最新美国发明专利第2010-04-27期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US07704650B2	Donor sheet, color filter, organic EL element and method for producing them A donor sheet for transferring an image pattern to an image receiving element by a thermal imaging process using laser beam, comprising a base having formed in order on the base a light-to-heat conversion layer, and a transfer layer containing an image component which is melted by heating due to an action of the light-to-heat conversion layer and transferred to the image receiving element in a patterned form, in which the image component of the transfer layer contains an ink-repellent or solvent-repellent compound in an optimized amount. Using the donor sheet, it becomes possible to produce an separation member such as partition pattern and black matrix of a color filter by a shortened manufacturing step with ease and accuracy at high contrast, and can impart excellent ink repellency to the separation member.
US07704649B2	Method of fabricating color filter A method of manufacturing a color filter forming a black matrix on a substrate, the black matrix defining a plurality of pixels, forming liquid ink layers within the pixels and drying the liquid ink layers, penetrating solvent vapor into surfaces of the dried liquid ink layers to form ink layers have mobile surfaces, and drying the ink layers having the mobile surfaces.
US07704642B2	Cationic conductor, its intermediate, and lithium secondary battery using the conductor The disclosure discloses a polymer represented by the general formula, wherein Rp is a residue of a polymer of a compound having a polymerizable unsaturated bond, Q is an organic residue of n+1 valences and connected directly or through another group to Rp by means of a single bond, Mk+ is a cation of k valence, Z is an organic function group capable of forming an ionic bond with cation Mk+ or an organic function group having a coordination capability with Mk+, and m, n and k are integers of one or more. The disclosure also discloses an intermediate of the polymer mentioned above.
US07704637B2	Lithium ion battery A lithium ion battery characterized in that a porous elastomer made of non-metal material is provided among the positive and negative electrodes groups, or between the electrodes groups and the inner wall of the shell and the elastomer is in the shape of sheet or stick. The thickness of the elastomer is 0.5 mm-5.0 mm, and the porosity is 10%-80%. The said battery can avoid effectively the expansion of the shell during the cycle of charge and discharge, and can be processed conveniently, and the cyclic life and safety property of the battery can be improved effectively.
US07704621B2	Batteries and battery systems A battery includes a cathode having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and defining a cavity and two open ends; a separator disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the cathode; an anode disposed adjacent to the separator and inside the cavity; an air-permeable, liquid-impermeable barrier layer disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the cathode, and defining an exterior surface of the battery; two end members connected to the open ends of the cathode; and an anode current collector extending through the two end members. Methods designed such a battery is also disclosed.
US07704617B2	Hybrid reformer for fuel flexibility A reformer for a fuel cell system includes a leading segment and a trailing segment. The leading segment includes less reactive catalyst and/or more stabilizing catalyst than the trailing segment. The reformer may be used for reformation of high and low hydrocarbon fuels.
US07704616B2	Method for purging fuel cell system A method for purging a fuel cell system comprises detecting a signal for stopping an operation of a fuel cell system, cutting off an electricity output of the fuel cell system, driving a steam generator of a fuel supply unit of the fuel cell system for a certain time and thereby generating steam, certifying whether a purging operation of the fuel cell system has been completed or not, and stopping the fuel cell system, in which the fuel cell system is purged by using steam generated by the steam generator. Since an additional container for storing nitrogen is not required, a fabrication cost is reduced. Also, inconvenience caused by periodically containing nitrogen in the container is solved. Furthermore, when the fuel cell system is used at home, an additional space for installing the nitrogen container is not required and the fuel cell system can be easily installed.
US07704615B1	Charged arrays of micro and nanoscale electrochemical cells and batteries for computer and nanodevice memory and power supply A sequence or array of electrochemical cells storing both digital and analog data. Both binary code and codes having a higher base may be stored in the memory device to increase information density. Such battery arrays could also provide power for the micro or nanodevice. Devices are microscale and nanoscale in size and utilize electrically conductive atomic force microscopy tips to record and read data stored in the device.
US07704613B2	Magnetic recording medium for high density recording A bit error rate is improved and, at the same time, an aging change due to thermal fluctuation is decreased. In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium has first, second, third, and fourth magnetic layers stacked over the underlayer film on a substrate. The product (Brt2) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the second magnetic layer is smaller than the product (Brt3) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the third magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has a thickness larger than that of the third magnetic layer and is anti-ferromagnetically coupled with the first magnetic layer by way of the first non-magnetic intermediate layer. The fourth magnetic layer is formed by way of a second non-magnetic intermediate layer above the third magnetic layer. The product (Brt4) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the fourth magnetic layer is from about 47% to 52% of the product (Brt_total) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the entire magnetic layers in a state of residual magnetization with the external magnetic field removed.
US07704611B2	Hard, wear-resistant aluminum nitride based coating A hard, wear-resistant aluminum nitride based coating of composition AlxSiyMezN is proposed; x, y and z denote atomic fractions, the sum of which is between 0.95 and 1.05, and wherein Me is a metal dopant of group III to VIII and Ib transition metals or a combination thereof. The metal provides, during the coating process, an intrinsic electrical conductivity higher than the coating without the metal doping. The silicon content is in between 0.01≦y≦0.4 and the content of the metal dopant or dopants Me is 0.001≦z≦0.8, preferably 0.01≦z≦0.05 and most preferably 0.015≦z≦0.045.
US07704610B2	Electronic devices comprising organic iridium compositions The present invention provides electronic devices comprising novel polymer compositions which provide for enhanced device performance. The polymer compositions employed comprise a polymeric component and a novel organic iridium compound comprising at least one cyclometallated ligand and at least one ketopyrrole ligand. The organic iridium compounds used in the polymer compositions are referred to as Type (1) organic iridium compositions and are constituted such that no ligand of the novel organic iridium compound has a number average molecular weight of 2,000 grams per mole or greater (as measured by gel permeation chromatography). In one aspect, the polymeric component may be an electroactive polymer. In one aspect, the present invention provides optoelectronic devices, such as OLED devices and photovoltaic devices. In another aspect, the invention provides OLED devices exhibiting enhanced color properties and light output efficiencies.
US07704609B2	Compound and organic electroluminescense device using the same A compound represented by the following general formula (1). R3—(X)x-(A)a-(Y)y—(B)b—(Z)z—R12 (1) (A, B, X, Y, and Z represent the following general formulae, and CH on a phenylene ring of each of X, Y, and Z may be replaced with an N atom. a, b, x, y, and z each independently represent an integer of 0 to 5, and a≧1, y≧1, and a+b≧2. (R1 to R14 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group.)). The compound can be suitably used as a compound for an organic EL device.
US07704605B2	Thermoplastic articles comprising cyclobutanediol having a decorative material embedded therein This invention relates to thermoplastic article having one or more decorative materials embedded therein which is obtained by applying heat and pressure to one or more laminates wherein at least one of said laminates comprises, in order, (1) an upper sheet material; (2) one or more decorative materials; and (3) a lower sheet material; wherein the upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a polyester/aromatic polycarbonate blend wherein the thermoplastic article comprises at least one polyester composition comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol.
US07704595B2	Polypropylene fiber for reinforcement of matrix materials Disclosed are structural materials including polymeric reinforcement fibers that can provide added strength and fracture toughness to the matrix. The polymeric reinforcement fibers are polypropylene-based monofilament fibers or tape fibers exhibiting extremely favorable mechanical characteristics for structural reinforcement including modulus greater than 12 MPa and elongation less than about 10%. The disclosed reinforced composite materials can exhibit desired average residual strength values with less total fiber loading necessary to attain the ARS values as compared to previously known polymer reinforced materials. Very high strength and fracture toughness can be attained in the disclosed composite materials.
US07704594B2	Multi-functional composite structures Fibrous monolith processing techniques to fabricate multifunctional structures capable of performing more than one discrete function such as structures capable of bearing structural loads and mechanical stresses in service and also capable of performing at least one additional non-structural function.
US07704584B2	Thermal insulation with thin phase change layer The present disclosure encompasses provides thermal stabilizer compositions comprising a phase change material admixed with a support material such as a diatomaceous earth, and a nucleator. The present disclosure further encompasses a heat insulation blanket for reducing heat transfer between adjacent spaces, comprising at least two plies of thermoplastic sheet material in superposed relationship and a seal, wherein the seal connects the plies of sheet material to form a cell containing a volume of a thermal stabilizer comprising a phase change material, a support material such as a diatomaceous earth, and a nucleator.
US07704583B2	Embossed blister pack The invention herein relates to a method and apparatus for forming (or cold-forming) an embossed blister from a laminated film wherein an indicia is formed on the base of the blister. In particular, the invention involves a single pass process of combining the formation of a blister and the formation of an indicia (embossing) on the blister, wherein the blister-forming pin contains a face with an indicia and is adapted to controllably stretch the laminated film during blister formation to minimize stretching of the film at the base of the blister. The invention is particularly useful in manufacturing processes which involve the formation of blisters having laminated films which contain a metal foil and polymer layer, wherein improved control in the stretching of the laminate during blister formation is desirable.
US07704573B2	Porous membrane and recording medium comprising same The present invention relates to a porous membrane comprising multiple layers, at least one type of curable compound and at least two types of photo-initiator, wherein at least two layers each contain a the different photo-initiator. The invention further relates to recording media which comprise the porous membrane of the invention, as well as to processes for producing the membrane and the recording media.
US07704571B2	Liquid crystal composition, color filter and liquid crystal display apparatus, and method of forming phase difference layer An object of the invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition intended to be applied to the surface of a base material to form a phase difference layer, the liquid crystal composition being capable of forming a phase difference layer well indicating homeotropic orientation without the presence of an oriented film, even if the liquid crystal composition is directly applied to the base material surface, as well as a phase difference layer formed by the liquid crystal composition, a color filter and a liquid crystal display apparatus using the phase difference layer, and further a method of forming the phase difference layer. To a liquid crystal composition containing one kind or two or more kinds of crosslinking liquid crystal compounds is further added at least an amino-based silane coupling agent to prepare a liquid crystal composition. The liquid crystal composition is directly applied to the surface of a base material to orient the crosslinking liquid crystal compound on the base material surface in a direction perpendicular to the base material surface, and then the resulting material is crosslinking polymerized to form a phase difference layer.
US07704567B2	Liquid-crystalline medium comprising fluorinated indane compound The invention relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds of negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises at least one compound of the formula I in which R11, R12, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, m and n are as defined in Claim 1, and to the use thereof for an active-matrix display based on the ECB, PALC or IPS effect.
US07704563B2	Method of applying silane coating to metal composition Organofunctional silanes are applied to metal surfaces using an oil bath. Metal is immersed in an oil bath containing approximately 2% silane. In a preferred embodiment, the metal is a tire cord. The silane can either be hydrolyzed or unhydrolyzed. The hydrolyzed silanes can be in combination with a water dispersible resin. When the tire cord is coated with silane using the present method, it allows a tire to be formulated with lower sulfur levels and without cobalt.
US07704561B2	Methods of treating surfaces with ionic organosilicon compositions This invention is directed to methods of treating inorganic surfaces with aqueous compositions including ionic organosilicon compounds. Surprisingly, it has been found that the application of water soluble ionic organosilicon compounds, which until the present invention have only been used in small quantities to solubilize silanes, to inorganic surfaces provides the treated surface with an excellent hydrophobic property. The present invention exclusively utilizes ionic organosilicon compounds as the main or sole component for imparting water repellency upon surface treatment of inorganic substrates. The methods of the present invention comprise the application of ionic organosilicon compounds to inorganic surfaces whereby imparting water resistance to the substrate. After application, a treated surface may be characterized as having a long term water repellant property.
US07704557B2	Coating composition and methods of coating Various coatings and methods of coating fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of coating includes applying a chromate coating to a fastener. In other embodiments, the method may include deoxidizing an aluminum fastener, etching the fastener, deoxidizing the fastener a second time, applying a chromate coating to the fastener, and dying the fastener.
US07704556B2	Silicon nitride film forming method The silicon nitride film forming method deposits a silicon nitride film on the substrate surface by maintaining the heating element at a predetermined temperature and by decomposing and/or activating a raw material gas supplied from the gas supply system.
US07704554B2	Device and method for vaporizing temperature sensitive materials A method for vaporizing organic materials onto a substrate surface to form a film including providing a quantity of organic material into a vaporization apparatus and actively maintaining the organic material in a first heating region in the vaporization apparatus to be below the vaporization temperature. The method also includes heating a second heating region of the vaporization apparatus above the vaporization temperature of the organic material and metering, at a controlled rate, organic material from the first heating region into the second heating region so that a thin cross section of the organic material is heated at a desired rate-dependent vaporization temperature, whereby organic material vaporizes and forms a film on the substrate surface.
US07704553B2	Depositing nanometer-sized particles of metals onto carbon allotropes A process for depositing nanometer-sized metal particles onto a substrate in the absence of aqueous solvents, organic solvents, and reducing agents, and without any required pre-treatment of the substrate, includes preparing an admixture of a metal compound and a substrate by dry mixing a chosen amount of the metal compound with a chosen amount of the substrate; and supplying energy to the admixture in an amount sufficient to deposit zero valance metal particles onto the substrate. This process gives rise to a number of deposited metallic particle sizes which may be controlled. The compositions prepared by this process are used to produce polymer composites by combining them with readily available commodity and engineering plastics. The polymer composites are used as coatings, or they are used to fabricate articles, such as free-standing films, fibers, fabrics, foams, molded and laminated articles, tubes, adhesives, and fiber reinforced articles. These articles are well-suited for many applications requiring thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, antibacterial activity, catalytic activity, and combinations thereof.
US07704548B2	Method for manufacturing wiring board A method for manufacturing a wiring board which can simplify a manufacturing step. In a preparation step, a core board and an electronic component are prepared. In an insulating layer formation and fixing step, after accommodating the electronic component in an accommodation hole, a lowermost resin insulating layer is formed, and a gap between the electronic component and the core board is filled with a part of the lowermost resin insulating layer so as to fix the electronic component to the core board. In an opening portion formation step, a portion of the lowermost resin insulating layer located directly above the gap between the electronic component and the core board is removed so as to form an opening portion exposing a part of a core board main surface side conductor and a component main surface side electrode. In a main surface side connecting conductor formation step, a main surface side connecting conductor is formed in the opening portion so as to connect the core board main surface side conductor to the component main surface side electrode.
US07704546B2	Ceramic in replacement components A method and apparatus for a prosthesis. At least a portion of the prosthesis is made from a ceramic that is treated with ion implantation, which causes a controllable, bilateral compressive stress of the ceramic. A diamond-like-coating (DLC) can be coated on the ceramic and in the same chamber as the ion implantation. After treating by ion implantation and coating with DLC, the ceramic will be strengthened and have a low coefficient of friction and thereby be made much less likely to fracture under load.
US07704542B2	Vitamin/mineral compositions with DHA Compositions containing the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in combination with at least one vitamin and mineral are provided to supplement nutrition in a mammalian diet. DHA is present in the composition in concentrated amounts, advantageously in a carrier such as marinol oil, to allow for quantities of DHA sufficient to supply expectant and new mothers and their children as recommended on a daily basis. This DHA may also be used to treat a variety of disorders in children and adults. The compositions advantageously include vitamins, minerals, and optionally other nutrients to provide a nutritional supplement which may be convenient to swallow and taken once a day.
US07704531B2	Enhanced efficacy aluminum or aluminum-zirconium antiperspirant salt compositions containing calcium salt(s) and betaine An antiperspirant composition comprising an antiperspirant salt selected from an aluminum antiperspirant salt, an aluminum-zirconium antiperspirant salt, and a mixture thereof; a betaine component selected from betaine, betaine hydrochloride, and a mixture thereof; a calcium salt; and water.
US07704529B2	Magnesium-substituted hydroxyapatites A stable, phase-pure magnesium-substituted crystalline hydroxyapatite containing from about 2.0 to about 29 wt % magnesium, wherein at least 75 wt % of the magnesium content is substituted for calcium ions in the hydroxyapatite lattice structure.
US07704526B2	Sustained release composition for oral administration of drugs A sustained-release composition for oral administration of a drug, comprising the drug, a mixture of sodium alginate and xanthan gum as a carrier for sustained release and a mixture of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and propylene glycol alginate as a gel hydration accelerator, which is capable of maintaining a constant drug level in blood for 24 hours or more. Due to rapid gel hydration without forming a non-gelated core, the drug release rate follows zero order kinetics and does not significantly vary with the degree of gastrointestinal motility.
US07704525B2	Lipid microparticles by cryogenic micronization This invention relates to Lipid Microparticles consisting of lipids enriched in amphiphilic components, which promote the incorporation of peptides and/or protein, process for obtaining them as well as use thereof. A cryogenic micronization manufacturing process for their preparation is also disclosed.
US07704524B2	Transdermal botulinum toxin administration for the treatment of spastic muscle pain Pharmaceutical compositions for transdermal administration of neurotoxins to a patient include a neurotoxin, such as a botulinum toxin, and an enhancing agent that facilitates absorption of the neurotoxin through the skin of the patient and does not eliminate the bioactivity associated with the neurotoxin. The pharmaceutical compositions are topically applied on a patient, and may be provided in a transdermal patch.
US07704519B1	Composition and method for deterring animals from damaging exterior surfaces A composition for application to exterior surfaces, such as trees, so as to prevent animal damage to the exterior surface, has asphalt and denatonium benzoate mixed together. The denatonium benzoate is 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition. The asphalt is between 50% and 60% of the total composition. Naphtha and dimethyl ether are further components of the total composition. The composition is sprayable onto the exterior surface.
US07704518B2	Foamable vehicle and pharmaceutical compositions thereof A hygroscopic pharmaceutical composition includes at least one hygroscopic substance at a concentration sufficient to provide an Aw value of at least 0.9 and an antiinfective agent. A foamble pharmaceutical carrier includes about 50% to about 98% of a polar solvent selected from the group consisting of a polyol and PEG; 0% to about 48% of a secondary polar solvent; about 0.2% to about 5% by weight of a surface-active agent; about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of at least one polymeric agent; and a liquefied or compressed gas propellant at a concentration of about 3% to about 25% by weight of the total composition.
US07704515B2	Composition and method to improve quality and yield of meat products A method to increase the hot carcass weight of a meat-producing animal. The method orally administers Vitamin C to a meat-producing animal between about 2 and about 48 hours prior to harvest. The animal is then harvested and a hot carcass is prepared from that harvested animal.
US07704512B2	Clostridial toxin derivatives and methods for treating pain Agents for treating pain, methods for producing the agents and methods for treating pain by administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of the agent. The agent can include a clostridial neurotoxin, or a component or fragment or derivative thereof, attached to a targeting moiety, wherein the targeting moiety is selected from a group consisting of transmission compounds which can be released from neurons upon the transmission of pain signals by the neurons, and compounds substantially similar to the transmission compounds.
US07704509B2	Recovery of recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 1 (HPIV1) from cDNA and use of recombinant HPIV1 in immunogenic compositions and as vectors to elicit immune responses against PIV and other human pathogens Recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 1 (HPIV1) compostions, formulations and methods are provided. The recombinant HPIV1 viruses and HPIV1 chimeric and chimeric vector viruses provided according to the invention are infectious and attenuated in permissive mammalian subjects, including humans, and are useful in immunogenic composition s for eliciting an immune responses against one or more PIVs, against one or more non-PIV pathogens, or against a PIV and a non-PIV pathogen. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a recombinant HPIV1 genome or antigenome.
US07704505B2	Human-murine chimeric antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus This invention relates to a human antibody which contains the one CDR from each variable heavy and variable light chain of at least one murine monoclonal antibody, against respiratory syncytial virus which is MAb1129 and the use thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of RSV infection.
US07704503B2	Use of IL-17F in diagnosis and therapy of airway inflammation The invention is related to findings that IL-17F-mediated inflammation of airway passages may be mediated via signaling through IL-17R on the basolateral surface of human respiratory epithelial cells. Thus, the present invention provides isolated and purified IL-17F or IL-17R polynucleotides and polypeptides. The present invention also is directed to novel methods for screening test compounds capable of inhibiting, i.e., decreasing, limiting, blocking, or otherwise reducing, IL-17F bioactivity, and methods for diagnosing, prognosing, and monitoring the progress of, disorders related to IL-17F bioactivity, e.g., disorders related to the effects of IL-17F binding to IL-17R on airway inflammation, e.g., in patients with cystic fibrosis, including pulmonary exacerbations due to bacterial infections in same. The present invention is further directed to novel therapeutics and therapeutic targets and to methods for the intervention (treatment) and prevention of said disorders related to IL-17F bioactivity.
US07704502B2	Combinations of antibodies selective for DR5 and other therapeutic agents An antibody of the invention interacts with human DR5 or with human DR4 to produce agonistic or antagonistic effects downstream of the receptor including inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods and uses for the antibodies, optionally in combination with various therapeutic agents, are detailed, including treatment of apoptosis-related disease and treatment of dysregulated cell growth.
US07704500B2	Methods of inhibiting ascites formation with modified chimeric VEGF polypeptides Modified chimeric polypeptides with improved pharmacokinetics are disclosed. Specifically, modified chimeric Flt1 receptor polypeptides that have been modified in such a way as to improve their pharmacokinetic profile are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the modified polypeptides including but not limited to using the modified polypeptides to decrease or inhibit plasma leakage and/or vascular permeability in a mammal.
US07704494B2	Method for producing plant protection or plant-strengthening agent for fighting against bacterial and/or fungal plant diseases, in particular against fire blight A method for producing plant protection or plant-strengthening agent for fighting against bacterial and/or fungal plant diseases, in particular against a fire blight consisting in adding capable to proliferate fungal structures into an acid medium for treating plants.
US07704487B2	Method for the synthesis of zeolite beta with diethylenetriamine A method for the preparation of zeolite beta is described, the template used comprising diethylenetriamine. Furthermore, a zeolite beta obtainable thereby and the preferred use thereof are disclosed.
US07704482B2	Process for producing carbon nanotube and catalyst for carbon nanotube production Provided is a method for producing a carbon nanotube, wherein a catalyst for carbon nanotube production comprising a powdery catalyst supporting a metal on magnesia and having a bulk density of 0.30 g/mL to 0.70 g/mL, in a vertical reactor, is disposed over the whole area in a horizontal cross section direction of the reactor, in such state a carbon-containing compound flowed in a vertical direction inside the reactor is contacted with the catalyst at 500 to 1200° C., thereby carbon nanotubes of uniformity and high quality are efficiently synthesized in a large amount.
US07704481B2	Method of producing vapor-grown carbon fibers A method for producing vapor-grown carbon fibers, comprising contacting a carbon compound with a catalyst and/or a catalyst precursor compound in a heating zone, wherein the carbon compound is a combination of compounds respectively selected from carbon compounds having no benzene ring structure within molecule [Group (a)] and from aromatic compounds [Group (b)], these compounds satisfy the conditions that, in the raw materials, (number of atoms of element as catalyst)/(number of all carbon atoms) & equals; 0.000005 to 0.0015 and [number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)]/[number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (a)+number of carbon atoms contained in compound of Group (b)] & equals; 0.001 to 0.9, and the residence time in the temperature region of 600° C. or more is 30 seconds or less.
US07704478B2	Method and apparatus for refining silicon using an electron beam A method and apparatus for refining silicon which can remove impurity elements such as phosphorus and antimony as well as impurity elements such as boron and carbon using an electron beam in the same vacuum chamber are provided. Silicon is irradiated and melted with an electron beam in a low vacuum inside a vacuum vessel, a compound-forming substance such as H2O which reacts with boron or the like in the molten silicon and forms a vaporizable oxide is introduced into the vacuum chamber, and impurity elements such as boron having a low vapor pressure in a vacuum are evaporated from the molten silicon as part of the vaporizable compound. Silicon in the vacuum vessel is then irradiated with an electron beam in a high vacuum in the vacuum vessel, and impurity elements contained in the silicon having a high vapor pressure in a vacuum such as phosphorus are removed.
US07704477B2	Method for producing powder forsterite powder, forsterite powder, sintered forsterite, insulating ceramic composition, and multilayer ceramic electronic component A forsterite powder with superior characteristics which can be sintered at a relatively low temperature can be economically produced, when a magnesium source, a silicon source, and copper particles are mixed to prepare a mixed powder containing 300 to 2,000 ppm by weight of the copper particles, and the mixed powder is fired. The magnesium source used is preferably Mg(OH)2, and the silicon source used is preferably SiO2. A polycrystalline forsterite powder is preferably produced. The magnesium source, the silicon source, and the copper particles can be mixed in the presence of a solvent to prepare the mixed powder. The forsterite powder preferably contains 300 to 2,000 ppm by weight of copper, has a particle size of 0.20 to 0.40 μm and has a crystal size of 0.034 to 0.040 μm.
US07704474B2	Method for the decomposition of N2O, catalyst therefor and preparation of this catalyst The invention relates to a method for the catalytic decomposition of N2O in a gas containing N2O in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises a zeolite that has been loaded with a first metal selected from the group of noble metals consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, silver, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold, and with a second metal selected from the group of transition metals consisting of chromium, manganese, iron cobalt, nickel and copper, and wherein the loading of the zeolite with metals has been obtained by first loading the zeolite with the noble metal and then with the transition metal, as well as a catalyst for this method and a method for the preparation of this catalyst.
US07704471B2	Bayer process for production of alumina trihydrate by alkaline digestion of bauxite, the process comprising a predesilication step A Bayer process comprises grinding and then digestion of bauxite by bringing it into contact with a sodium aluminate liquor. Digestion consists of forming a slurry that is then treated to separate insoluble residues from the sodium aluminate liquor. The liquor is then crystallized and recycled back to green liquor after having been separated from the alumina trihydrate precipitated during crystallization. The process comprises a predesilication treatment during which the ground bauxite, before digestion, is brought into contact with an aqueous sodic solution that has a content of carbonates, sulphates and possibly chlorides which, expressed as a percentage related to the caustic concentration, has less than half of the corresponding impurities content of the spent liquor. Preferably, the pure caustic soda used to compensate for caustic soda losses in the Bayer circuit, previously injected just after evaporation, is now added in the aqueous sodic solution for the predesilication treatment.
US07704470B2	Removal of contaminants from by-product acids The present invention is drawn to a method for removing colloidal titanium dioxide and titanium oxychloride from by-product hydrochloric acid. The method includes adding phosphate ion source and quaternary amine to the by-product acid to cause the titanium dioxide and the titanium oxychloride to form a precipitate. The precipitate can then be separated from the acid, thus producing a decontaminated hydrochloric acid product with reduced levels of titanium.
US07704469B2	Method for the recovery of ruthenium from used ruthenium oxide-containing catalysts The invention relates to a process for recovering ruthenium from a used ruthenium-comprising catalyst which comprises ruthenium as ruthenium oxide on a support material which is sparingly soluble in mineral acid, which comprises the steps: a) the catalyst comprising ruthenium oxide is treated in a stream of hydrogen, with ruthenium oxide present on the support being reduced to metallic ruthenium; b) the reduced catalyst from step a) comprising metallic ruthenium on the support material is treated with hydrochloric acid in the presence of an oxygen-comprising gas, with the metallic ruthenium present on the support being dissolved as ruthenium(III) chloride and being obtained as ruthenium(III) chloride solution; c) if appropriate, the ruthenium(III) chloride solution from step b) is worked up further.
US07704465B2	Aluminum hydroxide aggregated particles producing vessel Aluminum hydroxide aggregated particles which have an average particle diameter of not less than 40 μm, an average particle diameter as determined after pressing at 1,000 kg/cm2 of not more than 35 μm, and an L value of slurry obtained by mixing 20 ml of glycerol and 10 g of the aluminum hydroxide aggregated particles of not more than 69, are obtained by a process comprising the steps of: (a) feeding a supersaturated aqueous sodium aluminate solution to a vessel, (b) adding aluminum hydroxide seeds to the supersaturated aqueous sodium aluminate solution, (c) stirring the seed-added solution in the vessel while continuously feeding an additional supersaturated aqueous sodium aluminate solution into the vessel to hydrolyze the supersaturated aqueous sodium aluminate solution, (d) separating the aluminum hydroxide aggregated particles from the aqueous sodium aluminate solution, and (e) continuously discharging the aqueous sodium aluminate solution out of the vessel.
US07704464B2	Hydrocarbon processing devices and systems for engines and combustion equipment Hydrocarbon processing devices and systems are constructed to modify the combustion characteristics of hydrocarbon fuels and emissions for the purpose of emissions reduction and to increase the overall performance characteristics of the engine. According to one exemplary embodiment, a catalytic device for processing a fluid containing hydrocarbons includes a reactive body formed of a plurality of metallic materials arranged in a layered structure. The plurality of metallic materials is formed of at least two different materials. The body has an inner core member having a first density and another region, that is formed along a longitudinal length of the rolled layered structure, has a second density which is less than the first density.
