object which obtains protection software and data that is individualized for the client and/or the persona operating the client, and a script of instructions that provides individualization information to a distributor of content so that the content may be individualized for the client and/or its operating persona. Content is generally protected by encrypting it with a key and then sealing the key into the content in a way that binds it to the meta-data associated with the content. In some instances, the key may also be encrypted in such a way as to be accessible only by the use of individualized protection software installed on the client; thereby binding use of the content to a particular client or set of clients.
US07707641B2 Method and apparatus for secure content delivery over broadband access networks
A system for secure delivery of on-demand content over broadband access networks utilizes a pair of servers of security mechanisms to prevent client processes from accessing and executing content without authorization. A plurality of encrypted titles are stored on a content server coupled to the network. An access server also coupled to the network contains the network addresses of the titles and various keying and authorization data necessary to decrypt and execute title. A client application executing on a user's local computer system is required to retrieve the address, keying and authorization data from the access server before retrieving a title from the content server and enabling execution of the title on a user's local computer system.
US07707639B2 System and method for handling restoration operations on mobile devices
Systems and methods for handling restoration operations for a mobile device. A mobile device receives a kill pill command, wherein the command causes some or all data on the mobile device to be wiped. An indicator is stored to indicate that the kill pill command was sent to the mobile device. The indicator is used to determine whether a program should be wiped from the mobile device.
US07707637B2 Distributed threat management
A method and system are provided for managing a security threat in a distributed system. A distributed element of the system detects and reports suspicious activity to a threat management agent. The threat management agent determines whether an attack is taking place and deploys a countermeasure to the attack when the attack is determined to be taking place. Another method and system are also provided for managing a security threat in a distributed system. A threat management agent reviews reported suspicious activity including suspicious activity reported from at least one distributed element of the system, determines, based on the reports, whether a pattern characteristic of an attack occurred, and predicts when a next attack is likely to occur. Deployment of a countermeasure to the predicted next attack is directed in a time window based on when the next attack is predicted to occur.