US07704459B2	Mat for mounting a pollution control element in a pollution control device for the treatment of exhaust gas A pollution control device suitable for use with an internal combustion engine (e.g., a diesel engine) and comprising a pollution control element arranged in a casing with non-woven mat disposed between the casing and the pollution control element, said non-woven mat being a non-intumescent mat comprising at least 90% by weight based on the total weight of the mat of chopped magnesium aluminum silicate glass fibers that have a number average diameter of 5μ or more and a length of 0.5 to 15 cm, said glass fibers being needle punched or stitch bonded and said mat being free or substantially free of organic binder.
US07704453B2	Method for establishing a sterilizing dose for radiation sensitive products A method provides for sterilizing with radiation objects which have a low bioburden and which are sensitive to radiation. A dosage of radiation sufficient to ensure sterilization without damaging the object is determined by determining the bioburden upon one or more samples of the objects, determining an estimate of the dose that results in a probability of 0.01 of a surviving microorganism by testing a quantity of samples of the objects at varying dosage levels of radiation, confirming the estimate by testing a quantity of samples of the objects at the dose that was estimated; and calculating a dosage for the sterility assurance level of 10-6 by adding a factor to the dose that was confirmed to result in a probability of 0.01 of a surviving microorganism and wherein the factor is proportional to the dose that yields a probability of 0.01 of a surviving microorganism and inversely proportional to a log of the bioburden.
US07704452B2	Alloy and anode for use in the electrowinning of metals A lead calcium tin alloy to which cobalt has been added is described. The alloy is useful in the formation of anodes to be used in electrowinning cells. Electrowinning cells containing the cobalt alloys are particularly suited for electrowinning metals, such as copper, from sulfuric acid electrolytes. The cobalt-containing anodes improve the efficiency of oxygen evolution at the anode during electrowinning and reduce corrosion of the anode.
US07704451B2	Aluminum alloy sheet, method for producing the same, and aluminum alloy container An aluminum alloy sheet contains 0.1% to 0.4% by mass of Cu, 0.5% to 1.5% by mass of Mg, 0.5% to 1.5% by mass of Mn, 0.2% to 0.7% by mass of Fe, and 0.1% to 0.3% by mass of Si. The number density of Al—Mn—Fe—Si-based intermetallic compound having a maximum length of 8 to 15 μm per unit area is 179 grains/mm2 or less. An oxide film having an average thickness of 30 nm or less is formed on the surface of the aluminum alloy sheet. The arithmetic average roughness Ra of the surface of the aluminum alloy sheet is 0.30 to 0.45 μm.
US07704450B2	High-purity ferroboron, a mother alloy for iron-base amorphous alloy, an iron-base amorphous alloy, and methods for producing the same A high-purity ferroboron contains 0.02 mass % or more of P and 0.03 mass % or less of Al, with the balance Fe, B and unavoidable impurities. The high-purity ferroboron may further contain 0.03 mass % or less of Ti.
US07704449B2	Electrode, electrical contact and method of manufacturing the same An electrical contact comprising a matrix of an alloy of a high electro-conductive metal and a low melting point metal and particles of a refractory metal dispersed in the matrix. The electrical contact comprises the alloy containing a low melting point metal of at least one of Sn, Te and Be, and the refractory metal is Cr. The alloy comprising the low melting point metal in an amount of 0.5 to 3% by weight and the balance being Cu.
US07704448B2	High temperature-resistant niobium wire High temperature-resistant niobium wire enriched with phosphorous is suitable as a connecting wire for niobium, niobium oxide, or tantalum capacitors.
US07704447B2	Multi-deck furnace A furnace for heating steel plates includes a plurality of horizontal furnace levels in superimposed disposition. Each furnace level is constructed for acceptance of at least one steel plate and includes a transport mechanism for moving the at least one steel plate during a heating process.
US07704445B2	Systems and methods for accessing a furnace melt A method and apparatus for accessing a furnace melt are provided. Preferably, the method and apparatus provide for the safe and efficient access to the molten metal melt in a furnace. According to one aspect of the invention used in a steel making process in an electric arc furnace, a furnace aperture plug is reciprocated through a furnace aperture, the furnace aperture plug is retracted from the furnace aperture, access is provided to the molten metal melt in the furnace, and the furnace aperture plug is reinserted into the furnace aperture when the access is concluded.
US07704440B2	Fuel system component and method of manufacture A fuel tank that is substantially impermeable to fuel vapor has a shell with an interior for holding fuel, an opening for receiving fuel into the interior, and a fill nipple with a barrier layer. The fill nipple has an outer surface and an inner surface defining a passage extending between a pair of generally opposed ends of the fill nipple. One of the ends is attached to the shell such that the passage is aligned with the opening to allow fuel to flow through the passage and into the interior of the fuel tank. The fill nipple has an inner layer of material forming the inner surface, and an outer layer of material forming the outer surface, and has at least one intermediate layer of material forming the barrier layer. The intermediate layer is formed from a material that is different in composition from the inner and outer layers.
US07704438B2	Process for producing a permanently magnetic molding A method for producing a permanently-magnetic part, made from a polymeric support material filled with magnetic filler materials on the basis of silicon caoutchouc, hot-vulcanized from at least one starting material, in which the at least one starting material of the silicon caoutchouc is mixed prior to vulcanization with 50 to 95% by weight of high energy ferrite particles of a density of 5.0 to 5.2 g/cm3 and an average particle size of 1.5 to 2.5 μm as the magnetic filler material and is homogenized. Subsequently, the homogenized mixture is introduced into a mold cavity by a temperature-regulated screw and is cross-linked by vulcanization in the mold cavity by the application of heat for forming the molding, wherein during cross-linking a static magnetic field is applied to the mold cavity and the magnetic filler materials are magnetized and aligned in the silicon caoutchouc being cross-linked.
US07704434B2	Concrete block with beveled core opening edge Methods and equipment for forming beveled edge(s) around the core opening in a concrete block are disclosed. The formation of the beveled edge(s) minimizes feathering along the block edges that are beveled as the block is stripped from a mold. Any feathering that does occur is shifted away from the bottom surface of the block to allow the block to lay flat on other blocks when dry stacked in a wall.
US07704433B2	Control system for dynamic feed coinjection process Coinjection molding system control apparatus and method preferably includes flow control structure and/or steps configured to reduce pressure on a second melt, preferably causing a relatively small portion of a first melt to flow from a distal portion of a first melt channel in the coinjection nozzle into a distal end of a second melt channel in the coinjection nozzle. This prevents substantial amounts of the second melt from being dragged into the mold cavity when the next shot of the first melt is injected.
US07704431B2	Mold for golf ball A mold comprises a spherical cavity, a support pin capable of being moved forward and backward with respect to the cavity, and a vent pin (8). The vent pin (8) includes two slits (S), an annular groove (20) and a vertical groove (22). An upper end (24) of the slit (S) is opened toward the cavity. A lower end (26) of the slit (S) is opened toward the annular groove (20). The annular groove (20) is coupled to the vertical groove (22). The lower end of the vertical groove (22) is opened toward air. A width (W) of the slit (S) is preferably equal to or greater than 1 μm, is more preferably equal to or greater than 3 μm, and is particularly preferably equal to or greater than 5 μm. A depth (D) of the slit (S) is preferably equal to or greater than 10% of a diameter (φ), is more preferably equal to or greater than 15% of the diameter (φ), and is particularly preferably equal to or greater than 20% of the diameter (φ). It is preferable that the same slit (3) should be formed on the support pin.
US07704429B2	Method of fabricating a composite material connecting rod The invention relates to a method of fabricating a composite material connecting rod, the method comprising the step of cutting out a pattern presenting two opposite edges from a composite fiber fabric made up of a plurality of superposed primary plies that are bonded together in such a manner that the primary plies can slide relative to one another, rolling the pattern into a tube in such a manner that the primary plies slide relative to one another to give a chamfer shape to the two edges, and joining together the chamfer-shaped edges so that they overlap.
US07704426B2	Process for creating a stop surface on a syringe plunger rod A process for creating a stop surface on a plunger rod of a syringe is disclosed. The process includes the step of providing a preformed or molded plunger rod, and the step of forming a radially-extending deformation on the molded plunger rod. The presently disclosed in-line process allows for the use of a single molding rod to form plunger rods having one or more selectively located stop positions.
US07704422B2	Process for producing monolithic porous carbon disks from aromatic organic precursors Disclosed are processes for producing monolithic and metal doped monolithic porous carbon disks from prepolymer organic precursors in the powder form composed of either or both polyimide and polybenzimidazole. The powders are consolidated (compressed) into disks and then pyrolyzed to form the desired porous carbon disk.
US07704420B2	Spraying device and method for fluidised bed granulation A spraying device for melt granulation in a fluidized bed including a nozzle (2) with a feed channel for a liquid to be atomized, where the liquid is led through an emulsifying device and into an internal mixing chamber for gas and liquid, before it is fed to the fluidized bed. The nozzle has a separate channel for the atomizing gas fitted concentrically around the central liquid supply channel for the liquid to be atomized or nebulized. The mixing chamber surrounds the outlet zone of the liquid spray from the emulsifying device and the gas, allowing efficient mixing of high speed atomization gas and liquid, and having an external gas cap (1) where fluidization gas is channelled into a spout above the spraying device.
US07704417B2	Heated mold tooling A method for varying a radius of an optical quality surface of a casting mold formed in a tooling cavity, the tooling cavity at least partially defined by an optical tool having an optical quality surface of a given radius, includes imparting a compressive stress within the optical quality surface of the casting mold to predictably decrease the radius of the optical quality surface of the casting mold.
US07704413B2	Method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide from at least one organometallic precursor. One precursor(s) which can react spontaneously to oxidation is selected; a liquid solution of the precursor(s) is produced in a solvent non-aqueous medium, and the liquid solution is placed in contact with at least one oxidant in adapted reactional conditions in order to directly result in the production of nanoparticles of crystalline metal oxide(s). The invention also relates to a composition of nanoparticles obtained in the form of a colloidal liquid solution.
US07704409B2	Liquid crystal compound having chloronaphthalene moiety, liquid crystal composition, and optical device A compound represented by formula (1): wherein R1 is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 20 carbons, in which in the alkyl, arbitrary —CH2— may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —COO—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C—, and arbitrary hydrogen may be replaced by halogen or alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons; ring A1, ring A2, ring A3, ring A4 and ring A5 are each independently a benzene ring, a piperidine ring, a tetrahydropyrane ring or a dioxane ring, in which in the rings, arbitrary hydrogen may be replaced by halogen, alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons, alkoxy having 1 to 3 carbons or halogenated alkyl having 1 to 3 carbons, and —CH═ may be replaced by —N═; Z1, Z2, Z4, Z5 and Z6 are each independently a single bond, —COO— or —CF2O—; Z3 is a single bond or —CF2O—, and in the case where Z3 is a single bond, ring A3 is a ring represented by formula (RG-5), or L1 and L2 are both fluorine, or at least one of Z1, Z2, Z4, Z5 and Z6 is —CF2O—; L1, L2, L3 and L4 are each independently hydrogen or halogen; X1 is hydrogen, halogen, —C≡N, —N═C═S, —C≡C—C≡N, —SF5 or alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, in which in the alkyl, arbitrary —CH2— may be replaced by —O—, —S—, —CH═CH— or —C≡C—, and arbitrary hydrogen may be replaced by halogen; and l, m, n, o and p are each independently 0 or 1, provided that l+m+n+o+p≦4:
US07704408B2	Resin-molded component for signal reader and method for molding thereof The present invention provides a resin-molded component for signal reader, which is light in weight and is able to improve the vibration damping property and to increase the resonance frequency, and which is excellent in heat dissipation. Specifically, it provides a resin-molded component for signal reader structured by 55 to 75% by weight of liquid crystalline polymer (A) composed of structural units expressed by general formulae (I) through (IV): —O—Ar1—CO— (I) —CO—Ar2—CO— (II) —O—Ar3—O— (III) —O—Ar4—CO— (IV) (where, Ar1 is 2,6-naphthalene group, Ar2 is selected from 1,2-phenylene group, 1,3-phenylene group, and, 1,4-phenylene group, Ar3 is selected from 1,3-phenylene group, 1,4-phenylene group, and p,p′-polyphenylene group, and Ar4 is 1,4-phenylene group); 20 to 10% by weight of inorganic hollow sphere (B1); and 25 to 15% by weight of fibrous inorganic filler (B2), and has 1.4 or smaller specific gravity d, 0.5 W/m·K or larger thermal conductivity λ, and 10 GPa or larger flexural modulus.
US07704400B2	Method and apparatus for washing particulate matter A system for washing contaminated sand comprises a plurality of reactors arranged in a sequence from a first to a last reactor. The first reactor is configured to receive contaminated sand. Each reactor comprises a funnel portion in a lower section thereof for accumulating a sand layer and a sand conveying device for removing sand through an aperture defined near a bottom of the funnel portion. Each reactor except the first reactor receives sand removed from a previous reactor. The system also comprises a steam supply system for providing each reactor with steam for washing the sand, a water supply system for providing the last reactor with clean water for rinsing the sand, and a fluid outlet associated with each reactor for removing fluid and providing the fluid to a separator for separating the fluid into first and second portions respectively containing relatively low and high proportions of hydrocarbons.
US07704399B2	Hydrogen peroxide based water treatment method A system and method for the treatment of water for human consumption using a naturally occurring inorganic catalyst working within a pH range between 3 and 13, combining the inorganic catalyst at 3 parts per million to an oxidant, primarily hydrogen peroxide and a metal salt used as a coagulant and a primary catalyst, resulting in an efficient and economical phasic water purification and filtration system and process. The inorganic catalyst is a zeolite a synthetic zeolite or preferably chabazite.
US07704398B2	Method and apparatus for purification of an aqueous solution from droplets of extraction solution The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which the aqueous solution from liquid-liquid extraction in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals is purified from droplets of organic extraction solution. The aqueous solution is treated in a settling tank, where it is made to flow through a flow channel area with a reduced cross-section that extends over the width of the tank at least at one point. The flow channels are located in the lower section of the droplet coalescer according to the invention, with the upper section of the device being mainly solid.
US07704392B2	Minimal residual liquid retention filter housing A filter housing with a socket drain for minimizing waste and downstream contamination of valuable fluids during filter element changes.
US07704384B2	Self dislodging filter element A self dislodging filter element, primarily for automotive applications, has a filter screen attached to an annular magnet. The filter element is installed in a port or conduit through which fluid flows and is held in place with magnetic attraction. If the filter screen becomes too clogged, pressure from the fluid impinging on the clogged screen overcomes the magnetic attraction and the filter slides down the conduit to be deposited in a repository and out of the fluid flow path.
US07704383B2	Portable fuel desulfurization unit A mobile fuel filter for removing sulfur-containing compounds from a diesel fuel is provided. The mobile fuel filter comprises: a filter median comprising an absorbent for removing sulfur-containing compounds from the diesel fuel, the filter median being in fluid communication with a storage device, the storage device having a holding capacity greater than 1000 gallons and being configured for storing the diesel fuel, the absorbent being configured to remove sulfur containing compounds from the diesel fuel to produce filtered diesel fuel having less than 15 ppm of sulfur containing compounds, the absorbent comprises an inorganic oxide having a surface acidity characterized by a pKa of at least −3.
US07704379B2	Dual catalyst system for hydroisomerization of Fischer-Tropsch wax and waxy raffinate The present invention relates to a process for converting Fischer-Tropsch wax to high quality lube basestocks using a molecular sieve Beta catalyst followed by a unidimensional intermediate pore molecular sieve with near circular pore structures having an average diameter of 0.50 nm to 0.65 nm wherein the difference between the maximum diameter and the minimum is ≦0.05 nm. Both catalysts comprise one or more Group VIII metals. For example, a cascaded two-bed catalyst system consisting of a first bed Pt/Beta catalyst followed by a second bed Pt/ZSM-48 catalyst is highly selective for wax isomerization and lube hydrodewaxing with minimal gas formation.
US07704378B2	Method for the production of middle distillates by hydroisomerisation et hydrocracking of charges arising from the Fischer-Tropsch method The invention relates to a process for preparing middle distillates from a paraffinic feedstock produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, using a hydrocracking/hydroisomerization catalyst which comprises at least one hydrodehydrogenating element chosen from the group formed by the noble elements of Group VIII of the periodic table, a silica-alumina-based non-zeolitic support obtained from wherein the non-zeolitic silica-alumina based support was obtained from a process comprising starting from a mixture of a partially soluble alumina compound in an acid medium with a totally soluble silica compound or with a totally soluble combination of alumina and hydrated silica, the resultant moldable mixture is concentrated to form a moldable mixture, the resultant mixture is molded and the resultant molded article is subjected to a hydrothermal or thermal treatment.
US07704374B2	Electrochemical gas sensor An electrochemical gas sensor is provided with a carbon-based measuring electrode (3) that it can be used for a large number of electrochemical detection reactions and can be manufactured at a low cost. The measuring electrode (3) contains carbon nanotubes.
US07704372B2	Sacrificial anode assembly A sacrificial anode assembly for cathodically protecting and/or passivating a metal section, comprising: (a) a cell, which has an anode and a cathode arranged so as to not be in electronic contact with each other but so as to be in ionic contact with each other such that current can flow between the anode and the cathode; (b) a connector attached to the anode of the cell for electrically connecting the anode to the metal section to be cathodically protected; and (c) a sacrificial anode electrically connected in series with the cathode of the cell; wherein the cell is otherwise isolated from the environment such that current can only flow into and out of the cell via the sacrificial anode and the connector. The invention also provides a method of cathodically protecting metal in which such a sacrificial anode assembly is cathodically attached to the metal via the connector of the assembly, and a reinforced concrete structure wherein some or all of the reinforcement is cathodically protected by such a method.
US07704371B2	Corrosion identification and management system The present invention is directed to a system for identifying and managing corrosion and methods related thereto. In particular, the invention provides a system for identifying and managing the structural corrosion potential for an assembly by measuring a “Relative Corrosion Index” (“RCI”).
US07704369B2	Electrolysis of carbon dioxide in aqueous media to carbon monoxide and hydrogen for production of methanol An environmentally beneficial method of producing methanol from varied sources of carbon dioxide including flue gases of fossil fuel burning power plants, industrial exhaust gases or the atmosphere itself. Converting carbon dioxide by an electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in a divided electrochemical cell that includes an anode in one cell compartment and a metal cathode electrode in another cell compartment that also contains an aqueous solution comprising methanol and an electrolyte of one or more alkyl ammonium halides, alkali carbonates or combinations thereof to produce therein a reaction mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen which can be subsequently used to produce methanol while also producing oxygen in the cell at the anode.
US07704368B2	Method and apparatus for electrochemical plating semiconductor wafers A method of electroplating conductive material on semiconductor wafers controls undesirable surface defects by reducing the electroplating current as the wafer is being initially immersed in a plating bath. Further defect reduction and improved bottom up plating of vias is achieved by applying a static charge on the wafer before it is immersed in the bath, in order to enhance bath accelerators used to control the plating rate. The static charge is applied to the wafer using a supplemental electrode disposed outside the plating bath.
US07704366B2	Pretreatment of magnesium substrates for electroplating The present invention relates to a method for depositing an adherent zinc coating onto a zinc-containing magnesium alloy substrate in order to render the surface suitable for electroplating. The coatings are applied from a pyrophosphate-based zinc electrolyte solution containing a small quantity of fluoride ions. Depending on the zinc and aluminum content of the magnesium alloy, the zinc electrolyte solution is applied by immersion deposition or electrolytically.
US07704360B2	Devices and methods for separating sample constituents Devices and methods for separating sample constituents are provided. The subject devices are characterized by having a fluid flow path with at least one electrophoretic separation element positioned at a region thereof. The separation element includes an element for applying an electric field across the fluid flow path and a trapping element for trapping sample constituents that migrate out of the flow path when an electric field is applied across the fluid flow path. In using the subject devices, sample is moved past the separation element and an electric field is applied across the flow path such that constituents of the sample migrate into the trapping element. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of applications, including protein separation applications.
US07704359B2	Pressurized reference systems and process for their production The present application relates to a pressurized reference electrode and to a process for its production, said reference electrode comprising a chamber (11) which has a flowable reference electrolyte, and a portion of the wall of said chamber being formed from porous material (10) for contacting said reference electrode with a measuring medium, and said chamber being under overpressure, which is characterized in that the overpressure is generated in said reference electrode by introducing a gas or/and a liquid through said porous material of the wall in said chamber, or introducing said reference electrolyte into said chamber and closing said chamber under pressure.
US07704354B2	Method and apparatus for electrowinning copper using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e., LME Grade A copper cathode or equivalent), which is advantageous.
US07704350B2	Press belt and shoe press roll A press belt (2) comprises both-end corresponding regions B positioned so as to correspond to both ends of a press roll (1) or a press shoe (3) in a width direction and having a small thickness and a center region A positioned between the both-end corresponding regions B and having a thickness larger than that of the both-end corresponding region B.
US07704349B2	Fabric crepe process for making absorbent sheet A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent. Products of the invention may also exhibit an MD modulus at break 1.5 to 2 times their initial MD modulus.
US07704345B2	Process allowing cylindrical-walled containers to be decorated at a fast rate A method for decorating the cylindrical walls of receptacles, comprising the following steps: a) moveable mandrels are arranged in a loop and are displaced, keeping their axes parallel to a direction D; b) each receptacle is engaged by the cylindrical wall thereof on the mandrel; c) the mandrel is brought into the vicinity of a marking cylinder which turns about a fixed axis parallel to direction D; d) the mandrel is rotated at a speed which is correlated with that of the marking cylinder; e) a transfer film support strip is displaced between the marking cylinder and the mandrel; f) the marking cylinder and mandrel are placed in contact with each other such that the marked area of the transfer film adheres to the cylindrical wall; g) the support strip is removed from the cylindrical wall of the receptacle. The inventive method is adapted to the manufacture of flexible tubes and can be easily implemented on existing devices such as capping machines.
US07704342B2	Glass lamination process Glass laminates are prepared using low-water content plastic interlayer material, such as polyvinylbutyral interlayer sheets, by a process employing nip roll de-airing, and high temperature finishing at atmospheric pressure.
US07704340B1	Pelletized nitrocellulose (PNC) manufacture and long term storage A method of making pelletized nitrocellulose (PNC) includes preparing a lacquer, the lacquer comprising nitrocellulose (NC), ethyl acetate and ethyl centralite, the NC having a nitrogen content of at least about 12.2%; mixing the lacquer with an antisolvent to thereby emulsify the lacquer and form PNC; drowning the PNC with the antisolvent; and separating the antisolvent and ethyl acetate from the PNC.
US07704338B2	Method of manufacturing a martensitic stainless steel This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a martensitic stainless steel.The method comprises the following steps (a) to (c): (a) preparing a steel having a chemical composition consisting of, by mass %, C: 0.003 to 0.050%, Si: 0.05 to 1.00%, Mn: 0.10 to 1.50%, Cr: 10.5 to 14.0%, Ni: 1.5 to 7.0%, V: 0.02 to 0.20%, N: 0.003 to 0.070%, Ti: not more than 0.300% and the balance Fe and impurities, and P and S among impurities are not more than 0.035% and not more than 0.010% respectively, and that it also satisfies the following equation: ([Ti]−3.4×[N])/[C]>4.5 wherein [C], [N] and [Ti] mean the content (mass %) of C, N and Ti, respectively, (b) heating the steel at a temperature between 850 and 950° C., (c) quenching the steel, and (d) tempering the steel at a temperature between Ac1−35° C. and Ac1+35° C. and in a condition of not more than 0.5 of the value of variation ΔLMP1 in the softening characteristics LMP1, which is defined by the following equation: LMP1=T×(20+1.7×log(t))×10−3 wherein T is a tempering temperature (K), and t is a tempering time (hour). The steel could further contain 0.2 to 0.3 % of Mo.
US07704333B2	Al-Cu-Mg-Ag-Mn alloy for structural applications requiring high strength and high ductility An aluminum alloy having improved strength and ductility, comprising: Cu 3.5-5.8 wt. %, Mg 0.2-1.5 wt. % Mn 0.2-0.5 wt. % Ag 0.2-0.8 wt. % Ti 0.02-0.12 wt. % and optionally one or more selected from the group consisting of Cr 0.1-0.8 wt. %, Hf 0.1-1.0 wt. %, Sc 0.03-0.6 wt. %, and V 0.05-0.15 wt. %, balance aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, and wherein the alloy is substantially zirconium-free.
US07704332B2	Moderate density, low density, and extremely low density single crystal alloys for high AN2 applications A single crystal alloy for high AN2 applications has a composition consisting essentially of from 4.0 to 10 wt % chromium, from 1.0 to 2.5 wt % molybdenum, up to 5.0 wt % tungsten, from 3.0 to 8.0 wt % tantalum, from 5.5 to 6.25 wt % aluminum, from 6.0 to 17 wt % cobalt, up to 0.2 wt % hafnium, from 4.0 to 6.0 wt % rhenium, from 1.0 to 3.0 wt % ruthenium, and the balance nickel. Further, these single crystal alloys have a total tungsten and molybdenum content in the range of from 1.0 to 7.5 wt %, preferably from 2.0 to 7.0 wt %, a total refractory element content in the range of from 9.0 to 24.5 wt %, preferably from 13 to 22 wt %, a ratio of rhenium to a total refractory element content in the range of from 0.16 to 0.67, preferably from 0.20 to 0.45, a density in the range of from 0.300 to 0.325 lb/in3, and a specific creep strength in the range from 106×103 to 124×103 inches. These alloys provide (a) increased creep strength for a given density and (b) specific creep strengths as high as or higher than all 2nd generation single crystal alloys with a significant decrease in density.
US07704328B2	Starch fiber The present invention relates to a starch composition comprising starch, a polymer that is substantially compatible with starch and has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 500,000 such that the polymer forms effective entanglements or associations with neighboring starch molecules, and preferably at least one additive to improve melt flow and melt processability. The additive may be a hydroxyl plasticizer, a hydroxyl-free plasticizer, a diluent, or mixtures thereof. The composition is melt processable on conventional thermoplastic equipment. The composition is especially suitable for uniaxial and biaxial extensional processes to make fibers, films, foams and like products.
US07704326B2	Deposition mask and manufacturing method thereof A deposition mask with which position precision of a passage hole is improved and deposition can be conducted precisely and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A mask body made of a metal thin film is fixed and tightly mounted on a frame body having an opening. The mask body has at least one pattern region including a plurality of passage holes for letting through a deposition material, a stress relaxation region including a plurality of fine holes provided at the periphery of the pattern region, and a holding region provided at the periphery of the stress relaxation region. The mask body is tightly mounted on the frame body at a holding region.
US07704323B2	Metal-free silicon-molecule-nanotube testbed and memory device Work from several laboratories has shown that metal nanofilaments cause problems in some molecular electronics testbeds. A new testbed for exploring the electrical properties of single molecules has been developed to eliminate the possibility of metal nanofilament formation and to ensure that molecular effects are measured. This metal-free system uses single-crystal silicon and single-walled carbon nanotubes as electrodes for the molecular monolayer. A direct Si-arylcarbon grafting method is used. Use of this structure with π-conjugated organic molecules results in a hysteresis loop with current-voltage measurements that are useful for an electronic memory device. The memory is non-volatile for more than 3 days, non-destructive for more than 1,000 reading operations and capable of more than 1,000 write-erase cycles before device breakdown. Devices without π-conjugated molecules (Si—H surface only) or with long-chain alkyl-bearing molecules produced no hysteresis, indicating that the observed memory effect is molecularly relevant.
US07704321B2	Polycrystalline material having a plurality of single crystal particles Polycrystalline materials of macroscopic size exhibiting Single-Crystal-Like properties are formed from a plurality of Single-Crystal Particles, having Self-Aligning morphologies and optionally bonded together and aligned along at least one, and up to three, crystallographic directions.
US07704319B2	Crystal structure of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and uses thereof The present invention relates to a crystal of ACE protein. The present invention further relates to methods, processes, ACE modulators, pharmaceutical compositions and uses of ACE crystal and the structure coordinates thereof.
US07704318B2	Silicon wafer, SOI substrate, method for growing silicon single crystal, method for manufacturing silicon wafer, and method for manufacturing SOI substrate When growing a silicon single crystal free of grown-in defects based on the CZ method, the crystal is pulled out at a critical pulling rate at which a ring-shaped OSF occurrence region vanishes in a center portion of the crystal by using a hot zone structure in which a temperature gradient Gc in a center portion of the crystal is equal to or greater than a temperature gradient Ge in a peripheral portion of the crystal, while supplying an inert gas including hydrogen to an interior of a pulling furnace. The critical pulling rate at which the ring-shaped OSF occurrence region vanishes in the center portion of the crystal is increased, and single crystals free of grown-in defects in which dislocation clusters and COPs can be grown by pulling at a pulling rate higher than that of the prior art.
US07704317B2	Pyroprocessed aggregates comprising IBA and PFA and methods for producing such aggregates In accordance with an embodiment, a method for producing an aggregate is disclosed comprising mixing incinerator bottom ash (“IBA”) from a municipal solid waste incinerator and pulverized fuel ash (“PFA”) from coal combustion. The method further comprises agglomerating the mixture, such as by pelletizing, and pyroprocessing the agglomerates, such as by sintering or vitrification, to form the aggregate. The addition of PFA to IBA has been found to facilitate production of lightweight and normal weight aggregates. Preferably, the IBA or the mixture of IBA and PFA is wet milled prior to agglomerating. A preferred proportion of IBA to PFA is 40%/60%. The agglomerates may be coated with an inorganic material to create a surface layer on the aggregate. Organic material may be included in the mixture to increase the porosity of the aggregate. A lightweight sintered aggregate comprising IBA and PFA and an aggregate comprising IBA and PFA are also disclosed.
US07704312B2	Non-aqueous pigment dispersions containing specific dispersion synergists A non-aqueous pigment dispersion includes a color pigment, a polymeric dispersant, and a dispersion synergist in a dispersion medium wherein the dispersion synergist is represented by Formula (I): wherein AR1 and AR2 represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group, and R represents a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group, with the proviso that one of R, AR1, and AR2 contains at least one carboxylate anion and that the molecular weight of the anionic part of the dispersion synergist is smaller than 98% of the molecular weight of the color pigment. Also, methods of preparing the non-aqueous pigment dispersions.
US07704309B2	Disazodyes for ink-jet printing A process for printing an image on a substrate comprising applying to the substrate by means of an ink jet printer an ink comprising a compound of Formula (1) or salt thereof: Also claimed are compounds, inks, printed substrates and the use of compounds in preparing ink jet printing inks. The compounds provide inks which when printed exhibit good light fastness and ozone fastness.
US07704304B2	Process and apparatus for generating and delivering an enriched gas fraction An improved sieve bed design to manage breakthrough and the mass transfer zone by way of volumetric division. An empty space in the product end is separated from adsorbent-filled sieve space in the feed end by a mid-diffuser plate. The ratio of the empty product end void space to the adsorbent filled sieve space within a sieve bed may be determined by the relative percentages of the gasses to be separated and the bulk loading factor of the molecular sieve. A product end void space of the correct volume may ensure the maximum volume of nitrogen has been adsorbed before breakthrough occurs. In operation, pressure in the sieve bed empty space and sieve filled space may be equal at any instant. This contains breakthrough to the location of the mid-diffuser plate. The mass transfer zone may be static at the point of the mid-diffuser plate and as such, gas separation is a function of pressure within the bed.
US07704302B2	Electrostatic precipitator having a spark current limiting resistors and method for limiting sparking An electrostatic precipitator including: a collecting electrode in a gas passage; a discharge electrode in the gas passage and separated by a gap from the collecting electrode; a power supply applying a voltage to the discharge electrode, wherein the voltage establishes an electric field between the discharge electrode and the collecting electrode to ionize gas flow in the gap, and a resistor in series with the discharge electrode and having an effective resistance in series with the discharge electrode of at least 50 Ohms.
US07704298B2	Method for thiosulfate leaching of precious metal-containing materials Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ lixiviants that include at most only small amounts of copper and/or ammonia and operate at a relatively low pH, reduction of polythionates, inert atmospheres to control polythionate production, and electrolytic solutions which provide relatively high rates of precious metal recovery.
US07704296B2	Fine porosity low-microcracked ceramic honeycombs and methods thereof Disclosed are high-porosity cordierite honeycomb substrates having fine pore size, narrow pore size distribution, little or no microcracking, and a high thermal shock resistance. The porous ceramic honeycomb substrates generally include a primary cordierite ceramic phase as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the cordierite substrates.
US07704294B2	Aerodynamic lens particle separator Respirable particles with diameters on the order of 0.05 to 10 microns entrained in an air stream, are concentrated in an aerodynamic lens (FIG. 2) for separation from the air steam. The entire structure is made by microfabrication techniques, such as silicon micro-machining which enables arrays of precisely aligned slit lenses to be made on a silicon chip. At a Reynolds number of 800, a slit 25 microns wide by 1 mm tall will pass a flow of only 0.28 liters per minute, but arrays of lenses (FIG. 4), stacked in parallel banks, multiplies the available flow rate. Placing a skimmer (27) at the exit of each silicon micro-machined lens in the assembly and connecting the skimmer channels in chimneys (55), allows the bulk of the gas flow to be stripped off while allowing the concentrated particle stream to pass into a region of much lower flow rate, thereby producing a highly concentrated aerosol in the low velocity stream.
US07704287B2	Reactive red dye composition and application thereof The present invention provides a reactive red dye composition comprising (A) 3% to 97% by weight of a reactive azo dye of the following formula (I), wherein W, D1 and D2 are defined the same as the specification; and (B) 97% to 3% by weight of a reactive azo dye of the following formula (II), wherein R, X, Z, D3 and D4 are defined the same as the specification. The reactive red dye composition of the present invention can be utilized to dye cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers dyed by the reactive red dye composition obtain not only good build-up and level dyeing properties but also an excellent property of white discharging.
US07704280B2	Intervertebral implant comprising temporary blocking means An intervertebral implant including a top part, a bottom part and a joint arranged axially between the top part and the bottom part. The top part includes a top surface suitable to be placed on the base plate of a body of the vertebra adjacent and above the site of removal. The bottom part has a bottom surface suitable to be placed on the cover plate of a body of the vertebra adjacent and below the site of removal. The joint includes a convex joint part with a first articular surface and a joint shell matching it, with a second articular surface mounted in a sliding manner on the first articular surface. The intervertebral implant including a temporarily locking mechanism to fix the two parts relative to one another.
US07704278B2	Method and apparatus for enhanced corneal accommodation A method and apparatus related to enhancing corneal accommodation to address the effect of presbyopia. Corneal/scleral topology measurements in accommodating and non-accommodating states are indicative of a presbyopic subject's nominal corneal accommodative power. A desired accommodative power intended to improve on the effect of presbyopia can be determined, suggesting a selective biomechanical intervention in the corneal structure outside of the optical zone to create flexure regions. These flexure regions would allow enhanced corneal accommodation upon presentation of an accommodating stimulus. Intervention could be in the form of, for example, corneal surface ablation, intrastromal ablation, conductive keratoplasty (CK), laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK), and corneal and/or scleral implants. An improved topology measuring apparatus having an improved field of view and other attributes is disclosed.
US07704277B2	Device and method for treatment of heart valve regurgitation In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor the prosthesis and a pocket member fixed to the anchoring ring. The pocket member is positioned within the mitral valve, between the leaflets so that an open end of the pocket member is positioned within the left ventricle. When the mitral valve is open, blood flows past the pocket member, maintaining the pocket member in a collapsed state. When the mitral valve closes, the backpressure of the blood pushes into the pocket member, expanding the pocket member to an inflated shape. The mitral valve leaflets contact the expanded pocket member, allowing the prosthesis to block at least a portion of the openings between the leaflets, thereby minimizing regurgitated blood flow into the left atrium.
US07704275B2	Circumferentially nested expandable device Expandable medical implants for maintaining support of a body lumen are disclosed. These implants comprise a circumferentially nested, diametrically expandable, moveable vascular device for enlarging an occluded portion of a vessel. The device can be configured to allow for motion such as rotating, translating, and/or slide and lock. One advantage of the circumferentially nested stent is that it maintains the expanded size, without significant recoil.
US07704274B2	Implantable graft and methods of making same The present invention relates to an implantable endoluminal graft comprised of a microporous thin-film covering having a plurality of openings and a structural support element underlying and physically attached to the microporous thin-film covering, the microporous thin-film covering having shape memory properties.
US07704271B2	Devices and methods for inter-vertebral orthopedic device placement Within a given spinal segment, the stable vertebral level is identified. Within the lower lumbar spine, that level is most commonly at the sacrum. A bone fastener is rigidly affixed to the stable spinal segment and an interconnecting member is rigidly affixed to the bone fastener so as to form a cantilever construct. Vertebral bodies that exhibit aberrant spinal motion and/or mal-alignment relative to the stable segment are then attached to the interconnecting member using non-rigid bone fastener(s). The motion profile of the dynamic fastener can be varied and may be selected to provide the desired vertebral motion characteristics. The interconnecting member may be rigid or it may be alternatively made rigid parallel to the direction of greatest instability and non-rigid in the other planes.
US07704269B2	Methods and apparatus for cardiac valve repair The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
US07704268B2	Closure device with hinges A device for closing a defect, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) or an atrial septal defect (ASD), has first and second sides on either side of the defect, a center joint that passes through the defect, and end pieces at the outer ends of the sides. One or both sides of the device have a plurality of petals. At least one petal on each side extends away from the center joint, and at least one petal on each side extends away from an end piece. Adjacent petals are coupled together with hinges.
US07704267B2	Non-entangling vena cava filter An implantable vessel filter device having a plurality of radially expandable legs with hooks, and a center-post configured to prevent entanglement of the radially expandable legs when they are compressed against the center-post. In one variation, the filter device includes a first set of legs, forming a first filter basket in the expanded position, and a second set of legs, forming a second filter basket distal to the first filter in the expanded position. Hooks may be provided on the second set of legs to prevent migration of the filter along the vessel after the filter is deployed. Grooves may be provided along the shaft of the center-post to receive the hooks and prevent the hooks from interlocking when the legs of the filter are compressed along the center-post.
US07704262B2	Hollow suture needle with handle A suture needle instrument having improved connection means enabling a hollow suture needled to be attached to a handle in a variety of orientations. The suture needle is provided with user accessible suture channels and suture advancing wheels to facilitate cleaning and repair.
US07704255B2	Threadless multi-lock anterior cervical plating system Anatomically contoured anterior cervical plates with bone ingrowth surfaces, providing for intersegmental compressive preloading, and a rigid and locked interface to all of the bone screws, with those engaging the vertebrae deployed in highly convergent pairs. The bone screws have a tapered self-tapping leading end, an increasing root diameter with a generally constant outer diameter with a thread that is narrow and sharp throughout and an enlarged head portion capable of an interference fit to the receiving holes of the plate. Instrumentation consists of plate holders, a compression apparatus and a pilot hole forming device that interlocks with the plate. Methods for spinal compression and bone hole preparation are provided.
US07704251B2	Adjustable bone plates Bone plates having an adjustable joint, and methods of using the bone plates to fix bones.
US07704249B2	Apparatus and methods for electrosurgical ablation and resection of target tissue An electrosurgical system and method for ablating, resecting, or cutting body structures, with minimal or no damage to tissue adjacent to the treatment site. The system includes an electrosurgical probe having a shaft with a shaft distal end bifurcated to provide first and second arms. First and second electrode supports are disposed on the first and second arms, respectively. At least one active electrode, in the form of a loop or partial loop, is arranged between the first and second electrode supports. A return electrode, also in the form of a loop or partial loop, is arranged between the first and second electrode supports distal to the active electrode. The active and return electrodes are configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities and associated high current densities between the active portion and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes. These high current densities are sufficient to break down the tissue by processes including molecular dissociation of tissue components. In one embodiment, the high frequency voltage imparts energy to the target site to effect the vaporization and volumetric removal of a layer of tissue without causing substantial tissue damage beyond the layer of tissue ablated. In another embodiment, a fragment of target tissue is removed, with minimal or no damage to surrounding tissue, by a process including the molecular dissociation of tissue components, and the tissue fragment is retrieved for biopsy.
US07704245B2	Large diameter delivery catheter/sheath A large diameter delivery catheter or sheath for percutaneous delivery of a contained and implantable medical device in the vasculature of a patient. The delivery catheter or sheath includes a reinforcement such as a flat wire coil with uniform spacing between the turns. The reinforcement is compression fitted about an inner, lubricous PTFE tube having a substantially uniform inner diameter of from 16 to 30 French. The delivery catheter or sheath further includes an outer tube of a heat formable polyamide material having a durometer of about 30 to 60 on the Shore D scale. The outer tube is heat formed and compressed through the spaces between the turns of the wire coil to mechanically connect to a roughened outer surface of the inner tube. A polymeric radiopaque marker tube may be positioned at the distal end of the coil and between the inner and outer tubes for radiographic visualization.
US07704240B2	Package for an ostomy appliance A package for a disposable ostomy receiving bag, said package comprising a first compartment capable of accommodating a (fresh) ostomy receiving bag and a second compartment capable of accommodating a used ostomy receiving bag, said second compartment being sealable so as to confine the receiving bag facilitates the handling of fresh and used bags and renders the user more independent of the availability of a lavatory.
US07704239B2	Catheter button hub A catheter hub (100) including a first port (104) and a second port (108) fluidly communicating with the first port through a first conduit (106). The first conduit (106) turns at an angle of greater than approximately 135 degrees between the first port (104) and the second port (108). The hub (100) also includes a third port (120) fluidly communicating with the second port (108) through a second conduit (122) that similarly turns at an angle of greater than approximately 135 degrees between the third port (120) and the second port (108). Further, the hub (100) includes a fourth port (130) fluidly communicating with the second port (108) and is generally co-axial therewith. A catheter assembly (150) that utilizes the catheter hub (100) is also disclosed.
US07704235B2	System and device for medically treating an individual A system for medically treating/vaccinating an individual comprising a first syringe, containing an anticoagulant material therein, for drawing a sample of blood from the individual. A centrifuge is provided for centrifuging the sample of blood contained within the first syringe to obtain a buffy coat. A second syringe comprising a second plunger and at least one microtubule member containing one of a treatment agent and a vaccine antigen. At least one open end formed within the at least one microtubule member for drawing a portion of the buffy coat therein and exposing the buffy coat to one of the treatment agent and vaccine antigen. A second needle capable of being attached onto the second syringe for introducing the exposed sample into the individual to effect treatment/vaccination thereof. This system is capable of allowing a plurality of treatment agents and/or vaccine antigens to be simultaneously applied to an individual.
US07704230B2	Pressurized fluid reservoir for an infusion system A fluid reservoir for a medical infusion system includes an expandable elastomeric bladder defining a chamber for receiving and containing a volume of therapeutic substance and exerting pressure thereon to dispense the therapeutic substance from the bladder. The bladder has preferably a single port formed through the thickness thereof. A bi-directional valve is in fluid communication with the chamber of the elastomeric bladder and is used for filling the bladder chamber with the therapeutic substance and for connecting to a catheter assembly for dispensing the therapeutic substance to a patient undergoing treatment. The single port of the elastomeric bladder is connected to a medical grade flexible tubing, which is also connected to the bi-directional valve.
US07704224B2	Method for testing peritoneum function and a peritoneal dialysis planning apparatus A peritoneal function testing method of using a ratio MTACun/MTACc calculated using MTACun and MTACc as an index for a peritoneal function test. MTACun is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for urea nitrogen and MTACc is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for creatinine. Use of the MTACun/MTACc ratio enables examination of the future peritoneal function of a patient (a mechanism of deterioration in peritoneal function). MTACun and MTACc are obtained using a Pyle-Popovich model. The peritoneal function testing method further calculates a permeability coefficient for cell pores (LPSC) and an overall permeability coefficient (LPS) from a Three-Pore Theory model to obtain a ratio LPSC/LPS calculated using the LPSC and the LPS, and further uses the LPSC/LPS ratio and the MTACun/MTACc ratio as indexes for the peritoneal function test.
US07704221B2	Heater cooler valve A rotary valve unit is provided for blending fluid sources to regulate a temperature of fluid flowing to a heat exchange device in an extracorporeal blood perfusion circuit. A valve body includes a valve chamber having a first inlet port, a second inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port. A wedged-shaped rotary valve is disposed within the valve chamber and is rotatable within the valve chamber for controlling a blending of the cold fluid entering the fluid chamber from the first inlet port and the return fluid entering the fluid chamber from the second inlet port to regulate the desired temperature of fluid provided to the heat exchanger. The wedge-shaped rotary valve is positionable to provide either only cold fluid to the first outlet port, only return fluid to the first outlet port, or blending of the cold fluid and return fluid to the first outlet port.
US07704218B2	Knee brace A knee brace adapted for placement over at least a posterior side of a leg and comprising a first posterior frame member, a second posterior frame member connected to first frame member, and a posterior resilient hinge device located at or near a first end portion of the first frame member. The hinge device is arranged to urge the first and second frame members into a predetermined alignment. The hinge device can be arranged for selectively locking the second frame member at an angle relative to the first frame member, and permitting rotation of the second frame member relative to first frame member within a range of predetermined angles.
US07704217B2	Inflation and deflation of an encased bladder system The present invention provides seating apparatuses that may reduce an effect of an ailment such as sciatica, joint illness, degenerative disc condition, hip bursitis, tendinitis, or sacral/coccyx pain. A seating apparatus includes a back portion and a seating portion, each portion having at least one encased bladder that is inflated by a pumping component in a timed sequence. The bladders may be differently shaped, asymmetrically situated with respect to a center axis, and spatially overlapping. The bladders are inflated and deflated in accordance with a predetermined time sequence and are independently controlled. The seating apparatus may contain a set of encased bladders that may be configured for different aliments. A user selects a treatment for one of the ailments through a remote control unit. Consequently, a subset of bladders is configured so that the selected subset of bladders is inflated and deflated.
US07704216B2	Method for assessing the accuracy of test results A method for developing and validating a quality assessment for a test is provided. A test method is also provided, which assesses the accuracy of a test. The methods include performing a behavioral test on a subject to measure a psychometric quantity, measuring one or more quality indicators, the quality indicators being any variables that are correlated with test accuracy, obtaining an independent measure of test accuracy, and deriving a predictive formula for estimating test accuracy from the quality indicators.
US07704215B2	Daytime/nighttime respiration rate monitoring A device and method can monitor or trend a patient's respiration rate measurements according to the time of day. The device, which may be implantable or external, collects and classifies respiration rate measurements over time. The trended information about particular classes of respiration rate measurements is then communicated to a remote external device, which in turn provides an indication of heart failure decompensation. Examples of classes of respiration rate measurements include a daily maximum respiration rate value, a daily minimum respiration rate value, a daily maximum respiration rate variability value, a daily minimum respiration rate variability value, and a daily central respiration rate value. These respiration rate measurements can be further classified into daytime or nighttime respiration rate measurements.
US07704210B2	Medical device for removing a vascular occlusion Device for removing a complete vascular occlusion using a CTO catheter, at the distal end of which are disposed stretching tongs and IVUS monitoring, whereby the CTO catheter is combined with an IVUS catheter to form an integrated unit.
US07704209B2	Method and apparatus for continuous pulse contour cardiac output A system and method are provided for sensing cardiac electrogram (EGM) signals and ventricular pressure signals and for using the sensed EGM and sensed pressure signals for estimating stroke volume (SV). A measure of cardiac output can be computed from the estimated SV and a heart rate determined from the EGM signals. The sensed ventricular pressure signal and the sensed EGM signal are used to derive landmark points such as an estimated pulmonary diastolic pressure, a mean pulmonary artery pressure, a peak right ventricular pressure (RVP), and various time intervals used in computing an area or a pulse contour integral. The pulse contour integral is used to estimate SV. The estimated pulmonary diastolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and CO computed from the estimated SV can be used to compute a pulmonary vascular resistance.
US07704201B2	Envelope-making aid A device useful in the formation of handcrafted envelopes comprises a board (10) with a planar surface (11) wherein the planar surface is provided with at least one guide means (12), and at least one abutting surface (13) that allows an envelope material such as paper or card to be positioned on the planar surface at a defined angle with respect to the guide means such that the paper or card can be folded to the guide means to form an envelope.
US07704199B2	Exercise apparatus This description is not intended to limit the scope of the claims herein. An exercise device comprising a base that can be oriented at any angle and that defines a plurality of connection interfaces, each of which is designed to carry and restrain one end of a cantilevered resilient member. Said connection interfaces can be positioned at or adjusted to a widely varying range of locations and angular orientations with respect to the base. The resilient members can be affixed to any of the connection interfaces that the user desires, so that the resilient members can be positioned in a correspondingly wide range of locations and angular orientations relative to the base to enable the user to perform a wide range of exercises on the apparatus by gripping and exerting a force on the resilient members or other handles attached to the resilient members.
US07704198B2	Variable resistance exercise device An exercise device for human exercise routines having an elongated pultruded plastic rod or rods fitting loosely within a plastic tube. At least one of the rods is rectangular in cross section and the tube may be covered by a soft foam plastic sleeve. The rod may be produced by the pultrusion process.
US07704194B1	Boxing equipment A boxing equipment of the present invention includes a base, a disc member, a plastic pole, a boxing member and a sheath. The disc member is disposed on the base for housing a first end of a resilient member, and the pole is fastened to a second end of the resilient member. One end of the pole is mounted with the boxing member, while the sheath can fasten the boxing member with the pole.
US07704193B2	Exercise apparatus An exercise apparatus is disclosed herein, including a frame, a rotating assembly, two supporting rods, two swing arms, two links, and two pedals. The front ends of the supporting rods are connected respectively to two connecting points of the rotating assembly, and the rear end of each supporting rod moves back and forth along a corresponding track. The front ends of the links are connected respectively at two swing ends of the swing arms. Each pedal is mounted at the rear end of a corresponding link and pivotally coupled to a corresponding supporting member. The distance between the bottom of a circular path of the connecting points and the tracks is smaller than 10 cm. The length of the supporting rod is smaller than two times diameter of the circular path. The longitudinal horizontal distance between the front edge of the closed path and the rear edge of the circular path is smaller than 20 cm. The rear ends of the supporting rods are located between the front ends and rear ends of the pedals.
US07704187B2	Shift control apparatus for automatic transmission A shift control apparatus for an automatic transmission having an automatic shift mode for performing a shift operation by determining a gear position or gear ratio to be set according to a vehicle running condition and a manual shift mode for performing a shift operation instructed by a manual operation by an operator. The shift control apparatus includes a region determining unit for determining whether the present running condition is in a first region where downshift is performed at the present gear position or gear ratio in the automatic shift mode or in a second region higher in vehicle speed than the first region, and an upshift allowing unit for allowing upshift instructed by the manual operation by the operator in the manual shift mode when the region determining unit has determined that the present running condition is in the second region.
US07704186B2	Gear clash logic A system and method for selectively engaging and disengaging auxiliary equipment to avoid gear clash in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a transmission, a transfer case, and a transmission controller. The transmission has a plurality of gears for establishing a plurality of gear ratios. The transfer case is coupled to the transmission by an output shaft. The transmission controller is in communication with a plurality of control devices for controlling the operation of the transmission. The controller includes control logic for controlling the engagement and disengagement of the auxiliary equipment.
US07704181B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and at least one brake.
US07704179B2	Device for transmission of a torque Fluid-tight transmission comprising an internal cogwheel (19) with N-n teeth in cooperation with an external cogwheel (29) with N teeth. The internal cogwheel (1) is drivingly influenced by an eccentric (7; 17) via radially arranged push rods (10) encapsulated in respective bellows (12). The bellows are closely connected with a housing (3) comprising the external cogwheel (2). A fluid-tight barrier is thereby formed between a first rotatable element (8; 16), which drives the eccentric (7; 17), and a second rotatable element (14).
US07704174B2	Vertical internal combustion engine provided with belt-drive transmission mechanism A vertical internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft enclosed in a crank chamber, a belt-drive transmission mechanism held in a belt chamber and including a rubber belt for transmitting power of the crankshaft to a camshaft included in a valve train, and a transmission case defining the belt chamber. The transmission case has a lower case between the crank chamber and the belt chamber. The belt has a part extending over the crank chamber, and the lower case is disposed to screen the part of the belt from the crank chamber. The belt is lubricated by oil in oil-containing gas from the crank chamber. Thus the oil containing gas is prevented from excessively contacting the rubber belt, so that the life of the belt is extended.
US07704166B2	Golf tee A golf tee comprising a shaft, a stopper portion disposed at an upper end of the shaft and a pivotable support portion mounted atop the upper end of the shaft is described. The shaft is adapted for insertion into a surface of ground. The support portion has a plurality of prong members mounted upon an upper horizontal surface thereof. The position of the support portion can be adjusted so that the upper surface of the support portion is arranged in parallel horizontal alignment with the ground surface. The prong members are adapted to support a golf ball placed thereupon.
US07704164B2	Method for manufacturing and golf club head A method for forming a golf club head comprises placing an uncured composite material between a core and a mold that comprises a first piece and a second piece. The second piece is moved towards the first piece such that the uncured composite material is compressed between the core and at least a portion of the mold. The uncured composite material is heated. A first portion of the golf club head is removed from the mold. A second portion of the golf club head is provided. The first portion is attached to the second portion. In certain arrangements, the second portion is formed from a metallic material.
US07704163B2	Golf club head having a bridge member and a weight positioning system A golf club head is disclosed that includes a weight integral to a bridge member extending across a cavity back golf club head. The weight modifies a position of a center of gravity of the golf club head. The weight is independently movable in multiple directions to further vary the center of gravity of a golf club head.
US07704161B2	Apparatus for weighting golf club shaft An apparatus for selectively adding weight to the hollow shaft of a hand-held implement. One embodiment includes a deformable upper cylindrical member, a lower member, and a rod coupled between the upper and lower members. These components are sized to fit within a hollow shaft, such as a golf club shaft. The upper deformable cylinder includes a chamber at its upper end, into which an oversized insert is inserted. This causes the deformable cylinder to expand radially creating a friction fit with the inside surface of the hollow shaft. The lower member may include an annular deformable member, such as an o-ring or a sleeve, stretched over its outside surface to create a snug fit within the shaft.
US07704157B2	Golf swing-measuring system A golf swing-measuring system including a computer (16) for capturing a colored moving image obtained by photographing a golfer (11) who swings by gripping a golf club (13). The computer (16) selects and extracts one or more images each showing a swing posture as check-point images such as an address image, a take-back shaft 8 o'clock image, a take-back shaft 9 o'clock image, a take-back unskillful arm horizontal image, a top image, a downswing unskillful arm horizontal image, a downswing shaft 9 o'clock image, an impact image, a follow-through shaft 3 o'clock image, and a finish image and extracts from a large number of still images constituting said color moving image. Thereafter the computer (16) obtains coordinates of positions of attention-focused points that operate in said check-point images when said golfer swings.
US07704147B2	Download procedures for peripheral devices A disclosed gaming machine is coupled to a plurality of “USB gaming peripherals.” The USB gaming peripherals, which may include one or more peripheral devices, communicate with a master gaming controller using a USB communication architecture. The USB gaming peripherals may include USB DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade)-compatible peripheral devices. One or more host processes, such as a USB device class manager or a DFU driver, may be capable of downloading firmware to the USB DFU-compatible peripheral device. The host processes may receive a firmware identifier from the USB DFU-compatible peripheral device where the firmware identifier allows for two USB DFU-compatible peripheral devices with identical product identification information to be downloaded different firmware.
US07704146B2	Multiply interconnectable environmentally interactive character simulation module method and system The present invention relates to a game, including a first module having a housing, a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor and an electrical contact positioned such that access is available to the electrical contact of the first module through the first module housing, and a second module having a housing, a processor, a display operably coupled to the processor and an electrical contact positioned such that access is available to the electrical contact of the second module through the second module housing, the electrical contact of the second module configured to contact the electrical contact of the first module, allowing the processor of the first module to communicate with the processor of the second module. Wherein when the processor of the second module is in communication with the processor of the first module, the first module display and the second module display are configured to each display a portion of a the game, each such portion configured to not overlap each other such portion.
US07704144B2	Player ranking for tournament play Apparatus, system and methods for ranking tournament players are disclosed. The apparatus includes a RFID tournament detection system coupled to a server. The server is provided with game data as one or more tournaments proceed. According to tournament rules, player activity may result in a player being eliminated. When a player is eliminated, the server or detection system records the time and date coupled to each player's identification and may rank each player on an on-going basis or at the end of the tournament. Players do not need to compete at the same site, but may be ranked according to a player's current status within the tournament as captured by the tournament detection system and recorded by the server, which receives data from each game table participating in the tournament.
US07704138B2	System and method for multi-level marketing wagering A system for multi-level wagering has one or more multi-level wagering accounts in which accumulated play value is stored. A computer may be used to track play value in the multi-level wagering accounts. Play value is distributed from a portion of the sales price of other multi-level wagering accounts, e.g., until a predetermined play value is achieved. One or more multi-level gaming machines may be operated by play value from the multi-level wagering accounts.
US07704134B2	Game program, game device, and game method With a game implemented by the present game program, an expected pass display area of a ball will be displayed on a monitor between a dispatch position of the ball and a arrival position of the ball. When a dispatch operation of a pitcher character is initiated, the contact position of a command means in the expected pass display area will be identified if the command means is placed into contact with the expected pass display area. If the contact position is moved in the expected pass display area by the command means before a character has dispatched a moving object, the contact position after movement will be identified as the final contact position. When this occurs, a ball character will be dispatched from the pitcher character to the final contact position.
US07704133B2	Method and apparatus for offsorting coins in a coin handling machine A two disk coin handling machine and method for offsorting with a feeding disk (11) for feeding coins to a sorting disk (62) having at least one opening (15-20) for receiving valid coins of different denominations, a drive member (71) disposed above the sorting disk (62) with narrowed fins (62) for moving the coins along an outside reference edge (64, 65, 66), a diverter member (74) disposed along the reference edge (64, 65, 66) to project into the coin track (63) to move a coin (14) selected for offsorting away from the reference edge (64, 65, 66) and off of a narrow rail portion (81) of the coin track (63) into an offsort opening (76), which causes the coin to tip up, and a deflector 77 for deflecting larger, tipped-up coins into the offsort opening (76).
US07704131B1	Apparatus for forming spaced intervals in a stuffed casing and method thereof A flexible, composite unitary belt for forming spaced intervals in a stuffed casing, and method therefore, the belt cooperating with another belt to pinch the stuffed casing. The belt comprises a body forming a continuous loop and having at least one embedded flexible reinforcing member extending throughout. Additionally, the belt has at least one pinching member extending outwardly from the body and positioned to cooperate with a pinching member of another belt to pinch the stuffed casing when fed between the belts and pinched by the pinching members.
US07704130B2	Sausage casing brake with adjustable braking force A retention device for a tubular casing material for receiving a viscous or granular filling material in a packaging machine, in particular a clipping machine that has a filling tube for filling the tubular casing material with the filling material, where the retention device includes: a first brake ring, which can be mounted coaxially on the filling tube, the inner diameter of first brake ring being larger than the outer diameter of the filling tube and on the inner circumference of which a first brake is provided, along which the casing material can be guided in the filling direction of the filling material against a friction force acting upon the casing material. A second brake ring is also provided which can be stationarily disposed on the filling tube and which has a counter-brake on its outer circumference, where the casing material can be guided between the first brake of the first brake ring and the counter-brake of the second brake ring and where the first brake ring is reversibly displaceable in the filling direction for setting a predetermined friction force for the casing material at the first brake of the first brake ring and at the counter-brake of the second brake ring.
US07704126B2	Method for producing a semiconductor wafer with profiled edge Semiconductor wafers with profiled edges, are produced with decreased losses due to edge or other damage by separating a semiconductor wafer from a crystal; profiling the edge in a profile producing step wherein the edge is mechanically machined to a profile that is true to scale with respect to a predefined target profile; mechanically machining the wafer to reduce the a thickness of the semiconductor wafer; and machining the edge profile to acquire the target profile.
US07704118B2	Device for collecting and playing with circular and spherical objects with launching ramps thereon Disclosed is a device for collecting and/or playing with circular and spherical objects. The device comprises: a base comprising an open top portion and a closed bottom portion; an open top main body comprising a rim portion, and a circular portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the rim portion to an aperture concentric with the rim portion and coupling with the open top portion of the base; a flange extending horizontally and outwardly about the rim portion; and at least one launching ramp mounted on the flange. Due to the mounting of the launching ramps on the flange the device is capable of accommodating the launching ramps outside the rim portion, that is, outside the outer circumference of the circular portion. Such an accommodation of the launching ramps provides the entire surface of the circular portion as a rolling surface for the circular and spherical objects.
US07704116B2	Methods for fabricating field emission display devices Methods for fabricating field emission display devices. A first substrate is provided. A cathode structure is formed on the first substrate. A surface treatment procedure is performed on the first substrate with cathode structure thereon. A second substrate opposing the first substrate is provided and assembled in vacuum with a wall rib therebetween. The surface treatment procedure includes free radical oxidization and a supercritical CO2 fluid cleaning.
US07704113B2	Lifejacket The invention relates to a lifejacket used in the field of safety equipment aboard a boat. The jacket comprises an inflatable vest having two faces opposite one another, which can be housed, folded, in a protective envelope, which comprises an external peripheral opening fitted with temporary closing means by which the vest can expand when inflated. The jacket also comprises a carrying harness to which the envelope can be fixed. The vest comprises inside at least one non-inflatable zone in which its two faces opposite one another are assembled, especially by thermowelding. Thus, this non-inflatable zone, inside the vest and not on its periphery, allows it to have a hooking zone for correct attaching of the vest, the protective envelope and the harness.
US07704104B2	Bus bar system, method, and kit A replacement bus system having one or more conductive shafts supporting wire attachment lugs and spacers that ride along the conductive shaft; the spacers are conductive and separate the attachment lugs. The lugs and spacers may be secured onto the shaft by a locking mechanism. By providing a shaft on which the lugs may ride, the wires are configured transversely to conventional approaches, enabling a greater number of wires to be connected over a given length and a wider variety of relative orientation of wires. This configuration also enables much of the structure to be manufactured from stainless steel or other non cuprous metal, except for the spacers, which may be manufactured from tinned copper.
US07704102B2	Connecting element comprising a housing for telecommunications and/or data cables The invention relates to a connecting element (1) having a housing, with attachment means for attachment of the housing to a mounting rail (4) being arranged on the lower face of the housing, and with at least one connection for telecommunications and/or data cables being arranged in the housing, in which case the housing is formed in at least two parts and comprises an upper part (2) and a lower part (3) which are latched to one another, with the attachment means for the mounting rail (4) being arranged on the lower part (3) and the upper part (2) having at least one holder (23) for the connection (34) with the lower part (3) being formed with at least one bearing and the upper part (2) being formed with a corresponding bearing holder via which the upper part (2) is attached to the lower part (3) such that it can pivot.
US07704100B1	Electrical connector assembly with anti-stubbing feature An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a slot configured to receive at least a portion of an electronic module therein. The housing includes an anti-stubbing shoulder. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes a mating contact portion and an anti-stubbing contact portion. At least a portion of the mating contact portion extends within the slot for engagement with the electronic module. Engagement between the anti-stubbing portion of the electrical contact and the anti-stubbing shoulder of the housing moves at least a portion of the mating contact portion of the electrical contact generally away from the slot of the housing.
US07704098B2	Registered jack with enhanced EMI protection An electrical connector has a shield for EMI shielding. The top of the shield has two rows of tabs; two flaps, one on either side of the shield; and a tab on the bottom. The flaps have mounting holes. When the connector is attached to a mounting panel, screws or rivets are mounted through the holes in the flaps and corresponding holes in the mounting panel to secure the connector. The bottom tab and the two rows of top tabs electrically connect the shield to the mounting panel to provide extra EMI protection to the connector. The flaps provide yet another connection to provide EMI protection. The two rows of tabs can be positioned and sized such that the rear row of tabs engages with a flange in the rear of the top of the mounting panel. The electrical connector is preferably an RJ connector.
US07704096B2	Coaxial cable connector A coaxial cable connector including an insulating housing, a terminal and a conductive shell is provided. The insulating housing has an insulating arm disposed thereon. The terminal is disposed in the insulating housing. A portion of the terminal is bent towards the insulating arm to form a tongue portion and an opening thereon. The conductive shell includes a body and a bending portion. The body holds the insulating housing. The bending portion and the tongue portion are located on a side and a reverse side of the insulating arm respectively. The bending portion is capable of pressing the tongue portion by the insulating arm to press the tongue portion toward the opening and to connect the tongue portion to an internal conductor of a coaxial cable so as to press the internal conductor into the opening.
US07704093B2	Insulation-displacement connection An insulation-displacement connection having at least one insulation-displacement element (1) with a retaining slot (5), which cuts through an insulation of an electrical conductor with which electrical contact is to be made by the insulation-displacement element (1), in a sleeve body is described. The retaining slot (5) extends continuously from an insertion opening in a longitudinal direction (L) of the sleeve body. The sleeve body has a crosspiece (2) which has two mutually opposite spring limbs (3a, 3b) integrally adjoining its ends, which spring limbs merge, at their end which is opposite the crosspiece (2), into limb ends (4a, 4b), which are angled-away so as to face one another, in order to form the retaining slot (5) by way of the free longitudinal side edges of the limb ends (4a, 4b), so that a conductor accommodation space which is bounded by the spring limbs (3a, 3b) and the crosspiece (2) is created beneath the retaining slot (5). The spring limbs (3a, 3b) in each case have at least one slot recess (9a, 9b) which extends in the direction of the limb end (4a, 4b) from the crosspiece (2), the width of the said slot recess being matched over the direction of extent to the width of the spring limbs (3a, 3b) such that an effective width of the spring limbs (3a, 3b), which tapers from the crosspiece (2) to the longitudinal side edge of the limb ends (4a, 4b), is produced in the longitudinal direction (L).
US07704092B2	Electronic module An electronic module is provided with a module body for being removably inserted into a cage; a latch member provided in the module body for engaging an engagement hole formed in the cage during insertion into the cage; a rotatable nail for engaging/disengaging the engagement hole of the cage and being rotatably provided in the module body so as to appear above and sink below a module body surface; and a control member provided in the module body for rotating the rotatable nail.
US07704091B2	Snagless plug and boot connection A boot for supporting a plug connected to a cable, the plug including a flexible tab attached thereto and comprising a housing having a front opening for accommodating the plug and an opposite back opening for receiving the cable and allowing the cable to pass therethrough to the plug, a recess formed in the housing; and a tab protector engaged with the recess for engaging the flexible tab of the plug.
US07704088B2	Circuit board connector A circuit board connector is provided. The circuit board connector includes: a connector housing which is mounted on a circuit board; and a terminal which is press-fitted into the terminal press-fitting hole of the connector housing. The terminal includes: a terminal connecting portion which is disposed through the rear side of the connector housing to be connected to a mating connector; a press-fitting portion to be fixed to the connector housing; a board fixing portion fixed to the circuit board by soldering; and a coupling portion extending and bent toward a side of the circuit board to couple the press-fitting portion with the board fixing portion. The circuit board connector also includes a stress absorbing portion provided with a center hole which is provided on a midway of the coupling portion so as to absorb a stress by being deformed.
US07704082B2	Through board inverted connector A connector assembly is configured to be mounted to a substrate that has an opening extending between a mounting side and an opposite side. The connector assembly includes a housing and one or more contacts. The housing has a front end and a back end, with an interior chamber extending inward from a mating interface. The front end of the housing is configured to be partially inserted through the opening in the substrate until a housing mounting surface engages the mounting side of the substrate. The contact extends between a mating end and a contact mounting surface. The contact mounting surface is configured to be mounted to the mounting side of the substrate. The housing and contact mounting surfaces are substantially coplanar in a mourning plane, and a distance between the mating interface and the mounting plane is at least as great as a thickness of the substrate.
US07704080B2	Receiving housing for a hand-held power tool A receiving housing for a hand-held power tool includes a first housing part (13) having an opening (15), a board (20) with electronic component (17, 18, 19) arranged in the first housing part (13) at a distance (A) from the opening (15), and a second housing part (14) for closing the opening (15) and forming, together with the first housing part (13), a receiving space (16), with the second housing part (14) having at least one sleeve section (26) an axial length (L) of which at least corresponds to the distance (A) between the board (20) and the opening (15).
US07704079B2	T-shaped shielded bus connector The invention describes a T-shaped bus connector comprising a holding device for mechanically retaining the T-shaped bus connector on a mounting device on which the T-shaped bus connector is to be arranged, and further comprises a first and a second connecting unit for respectively producing an electrical connection to a complementary connecting unit of a device arranged adjacent to the bus connector, wherein the first and second connecting units face in substantially opposing directions and are constructed complementarily to one another, as well as a third connecting unit, oriented substantially perpendicular to the first and second connecting units, for producing an electrical connection to a connecting unit, complementary to the third connecting unit, of an electrical or electronic module, wherein data and/or power bus lines are run between all three connecting units, and all three connecting units are covered at least in part with a shielding material.
US07704075B2	Instrument for drilling radicular channels The drilling instrument (10), for cleaning and forming of radicular teeth canals, comprises an end section (11), mounted in a chuck and driven by an electric motor, a distal region (12), a central region (13), provided with cutting flutes (16) and a proximal region (14) with a rounded end (15), serving to guide the instrument in the canal. The envelope (20) around the proximal, central and distal regions has a generally inverted cone shape with a vertex angle (F) identical over the whole length thereof. The junction region (17) between the proximal region (14) and the end section (11) has an incipient fracture (18), calibrated such as to break on application of a given driving torque. The instrument eliminates all risk of jamming and hence breakage in the radicular canal.
US07704074B2	Two piece dental anatomical form and holder The present invention is a thermally formable plastic anatomical form for dentistry and a holder for the same. The holder is specially adapted to accommodate the plastic form in that it is heat resistant and features a bite guide to assure an even distribution of the plastic around the teeth of the patient and thickened occlusal surfaces to register specific tooth impressions more readily. The form according to the present invention may be used in any conventional dental work where a form may be needed, such as tray creation and stone molds, or may be utilized with therapeutic plastics so as to become a therapeutic dental device in and of itself.
US07704063B2	Plastic injection mold assembly and method of molding threaded plastic parts A plastic injection mold assembly is disclosed in which an electric servo motor very precisely controls rotational speeds and amounts of torque applied to cores which extend into the mold cavities as the cores are withdrawn from plastic components being molded and simultaneously directs the linear distances which the cores travel during such withdrawal. A method of accomplishing the molding of plastic components in this manner is also disclosed.
US07704060B2	Compressor having muffler outlets orthogonally arranged relative to the suction mouth A muffler cover of a compression element has discharge outlets or hole portions that discharge a compressed refrigerant gas into a closed vessel from a compression element. A suction pipe provides refrigerant gas, which can be sucked into the compression element in the closed vessel. The suction pipe is attached to the closed vessel. A first direction and a second direction, which correspond to natural vibration modes of the suction pipe, do not coincide with a direction that connects two hole portions. Therefore, even if the refrigerant gas discharged from the compression element resonates in the closed vessel, vibrations of the suction pipe can be reduced.
US07704056B2	Two-stage vapor cycle compressor A two-stage vapor cycle compressor includes a first stage impeller, a second stage impeller situated adjacent to the first stage impeller, an electric motor running on a pair of foil bearings, a thrust disk including two foil bearings and being positioned between the second stage impeller and the electric motor, and a compressor housing enclosing the first and second stage impeller and the electric motor. A refrigerant vapor compressed by the first stage and second stage impeller flows through an internal passageway formed by the compressor housing and cools the foil bearings and the electric motor. The compressor may be a gravity insensitive, small, and lightweight machine that may be easily assembled at low manufacturing costs. The two-stage vapor cycle compressor may be suitable for, but not limited to, applications in vapor compression refrigeration systems, such as air-conditioning systems, for example, in the aircraft and aerospace industries.
US07704053B2	Pivoting mechanism for use in a high temperature steam distribution system A pivoting mechanism for use in a high temperature steam distribution system includes an input member operative to move between a low level position and a high level position. A compression spring having a first end and a second end is also provided. The first end of the compression spring is connected to the input member. A pivot member is operatively connected to the second end of the compression spring. The pivot member rotates in a snap over fashion to a first position when the input member reaches the upper position. When the input member reaches the lower position, the pivot member rotates in a snap over fashion to a second position.
US07704052B2	Air compressor and method for controlling the same An air compressor includes: a tank portion for reserving compressed air used in a pneumatic tool; a compressed air generation portion for generating compressed air and supplying the compressed air to the tank portion; a drive portion including a motor for driving the compressed air generation portion; a control circuit portion for controlling the drive portion; and a pressure sensor for detecting pressure of the compressed air reserved in the tank portion. The control circuit portion includes a unit for controlling the rotational speed of the motor multistageously on the basis of a detection signal output from the pressure sensor.
US07704043B2	Method for torque and pitch control for a wind power plant according to the rotation speed Method for torque and pitch control/adjustment for a wind power plant according to the rotational speed according to a characteristic curve, in which at partial load operation in a first section the torque is adjusted up to a first predetermined rotational speed, at partial load operation in a second section the torque is adjusted from the first rotational speed up to a second rotational speed, at full load operation in a third section at least one pitch of a rotor blade is adjusted for rotational speeds greater than the second rotational speed, at full load operation, in a fourth section, the pitch is adjusted for rotational speeds lower than the second rotational speed and greater than the third rotational speed, if a control has been previously carried out according to the third section, and at partial load operation in a fifth section the torque is adjusted for rotational speeds lower than the third rotational speed, if a control has been previously carried out according to the fourth section.
US07704041B2	Variable clearance positive pressure packing ring and carrier arrangement with coil type spring A packing ring assembly is provided and includes an arcuate carrier ring segment, an arcuate packing ring segment movable relative to the carrier ring segment, an attachment component disposed in association with the packing ring segment and in association with the carrier ring segment, and an actuator component configured to maintain the packing ring segment in a first position and to allow a movement of the packing ring segment to a second position when the packing ring assembly is exposed to a pressure condition.
US07704040B2	Water pump A water pump includes an impeller provided on an end of a rotational shaft supported on a body through a bearing, a mechanical seal provided between the impeller and the bearing, a draining hole guiding a coolant leaked from the impeller side to a reservoir provided at a bottom of the body via the mechanical seal, a vapor outlet provided above the reservoir for establishing communication between the reservoir and the atmosphere, and the draining hole opening to the reservoir at a lower level than the vapor outlet. An axis of the reservoir is offset from a vertical plane which passes through an axis of the rotational shaft.
US07704038B2	Method and apparatus to facilitate reducing losses in turbine engines A method for assembling a compressor for use with a turbine is provided. The method includes coupling at least a first stator ring to a second stator ring via at least one fastener sized to extend through at least one stator ring opening. The method further includes coupling a shield assembly to at least one of the first stator ring and the second stator ring to facilitate reducing convection and aerodynamic bleed losses of the at least one stator ring. The shield assembly includes a downstream surface, a retaining portion, and a contoured upstream surface extending from the downstream surface to the retaining portion.
US07704037B2	Device for destacking cubic printed products A device for destacking books, brochures, or similar cubic printed products (2), wherein said device comprises a separating belt (6) that is powered by a controllable drive and serves for the cyclic separation of the respective bottom printed product (2a) from the stack (3a), lateral boundaries (8a, b) that can be adjusted to the respective format and position the stack (3a) on the separating belt (6), a height-adjustable retaining element (9) that forms a passage for the respective printed product (2a) to be separated, a support (10) in the infeed region of the separating belt (6) in order to support the rear edge of the printed product (2) lying on top of the bottom printed product during the separation of the bottom printed product (2a), and a feeding belt (5) that is arranged upstream of the separating belt (6) and serves for delivering the next stack (3b) into the separating position. In order to reliably and flawlessly separate, in particular, thick book blocks with a small format from high stacks, the destacking device (1) features at least one supporting element (15a, b) that is arranged at a defined distance behind the stack (3a) and can be moved out of the transport path during the delivery of the next stack (3b). The supporting element automatically moves out of the transport path during the delivery of the next stack (3b).
US07704034B1	Motorcycle towing device and method An apparatus for towing a bike, tricycle or the like having front and rear wheels including a pivoting tongue, a base and an extensible support member for receiving a front of the bike yet permitting one or more rear wheels to remain in contact with the ground. An opposing pair of arms are each carried by a pair of support arms for connection to the base of the apparatus. The support arms are pivotably connected to the base to rotate toward the support member for storing the apparatus and from the support member to secure tie arms for retaining the bike in connection with the apparatus and stabilizing the bike under tow.
US07704032B2	Transportable storage facility A self-contained mobile storage container includes a truck having a platform with a track, a storage container removably placed on the track on the platform, wherein the storage container includes a front end, a rear end and parallel sides. In addition, there are devices to secure the storage container to the platform, as well as a lift to elevate the storage container and remove it from the platform. Other devices are included to maneuver the storage container to a different geographical location for storage.
US07704030B2	Screw for use in nonmetal objects The present invention pertains to a screw for use in nonmetal objects comprising a plurality of cut-aiding portions formed by the longer and shorter cutting surfaces inclined toward opposite directions. Further, a cutting edge formed by the junction of any two adjacent cutting surfaces presents in a fastening direction of the screw. Thus, the cutting edge assists the threads to thoroughly severe and to shatter the fibers and debris of the objects, which can also be accommodated into the cut-aiding portions. Also, the ridge of the longer cutting surface aids in cutting fibers and further guides the debris out. In this manner, the present invention facilitates to enhance cutting capability for obtaining less screwing resistance, to prevent the destruction of the object and to increase the screwing speed.
US07704028B2	Bore serration for locking threaded inserts against rotation A bore serration for locking externally serrated inserts (3) against rotation, with the external serration (4) comprising several teeth (5), and particularly for use with components made of hard, brittle materials, includes an arcuate serration (10) featuring arcuate recesses (7) produced by plunge or circumferential surface milling. Each of the recesses positively accommodates at least two teeth (5) of the outer serration (4) of the threaded insert (3). The arcuate serration can be produced with high dimensional accuracy without damaging the workpiece and with reduced wear of the tool, and ensures a long service-life of the threaded insert.
US07704026B2	Composite panel trailer sidewall with additional logistics slots The improved composite panel trailer sidewall of the present invention provides a recessed groove or a pair of recessed grooves on the interior of the panel that are spaced apart from the edges of the panel. Slots are cut in the composite panel in the recessed groove or between the recessed grooves. An interior vertical support having logistics slots is seated in the recessed groove or grooves to provide additional locations to secure and divide cargo without creating snag points in the interior of the trailer.
US07704025B2	Apparatus and method for supporting a semi-trailer on a railcar A retractable stanchion for supporting a semi-trailer during transport on a deck of a railcar is provided. The stanchion includes a rear guide support assembly, a diagonal support strut coupled to said rear guide support assembly, and a vertical support strut operatively connected to said diagonal support strut. The vertical support strut an outer frame, an inner frame, and a moveable pull-up assembly. The outer frame includes an outer frame first end and an outer frame second end. The outer frame first end is pivotally mounted to the deck of the railcar. The inner frame is coupled to and disposed within the outer frame. The moveable pull-up assembly includes a pull-up assembly first end and a pull-up assembly second end, wherein the pull-up assembly first end is pivotally coupled to and substantially disposed within the inner frame, and wherein the pull-up assembly is configured to be engaged by a tractor hook and moved from an engagement position to a pull position. The pull position facilitates rotating the vertical support strut from a first horizontal retracted position to a second vertical erected position.
US07704018B2	Automated, low profile drilling/bolting module with automated stab jack A module and related methods of use in drilling a borehole in a face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurality of different drilling elements. A manipulator moves along an arcuate path between the bolt and drilling element holders to deliver the respective components to a drill head positioned along the arcuate path. The drill head may also slide relative to the mast in two different directions, and includes a drill guide for determining the location of the face to be worked.
US07704015B2	Expandable air bag construction for protection of an inflatable air cell in a diver's buoyancy compensator In an air cell of a buoyancy compensator an outer protective bag has a section of double layer construction. In the double layer area, two panels of elastic material are each juxtaposed adjacent a panel of non-elastomeric material. The elastic panels are spaced at a distance of each other such that during expansion when the elastic panels are at their limit, there is still an adjacent layer of non-elastomeric protective material. If a sharp object penetrates the elastic panel, it will not puncture the inner air cell unless it can also pierce the protective bag non-elastic layer.
US07704008B2	Shaft fixing clip and shaft fixing structure using the clip A shaft fixing clip that is fitted into a groove of a shaft, the shaft fixing clip includes: a shaft clamping portion that is formed by a metal wire member; and a pinch portion that is monolithically formed with the shaft clamping portion, wherein: the metal wire member is bent into an 8-like shape; both end portions of the metal wire member are crossed in an end portion of one of loops to respectively protrude toward both sides; tip ends of the both end portions are bent; the loop that is positioned on a side of the both end portions is configured as the shaft clamping portion; and bent portions of the tip ends of the both end portions are configured as the pinch portion.
US07704006B2	Binder with internal expandable file A binder arrangement comprising a pair of covers hingably carried by a spine and containing at least one binder carried by one of the covers and an expandable compartment carried by the other one of the covers further comprising a case that encompasses the binder arrangement that includes flexible sidewalls that each comprise a skirt that extends along the side edges of each cover with one of the skirts releasably attached to the other one of the skirts by a fastening arrangement that is elastically anchored to the spine by a stretchable gather and a second fastening arrangement for providing access to the expandable compartment.
US07704002B2	Luer cleaner with self-puncturing reservoir A luer cleaner assembly (100) for cleaning luer fittings (190) secured to proximal ends of medical tubing. The luer cleaner (100) includes a luer-receiving cavity (124) within which are contained scrubbers (110) that scrub exposed outer surfaces of a luer fitting inserted thereinto through an open distal end (106) of the luer cleaner housing (102). The luer cleaner includes at a proximal end a fluid reservoir (160) containing a cleaning fluid (162) such as isopropyl alcohol. The assembly further includes a reservoir-penetrating array of sharp pointed projections (132), such that during luer cleaning the reservoir (160) is pressed distally toward the luer fitting in the cavity for the array of projections to penetrate a distal cover (166) of the reservoir to access the cleaning fluid (162) which then flows distally through passageways (134,126) into the luer-receiving cavity and onto the scrubbers (110) and the outer surfaces of the luer fitting (190).
US07703996B1	Surveillance unit and method of use thereof A surveillance system and method of use thereof is disclosed. The surveillance system provides a continuous presence and may be operated by remote control. The system may automatically record video and audio when certain audio, such as a gun shot, is detected. The system may automatically contact the authorities, or other remotely located devices upon the occurrence of an undesirable event.
US07703995B1	Ergonomic apparatus for stabilizing support of portable video devices An ergonomic apparatus is provided for stabilizing support of portable video devices. The apparatus generally includes a longitudinally extended neck member supporting a device mount coupled thereto, a spine member coupled to extend transversely from the neck member, and a pair of stabilizing arm members extending laterally from a lower portion of the neck member. The spine member includes a weighted stop member adjacent a free end thereof; and, each stabilizing arm member suspends stabilizing weight in laterally offset manner from the neck member. The mechanical forces imparted to a video device mounted on the device mount are thereby dampened for stabilizing video images generated thereby.
US07703994B2	Optical transceiver module Provided is a metal casing structure capable of avoiding a cavity resonance at 10 GHz and 20 GHz by controlling an eigenmode frequency in an inner space of a casing without involving an increase in cost, and a 10 Gbit/s optical transceiver module which achieves reduction in unnecessary electromagnetic waves and cost. In the optical transceiver module, a metal casing having a cavity therein is formed by an upper casing (100) and a lower casing (101), a metal partition wall (103, 104) is provided on at least one of the upper casing (100) and the lower casing (101) near a central portion of the casing in a direction parallel to a direction connecting a front and a rear thereof, and a length of a gap between the partition wall (103, 104) and a printed circuit board (102) is adjusted.
US07703991B2	Flip-chip mountable optical connector for chip-to-chip optical interconnectability An optical connector comprises a housing having a cavity extending there through to accept a mating connector. The connector comprises no optical components. Dummy solder bonding pads positioned on the connector allow the connector to be automated flip-chip bonded over a substrate waveguide.
US07703989B2	Optical connector An optical connector has a ferrule, an optical fiber connector disposed at an back end of the ferrule, an internal optical fiber inserted into the ferrule and the optical fiber connector, the internal optical fiber being adapted to butt-connect at a back end face thereof to an external optical fiber to be inserted into the optical fiber connector, and a refractive index matching body attached to the back end face of the internal optical fiber. The refractive index matching body has a cross-linked and hardened cross-linkable refractive index matching agent including a stress-strain relaxation agent.
US07703986B2	Synthetic resin retainer and ball bearing using such synthetic resin retainer In a synthetic resin retainer formed by joining together two annular members by engaging claws of each annular member in engaging holes of the annular member, each of the two annular members 1 has a plurality of hemispherical pockets 4 formed in a side surface thereof to be brought into abutment with the side surface of the other annular member at circumferentially equal intervals. Joint portions are provided between the adjacent pockets 4, and each is provided with an engaging hole 5 and an engaging claw 6. The engaging claws 6 and engaging holes 5 are configured such that gaps are present between the engaging claws 6 and the engaging holes 5 in the initial stage of assembly of the retainer, and the gaps decrease to zero or less upon completion of the assembly of the retainer, thereby preventing wear of the engaging portions of the engaging claws for joining the annular members together.
US07703978B2	Temperature measuring device A temperature measuring device includes a temperature sensor and at least two printed circuit boards connected together and extending transversely to one another for establishing an electrical connection between the temperature sensor and a connecting cable.
US07703975B2	Temperature detecting circuit A temperature detecting circuit includes a temperature detecting unit that generates a first temperature detecting signal according to a temperature. A temperature information control unit generates a control signal by the first temperature detecting signal, supplies the control signal to the temperature detecting unit, and generates a second temperature detecting signal by the control signal and the first temperature detecting signal. A temperature information output unit generates a temperature information signal in accordance with the second temperature detecting signal and the control signal.
US07703973B2	Backlight module A backlight module includes a light source, a light guide plate and a reflector. The light guide plate includes a light incidence surface, a light-emitting surface opposite to the light incidence surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the light incidence surface to the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting surface of the light guide plate includes a groove formed therein. The reflector is placed between the light source and the light incidence surface of the light guide plate, and located corresponding to the groove of the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate. The reflector includes a light-receiving surface. The light source is facing the light-receiving surface of the reflector.
US07703967B2	Light emitting panel assemblies Light emitting assemblies include at least one light source, an optical film with deformities, an optical conductor, and at least one light input surface for receiving light from the light source. The optical conductor has a pattern of deformities on or in the front and back sides to cause light to be emitted from at least one light emitting surface on one of the sides. At least one planar or curved refractive surface on a transition area between the light source and the light emitting surface or on the light input surface aligned with the light source redirects a portion of the light entering the optical conductor to pass through the optical film. A tray may also be provided that holds the optical conductor and light source.
US07703958B2	Quick release illuminating and display apparatus and system A quick release illuminating and display apparatus and system for vehicles and structures to provide lighting and illumination effects and to display data or other information on a display screen. The apparatus and system includes a removable housing assembly with illumination sources, a power source and an optional display screen to provide lighting to accent a vehicle or structure and to display data, pictures or other information. The apparatus and system includes a quick release mechanism with a biasing cam operably connected to a number of biased lock shafts. The controlled movement of the biasing cam operates so as to quickly lock or unlock the housing assembly onto or off of the support structure. The apparatus and system has enhanced lighting and display effects by the use of optional ball bearings, a cap to exhibit team or manufacturer logos, the use of LED lights secured to directional nipples, a display screen, a USB port, computer memory, a control switch, remote control operation and solar power.
US07703957B2	Method for utilizing instrument cluster backlighting for dynamic styling A backlighting system and a method for utilizing instrument cluster backlighting for a dynamic styling are disclosed, wherein the backlighting system comprises a plurality of light sources separated into a plurality of light zones, adjacent light zones having walls disposed therebetween, wherein the walls militate against the light emitted in each zone from radiating into an adjacent zone. A controller is in electrical communication with the light source to produce the dynamic styling of the light zones, thereby providing the operator with a situational warning in response to a vehicle condition.
US07703955B2	Vehicular illumination system A vehicular illumination system includes a vehicular illumination unit whose light distribution is changeable, a detection unit that detects an illumination target, and an acquisition unit that acquires load information representing a processing load when processing is performed to controls the light distribution of the vehicular illumination unit based on the relative displacement between the subject vehicle and the illumination target detected by the detection unit. Further, the vehicular illumination system includes a control unit that is capable of plural types of light distribution control, in each of which the processing load is different, and that controls the light distribution of the vehicular illumination unit by the light distribution control of a load corresponding to the processing load that is represented by the load information acquired by the acquisition unit.
US07703952B2	Lamp support A lamp support includes a clamp, a ratchet member, a lamp housing and a latch member. The clamp is capable of being attached to a human body. The clamp has a circular receiving groove. A plurality of ratchet grooves is formed at a bottom face of the receiving groove along a first rotation direction. The ratchet member is rotatably received in the receiving groove along the first rotation direction. The ratchet member has a ratchet projection selectively inserted into the ratchet grooves. The lamp housing is rotatably connected to the ratchet member along a second rotation direction substantially perpendicular to the first rotation direction. The lamp housing has an inner space for receiving a lamp. The lamp housing has a plurality of latch grooves arranged along the second rotation direction. The latch member is fixed to the ratchet member. The latch member is selectively inserted into the latch grooves.
US07703949B2	LED illuminating device with LED chip An LED illuminating device includes a column-shaped thermally conductive member having a taper-shaped portion at a front end thereof and being electrically conductive; a first insulating layer partially covered on the taper-shaped portion; a taper-shaped member sleeved onto the first insulating layer, covered above the taper-shaped portion, and spaced from the taper-shaped portion by the first insulating layer having a plurality of through holes and being electrically conductive; and a plurality of LED units mounted to the taper-shaped portion, passing through the through holes respectively, and exposed outside the taper-shaped member. Each of the LED units includes at least one LED chip having two electrodes electrically connected with the thermally conductive member and the taper-shaped member respectively. Therefore, the LED illuminating device has preferable efficiency of thermal dissipation for LEDs and provides larger area for mounting LED units thereto.
US07703948B2	Interchangeable light effects A light effect system includes a light source and one or more aperture elements interposed between the light source and an exit lens of the system. The aperture element comprises at least one aperture and at least one light effect element positioned therein. This invention concerns a system where the aperture element comprises at least two “fingers” partly surrounding each light effect element in at least 180° of the circumference. These snapping “fingers” engage with the contour of the outer surface of the said light effect element in order to hold the light effect element in position in the aperture, and the said fingers are formed of a flexible material. Hereby, it is achieved that the locking and releasing of the light effect component can be done by push and pull in an ideal perpendicular direction to the light path. In other words, no angling, bending or twisting is necessary, so a minimum of space is required.
US07703943B2	Color tunable light source A color tunable light source comprises: a first light emitting diode (LED) arrangement operable to emit light of a first color and a second LED arrangement operable to emit light of a second color, the combined light output comprising the output of the source. One or both LED arrangements comprises a phosphor provided remote to an associated LED operable to generate excitation energy of a selected wavelength range and to irradiate the phosphor such that it emits light of a different color wherein light emitted by the LED arrangement comprises the combined light from the LED and phosphor and control means operable to control the color by controlling the relative light outputs of the two LED arrangements. The color can be controlled by controlling the relative magnitude of the drive currents of the LEDs or by controlling a duty cycle of PWM drive current.
US07703942B2	High-efficient light engines using light emitting diodes A light emitting apparatus having a light source for emitting short wavelength radiation and an optic device configured to receive the radiation emitted from the light source. A device directs at least some of the short wavelength radiation emitted from the light source into the optic device and a down conversion material receives at least some of the short wavelength radiation directed into the optic device in one spectral region and emits the radiation in another spectral region.
US07703941B2	Expandable LED module for arbitrarily display assembly An expandable LED module for arbitrary display assembly, comprises: a print circuit board, used to carry the following devices; at least a light emitting diode, disposed on said print circuit board; a first connecting device, disposed on one side of said print circuit board and coupled to said light emitting diode; and a second connecting device, disposed on the other side of said print circuit board, coupled to said light emitting diode, and capable of interconnecting with said first connecting device, wherein said first connecting device and second connecting device can be utilized to expand said LED modules to accomplish any assembly indicating figures, words, numbers, or symbols.
US07703938B1	Flashlight mounting clip A mounting clip is formed for attachment to the side of a bill of a cap to mount a flashlight for hands free operation. The mounting clip is constructed with a clip portion and an integral flashlight mounting portion, both of which are made of memory retentive plastic so that the mounting of either portion takes advantage of the spring bias to exert a firm grip on the surface the portion engages. The upper and lower portions of the flashlight mounting portion are formed in a pair of arcuate segments that when taken together form a generally circular barrel grasping portion in two different diameters corresponding to known configurations of mini-flashlights. The surface of the mounting clip can be coated with a rubber-like material that enhances the grip on the surface engaged thereby. The clip portion can be formed with a different width dimension than the flashlight mounting portion.
US07703928B2	Optical projection apparatus An optical projection apparatus is provided, where a reflective light valve, a light deflecting device and a lens set are arranged on an optical path of the light beam providing by an illuminating system. The light deflecting device is located between the illuminating system and the reflective light valve, and the lens set is located between the reflective light valve and the light deflecting device. When the light beam is incident to the reflective light valve through the light deflecting device and the lens set, the light beam is converted into sub-image beams, and then the sub-image beams are reflected to the lens set. The projection lens set arranged on an optical path of the sub-image beams has a pupil located on the light deflecting device. The lens set converges the sub-image beams on the pupil and then the sub-image beams are incident to the projection lens set for imaging.
US07703926B2	Projector capable of capturing images and briefing system having the same A briefing system is used to project images onto a projection screen to form a projection picture. The briefing system comprises a pointer, a projector and a computer electrically connected to the projector. The computer outputs an image signal to the projector. The projector projects an image corresponding to the image signal onto the projection screen to form the projection picture. The indicator is used to project an indication point. The projector also captures the image of the projection picture and the indication point and transfers the image to the computer. The computer then calculates a location where the cursor on the computer screen should reach according to the location of the indication point on the projection picture and moves the cursor on the screen to there.
US07703923B2	System and method for imaging retinal tissue with tissue generated light A system and method for imaging retinal tissues in an eye generates an input light beam having ultra-short pulses and an input wavelength (λi) to stimulate the tissue. Depending on the particular type tissue being imaged, the retinal tissue responds to the input beam by generating a return beam of light having first and second components of different wavelengths (λr1 and λr2). An imaging unit then receives the return light and images the tissue according to the return wavelength (λr1 vis-a-vis λr2). Additionally, a sensor unit is used to evaluate light returning from the retina to measure optical and phase aberrations introduced by the eye, and to program a compensator (e.g. an active mirror) that compensates the input beam by removing the aberrations.
US07703918B2	Method for diagnosing a disease state using ocular characteristics A method for diagnosing a disease state in a subject, including examining the subject's eyes in order to determine whether the subject exhibits one or more symptoms of the disease state. Symptoms of the disease state include altered ocular characteristics, such as pupil size, pupil motility, ocular blood vessel coloration, and strobe light cutoff frequency. By evaluating changes to ocular characteristics, a disease state can be diagnosed in a subject. In addition, the seventy of the disease state also can be determined.
US07703917B2	Therapeutic prophylactic ophthalmologic lens for pseudoaphakic eyes and/or eyes suffering neurodegeneration The object of this invention is an ophthalmologic lens for pseudoaphakic eyes and/or eyes suffering macular and retinal degeneration, created by applying a yellow pigment filter to a regular ophthalmologic lens, to protect the eye from the short wavelengths of the visible spectrum (under 500 nm). This invention avoids the difficulties and risks of the techniques currently available to protect eyes subjected to cataract surgery and improves protection in eyes with neurodegeneration through the simple use of an ophthalmologic lens.The invention is comprised of a common ophthalmologic lens and a yellow pigment that absorbs short wavelengths of light of 350/500 nm, both appropriate for use in humans.
US07703916B2	Polarizing plate with melanin The present invention is directed to the incorporation of melanin in an optical article with polarization properties. Such an article includes a first polymer layer containing a polarizing agent, a second polymer layer containing melanin and wherein the second polymer layer is disposed upon the first polymer layer.
US07703912B2	Conveying apparatus and recording apparatus A feeding device includes a conveying member for conveying a recording material; and an electrode, disposed in the conveying member, for generating an electrostatic attraction force for electrostatic attraction of the recording material on the conveying member and for controlling a temperature of a surface layer of the conveying member to provide a substantially constant resistance value of the surface layer of the conveying member.
US07703910B2	Print roll unit incorporating pinch rollers A print roll unit is provided for dispensing print media. The print roll unit includes an elongate core, in turn, including a plurality of ink supply containers. Each container contains a respective type of ink. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A casing includes a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to encase the roll of print media. The casing defines a print media exit slot. A pair of pinch rollers is rotationally mounted to the casing, and is configured to feed print media from the former and out through the exit slot.
US07703908B2	Water-based ink set for ink-jet recording A water-based ink set for ink-jet recording has a plurality of color inks. Each of at least one of the plurality of color inks contains a first ink and a second ink. The first ink has a first hue angle and the second ink has a second hue angle, wherein the first hue angle is not equal to the second hue angle and a differential range therebetween is a hue angle color range of a normal color of the at least one of the plurality of color inks; and a coloring agent of one of the first ink and the second ink is a pigment and a coloring agent of the other thereof is a dye.
US07703907B2	Ink composition, inkjet-recording method and printed material An ink composition including a cationically polymerizable compound having a styryl or α-methylstyryl group such as 4-methylstyrene and a photocationic polymerization initiator. The ink composition preferably further includes another cationically polymerizable compound having at least one group selected from oxirane and oxetane groups.
US07703904B2	Printing apparatus and control method of printing apparatus A printing apparatus includes: a recording medium interface that sets a recording medium having a predetermined specification; a printing data interface that receives printing data; a printer that performs printing; a non-volatile storage that stores a password, and usage/non-usage designating information indicating whether or not the recording medium interface is used; a usage/non-usage information changing portion that executes a process for changing the usage/non-usage information stored in the non-volatile storage according to an instruction by an operator, only when the operator inputs the password stored in the non-volatile storage; and a controller that executes a direct printing process for reading out information from the recording medium set in the recording medium interface and allowing contents indicated by the information to be printed by the printer, and a common printing process for allowing contents indicated by the printing data received by the printing data interface to be printed by the printer, wherein, when the usage/non-usage information stored in the non-volatile storage is information indicating that the recording medium interface is not used, the controller operates in a state where the controller does not execute a process that access the recording medium interface at all.
US07703900B2	Ink pressure regulator using air bubbles drawn into ink There is provided an ink pressure regulator for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead. The regulator comprises: an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet open to atmosphere; a bubble outlet positioned for bubbling air into ink contained in the chamber; and an air channel connecting the air inlet and the bubble outlet. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn into the ink as result of supplying ink to the printhead. Hence, the hydrostatic pressure of the ink is regulated.
US07703898B2	Ink jet device with purging device An ink jet device with an ink reservoir and a jetting assembly, with an ink supply line being arranged to allow liquid ink to flow through the valve into the ink reservoir in accordance with and supported by gravity acting on the flowing ink, and a purging device adapted to apply a purging pressure to an inner space of the ink reservoir, wherein a passive one-way valve is arranged below a nominal minimal fill level (L) of the ink reservoir for blocking a connection of the ink supply line to the ink reservoir when a pressure within the ink reservoir is high enough but not required to be higher than the purging pressure.
US07703897B2	Valve device, liquid supply apparatus, and liquid ejection apparatus A valve device for opening and closing a valve including a movable valve member, the valve device comprising: an operation member movable toward and away from the valve, the operation member moving the valve member with magnetic force when moving toward or away from the valve to open or close the valve, wherein the operation member is formed to move in a predetermined direction including a first component representing magnitude of a vector in a movement direction of the valve member and a second component representing magnitude of a vector in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the valve member, with the first component being greater than the second component.
US07703889B2	Printed wiring board and electric device using the same There is disclosed a printed wiring board comprising: an electrically insulating flexible layer which has on one of its opposite sides a protrusion which forms a corresponding recess on the other side of the flexible layer; an electrically conducting layer formed on the protrusion; and a wire formed on the flexible layer, connected to the conducting layer, and extending in a direction. The conducting layer has a shape long in the direction of extension of the wire.
US07703888B2	Nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead with a diffusion barrier Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The arrangement includes a substrate defining an ink inlet channel and ink chamber with a CMOS layer deposited on top of the substrate, and a nozzle wall, roof and rim positioned on top of the substrate via which ink is operatively ejected from the chamber. The arrangement also includes an anchor atop the CMOS layer, said anchor linked to a stiffening beam by means of an actuator beam, the stiffening beam suspended from the CMOS layer by means of a passive beam and a carrier. Further included is a diffusion barrier about the ink chamber to inhibit the diffusion of hydroxyl ions through the CMOS layer.
US07703880B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus with a simple and inexpensive configuration, in which a relative position between a recording unit and a wiper can be controlled at an appropriate position in wiping a discharge port surface, is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus can securely perform the wiping, even if a convex part is formed on the discharge port surface. In wiping a discharge port surface, a wiper holder abuts onto a carriage or a recording unit to position not only a relative position between wipers and the carriage or the recording unit in a direction perpendicular to the discharge port surface, but also a relative position in the direction of discharge port arrays of the discharge port surface.
US07703877B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and control method for applying meniscus vibration according to the viscosity states of nozzles A liquid ejecting apparatus with a pressure chamber connected to an ejection nozzle that applies pressure to liquid that causes the liquid to be ejected from the nozzle. An actuator is provided to vibrate a free surface of the liquid in the nozzle without ejecting the liquid from the nozzle. A viscosity state judgment device judges the existence of a first viscosity state near the free surface of the liquid indicating that liquid ejection from the nozzle is possible without applying vibrations, a second state indicating that liquid ejection from the nozzle is possible if vibrations are applied, and a third state indicating that liquid ejection from the nozzle is not possible but restoration to the first state is possible if the vibrating action is performed. A control device then controls liquid ejection from the nozzle based on the judged state.
US07703876B2	Control system for printing apparatus and information processing apparatus An appropriate maintenance such as appropriate registration adjustment can be executed even if a status for the maintenance cannot be acquired from a printing apparatus. Specifically, if a status cannot be acquired from the printer, a printer driver refers to a history of number of past instructions for registration adjustment stored in a host computer to determine whether simplified registration adjustment or detailed registration adjustment is to be executed. If the printer driver does not detect any record of executed registration adjustment, that is, if the printer driver detects that no registration adjustment has been executed, then it determines that the simplified registration adjustment is to be executed. If the printer driver detects any record of executed registration adjustment, it determines that the detailed registration adjustment is to be executed. Thus, the invention enables the correct guidance and the corresponding appropriate registration adjustment even if the status cannot be acquired.
US07703874B2	Inkjet head unit including a plurality of head elements attached to one another and a common nozzle plate and ink distribution manifold The inkjet head in accordance with the present invention includes a head unit formed by fixing a plurality of head elements to each other, and a nozzle plate fixed on the head unit. The head element has a pair of main surfaces and a front surface positioned between the pair of main surfaces, and the front surface has a plurality of openings respectively communicated with ink chambers. The head elements forming the head unit are fixed with their main surfaces brought into contact with each other. The nozzle plate is provided in contact with the front surface of the head unit across all the head elements forming the head unit.
US07703870B2	Liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head (26) having a nozzle (21) with an inner diameter of 15 μm or less to eject droplets of charged solution onto a substrate; an ejection voltage supply (25) to apply an ejection voltage to a solution inside the nozzle; a convex meniscus generator (40) to form a state in which the solution inside the nozzle rises from the nozzle in a convex shape; and an operation controller (50) to control application of a drive voltage to drive the convex meniscus generator and application of an ejection voltage by the ejection voltage supply so that the drive voltage to the convex meniscus generator is applied in timing overlapped with the application of a pulse voltage as the ejection voltage by the ejection voltage supply.
US07703869B2	Image forming devices An image forming device includes a recording head including a nozzle face, in which the recording head is configured to dispense ink onto a recording medium to form an image thereon. The device also includes a supporting member which faces the nozzle face and is configured to support the recording medium, and an ink receiving portion which is positioned on the supporting member and faces the nozzle face. The ink receiving portion includes a first plurality guides, and a second plurality of guides. Each of the first plurality of guides and each of the second plurality of guides includes a guide face and is configured to guide the ink dispensed from the recording head. Moreover, the guide face includes a first portion and a second portion, and a first distance between the first portion and the nozzle face is less than a second distance between the second portion and the nozzle face. In addition, each of the first plurality of guides is configured to guide the ink dispensed from the recording head in a first ink flowing direction, and each of the second plurality of guides is configured to guide the ink dispensed from the recording head in a second ink flowing direction opposite the first ink flowing direction.
US07703863B2	Track shoe assembly for tracked vehicle Track shoe assembly for a tracked vehicle, comprising a) a track shoe member with a chassis assembly having a pair of tubular housings (80) connected by a spaced web-portion, b) a replaceable rubber pad (9) with a curved sheet metal (13) having rims to hold the rubber pad rigidly and precisely in position, and c) an end connector (26) having a pair of bush holes (267) which accept an end of a track shoe pin (60) extending through a tubular housing, thus connecting adjacent track shoe members at either side in a pivotally flexible track. The chassis (9) also has a guide member (91) which is located on one a sleeve holding a housing and has a shape tapering towards its top end.
US07703861B2	Brake valve arrangement The invention concerns a brake valve arrangement of a vehicle having a trailer coupling and at least one controllable hydraulic consumer, with a brake valve (27). It is endeavored to provide a similar embodiment of a vehicle with such a brake valve arrangement. For this purpose, the brake valve (27) is combined with at least one control valve (11, 12) controlling the hydraulic consumer into forming a valve block (10) having several valve modules.
US07703860B2	Remote control brake system and manifold A locomotive brake system includes a plurality of electronic air brake controllers for controlling at least a train brake pipe and a locomotive brake pipe interconnected by a communication network. A communication port and a system controller are connected to the network. The system controller controls the configuration of the electronic air brake controllers for standard mode and remote mode of the brake system and assembling EAB network signals for communication between a remote locomotive controller to be connected to the communication port and the electronic air brake controllers.
US07703859B2	Wheel with increased interior lip depth Disclosed are various embodiments of one-piece, and multi-piece wheels configured to provide increased interior lip depth. In one embodiment, an outer periphery of a curved center portion of a wheel is attached to a wheel barrel in an inboard region, and a portion of the center portion extends into the outboard region of the wheel. At least a portion of the wall of the wheel barrel preferably comprises a gradual slope, instead of a traditional wheel mounting drop, and thus the interior lip depth is not obstructed by the interior bulge generally created by such a drop. In other embodiments, a wheel mounting drop is configured to permit multi-piece wheels to be joined at or near one of the drop walls to allow the wheel center to be positioned further in the inboard direction than in traditional wheels.
US07703858B2	Tire noise reducing system A tire noise reducing system comprises a wheel rim, a pneumatic tire and a noise damper disposed in the tire cavity and made from a spongy material whose total volume is in a range of from 0.4 to 20% of a volume of the tire cavity. The maximum thickness of the damper between the base end surface and the top end surface is in a range of from 1.0 to 4.5 cm. The width of the base end surface is more than the maximum thickness. The width of the damper is not increased in the direction from the base end surface to the top end surface, and each of side faces defined as extending from the edges of the base end surface to the edges of the top end surface is at least partially provided with an aslant portion inclined at an angle theta of from 30 to 75 degrees with respect to the base end surface. The damper is preferably fixed to the inside of a tread portion of the tire.
US07703857B2	Continuous miner having a sumping frame A continuous miner including a support frame having a support frame front, and a sumping frame mounted on the support frame for forward and rearward movement relative to the support frame. The sumping frame has a sumping frame front, and the miner further includes a cutting drum pivotally mounted on the sumping frame, the cutting drum being positioned near the sumping frame front. The miner also includes a gathering head for gathering mined minerals pivotally mounted on the sumping frame front, and a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting and fixing the gathering head relative to the sumping frame in both the raising and lowering directions. The continuous miner also includes a first drilling platform pivotally mounted on the support frame front, a second drilling platform pivotally mounted on the support frame front and spaced apart from the first drilling platform, a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting and fixing the first drilling platform relative to the support frame independently of the second drilling platform, and a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting and fixing the second drilling platform relative to the support frame independently of the first drilling platform.
US07703853B2	Chair with height adjustable armrests and a foldable back A chair with height adjustable armrests and a foldable back utilizes an engaging rod to control the height at which the armrest is positioned and a locking assembly to control the folding operation of the chair back, so that the user can adjust the height of the armrests as desired and fold the chair back for facilitating storage of the chair.
US07703848B1	Vehicle sound and vibration simulator for use with an infant vehicle seat The invention includes a vehicle simulator for simulating the sounds and vibrations generated by a moving vehicle. The vehicle simulator includes a housing configured to receive any standard infant carrier including infant vehicle seats. An acoustic system, including an acoustic output transducer and a control unit, is coupled to the housing. The control unit provides a drive signal to the acoustic transducer, which the acoustic output transducer converts into sound waves that provide both vehicle movement sounds and vehicle movement vibrations. When an infant carrier in which an infant is seated is received within the housing, the vehicle movement sounds and vibrations are transmitted by the acoustic output transducer to the infant carrier where the sounds and vibrations create a soothing environment of sound and vibration designed to mimic the environment inside a moving vehicle.
US07703844B2	Method of shielding a swing arm in a seating arrangement having a movable seat A protective shroud for a swing arm includes a housing made of two shroud sections that are snapped together around the base of a fixed seating arrangement. The assembled shroud includes two rectangular openings on its sides configured to allow the swing arms of the fixed seating arrangement to pivot on their axes within the shroud. The rectangular openings also include grooves on their upper and lower edges configured to receive a slidable rectangular shield member with a circular opening in its center. The rectangular shields fit over the opposed swing arms and slide within the grooves in the shroud halves as the swing arms pivot, thereby restricting access to the pinch points of the swing arms.
US07703843B2	Collapsible highchair with locking device A collapsible highchair with a locking device includes a first frame, a second frame which is pivotally connected to the first frame in “X” shape, a seat portion pivotally connected to upper sections of the frames, a backrest connected to the upper section of the first frame, a locking device secured to top end of upper section of the second frame, and an armrest one end of which is pivotally connected to the first frame and another end is engaged with the locking device. The locking device includes a first case and a second case, both of which cover the second frame. The first case is integrally formed with an elastic actuating portion. When the actuating portion is engaged with an opening on the armrest, the highchair is in a stretched state. When the actuating portion is pressed to disengage from the opening, the highchair is in a collapsible state.
US07703830B2	Window assembly having an integral bonding system A window assembly for a vehicle includes a window opening defined by a margin of material. The window assembly also includes a window having an adhesive member bonded on it prior to an installation operation on a vehicle. The adhesive member is further bonded to the margin of material when the window assembly is attached to the vehicle.
US07703829B2	Instrument panel energy transferring system An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.
US07703828B2	Latch system for releasably securing a seat to a floor A vehicle seat latching system having four anchor mounting points wherein three of the four points define an engagement plane with respect to a vehicle floor. The fourth mounting point is located in a non-planar orientation to the engagement plane. A compensating latch is provided as part of the fourth mounting point to engage a mating element in a non-planar orientation. The compensating latch has a reduced engagement and release force characteristic.
US07703826B1	Bed liner rail system for cargo holddown An essentially flat base of a bed liner is positioned on a vehicle cargo bed. The base includes a forward edge and a rear edge. A plurality of panels extend upwardly from the base. A front panel includes a protrusion projecting beyond the base forward edge. The base includes one or more continuous recessed channels extending from the base rear edge to the protrusion. Each channel includes a continuous track for receiving a movable tie-down device. The tie-down device includes a portion contoured to slide within the track and an anchor portion.
US07703824B2	In-cab refrigerator mounting and method The interior of a truck cab (29) has a cabinet (28) that houses a refrigerator (20). The refrigerator is inserted into the interior of the cabinet by sliding it through a frontal opening in the cabinet. A mounting system that includes several parts (36, 38, 40, 42) locates and secures the refrigerator in place.
US07703817B2	Unitized security seal A unitized security seal having a shackle, an engagement housing with a passage for receiving the shackle, and at least two locking members spaced along the shackle with undercut openings to the outer surface of the locking members, at least one pin being located within the housing passage and oriented to engage the undercuts as the shackle is advanced through the passage to provide non-removable engagement of the shackle in the housing, and at lease one undercut including a frangible member positioned between its entry and its exit for engaging an engagement housing pin to resist removal of the shackle from the engagement housing until a sufficient force is applied to shear away the frangible member.
US07703815B2	Quick cam latch mechanism A quick cam latch mechanism having an operatively coupled bolt and cam assembly disposed in a latch housing. A handle is coupled to the cam assembly for moving the bolt between an extended or engaged position and a retracted or disengaged position. The cam assembly includes a primary cam operatively coupled to a secondary cam or linkage that is in turn operatively coupled to the bolt. Rotation of the primary cam translates into increased pivoting of the linkage and thereby increased retraction of the bolt. As a result, less rotation of primary cam is needed to retract the bolt. In an example embodiment of the invention, at least two linkages are utilized to quickly retract the bolt regardless of the direction of rotation of the handle.
US07703814B2	Universal quick connection unit for connecting pipe to hydraulic or pneumatic tool A quick connection unit for hydraulic or pneumatic tools includes a female part having an axial passage and a lateral tube. A fixing bolt extends into the axial passage, and the female part is pivotable about the fixing bolt along a Y-axis. A path is defined in the shank of the fixing bolt which is connected to the hydraulic or pneumatic tool. An L-shaped male part includes a horizontal tube and a vertical tube. The horizontal tube is rotatably connected to the lateral tube of the female part and communicates with the lateral passage in the lateral tube and the axial passage. The horizontal tube of the male part is pivotable about an X-axis of the lateral passage. A pipe is connected to an inlet of the vertical tube of the male part. The pipe can be rotated along the two axes relative to the hydraulic or pneumatic tool.
US07703809B2	Printed product and method for the production thereof The printed product comprises a carrier of a main image applied thereon transmitted by an ordered screen having a specified angle and lineature and at least one additional latent image which is hidden from visualization and transmitted by a deformed-structure screen. Said latent image can be visualized when it is applied to the printed product of a test pattern embodied in the form of a transparent substrate which is provided with a linear screen applied thereto and which angle and lineature are identical to specified angle and lineature. Depending on the type of the screen deformation the latent image is displayable with preserved tints or in the form of contour lines. The method for producing of the printed product consists in introducing distortions in the ordered screen by shifting the centers of the screen grid structure or by inserting modified elements into the ordered screen said elements being embodied in the form of transition between the types of said ordered screen elements.
US07703801B2	Vehicle air bag minimum distance apparatus, method and system A vehicle safety device includes a seat mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a seat position adjusting mechanism that allows the seat to move along an axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position. An air-bag is mounted within the passenger compartment in front of the forward-most position. In the forward-most position a distance between a passenger seated in the seat and the air-bag is equal to a minimum safe clearance. A method of maintaining a minimum safe clearance between an air-bag mounted in a vehicle and a vehicle passenger includes preventing motion of a seat toward the air-bag beyond a forward-most position, and providing a position adjusting mechanism for at least one vehicle control pedal to allow a passenger to adjust a distance between the seat and the at least one pedal seat positioning system may be used to position a passenger.
US07703800B2	Airbag arrangement for a motor vehicle seat An apparatus for an airbag arrangement including a frame part and an airbag package. The frame part may be a part of a base body of a motor vehicle seat. The airbag package is fastened to the frame part. The airbag package includes a folded-up airbag that may be inflated with gas. The airbag package further includes at least one clamping element that is configured to press the airbag package against the frame part. The clamping element includes a first and a second end region via which the clamping element is secured to the frame part. The two end regions are connected to one another via a pretensionable bearing region of the clamping element. The clamping element includes an intermediate layer extending between the airbag package and the frame part, that together with the bearing region encompasses the airbag package in cross section by 360°.
US07703799B2	Airbag module cover In an airbag module cover, at least one pair of tear lines is provided on a double-wall portion (an inner side wall and an outer side wall). The tear line provided on the inner side wall is formed as a slit. The tear line provided on the outer side wall is formed as a groove. Therefore, strength of the double-wall portion is reduced to tear the tear lines unfailingly and torn module cover can be opened unfailingly as a deployment door by an inflating airbag.
US07703797B2	Mounting bracket for rail mounted airbag inflator An energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator is provided. The mounting bracket has a circular section and at least one base leg. The circular section entraps an airbag inflator and the base leg is rigidly attached to the circular section and mounted to a vehicle rail. The base leg positions the circular section of the mounting bracket a specific distance from the rail, for the purpose of allowing the section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when an impact force is exerted on the section. One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a circular section entrapping an airbag inflator and a first base leg, a second base leg and an intermediate leg. The first base leg is located adjacent to the vehicle rail when the bracket is mounted to the rail and is rigidly attached to the intermediate leg. The intermediate leg is rigidly attached to the circular section and the second base leg is also rigidly attached to said section. The first base leg in combination with the intermediate leg and the second base leg position the circular section a specific distance from the rail. The distance from the rail coupled with the design of the base legs and the intermediate leg allow for the circular section to deflect in a direction towards the rail when it experiences an impact force. In this manner, an energy absorbing mounting bracket for a rail mounted airbag inflator is provided.
US07703793B2	Fifth wheel hitch assembly Fifth wheel hitch assemblies and fifth wheel hitch adaptors for dampening differential motion between a fifth wheel trailer and a tow vehicle. An upper assembly is formed as a box with an open bottom, and a lower assembly has front, rear, and side plates that extend into the open bottom of the upper assembly. Slide plates are disposed on the front and sides of the upper assembly facing at the front and side plates of the lower assembly. An additional slide plate is disposed on the rear plate of the lower assembly and faces the rear of the upper assembly. The lower assembly and upper assembly are attached to one another by an airspring and at least two diagonally opposed shock absorbers mounted therebetween. A locking mechanism may be included to prevent overextension between the upper assembly and lower assembly when not in use.
US07703791B2	Fifth wheel cover A fifth wheel cover comprises a shell arranged to span over the fifth wheel plate of a tractor trailer chassis. The shell has a continuous, circular, peripheral edge to which a continuous band of elastomeric material is integrally joined about the full periphery for retaining the shell on the fifth wheel plate.
US07703787B2	Cap member of swing arm for rear wheel A cap member of a swing arm for a rear wheel of a vehicle can be structured to provide an excellent outer appearance to the swing arm and to increase strength and be made thinner. The cap member to be attached to a rear end of the swing arm supporting the rear wheel of the vehicle is formed with a rounded outer surface shape which is approximately continuously connected to an outer surface shape of the swing arm.
US07703786B1	Crown-holding head cap The head cap of a bicycle headset is configured with a shoulder sized to releasably receive an uncrimped bottle crown to cover a headset adjustment bolt in a decorative fashion.
US07703778B2	Device for height adjustment of a child seat and telescopically adjustable foot support Device (1) for height adjustment of a module, such as a children's seat (3) on a stem (2) in a trolley or a chair, characterized in that the locking device (1) comprises a movable casing (4) which partly or completely surrounds the stem (2), a friction element (5) and a handle (6) which rotates eccentrically in order to tighten the friction element (5) against the stem (2) and providing friction between the locking device (1) and the stem (2). The children's seat (3) may comprise a footrest (20) characterized in that two rails (21) are received in guides (22) integrated in the seat, such that the footrest (20) may be displaced telescopically in relation to the seat (3).
US07703774B2	Shaft seal using shingle members A shaft seal reduces leakage between a rotating shaft such as a rotor and a stator. The shaft seal or shingle seal includes a plurality of compliant-plate members attached to the stator in facing relation. The compliant-plate members define a sealing ring between the stator and the rotating shaft. Each of the compliant-plate members includes a plurality of shingles, where adjacent compliant-plate members are disposed relative to each other such that the shingles are at least partially staggered in a direction of axial leakage.
US07703771B2	Tethered ball toss and target game and method of playing same A game in which two spherical balls tethered to opposing ends of a flexible cord are tossed at a ladder-like target goal post having a plurality of cross bars, the toss occurring from the region behind a facing goal post spaced across a field of play. An objective of the game is to toss the tethered ball pair across the field to the opposing goal post to entwine or wrap around a goal post cross bar. Points are earned when the toss remains wrapped to the crossbar.
US07703770B2	Sheet discharge device In an image forming apparatus, a sheet discharge device is provided. The sheet discharge device may include a drive roller and a driven roller driven by the drive roller. Also, the sheet discharge device can have a flange portion disposed at one end of the driven roller in a longitudinal direction thereof so as to rotate together with the driven roller. The flange portion may include a cutout having a first guide surface and a second guide surface disposed downstream of the first guide surface in a rotating direction of the driven roller. The first guide surface may be longer than the second guide surface.
US07703766B2	Method for sensing paper skew and method for correcting paper skew A method for sensing a paper skew adapted for a device having a paper feeding mechanism is provided. The device has a feed sensor which is fixed at a start position of paper feeding; and, a position sensor which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction of paper feeding and passes through a first and a second positions. The first position is the intersection of a moving path of the position sensor and a line. The feed sensor is on the line, and the line is parallel to the direction of paper feeding. The method includes the device having a first distance; moving the position sensor to the second position; feeding a work paper into the device; obtaining a second distance which is a moving distance of the work paper fed; and determining whether the work paper is skewed or not according to the difference between the first and the second distances.
US07703765B2	Transport belt cooling Embodiments herein include a printing or copying device that includes a media transport belt and a vacuum manifold. The vacuum manifold has an air intake positioned adjacent the media transport belt and has a vacuum blower or other air moving device that forces air out an air outlet of the manifold. The vacuum blower forces air from the vacuum manifold through the air outlet to create vacuum within the manifold. The vacuum manifold also includes transport belt openings that are sized, shaped, and positioned to allow the transport belt to pass into the vacuum manifold. The media transport belt is positioned partially within, and partially outside the vacuum manifold, such that the media transport belt is positioned to move through (within) the vacuum manifold from a first transport belt opening to a second transport belt opening.
US07703763B2	Sheet conveying devices and image recording apparatuses including the same A sheet conveying device includes a tray having a bottom surface. The tray holds at least one sheet therein, and has a recess formed in the bottom surface. A rotating member moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rotating member contacts a sheet held in the tray, and in the second position, the rotating member is separated from the tray. The rotating member selectively rotates to convey a sheet held in the tray in a when the rotating member is in the first position. An operative portion moves in and out of the recess in the bottom surface of the tray, and movement of the operative portion corresponds to a movement of the rotating member into the second position.
US07703761B2	Sheet feed roller and method of manufacturing the same A sheet feed roller prolonging sustainability of sheet feeding capability even if crushed powders are scattered. The sheet feed roller comprises a hub and an elastic layer provided on an outer peripheral surface of the hub, wherein plural grooves axially extend at specific intervals circumferentially on an outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer, a textured surface comprising mountain portions and a valley portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer except for the grooves, and on bottom surfaces and wall surfaces of the grooves, a ratio of a total area of the bottom surfaces of the grooves to a total area of the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer except for the grooves is 10% to 20%.
US07703757B2	Sheet processing apparatus A conveying apparatus includes a regulating portion which regulates the opening of the folded sheet bundle, and a conveying portion which pushes the sheet bundle from an upstream side in a conveying direction in a state that the regulating portion regulates the opening of folded sheet bundle.
US07703755B2	High retention strength jounce bumper assembly A jounce bumper assembly is provided including a cup-shaped member adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. A spacer formed of an appropriate engineered material is mounted within the cup-shaped member and a jounce bumper is mounted to the spacer. The cup-shaped member includes retaining tabs which engage a shoulder of the jounce bumper for retaining the jounce bumper in the cup-shaped member.
US07703754B2	Limit stop for a door or lid of a motor vehicle A limit stop with an elastomer resilient element, which is to be secured on a door or lid and/or on an opposing stationary vehicle section for damping forces generated when the door or lid strikes stationary chassis parts of a motor vehicle. The limit stop includes an additional damping section disposed adjacent to and cooperating with the elastic resilient element in a spring deflection direction of the resilient element. The damping section comprises at least two chambers filled with a fluid and a nozzle plate arranged between the chambers with at least one channel extending through the nozzle plate and connecting the chambers. The fluid is displaced from one of the chambers into the other chamber during a spring deflection of the elastomer resilient element, thereby producing a pressure force which is caused by the buildup in pressure when the volume of one of the chambers decreases and augments the return force of the resilient element.
US07703753B2	Stop element for hydraulic bearing and hydraulic bushing equipped therewith The invention relates to a stop element (1) for a hydraulic bearing and a hydraulic bushing equipped therewith. The proposed hydraulic stop element (1) with a stop body (2, 2′) and a stop surface (3) is implemented as a piston-cylinder-assembly with an elastomeric bearing (12) with at least two work chambers for a fluidic damping means. The cylinder (4) of this piston-cylinder-assembly is inserted into the solid material surrounding the outer surface of a metallic element of the elastomeric support (12) which delimits the corresponding work chamber (16, 16′) of the elastomeric bearing (12) perpendicular to the main load direction (r). A piston (2, 2′) which forms the stop body with a stop surface (3) is movably guided in the cylinder (4) in the main load direction (r) of the elastomeric bearing. A buffer (5) is arranged on the bottom of the cylinder (4), with at least one throttle channel (6) which is connected for flow-conduction with the work chamber (16, 16′) of the elastomeric bearing extending through the side wall.
US07703752B2	Method and equipment for mixing fluids The present invention concerns a method and equipment for dissolving a gas or a gas mixture in a liquid. The liquid is introduced into a chamber (6) via an inlet (2), in connection with which an eddy movement is created in the chamber for mixing the gas and liquid. The gas may be introduced into the liquid before the liquid is introduced into the chamber and/or the gas may be introduced directly into the chamber. The liquid with the dissolved gas is removed via an outlet (4). The gas is dissolved in the liquid by the eddy rotating about a mainly horizontal axis. With the present invention, satisfactory dissolution can be achieved with minimal energy consumption. The present invention is particularly well suited to oxygenating salt water, for example in connection with fish farming.
US07703746B2	Ground-based power generator with ball-roller bearing butterfly valve A hot gas valving system for a ground-based power generation system includes a gas flow conduit having a wall and defining a path for fluid flow and a butterfly valve located in the wall and transversely across the path for fluid flow. The butterfly valve includes a first raceway defined by an inner ring and an outer ring, a second raceway defined by an inner ring and an outer ring, a combination of ball bearings and roller bearings retained in each raceway, an axle rotatably mounted in the inner rings of each raceway and cooperably rotatable therewith, and a baffle mounted longitudinally along the axle and extending from the axle into the path of fluid flow. Upon rotation of the axle, the baffle restricts or permits fluid flow.
US07703745B2	Seal retainer/longitudinal centering clips with multiple flange capability A wafer-style valve assembly adapted to be coupled between opposing pipeline components having a common centerline secured together by a plurality of longitudinal fasteners includes a substantially cylindrical valve body, a seat retaining plate, and at least one clip. The valve body has a peripheral edge portion and an axial end surface. The seat retaining plate is disposed on the axial end surface. The at least one clip is also disposed on the axial end surface and extends radially outward of the peripheral edge portion. The clip has a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion. The radially inward portion secures the seat retaining plate to the to valve body. The radially outward portion has an edge defining a first recess and a second recess. The first and second recesses are each adapted to accommodate a longitudinal fastener to locate the valve assembly relative to the centerline of the pipeline.
US07703741B2	Drive mechanism for a down draft vent system The invention relates to a drive mechanism for a down draft vent system (8) comprising a retractable down draft vent screen (10) which can be moved between an extended and a retracted position by means of a drive motor (3). The drive mechanism (1) is characterized in that the drive motor (3) is a synchronous motor with a reversing circuit (31, 32, 7) for load-dependent reversal of the driving direction. The present invention can thus provide a safety function against jamming of objects since the drive motor (3) reverses automatically when the load is fairly large.
US07703739B2	Ram BOP shear device A ram-type blowout preventer includes a first ram block having a first shearing element and a first sealing element, a second ram block opposing the first ram block and having a second shearing element and a second sealing element, a load intensifying member coupled to the first ram block, wherein the load intensifying member is a stiff cantilever beam, a receptacle of the second ram block to receive the load intensifying member when the first ram block and the second ram block close together, and shims between a top surface of the load intensifying member and a top surface of the receptacle. The load intensifying member is configured to apply a spring force when the load intensifying member is engaged within the receptacle.
US07703736B2	Stand for image display device A stand for an image display device is provided. The stand includes a leg unit. In the leg unit, a supporting member supports the image display device, a connecting member is coupled to the supporting member and rotatable in forward and backward directions with respect to the supporting member, and a base member supports the image display device with respect to a floor. The base member is rotatable in a direction different from the rotation directions of the connection member for being folded to a back of the image display device.
US07703732B2	Deck accessory bracket Embodiments of the present invention are deck accessory brackets, which are mounted to a vertical structure and are suitable for supporting a plurality of clothes lines and a variety of objects such as rods, shelving, hanging plants and hanging bird feeders. The mountable backing plate has 2 arms joined to it, one at an outward horizontally position, and one with a vertically angled supporting arm. The top horizontal arm has positioned receptors to which clothes line and/or rods are arrayed. The face of the mountable backing plate and the top of the horizontal arm are joined to a gusset.
US07703730B2	Fastenerless attachment system applied to vehicle engine cooling module components A fastening system fastens a radiator, an electric fan support and a fan shroud as a single unit. The radiator has lower and upper posts to which slotted plates protruding from the fan support and fan shroud fit over. A structural sandwich is formed with the fan support lying between the radiator and the fan shroud. A flexible lever arm with a locking tab lies adjacent to the upper post of the radiator and connects to the radiator. When the fan support is fitted over the posts, the top plate of the electric fan support locks under the first lever arm tab. The fan shroud also has two slotted plates that also fit over the posts of the radiator. The fan shroud locks into place when a lever arm with a tab on the fan shroud locks under a tab that protrudes from the top plate of the fan support.
US07703727B2	Universal adjustable spacer assembly In a universal, adjustable spacer assembly, first and second opposed wedges have faces that are inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis. As the wedges translate along the longitudinal axis with respect to one another, vertical distance between an upper face and a lower face of the first and second wedges respectively changes. Longitudinally displaced portions of a rotatable member such as a threaded rod are received in a first and a second collar member pivotally mounted with respect to the first and second wedges respectively. As the rod rotates, longitudinal distance between the collar members changes, and the wedges slide against each other, the collar members rotate within each wedge. In a further form, opposing track members may be fixed to inclined surfaces of the first and second wedges respectively.
US07703722B2	Common bonding network clamp A clamp used to create a bond between under floor wiring systems and a common bonding network. The clamp includes a mounting plate, a U-bolt and a split bolt for securing wires to the mounting plate. The mounting plate has an aperture and a slot. The U-bolt has a first end and a second end. The first end of the U-bolt is attached at the aperture of the mounting plate and the second end of the U-bolt is positioned within the slot of the mounting plate. The second end of the U-bolt is removed from the slot to enable the second end of the U-bolt to pivot away from the mounting plate enabling the U-bolt to engage a floor pedestal.
US07703716B2	Hinged device for doors of an aircraft nacelle and nacelle equipped with said hinged device A hinged device for at least one door (46.1, 46.2) of an aircraft nacelle (40), whereby the door is able to block an opening (44) that is made in the fairing of the nacelle, the device including a base to which is connected at least one door, able to occupy a first retracted state in which the base is located at least in part inside the nacelle and a second extended state in which the base is located outside the fairing of the nacelle so as to be able to move, in a direction that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, outside of the nacelle by entraining the at least one door (46.1, 46.2) to release the opening (44) at least in part.
US07703712B2	Tablet grinding device A device for grinding tablets includes a body, an electric motor housed within the body, a power source connected to the electric motor via a switch, a grinder driven to rotate by the electric motor, a tablet chute to the grinder, and a particle bin attached to or formed integrally with the body for receiving particles from the grinder.
US07703710B2	Cubic boron nitride, method for producing cubic boron nitride, grinding wheel with cubic boron nitride, and sintered cubic boron nitride compact A method for producing cubic boron nitride in which hBN is held in the presence of a catalyst substance under conditions in which cBN remains thermodynamically stable, to thereby cause hBN to undergo a phase transition to form cBN, wherein the catalyst substance contains a lithium source, a magnesium source, and a carbon source. The performance of cBN is improved even though phase transition ratio from hBN to cBN is increased.
US07703708B2	Fuel injection valve A fuel injection valve includes a nozzle body and a plate. The nozzle body includes an injection orifice, through which fuel is injected, a needle that controls the injection through the injection orifice, and a needle-receiving bore that receives the needle. The plate is adjacently provided to the nozzle body for defining a fuel passage therein, through which fuel is supplied to the needle-receiving bore. The plate has an annular groove, which connects the fuel passage with the needle-receiving bore, at an end surface of the plate toward the nozzle body.
US07703707B2	Fuel injector In the valve, fuel, flowing down as a valve side flow along the side of the valve, further flows down toward an orifice plate through a fuel path which closes and opens upon forward and backward movement of the valve, and is injected as a mist from each orifice. The valve moves forward and backward by sliding on a valve surrounding portion through a guide portion constituted by plural sliding guides arranged between the valve and valve surrounding portion. Since the sliding guides are tapered from the valve to the surrounding portion, the side flow from the guide portion has a flow velocity distribution biased toward the surrounding portion.
US07703705B2	Apparatus and method for dispensing a mixture of a gas and a fluid material Apparatus and methods for generating and dispensing a mixture containing a pressurized gas and a fluid material. The apparatus includes a mixing device having a mixing chamber and a mixer inside the mixing chamber. A gas injection device, which is coupled with the mixing device, injects the pressurized gas into the fluid material in the mixing chamber. The mixer operates to combine the pressurized gas with the fluid material to form a mixture, which is subsequently dispensed from a dispenser coupled with the mixing device.
US07703696B2	Sprinkler toy with geyser-like burst of water The invention is directed to a sprinkler toy and a method for producing a geyser-like burst of liquid supplied by a source of pressurized liquid. The sprinkler toy may include a reservoir in fluid communication with the pressurized liquid source, wherein the volume of the reservoir may increase as the liquid is supplied to the reservoir by the pressurized liquid source. The sprinkler toy may further include a valve in fluid communication with the reservoir and operatively coupled to the reservoir, wherein the valve may be moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the increase of the volume of the reservoir from a first volume to a second volume may cause the valve to move from the closed position to the open position, and wherein the pressure within the reservoir when the valve moves to the open position may cause a geyser-like burst of liquid stored in the reservoir to discharge through the valve. In alternate embodiments, the sprinkler toy may further include nozzles in fluid communication with the pressurized water source and providing a constant discharge of liquid, and a housing having moving components that move in response to the increase in volume of the reservoir.
US07703695B2	Rail clip insulator A two-part rail clip insulator (40, 50) for a tie and rail seat assembly that enables the seat to be pre-assembled at the rail tie fabrication plant into a preloaded position where a rail (2) may be laid on the tie (5) on site, the clips (30) being movable to the loaded position after the rail is placed in position. The rail seat includes a concrete rail tie (5), a pair of rail clip support shoulders (10) cast in place in the tie (5), each shoulder (10) having a rail face between its external sides, a pair of shoulder insulators (50) each shaped to lie against the rail face of the rail shoulder, a pair of rail clips (30) each having a base section (31) adapted to seat within the support shoulder (10) and a toe section adapted to seat on the rail base; the arrangement being such that when the rail clip is in the preloaded position, the toe insulator (40) and the toe (36) of the clips do not project beyond the face of the shoulder insulator (50), so that a rail (2) can be laid between the rail shoulders and their associated insulators (50). The toe insulator (40) is shaped to facilitate loading of the rail clip (30) and resist movement of the clip or the rail during use.
US07703692B2	Memory card Disclosed herein is a memory card that is a second memory card provided in connection with a first memory card. The first and second memory cards include: a body portion having the shape of a rectangular plate; and guide portions that project from both sides of the body portion in a width direction of the body portion and extend in a longitudinal direction of the body portion. Each guide portion has a thickness less than a thickness of the body portion. The first and second memory cards are equal in thickness and length of the body portion and distance between tips of the guide portions. The body portion of the second memory card has a width greater than a width of the body portion of the first memory card.
US07703687B2	Label The present invention refers to a label comprising a pasting part for pasting said label to an object and comprising an electronic device preferably for a radio frequency identification (RFID). In order to improve such a label, it is suggested that the electronic device is pivotably connected to said pasting part.
US07703685B2	Label application device For applying a label to an article, and with a RFID tag on the label also being separated from the article, and for minimizing the influence from the article on the tag, and for securing stable reading and writing of data, a label application device applies a label to which a RFID tag comprising an IC chip and communication antenna is fixed, to the article. A folding device folds a portion of the label having a tag-fixing area to which the RFID tag is fixed, such that the back side of the label is pushed to the surface side of the label so that the label portion protrudes to form an angle and is folded, and then applying the label to the article. A device acts on the label portion to form the fold.
US07703684B2	Information input and output device and game machine using information input and output device An information input and output device for communicating information with an information recording unit of a card, includes a card support unit that includes a card support surface for sliding the card while supporting the card from one surface side, a card end unit that includes a card end surface provided to protrude from the card support surface, and an input and output executing unit that is positioned to face the information recording unit of the card when the card is slid on the card support surface while abutting the card against the card end surface, and that executes at least one of reading of the information from the information recording unit and writing of the information to the information recording unit.
US07703682B2	Computer operation control and item selection and vending methods and systems A signal is transmitted into a computer in response to an image on a display screen of the computer such that the computer operates in response to the signal; this includes moving a scanner in optical communication with the display screen such that the scanner detects an image (for example, a bar code) displayed on the screen and generates the signal in response. One or more computers may be used, and this may be used for vending a product or other purposes. With or without such scanning, a portion of a store environment may be displayed on a screen of a computer, including showing images of actual products for sale at the store, in which images of actual products are accessed via the computer from a database containing in-store images recorded in the store during a period of non-existent or minimal customer presence in the store. A vending system is also disclosed.
US07703680B2	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.
US07703674B2	Systems and methods for counting surgical implements Surgical sponges and other articles are provided with machine-readable information which provides a serial number or other unique identification of the sponge. In addition, the machine-readable information will provide the type of article and/or a characteristic visual motif associated with the article. That way, by scanning the machine-readable information from the sponges or other articles prior to a procedure, the computer or other digital processor can determine which articles may be missing after the procedure and alert the surgical team as to the type and/or characteristic visual motif of the missing article.
US07703673B2	Web based conversion of non-negotiable credits associated with an entity to entity independent negotiable funds A method for converting credits to funds can include a step of a Web site receiving user identification information. Non-negotiable credits can be identified that are associated with an entity with which the user has previously interacted. The previous interactions could have earned the non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the non-negotiable credits into a quantity of negotiable funds. The conversion agency can be an agency not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds. The quantity of negotiable funds can be applied to user specified purchases. At least a portion of the purchases can involve at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits.
US07703663B2	Device and method for brazing a heat pipe The present invention relates to a device and method for brazing a heat pipe assembly with copper-silver alloy filler rings to improve heat dissipation efficiency of a heat pipe. The device comprises a brazing furnace and a conveyor. The brazing furnace comprises an open ended passage with a multi-stage brazing heater and cooler. The conveyor comprises an input bracket assembly, an output bracket assembly and a steel mesh belt. The method comprises steps of (A) providing multiple heat pipe components, (B) assembling the heat pipe components to form heat pipe assemblies, (C) injecting mixed gas, (D) turning on the multi-stage brazing heater and cooler, (E) placing the heat pipe assemblies on the conveyor, (F) brazing the heat pipe assemblies to form heat pipes, (G) cooling the heat pipes and (H) removing the heat pipes from the conveyor.
US07703659B2	Friction stir joining apparatus In the friction stir joining apparatus of the present invention, a rotation control unit variably controls a rotational speed of a rotor; and a straight movement control unit controls a straight movement of the rotor so as to control a pressure applied by the rotor to the object. The tip portion of the rotating rotor is pressed against a workpiece, thus spot joining is executed. The apparatus can execute frictional stirring joining without practical trouble under simple control.
US07703657B2	Device for mounting electric component A mounting method and a mounting device are provided, which can mount an electric component with high reliability by using an adhesive. The mounting method includes thermocompression bonding an IC chip onto a wiring board by using an anisotropic conductive adhesive film. During the thermocompression bonding, a top region of the IC chip is pressed against the wiring board with a predetermined pressure, and a side region of the IC chip is pressed with a pressure smaller than the pressure applied to the top region of the IC chip. An elastomer having rubber hardness of 40 or more and 80 or less is used for a compression bonding portion of a thermocompression bonding head. The anistropic conductive adhesive film contains a binding resin having melting viscosity of 1.0×102 mPa·s or more and 1.0×105 mPa·s or less.
US07703647B2	Dispenser for flexible thin-film hand coverings An improved dispenser for thin, flexible hand coverings includes a unique mechanism to retain the opposing edges of the flexible film as it is advanced and applied to the hand, thereby promoting a controlled stretching, adherence and release. In the preferred embodiment, the entrapment of the film edges is carried out using interlocking chains that advance through guide channels. Another improvement is that the housing of the dispenser in this case is raised as the user pulls down the film to be adhered, and it is the weight of the dispenser that causes the unit to reset for the next use, thereby eliminating the need for springs, at least for this purpose.
US07703646B2	Carrying bag adapted for accommodating a wheeled foldable article of furniture A carrying bag includes a flexible bag body that defines an accommodation space therein and that has a lower peripheral edge defining a lower access opening. A rigid base member has a periphery configured to matingly engage the lower peripheral edge, and is displaceable relative to the lower peripheral edge between a closed position to close to the lower access opening, and an open position to expose the lower access opening. The base member has holes formed therethrough to be adapted to permit a wheel and a rest of a baby playpen to extend outwardly of the base member for facilitating carrying the playpen. A blocking member is disposed to block the holes so as to permit the bag to receive any other articles.
US07703645B2	Backpack adapter A backpack adapter comprising a generally L-shaped frame having a user side and a load side. The user side is provided with at least two coupling means for coupling a shoulder strap means thereon, the coupling means being spaced apart from each other. The L-shaped frame comprises a top L portion and a bottom L portion and the shoulder strap assembly is placed on either coupling means in order to either have the bottom L portion closer to the ground than the top L portion or reversibly have the top L portion positioned closer to the ground. The adapter can be used in at least two significantly different configurations: one by which the bottom L portion is used to carry a load on an upper side of said bottom L portion, the other by which the bottom L portion is used as a rack from which objects are hung.
US07703642B2	Tamper evident closure assemblies A sipper type capping assembly engageable with a necked container so as not to pool condensation on the disc seal. It has a unitary molding (1) adapted to define a detachable overcap (4) and at least the container engaging skirt (9). An insert (2) and a disc seal member (17) located within molding (1), and a nozzle component (3) above the seal member is carried through the insert yet moveable relative thereto. In a non-dispensing condition, the nozzle component (3) and the insert (2) provide closure. In the dispensing condition of the nozzle component (3) relative to the insert (2) there is defined a liquid egress passageway. The insert and the nozzle component, when in or notionally considered in the non-dispensing condition, define together with the molding a fully enclosed space about part of the nozzle component. When in or notionally considered in at least the dispensing condition, the molding and the disc seal member fully enclose the nozzle component.
US07703641B2	Storage and dispensing container for paint An improved container for storing, dispensing and handling viscous and semi-viscous fluids such as paint and the like, having novel spout and other design features that enable substantially dripless dispensing and improved handling and storage.
US07703640B1	Heat actuated puncturing mechanism for a compressed gas cartridge The present invention offers a solution to the potential hazards associated with an accidental overheating of a full compressed gas cartridge, by offering an automatic heat-actuable pressure discharge system. The compressed gas cartridge is protected from dangerous explosions caused by excessive heat by the use of a lance that pierces the compressed gas cartridge safely when a spring loaded hammer is released from its constraints when a length of heat sensitive material fails in the presence of excessive heat, thereby avoiding a very serious fire hazard.
US07703638B2	Fastener dispenser A fastener dispenser including a housing having a plurality of rails formed thereon. The rails have terminal ends that are open to facilitate the passage of fasteners into or out of the housing. Fasteners are removably secured between adjacent rails and maintained in a predefined orientation by the adjacent rails. The fastener dispenser also includes fastener release means on the terminal ends of the rails for maintaining fasteners between adjacent rails. The fastener release means also allow a user to selectively dispense a desired number of fasteners from between the rails.
US07703637B2	Devices useful in system and method for dispensing prescriptions An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
US07703632B2	Stackable and collapsible container Structures, methods, and systems associated with a stackable and collapsible container are provided. One structure includes a stackable and collapsible container having at least four non-collapsible, load bearing vertical support members attached to vertical walls of the container and capable of supporting the weight of other containers. A top surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. A bottom surface is included having a number of sections which include a pivotal connection to one another and which are collapsible about the pivotal connection to an interior of the container. The top and the bottom surfaces of the container can be fixedly positioned in a number of collapsed states.
US07703630B2	Vented hatch cover A vented hatch cover comprising a cover body, an intake filter element, and a discharge filter element includes a plurality of walls defining an air intake passage, and an air discharge passage, an inner rim and an outer rim with a plurality of ribs extending across the air intake passage. The intake filter element includes a plurality of latches engaging the ribs. The discharge filter element includes an outer disc portion with a radially outer edge having a rim with a plurality of latches that releasably secure the discharge filter element to the inner rim of the cover body.
US07703627B2	Vanity case A vanity case which comprises a case body having a cavity, a lid coupled to the back section of the case body, an inner plate received in the cavity, and a slide piece housed in between the case body and the inner plate. The lid has an engaging claw piece formed hanging down on the front of its underside; the slide piece has an engaging arm protruding above and is always biased backwards. When the lid is closed, the engaging claw piece engages the engaging arm. A rear end wall in the rear of the case body is formed to be elastically deformable toward the front, and when the rear end wall is pushed toward the front, the slide piece whose rear end is opposite the rear end wall is moved forwards, thereby releasing the engagement between the engaging arm and the engaging claw piece and opening the lid.
US07703626B2	Composite closures for containers Conventional adhesive and contact welding methods for holding the paperboard and plastic components of a composite closure together present a number disadvantages and do not lend themselves easily to mass production. The present invention describes two novel approaches, firstly the pre-assembly heating of the closure components with directed hot air to partially melt the thermoplastic surfaces and allow the parts to be immediately assembled sealingly and, secondly, a novel construction of plastic and paperboard composite closure in which the plastic rim is of a two-piece snap-fit constructions which firmly grips the top panel of the paperboard lid.
US07703622B1	Compartmentalized trash and recyclable container Apparatus 10 discloses a compartmentalized waste and recyclable container 12. The compartmentalized container 12 is comprised of a divided waste container having removable receptacles 24, 26. One receptacle is designed for holding normal waste 26 while the other is designed for holding recyclables 24, such as cans, jars, plastic bottles, etc. The waste container has a sectioned lid 16, 17 providing access to either or both containers. The apparatus 10 also provides means whereby the container can be opened by a foot-operated mechanism 14, 15, relieving the user of having to have a free hand for access. Additionally, the container can incorporate wheels 18 for mobility and apertures 20 within the exterior wall. Each of the interior removable receptacles 24, 26 can also have handles 22 mounted thereto for ease of removing and carrying.
US07703618B2	Thermoplastic material container, in particular bottle A container, in particular a bottle, made of thermoplastic material produced by blow molding or stretch-blow molding of a heated preform, the container designed to contain a liquid being flat and having a substantially domed base with outward-facing cavity defining a substantially planar peripheral annular seat for being set on a support, the base being provided with several grooves radiating from the base center. Each groove in its zone of intersection with the annular seat, has a portion of substantially increased width and the two edges of that portion of the groove are curved with relatively large radii of curvature and with respective concavities facing one another.
US07703617B1	Bayonet closure container combination with angled bayonet lugs A safety closure for use on a container neck having a closure top wall, an annular sidewall depending downwardly from an outer periphery of the top wall defining an open bottom opposite the top wall. The sidewall has inner annular surface with a plurality of lugs projecting inward therefrom, wherein each lug has a lug top surface forming an angle of incidence of greater than 90° with the inner annular surface of the annular sidewall. The plurality of lugs are engageable with a plurality of lug receiving notches in a plurality of bayonet lugs on a container neck. A spring member depends from the closure top wall and is resiliently engageable with the container neck to bias the safety closure away from the container neck. Optional closure retaining means may be incorporated within the closure, container, or both.
US07703613B2	Adjustable height inlet/outlet liquid level management tools and systems Apparatus for managing layers of different density includes an enclosed tank for holding the liquids so that they stratify into separate layers of different levels in the tank. A conduit for liquid in the tank is open at an inner end to the tank interior, and is open at an outer end to the tank exterior. A drive moves the inner end of the conduit to different levels within tank so liquid can be transferred into or out of different levels in the tank.
US07703612B2	Vibratory separator An apparatus for separating solids from a drilling fluid that includes a basket having two opposed spaced-apart side walls having first ends and second ends, the first ends spaced apart by an end wall connected to each of the side walls, the basket further including a bottom wall through which a fluid outlet passage is defined, a plurality of screening surfaces having a front edge and a back edge and positioned within the basket between the side walls with each screening surface spaced apart vertically from adjacent screening surfaces and the back edge spaced apart from the end wall of the basket, wherein the back edge of each screening surface is lower than the front edge of the corresponding screening surface, a plurality of weirs, each weir retained along the back edge of a corresponding screening surface and spaced apart from the end wall to define a fluid passage between each weir and the end wall, wherein each weir has a top edge extending to a weir height above the back edge of the corresponding screening surface and the top edge is lower than the front edge of the corresponding screening surface, at least one flow director catching unseparated drilling fluid in the fluid passage and directing the unseparated drilling fluid onto a lower screen, and wherein fluid in the fluid passage between the lowermost screen and the end wall is directed to a spillover fluid outlet is disclosed.
US07703611B1	Targeted geographical condition notification of users based on a geographic location and device types or software of the users A method for transmitting data to one or more users of a communications system by establishing a connection with one or more users; designating targeting rules applicable to online users; acquiring context information of online users; applying the targeting rules to the context information to identify targeted online users; and sending data to the targeted online users.
US07703610B2	Method for removal of unburned carbon contained in fly ash Disclosed is a method for removal of an unburned carbon contained in a fly ash material. The method comprises the steps of adding water to the fly ash to prepare a fly ash slurry; shearing the fly ash slurry using an agitating blade that can rotate at a high speed to generate an active energy on the surface of an unburned carbon by the shearing force, thereby imparting lipophilicity to the unburned carbon; and adding a collecting agent and a foaming agent to the slurry containing the lipophylized unburned carbon to cause the attachment of the collecting agent to the lipophylized unburned carbon, and at the same time, causing the attachment of the unburned carbon having the collecting agent attached thereto an air bubble to separate the unburned carbon by flotation.
US07703608B2	Packing mechanism for inkjet cartridges for use inside of a printer An inkjet cartridge packing mechanism having a cartridge storage box and a carrier fixer that uses the inside of a printer for storing an inkjet cartridge in order to save packing space of the printer. The packing mechanism further attaches the carrier of the printer to the carrier fixer and fixes a plurality of star wheels at the paper-feeding outlet by a flap connected to the carrier fixer, which can prevent movement of the carrier or dropping of the plurality of star wheels during transport. The saving of packing space by the packing mechanism can effectively reduce cost for transporting printers.
US07703598B2	Distributing device for closures A distributing device for distributing closures, supplied from a supply line with outlet, over a plurality of manufacturing lines, each manufacturing line comprising a feed-in, comprises a distributing element, which distributing element comprises at least a number of guideways conforming to the number of manufacturing lines, each guideway comprising an entrance for the positioning of the guideway relative to the outlet of the supply line, an exit for the positioning of the guideway relative to the feed-in of the particular manufacturing line, and a passage connecting the entrance to the exit, as well as a displacement mechanism for the simultaneous positioning of an entrance of a specific guideway of the distributing element in line with the outlet of the supply line and, respectively, of an exit of the specific guideway in line with the feed-in of a manufacturing line, the entrances of the guideways being disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the supply line.
US07703594B2	Escalator or moving sidewalk An escalator or moving sidewalk exhibits a frame for the formation of a supporting structure between entry and exit that is made at least partially of perforated plate, with the holes in particular being provided over a significant part of the frame height, preferably roughly one half the frame height.
US07703591B2	Dual mass clutch flywheel and clutch, and a method for manufacturing such dual mass clutch flywheel In order to realize an idling disengagement by simple structural means in a dual mass clutch flywheel, a separation is provided between the damper system and spring system of a torsional vibration damper in this dual mass clutch flywheel.
US07703589B2	Conductor rail support A conductor rail support includes a base part, which has a recess for receiving a first projection of a conductor rail. A sliding part, which has a recess for receiving a second projection of the conductor rail, can be slid onto the base part in the direction of the conductor rail. The sliding part may be arrested in directions other than in the direction of the conductor rail. In at least one embodiment, the base part includes a dovetailed projection and a guiding groove, and a dovetailed recess in the sliding part receives the dovetailed projection, and the guiding groove receives a guiding pin shaped onto the sliding part.
US07703586B2	Four-piece piston A shock absorber piston has an upper half, a lower half and a tuning disc disposed between the upper and lower halves. The design for the openings in the tuning disc can be selected to individually tune the high and low speed damping characteristics in both compression and extension movements of the shock absorber.
US07703583B2	Ventilated disc braking band for a disc brake A braking band of a disc for a disc brake of the ventilated type, unusually capable of improving the disc cooling efficiency, extends between an inner diameter close to an axis of rotation of the disc and an outer diameter away from the said axis of rotation of the disc. The braking band may have two leaves defining an intermediate space and joined by a connection. The ratio between the outer diameter of the surface and the thickness or maximum dimension of the said intermediate space between the two leaves measured in a direction parallel to the axis of the disc may be between 15 and 32.
US07703582B2	Device for adjusting a dual-servo drum brake with internal shoes A device for adjusting a dual-servo brake with internal shoes (9) being supported on a shoe-holder plate (2) so as perform floating selfreinforcing or automatic activation movements against a braking surface of a drum. The device comprises: adjustment elements (30) comprising thrust surfaces (31) cooperating with opposed counter-thrust surfaces (32) of a pyramidal end of an actuation elements (34) provided with a threaded portion (35) housed rotatably in a threaded through-hole (36) of a support element (37), the threaded through-hole being arranged substantially along an axis transverse the axis of the mutual separation or approach movement of the ends of the shoes, the support element further comprising support means (38) for housing the adjustement elements slidably so as to form, with the actuation element, a support ans thrust structure closed onto the opposed adjustment elements, the actuation element further comprising an operating extension which can be housed so as to float freely in a slot provided in the shoe-holder plate so that an activation end (41) projects from the brake.
US07703578B2	Elevator apparatus An elevator apparatus has a car suspended by a main rope through the intermediation of a shackle spring. The car is equipped with a displacement sensor for measuring the displacement amount of the main rope with respect to the car. The displacement sensor is electrically connected to an abnormality control device mounted on the car. The abnormality control device obtains the magnitude of the tension of the main rope based on information from the displacement sensor, and selectively outputs a braking command signal to one of the following devices: an operation control device, a brake device, and an emergency stop device, according to the magnitude of the tension of the main rope.
US07703572B2	Sound-attenuating earmuff having isolated double-shell structure An earmuff assembly with a double-shell structure is disclosed for use with a sound-attenuating circumaural headset. The earmuff assembly comprises a cup-shaped outer shell mounted on a resilient outer sealing ring and a cup-shaped inner shell mounted on a resilient inner sealing ring. By means of the two sealing rings the outer and the inner shells are brought into abutment with the head surface around an ear of a wearer. Both shells are structurally rigid. The sound attenuation performance is maximized by isolating the inner shell from the outer shell. The two sealing rings are interconnected through a thin skin layer of soft compliant materials, which acts as a vibration isolating/decoupling means between the outer shell and the inner shell.
US07703568B2	Coaxial motorcycle In a coaxial two-wheeled vehicle, an attitude controller (84) calculates motor torque Tgyr for maintaining a base so that it has a target angle from deviation between base angle command θref serving as attitude command and current base angle θ0 calculated by using a gyro sensor (13) and an acceleration sensor (14). On the other hand, at a position proportional controller (86R), a differentiator (88R) and a velocity proportional controller (89R), there is performed PD control with respect to deviation between rotation position command Prefr of a motor rotor (92R) for right wheel and current rotation position θr of a motor rotor (92R). A current control amplifier (91R) generates motor current on the basis of added value of motor torque which is the control result and estimated load torque T1 calculated by using pressure sensors to drive the motor rotor (92R).
US07703567B2	Mechanism for reducing and folding a person carrying vehicle and a method for operating same A person carrying vehicle includes a main frame, a seat pivoted on the main frame, a front frame, an articulate supporting member connecting the main frame and the front frame, and a telescopic steering mechanism pivoted on the front frame; by means of pivoting supporting rods of the seat downwards, folding the articulate supporting member as well as shorting and pivoting the steering mechanism, the vehicle can be reduced into a not-in-use configuration, wherein the supporting rods and a seat pad are received in a hollow holding portion of the main frame, a footrest board of the front frame hidden under the main frame, and a tube part of the steering mechanism is received in grooves on the seat; the vehicle has a lift handle at a front, and auxiliary casters at a rear, which are used for the vehicle to be moved in a sloping position on the floor.
US07703559B2	Rolling cutter A cutting element for a drill bit that includes an outer support element having at least a bottom portion and a side portion; and an inner rotatable cutting element. A portion of the inner rotatable cutting element is disposed in the outer support element, where the inner rotatable cutting element includes a substrate and a diamond cutting face having a thickness of at least 0.050 inches disposed on an upper surface of the substrate; and where a distance from an upper surface of the diamond cutting face to a bearing surface between the inner rotatable cutting element and the outer support element ranges from 0 to about 0.300 inches.
US07703557B2	Fixed cutter bit with backup cutter elements on primary blades A drill bit for drilling a borehole comprises a bit body having a bit face. In addition, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary blades. Further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to each primary blade and at least one backup cutter element mounted to each primary blade. Still further, the drill bit comprises a plurality of secondary blades. Moreover, the drill bit comprises a plurality of primary cutter elements mounted to each secondary blade. The ratio of the total number of backup cutter elements mounted to the plurality of primary blades to the total number of backup cutter elements mounted to the plurality of secondary blades is greater than 2.0. Each backup cutter element on each primary blade has substantially the same radial position as one of the primary cutter elements on the same primary blade.
US07703556B2	Methods of attaching a shank to a body of an earth-boring tool including a load-bearing joint and tools formed by such methods Earth-boring rotary drill bits including a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. In some embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. In additional embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. Additional embodiments include configuring a joint to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.
US07703555B2	Drilling tools having hardfacing with nickel-based matrix materials and hard particles An abrasive wear-resistant material includes a matrix and sintered and cast tungsten carbide granules. A device for use in drilling subterranean formations includes a first structure secured to a second structure with a bonding material. An abrasive wear-resistant material covers the bonding material. The first structure may include a drill bit body and the second structure may include a cutting element. A method for applying an abrasive wear-resistant material to a drill bit includes providing a bit, mixing sintered and cast tungsten carbide granules in a matrix material to provide a pre-application material, heating the pre-application material to melt the matrix material, applying the pre-application material to the bit, and solidifying the material. A method for securing a cutting element to a bit body includes providing an abrasive wear-resistant material to a surface of a drill bit that covers a brazing alloy disposed between the cutting element and the bit body.
US07703551B2	Fluid driven drilling motor and system A fluid driven drilling motor and system includes a flex shaft between the rotor and a cylindrical flow collar. The end of the flow collar opposite from the flex shaft has a bore in fluid communication with a drill bit. Ramped apertures are formed in the side wall of the flow collar. The ramped apertures are in fluid communication with the bore. Drilling fluid flowing under pressure down past the flex shaft is directed and drawn into the ramped apertures along a fluid flow path which spirals downwardly and radially inwardly of the flow collar so as to then flow into the bore. The pressure loss associated with drawing the drilling fluid down to the drill bit is thereby minimized.
US07703546B2	Pulse tool and associated front plate A pulse tool, in particular a pulse nutsetter, has a drive unit and a pulse unit driven by it. The pulse unit has at least one rotor with at least two vanes, a hydraulic cylinder surrounding it and a drive spindle protruding at one end out of the hydraulic cylinder through a front plate. The front plate is arranged between the rotor and a front cover, the cover being formed with a hydraulic fluid filling device. In order to improve a pulse tool of this nature, in that deviations from the desired pulse frequencies can be compensated in a simple manner and in particular already during the assembly of the pulse tool, the front plate has at least one bypass opening connecting the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers which are separated by the vanes. The pulse tool may also include an appropriate front plate.
US07703544B2	Method for shaping a leather Method for setting a leather skin (12) having an outer surface designed to be visible, includes a step of applying a rigidity increasing treatment, a step of setting the skin using a mould cooperating with the outer surface of the skin (12), one at least of the two steps being executed only locally at an elongated part (B) spaced apart from the edge of the skin (12) and substantially parallel to the edge, and a step for facilitating the maintenance of the shape by locally applying a shape maintaining material to the inner surface of the skin (12), in particular a thermoplastic resin (24). The invention is useful for making automotive interior trim.
US07703539B2	Expandable downhole tools and methods of using and manufacturing same An expandable downhole tool is disclosed that employs naturally occurring organic matter as the expandable material. The expandable material is located within an enclosure formed in part by an impermeable element, which may form a hydraulic seal, and a permeable membrane that permits fluids present in the wellbore to pass and interact with the organic matter. The heat and fluids present within the wellbore may cause the expandable matter to swell, and thus causing the enclosure to swell and possibly form a hydraulic seal against a wellbore or inner annulus. The expandable tool may be used as packer, plug, or other downhole tool, among others. Methods of manufacturing and using such tools are also disclosed.
US07703536B2	Gas assisted lift system A gas lift system for use in marginal well and small diameter production tubing is disclosed. The system uses compressed natural (produced) gas to lift formation fluids thereby enhancing produced gas. Incorporated in the system is a plurality of differential pressure control valves which provide the required lift capability for a standard jet pump, located at the bottom of the wellbore, to continue to lift produced fluids. The methods of use are described.
US07703530B2	Scale inhibitors compatible with sandstone acidizing Methods are given for making scale inhibitors, that were previously incompatible with fluids containing fluoride ion, compatible with fluids containing fluoride ion. Examples of such scale inhibitors include phosphonates and phosphino-polycarboxylates. The method is replacing alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cations, present in salts or bases, or as counter ions of the scale inhibitors, with hydrogen or ammonium ions. Methods of inhibiting scale formation and of dissolving scales are also given.
US07703518B2	Dust control system for transferring dry material used in subterranean wells A portable well treating fluid mixing system includes: a supply tank having an inlet receiving pneumatically conveyed dry treating material; a cyclone separator having an inlet coupled to the supply tank and receiving dust laden air from the supply tank, and having a first outlet venting clean air and having a second outlet venting solids; a collection container having a first inlet coupled to the cyclone separator second outlet and receiving solids from the cyclone separator and having an outlet; and, a pump having an inlet coupled to the collection container outlet and a pump outlet coupled to the supply tank. In operation, the system continuously conveys dust from the collection container back into the supply tank to maintain the separator in proper operating condition and minimizes venting of dust during the transfer of material to the supply tank.
US07703516B2	Stimulating oilfields using different scale-inhibitors Oilfields are stimulated by injecting an inflow stream of a fluid into an oil producing well linked to the oilfield, displacing the oil and recovering an outflow stream of fluid comprising the oil, wherein at least two streams are injected into at least two production zones of an oil well or are injected into at least two different oil producing wells from which at least two outflow streams from the two zones or wells are combined before recovering, with a scale inhibitor having detectable moieties being introduced into the oilfield(s) and/or into the fluid, and wherein two different scale inhibitors are used, dedicated to the two zones or wells, said different scale inhibitors having different detectable moieties that can be distinguished by analysis.
US07703515B2	Methods and apparatus for communicating across casing A system for passing an electromagnetic signal through a casing comprises a tool body that can be positioned inside the casing; means for magnetically saturating the casing in the vicinity of the tool; a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the tool antenna to the outside of the casing for reception at one or more sensors equipped with an antenna and electronic circuits located outside the casing; and a detector for detecting an electromagnetic signal at the tool from the sensor located outside the casing.
US07703511B2	Pressure barrier apparatus A pressure barrier apparatus 2 for providing a removable pressure barrier in a borehole is described. The apparatus comprises a housing 6, 8 defining a central bore 10 having a first part 20 and a second part 22 separated by an erodeable pressure barrier member 18. The housing also defines a second fluid flow passage 12 for connecting the first part to the second part, and a plurality of conduits 24 for directing fluid onto the barrier member. A sleeve 30 has a first condition in which fluid communication between the first part 20 and the second fluid flow passage 12 is prevented, and a second condition in which fluid is permitted to flow from the first part to the second fluid flow passage to cause erosion of the barrier member.
US07703509B2	Gas anchor and solids separator assembly for use with sucker rod pump There is provided a gas anchor for use in admitting fluids into a downhole sucker rod oil pump. The gas anchor includes an outer shell positioned around a hollow core, which defines an interior region and an exterior region of the gas anchor. The gas anchor further includes an upper region and a lower region. The hollow core and outer shell have a plurality of holes passing through the hollow core and outer shell, and the holes provide fluid communication from the exterior region to the interior region of the anchor. The hollow core and outer shell further define at least one channel which is in fluid communication from the upper region to the lower region. Additionally, the plurality of holes are formed so as to induce a cyclonic rotation on fluids passing into the interior region of the gas anchor.
US07703508B2	Wellbore filter for submersible motor-driver pump A technique utilizes a well filter with a submersible motor-driven pump. The system comprises an elongated filter housing in which a cylindrical filtering element is installed. A fixture is provided for fastening the elongated filter housing to the pump. The filter housing also comprises at least one fluid intake port positioned to allow entry of fluid into the elongated filter housing. A deformable sealing element is installed along an outer surface of the elongated housing and serves to direct fluid flow.
US07703507B2	Downhole tool delivery system An apparatus for use in deployment of downhole tools is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus includes at least an in-ground well casing, a housing providing a hermetically sealed electronics compartment, a tool attachment portion, and a first flow through core. The housing is preferably configured for sliding communication with the well casing. The hermetically sealed electronics compartment secures a processor and a location sensing system, which communicates with the processor while interacting exclusively with features of the well casing to determine the location of the housing within the well casing. A preferred embodiment further includes a well plug affixed to the tool attachment portion, the well plug includes a second flow through core capped with a core plug with a core plug release mechanism, which upon activation provides separation between the second flow through core and the core plug, allowing material to flow through said first and second flow through cores.
US07703506B2	Exhaust heat exchanger An exhaust heat exchanger for an exhaust gas recirculation system, including a first flow path for the intake air for an internal combustion engine, a second flow path for the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, and a housing enclosing the first and second flow paths. The first and second flow paths are each divided into a plurality of flow channels in heat-conducting, metallically connected contact with each other, and the flow channels include elements promoting heat exchange between the flow channels.
US07703501B2	Device for automatically moving a curtain along a curtain rail A device for automatically moving a curtain along a curtain rail, which device comprises driving means movable along the curtain rail, the curtain being adapted to be coupled to the driving means by way of coupling means, wherein the driving means comprise a toothed belt (2). Preferably, the rail (1) is provided with two toothed belt guide channels (1a, 1b) extending in longitudinal direction of the rail, for the purpose of guiding the toothed belt (2) along the rail (1), the device being provided, adjacent at least a first end of the rail (1), with reversing means (3) for reversing a part of the toothed belt (2) extending out of the one guide channel (1a; 1b) and guiding it to the other guide channel (1b; 1a).
US07703495B2	Compact fiber placement apparatus and method of making and using same A compact fiber placement apparatus includes a fiber placement head, an articulated wrist apparatus, and a wrist mounting adapter for connecting the compact fiber placement apparatus to a fiber placement machine. The components of the compact fiber placement apparatus are operatively connected to one another by a wrist rotation torque motor, a head rotation torque motor, and a wrist pivot torque motor, to provide pivoting and rotating motion. A redirect arrangement includes a pivot redirect element driven by the wrist rotation torque motor at one half of the rotational speed at which a first and second wrist element of the articulated wrist apparatus pivot with respect to one another.
US07703490B2	Tire tread with elements in relief having incisions and holes The tread of a tire designed particularly to run on snowy, icy or wet surfaces. The tread comprises elements in relief (e.g., blocks or ribs), each having a running face and lateral faces. At least one element in relief is provided with an incision defined along a mean plane. The tread comprises at least two holes passing through the element in relief substantially parallel to the mean plane of the incision. Each hole opens onto two lateral faces of the element in relief, and the holes are situated on one and the same side of the mean plane of the incision in spaced relationship to the incision.
US07703486B2	Method and apparatus for the handling of a radiopharmaceutical fluid An apparatus for the handling of hazardous fluids includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel connector, a dose control connector, a unit dose container, a delivery control connector, and a delivery site access device. The collection vessel contains the fluid prior to dispensing, the unit dose container contains a predetermined amount of the fluid for dispensing, the delivery site access device provides access to an intended delivery site, and the connector attaches pieces of the apparatus to one another. The method of the invention allows needle-free connections to be made for the apparatus, using a predetermined arrangement of the pieces of the apparatus, and in one embodiment, employs deformable elastomeric valves capable of creating a decreased pressure at a valve surface, so that upon closure of said valves, a fluid on the surface on the valves is withdrawn within the connector.
US07703485B2	Self-sealing apparatus for chemical reaction vessel According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for self-sealing of a reaction vessel, such that the reaction vessel may be repeatedly accessed by a fluid transfer mechanism and subsequently self-sealed, is detailed. The reaction vessel has an access opening, and the apparatus comprises a cap, a ball which is comprised of a magnetizable material (such as a ferrous metal), and a ring magnet. The cap is sized to fit over the reaction vessel access opening, and has an access port. The cap has an internal surface which faces the reaction vessel, and an external surface, which faces away from the reaction vessel. The ball is sized to fit over the cap access port, such that a portion of the ball seats partially in the cap access port on the cap internal surface, thus sealing the cap access port. According to an aspect of the invention, the ball may be comprised of a ferromagnetic material, or a magnetizable material that is preferably magnetized. The ring magnet produces a magnetic field, and is mounted to the cap on the cap external surface. The ring magnet is spaced from the cap such that the magnetic field is sufficient to hold the ball in the cap access port, and to reseat the ball in the cap access port after the reaction vessel is accessed.
US07703484B2	Method and device for filling a container with a predetermined quantity of fluid, filling machine A device includes a nozzle (14) for delivering a fluid flow into a container (12), a valve (16) having a movable valve member (27) for controlling the fluid flow, a member (54) for sending a position control signal to the movable valve member (27), such that the movable valve member (28) is expected to follow an expected displacement vs. time curve which adjusts the quantity of fluid delivered into the container (12) to the predetermined quantity. The device further includes a sensing element (56) for sensing a point of the actual displacement vs. time curve followed by the movable valve member (27) in response to the position control signal, and a comparing element (58) for comparing the sensed point to the corresponding point of the expected displacement vs. time curve.
US07703481B2	Paper machine fabric A paper machine fabric having at least two separate layers made of at least four warp yarn systems woven in different manners and a weft yarn system woven in at least two different manners. The layers are bound together by a binder warp system, whereby the binder warp is arranged to complement the surface of the paper side and to be interwoven with the layer of the machine side by being interwoven under at least one weft yarn of the machine side. The warp yarns of one warp yarn system, i.e. wandering warps, are arranged to complement a warp path formed by the binder warps so that it is continuous at those points on the machine side where the binder warps constitute a part of the paper side structure.
US07703479B2	Plasma actuator An actuator including a first and second conductor on a dielectric, wherein application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma, thereby modifying a fluid flow in communication with the actuator. Related systems and methods are also provided.
US07703474B2	Gate valve sealing structure An improved liquid infiltration adapting structure for preventing liquid infiltration around a gate valve box. The structure has an annular tube structure that is tapered to more easily receive a mating pipe. The tube structure may also comprise at least one bead for further securing the mating pipe. The adapting structure is also improved by providing a stepped inner flange for ease of installing the structure around the gate valve box.
US07703472B2	Module isolation devices A gas flow isolation device includes a gas flow isolation valve movable from an opened condition to a closed condition. The module isolation valve in one embodiment includes a rupture disk in flow communication with a flow of gas when the module isolation valve is in an opened condition. The rupture disk ruptures when a predetermined pressure differential occurs across it causing the isolation valve to close. In one embodiment the valve is mechanically linked to the rupture disk to maintain the valve in an opened condition when the rupture disk is intact, and which permits the valve to move into a closed condition when the rupture disk ruptures. In another embodiment a crushable member maintains the valve in an open condition, and the flow of gas passed the valve upon rupturing of the rupture disk compresses the crushable member to close the isolation valve.
US07703471B2	Single-action discharge valve A single-action discharge valve for discharging a vessel's contents. The valve has a valve body with a passage therethrough through which the contents are discharged, a frangible seal held within the valve body and sealing the passage while the seal is intact, and a solenoid including an armature moveable from a first to a second position. As the armature moves, pins or teeth impact and break the frangible seal. Magnets hold the armature in the first position until the solenoid is actuated. The armature is substantially exterior of the passage so that discharge is unimpeded. In one embodiment, the pins reciprocate radially when cammed by the armature and impact the sidewall of a frangible dome seal. In other embodiments, teeth on the armature, or pins in the armature's path, reciprocate parallel to the armature's movement and impact a frangible disk.
US07703470B2	Safety switch of gas stove A safety switch of a gas stove includes a main member including a cone valve chamber, a first chamber, a second chamber, an input tunnel, a first output tunnel and a second output tunnel connected to the second chamber and outside. A close member, an electromagnetic valve and a first temperature controller are mounted in the valve chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber respectively. A second temperature controller and a knob set are mounted on the main member. The knob set is connected to the close member, the first temperature controller and the electromagnetic valve to turn the close member and activate the first temperature controller and the electromagnetic valve for control of gas flowing into the input tunnel or flowing out of the first and second output tunnels. The present invention provides the functions of sequent ignition, shut the gas when flame is out, and temperature control.
US07703464B2	Quick connector for shade structure A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof.
US07703462B2	Reduction of entrance and exit marks left by a substrate-processing meniscus A proximity head for generating and maintaining a meniscus for processing a substrate is described. The proximity head includes a plurality of meniscus nozzles formed on a face of the proximity head, the nozzles being configured to supply liquid to the meniscus, a plurality of vacuum ports formed on the face of the proximity head, the vacuum ports being arranged to completely surround the plurality of meniscus nozzles, and a plurality of gas nozzles formed on the face of the proximity head, the gas nozzles at least partially surrounding the vacuum ports. The proximity head further includes means for reducing a size and frequency of entrance and/or exit marks at a leading edge and a trailing edge on the substrate by aiding and encouraging liquid from the meniscus to evacuate a gap between the substrate and the carrier.
US07703460B2	Tongue implant An airway condition of a patient's is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a tongue of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the tongue near a base of the tongue to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the tongue. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the tongue with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the tongue near the base and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a jaw bone of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the jaw bone.
US07703458B2	Methods and devices for non-ablative laser treatment of dermatologic conditions The invention comprises a system and method for non-ablative laser treatment of dermatologic conditions. A laser energy is transmitted to an underlying target element in the skin. The target element is heated to a temperature of at least forty degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, a pulsed, near infrared, high peak power laser energy is used. The systems and methods of the present invention may be used to treat acne, smooth wrinkles, remove hair, treat leg veins, treat facial veins, improve skin texture, decrease pore sizes, reduce rosacea, reduce “blush/diffuse redness, reduce striae, reduce scarring, or the like.
US07703455B2	Apparatus and method for supplying respiratory gas to a patient in which respiratory gas components are metered with great accuracy An apparatus for supplying respiratory gas to a patient in which respiratory gas components are metered with great accuracy and sources of error are detected early. The apparatus has metering devices for respiratory gas components which are connected, on the leading side of a mixing chamber volume, to a ring line; a first respiratory gas analyzer on the trailing side of the mixing chamber volume; a second respiratory gas analyzer at a patient connection; a regulating device for the respiratory gas components which controls the delivery of respiratory gas components, as a function of the concentration measured with the second respiratory gas analyzer, in such a way that the difference between a predetermined concentration and a measured concentration at the patient connection is minimized; and means for performing a plausibility comparison between the measured values of the first respiratory gas analyzer and the second respiratory gas analyzer.
US07703448B2	Mortar launching toy A mortar launching toy has an angularly adjustable firing barrel and a soft rocket-shaped toy mortar for being launched from the barrel in various modes of play. The toy includes a spring-activated launching pole to which the mortar is pre-loaded, the mortar/pole subassembly is loaded into the barrel to prepare for launching. A locking feature retains the subassembly in the barrel prior to launching. A trigger mechanism cooperates with a symmetrical dual-finger release mechanism to release the mortar during launching. The locking feature retains the launching pole in the barrel during launching.
US07703437B2	Electronic control device for controlling the internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle An electronic control device according to the invention is disclosed for controlling the internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, for fault recognition with an irregular running determination unit and with an injection quantity correction unit, a defined group of cylinders being associated with a lambda probe, the injection quantity of a cylinder to be investigated of the defined group is adjusted in the direction of lean by a differential adjustment value associated with an irregular running differential value, and the injection value of at least one of the remaining cylinders, which are associated with the same lambda probe, is correspondingly adjusted in the direction of rich, so that in total a predetermined lambda value of this group of at least approximately 1 is reached. Homogeneous operation is thus ensured. The differential adjustment values may, for example, relate to the injection quantity itself, the injector stroke or the injection time. In this manner, a differential adjustment value individual to the cylinder is adjusted for each cylinder of the defined group. Correction values individual to the cylinder are then determined in that the differential adjustment values individual to the cylinder are related to one another.
US07703433B2	Rotary internal combustion engine and rotary compressor The rotary internal combustion engine is a rotary internal combustion engine that uses the unique combination of multiple rotors on a vertical axis with piston vanes, which are intersected by horizontally oriented valve rings so that rotating rotors intersect gaps on the rotating valve rings, thus creating the intake compression and power and exhaust cycles on this internal combustion engine. The unique design allows the motor to operation as either a motor or pump. High volume of compressed air virtually eliminates the need for a storage tank. These engines are an elegant solution that fulfills the century long quest for quiet, clean, highly efficient rotary power. When available, the demand for the benefits of rotary piston power in air, surface, and marine applications, will be immediate and rewarding.
US07703428B2	Spark plug and internal combustion engine in which the spark plug is disposed To provide a spark plug with improved heat resistance and an internal combustion engine in which that spark plug is mounted where there is good conduction of the heat near the opening on the combustion chamber side of the mounting hole for the spark plug provided in the engine and the effects of thermal stress occurring near that opening are mitigated. A cylindrical part without threads formed thereon is provided on the leading end side of a metal housing of a spark plug and the thermal stress applied to a mounting hole is mitigated by avoiding close contact with the mounting hole of an engine head. Furthermore, the spark plug has a mounting structure in which the leading end surface of the cylindrical part is disposed 1.55 mm or more to the base end side in a mounting hole in the direction of the axial line O with respect to the wall surface inside the combustion chamber. By this means, the metal housing does not easily take up the heat that accompanies combustion of the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber at the cylindrical, part so there may be good heat conduction.
US07703426B2	Hydraulic camshaft adjuster A camshaft adjuster for an internal combustion engine with a locking element is provided. For adjusting the camshaft adjuster (1) in the direction of a locking position, for example, when the internal combustion engine is switched off or when the hydraulic pressure drops, a mechanical spring element (23) is located between the rotor (5) and stator (3). The mechanical spring element (23) is arranged in a pressure chamber (12; 13). In this way, the installation space already existing for the pressure chambers (12; 13) can have a multifunctional use.
US07703424B2	Variable valve actuation system of internal combustion engine In a variable valve actuation system of an internal combustion engine employing a variable valve actuator capable of variably adjusting at least intake valve closure timing depending on engine operating conditions, a processor of a control unit is programmed to phase-advance the intake valve closure timing to a predetermined timing value after a piston top dead center position and before a piston bottom dead center position on intake stroke during at least one of an engine starting period and an engine stopping period. The variable valve actuator includes a biasing device by which the intake valve closure timing is permanently biased toward the predetermined timing value.
US07703422B2	Internal combustion engine The proposed internal combustion engine may be characterized by two mobile opposite cylinders rigidly attached to each other. Said cylinders move simultaneously in the same direction. The motions of said cylinders are transferred via a connecting rod and hinges to the rotational movements of the crankshaft. Inside the opposite cylinders are two mobile opposite pistons rigidly attached to each other and rigidly secured to the housing of the engine. There are two working cavities of variable volume between the corresponding opposite pistons and the opposite cylinders. The intake and exhaust valves with intake and exhaust manifolds, injectors with fuel pipes, spark plugs with high voltage wires, are placed on the said pistons. The compressor is rigidly connected to the engine housing and supplies air under high pressure to the working cavities of the engine through the air intake manifold. During the operation of the engine, the intake and exhaust valves participate in providing the compression stroke and power stroke, when both valves are closed. When both valves are open (during the intake and exhaust strokes) the blowing of air under high pressure from the compressor takes place, in order to cool the working cavity of the engine. During the period of time between the closing of the exhaust valve at the end of the intake stroke and the closing of the intake valve at the beginning of the compression stroke, compressor supercharging of the working cavity of the engine takes place.
US07703418B2	Animal training device An animal training device for use with a head collar, a neck collar and a leash simultaneously includes: an elastic body removably coupled between the neck collar and the leash, the elastic body lengthening in response a separating force between the neck collar and the leash and an inelastic line removably coupled between a snout portion of the head collar and the leash, the inelastic line having a fixed length. When the animal pulls against the leash, the inelastic line exerts a force on the snout portion of the head collar.
US07703417B2	Baby walker/walking safety belt apparatus A portable device to help adults hold and support their infants is a semi-circular belt-shaped fabric product that is preferably well-padded with soft durable materials. It comprises a center portion connecting with a pair of arm-extended elements, a pair of shoulder straps, a body strap, a pair of hand-holders and a pair of locking strap systems. It is primarily used for training and assisting infants to walk during the early development stages and beyond. It also functions to minimize back strain on the child caregiver by eliminating back bending when holding a child who is a significantly different height. The design provides this device with the advantages of long-term usage and multiple functions, such as securing an infant onto a chair.
US07703416B2	Pet enclosure A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.
US07703413B2	Expanded thermal plasma apparatus Disclosed herein is an assembly for plasma generation comprising a cathode plate comprising a fixed cathode tip, the cathode tip being integral part of the cathode plate. The assembly further comprises at least one cascade plate, at least one separator plate disposed between the cathode plate and the cascade plate, an anode plate, and an inlet for a gas. The cathode plate, separator plate, cascade plate and anode plate are “electrically isolated” from one another, and the electrically isolated cathode plate, separator plate, and cascade plate define a plasma generation chamber. The cathode tip is disposed within the plasma generation chamber.
US07703412B2	Liquid discharging apparatus, method of cleaning head, electro-optical device, method of manufacturing electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus A liquid discharging apparatus that discharges liquid droplets onto a work includes a head that is supplied with discharging liquid to discharge the liquid droplets; a liquid cleaning unit that contains cleaning liquid to be mixed with the discharging liquid adhered to a nozzle surface of the head; and a transport unit that moves the nozzle surface of the head relative to the liquid cleaning unit to remove, from the nozzle surface, the discharging liquid adhered to the nozzle surface.
US07703408B2	High speed hydro-ski structure A ski structure for use with a boat hull to support the hull above the water when the boat is underway, the ski structure comprising an air tight housing in the form of an inverted U-shaped shell and a floor which forms a main ski surface and which extends between opposite sides of the U-shaped shell. The ski structure also includes a pair of assist skies or glides positioned lower than the main ski surface which extend substantially the length of the shell and which are adapted to plane on the surface of the water.
US07703407B2	Stable maritime platform Systems and methods for a stable maritime helicopter platform are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ship that may be converted into a spar buoy includes a flipping mechanism to convert the ship to the spar buoy, a takeoff and landing platform for helicopters and other VTOL vehicles, and an actuation and balance system to deploy the platform.
US07703405B2	Method of producing a fire resistant fabric with stitchbonding A washable fire-resistant fabric and a method for making a washable fire-resistant fabric comprises a lightweight pliant non-woven batt blended from two types of fire-resistant organic fibers which are non-irritating to human skin. A method for stitch bonding a pliant batt of intertwined fire-resistant fibers to form a fabric which is durable and resistant to unraveling is also provided. The fabric has fire-resistant properties wherein the fabric prevents the ignition of articles made therefrom when exposed to high heat or flame sources and further insulates a wearer of the clothing from high heat or flame sources to prevent serious burns.
US07703402B2	Table with pivotally attached leg assemblies A table may include a table top with first and second sections that are connected by a hinge to allow the section to move between a folded position and an unfolded position. The table may also include legs that are movable between a use position and a storage position relative to the table top. The hinge may facilitate folding of the table top when the legs are in the storage position. On the other hand, the hinge may resist folding of the table top when the legs are in the extended position. In addition, the table may include components that expand and/or contract in different fashions in response to changes in temperature. For example, the table top and the frame may be constructed from different materials with different coefficients of expansion in response to temperature changes. The table is preferably sized and configured to accommodate these differences in expansion and contraction.
US07703401B2	Portable locking support structure A portable support structure including a platform member having a primary platform connector and a secondary platform connector. The primary platform connector is configured to receive a primary support connector. The secondary platform connector is configured to receive a secondary support connector. The support structure also includes a primary support member including the primary support connector and a hook member. In addition, the support structure includes a secondary support member having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably engaged with the secondary platform connector and the second end is in locking engagement with the hook member. The primary support connector includes structures that engage the primary platform connector and rotationally position the primary support member. The hook member includes a hook portion that engages and prevents the secondary support member disengaging upon a rotation of the secondary support member.
US07703397B2	Rail road hopper car fittings and method of operation A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members come together to a closed condition or position for retaining lading. When apart, in an open position or condition, lading may be discharged. A seal member or seal member assembly is mounted to one or both of the closure members. When open, the seal member or seal member assembly lies substantially flush with, or shy of, the slope of the surface of the closure member. When closed, the seal member may be self-energizing, in the sense that as lading is added the seal may tend to seal more tightly. The seal assembly may include a cantilevered spring that presents a land to the opposed closure member, and a fulcrum, over, or across, which the spring is cantilevered, such that pushing down on one end of the spring may tend to cause the other end to flex upward. The fulcrum may also be cantilevered outward from the slope sheet of the closure member to which the seal assembly is attached. The discharge section may be robustly reinforced to discourage deformation.
US07703396B2	Carriage system In a curve section, a comb tooth mark 28 is provided concentrically with a center line 44 of a running rail 4. A comb tooth sensor 34 on an overhead running vehicle 2 reads comb teeth 40. Then, corrections are made using the ratio of the radius of curvature (R) of the center line 44 and the radius of curvature (r) of the comb tooth mark 28. An encoder interpolates the areas between the teeth 40. Then, the position of the overhead running vehicle 2 in the curve section is determined. The present invention thus enables the exact position of the overhead running vehicle 2 to be recognized even when the overhead running vehicle 2 is located in a curve section. This makes it possible to provide a load port in a curve section.
US07703395B2	Inflator having an ignition nozzle An inflator (10) includes a container (12) having a chamber (120). An exit opening (48) is provided in the container (12) and is connected to the chamber (120). A substance (122, 180) is stored in the chamber (120) and is responsive to heat for providing inflation fluid. An igniter (130) is associated with the container (12) and is actuatable to provide combustion products for heating the substance (122, 180). A nozzle (80) is interposed between the igniter (130) and the chamber (120). A passage (90) extends from the igniter (130) and through the nozzle (80). The passage (90) includes a divergent portion (110) for focusing a flow of combustion products from the igniter (130) into the chamber (120).
US07703388B2	Fryer A fryer for business use is provided which can prevent degradation of cooking oil, secure a good cooking environment and improve a work efficiency. To this end, the fryer of this invention comprises: a water tank 32, 82 to store water; an oil tank 9, 51 arranged above the water tank to store the cooking oil in contact with the stored water in the water tank; a heater 13, 52 arranged in an oil layer in the oil tank; and an oil delivery pipe 10, 61 through which to draw the cooking oil in the oil layer by a pump 29, 64 and release it onto a bottom of the water tank 32, 82; wherein the released cooking oil rises through the water layer and flows into a lower part of the oil layer.
US07703385B2	Optimized decompression pressure cooking appliance A pressure cooking appliance arranged to form a cooking chamber and comprising an adjustment device (7) of the pressure inside the chamber, which comprises a steam leakage pipe, said pipe defining a steam inlet section (8) and a flow section (9), wherein the adjustment device (7) comprises setting means (11) of the inlet section (8) and flow section (9), which is mobile between an open position, wherein it sets the inlet section (8) and flow section (9) so as to prevent the pressure applied inside the chamber from rising above a safety pressure and a decompression position, wherein it sets the inlet section (8) and flow section (9) to enable the decompression of the chamber to the safety pressure, without food projection.
US07703381B2	Beverage extraction assembly for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained in a cartridge A beverage extraction assembly for application to beverage extraction machines for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained in a cartridge, comprising: a support connectable to a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine; a cartridge holder removably mounted on the support for holding a cartridge containing a particulate substance, the cartridge comprising at least a first cartridge port protruding outwardly from its upper surface for receiving water under pressure; the support comprising a water inlet port connectable to the water outlet, for delivering the water to the first cartridge port, the cartridge holder comprising a bottom aperture for providing an escape for the extracted beverage; the water inlet port of the support comprising means for providing a radial fluid-tight seal between the water inlet port and the first cartridge port.
US07703380B2	Cap extraction device The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap (16) comprising a first part (2), a second part (3) which is movable with respect to the second part (2) which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part comprising the cap guiding elements (6, 7) which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert the cap by gravity force and position it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system (19) in which the second movable part (3) displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.
US07703374B1	Machine gun top cover and safing blade assembly A top cover and safing blade assembly replaces the prior art top cover and safing sector in 7.62 miniguns. The top cover and aft camming portion of a longitudinal helical track are combined in a single unit, thus permitting the forward camming portion of the helical track, incorporated in the safing blade, to be removed separately. Safing the gun by opening the safing blade and rearming it by closing the safing blade can be accomplished in far less time than is required in prior art safing systems. Live cartridges can be quickly cleared from the minigun by electrically rotating the barrels after the safing blade has been locked in its open position.
US07703373B2	Unitary electro magnetic coil launch tube An electromagnetic missile launcher is disclosed that provides greater flexibility for use with a variety of missile types and also provides potentially higher performance and efficiency as compared to prior-art electromagnetic missile launchers.
US07703372B1	Climbing rope A rope is disclosed that is firm for climbing purposes and in which the end of the rope can be spliced. The rope includes a core of a plurality of strands; a first braided tubular sheath disposed about the core; and a second braided tubular sheath disposed about the first braided tubular sheath. The plurality of strands fill at least a length of a center void formed in the first braided tubular sheath. The plurality of core strands are formed in an un-braided manner in at least one of twisted and non-twisted strands. At the splice the splice tucks fill the center void while the core strands fill only center void outside of the splice.
US07703370B2	Apparatus and method for inhibiting inadvertent initiation of a munition A device for inhibiting inadvertent initiation of a munition includes a sorbing refrigeration device adapted to at least partially surround an energetic material of the munition. A container includes an energetic material and a sorbing refrigeration device at least partially surrounding the energetic material. A method for inhibiting an inadvertent initiation of a munition includes cooling an energetic material of the munition by sorption refrigeration.
US07703369B1	Combination bullet seating and factory crimp die A combination bullet seating and factory crimp die includes a collet closing die, a crimping collet, a die cap, a seating lock, a bullet depth adjustment screw and a trigger. The crimping collet is inserted into the collet closing die. The trigger is placed in the collet closing die. The bullet depth adjustment screw is threaded into the seating lock. The seating lock is inserted into the die cap. The seating lock includes a sear groove for receiving a C-ring sear. The collet closing die is threaded into the die cap. A bullet seater is retained in the seating lock. In use, a bullet on a mouth of a cartridge case is pushed into the crimping collet. The bullet seater seats the bullet. The trigger pushes the C-ring sear into the sear groove, which allows the mouth of the cartridge to be crimped without moving the bullet.
US07703367B1	Vegetable cutting device for producing interlocking shaped consumable vegetable objects A vegetable cutting device producing shaped vegetable products which can be attached and assembled to form shaped objects allows adults or children to assemble the various shaped vegetable products to promote an interest in a child consuming fresh raw vegetables in the form of edible toys. The counter or table top cutting device provides a cutting base, and a spring activated safety push plate and a plurality of interchangeable cutting surfaces and pressing templates to cut the vegetables into the several shapes, primarily carrots, celery, radishes, potatoes, broccoli, or other raw nutritional solid fruits or vegetables.
US07703363B2	Apparatus for generating and manipulating a high-pressure fluid jet An apparatus for generating and manipulating a high-pressure fluid jet includes an assembly coupled to a motion assembly that imparts motion to the assembly along one or more axes. The motion assembly includes two motors coupled together to form a gimbal wrist, each motor having an axis of rotation. The two axes of rotation of the two motors can be perpendicular to each other, but are not necessarily aligned with the manipulator's axes of motion. The high-pressure fluid assembly incorporates a swivel that can rotate about two axes which may be parallel to the two motors' axes of rotation, allowing the high-pressure tubing contained therein to follow the motion imparted by the gimbal wrist of the motion assembly.
US07703357B1	Rotatable handle arrangement for a torque-adjustable wrench A rotatable handle arrangement for a torque-adjustable wrench including a hollow sleeve fixed at a distal end of the moment arm by a fixing element. An internal toothed portion is formed in a stepped hole of the hollow sleeve and positioned adjacent to one side of the in-place-rotatable handle. In the normal state, the internal toothed portion is engaged with an external toothed portion of the in-place-rotatable handle by means of an elastic element. The torque-adjustable rod of a torque adjusting mechanism is driven by the in-place-rotatable handle for adjusting the torque value when the in-place-rotatable handle is pushed in the direction of the hollow sleeve so as to disengage the internal and external toothed portions from each other. In this way, an expected adjustment is achieved. After the adjustment, the external force is released and the internal and external toothed portions are automatically restored in an engaged and locked position (of the normal state) by means of the self-resilience of the elastic element.
US07703351B2	Gas pedal An accelerator pedal (100) includes a stopper member (30) fixed to the floor of the driver's seat, a pad member (20) fastened to the stopper member (30) and operated by the driver's depression force, an arm (4) engaged with the pad member (20) to transmit the depression force, and a bracket (5) engaged with the arm (4) to support the arm (4), wherein the stopper member (30) is provided with a pad fitting section (17) for fastening the pad member (20), and the pad member (20) is integrally molded by a single resin material.
US07703350B2	Bicycle control device A bicycle control device is provided with a lever bracket and an electrical unit. The lever bracket is movably supporting the control lever. The electrical unit is coupled to the lever bracket. The lever bracket includes a bracket body and a bracket lid. The bracket body has a rearwardly located bicycle mounting portion, a control lever mounting portion and a forwardly located unit mounting portion containing the electrical unit. The bracket lid is releasably coupled to a forwardly face of the unit mounting portion of the bracket body to at least partially enclose the electrical unit in the unit mounting portion of the bracket body.
US07703349B2	Cable laying structure for robot A cable laying structure for a robot, which does not interfere with external devices in a periphery of a forearm. Camera and hand control cables and motor control cables are drawn into a robot mechanism through a connection panel of a base of a robot main body. While allowing the motor control cables to sequentially diverge, the control cables are arranged in a robot arm along an upper arm portion and guided to the forearm. The control cables are introduced into the forearm with a shield and a sheath removed. After reaching an end effector-mounting face, the control cables are connected to a camera and a hand. The forearm is formed of conductive material and grounded on the base of the robot main body to have the same electric potential as the base by using an earth cable, and therefore the forearm is utilized in replacement of the shield.
US07703345B2	System for monitoring dismantling process of scrapped vehicle A system for monitoring a dismantling process of scrapped vehicle includes an input means for inputting vehicle information, a weighing means for measuring a weight of dismantled parts collected in each process and a weight of collected liquid materials, and a detecting means for detecting a work start point and end point. The information measured by the means are input to a central computer so that the central computer collects vehicle information, time information for each process, weight information of collected parts and liquid materials, and thereby monitors the entire dismantling processes in real-time and the information, such as, a kind of vehicle, a working time for each process, a weight of collected part and liquid material, a reusing rate and so on, can be stored in a database.
US07703342B2	Pressure distribution detection device There is provided such a pressure distribution detection device that noise affect is small even when the detection region is increased and no line break occurs even when the device is used for a long period of time. The pressure distribution device detects distribution of the pressure applied. The device includes a first loop electrode line group (1), a second loop electrode line group (2) arranged on the first loop electrode line group (1), an elastic body (3) arranged on the second loop electrode line group (2), and a conductive material (4) arranged on the elastic body (3). The first loop electrode lines (1) are arranged in parallel to one another inside a first surface. The second loop electrode line (2) are arranged in parallel to one another within a second surface parallel to the first surface and fixed at a predetermined distance from the first surface. The second loop electrode lines (2) orthogonally intersect the first loop electrode line (1). The conductive material (4) is movably arranged via the elastic body (3) on the intersection between the first loop electrode line (1) and the second loop electrode line (2). The first loop electrode lines (1) are driven by a drive circuit and a detection circuit detects a signal electromagnetically coupled from the second loop electrode lines (2).
US07703339B2	Flow sensor chip A flow sensor has an inlet chamber with a first pressure sensor and an inlet port for receiving fluid, and an outlet chamber with a second pressure sensor and an outlet port. The flow sensor also has an anemometer in fluid communication with at least one of the two chambers.
US07703338B2	Steam meter A flowmeter detects a differential pressure of steam as the steam passes through a conduit with a feature shaped to produce changes in velocity and pressure of the steam. Taps used to enable detection of the differential pressure extend from a wall of the conduit upward toward vertical (defined as parallel to the direction of gravitational force) in order to drain liquid water into the conduit from the tap. The differential pressure measured enables calculation of flow rate of the steam.
US07703337B1	Clamping arrangements for a transducer assembly having a piezoelectric element within a foam body A clamp-on acoustic flow meter for measuring the rate of flow of a fluid in a pipe uses a transducer stack mounted in a housing that includes a rigid polymeric foam body in which the stack is embedded. This transducer configuration is used in combination with a clamping mechanism operable to supply a clamping force directed substantially entirely along a radius of the pipe for clamping the exposed portion of a transducer stack end piece to the pipe.
US07703336B2	Multi-sensor mass flow meter along with method for accomplishing same A device for measuring fluid flow rates over a wide range of flow rates. The invention is particularly adapted for use in micro-fluidic systems including fluids administration to a body of a patient. The device operates by producing characteristics variations in the fluid, or pulses, that are subsequently sensed by more than one detector spaced apart from the point of creation of the mark to derive a flow rate. Each pulse comprises a small fluid volume, whose characteristics are different from the mean characteristics of the fluid, such as by composition variations created by electrochemical means, such as by electrolysis of a solvent, electrolysis of a dissolved species, or electrodialysis of a dissolved ionic species, or a thermal variation created by focused electromagnetic radiation. The device comprises at least two detectors (also sometimes referred to as sensors) to improve the accuracy of the measurement in varying flow rates, to compensate for errors resulting from the drift of the pulses in the fluid, to compensate for varying or unstable flow rates, and to establish a positive signal for sub-range flow. A method of measuring fluid flow rate is proposed where measurements comprising data of one mark from at least two sensor readings plus one other time event are combined to determine the reported flow rate.
US07703332B2	Tensile tester The invention provides a tensile tester, for characterising the extension properties of a fabric, comprising: a plurality of dual-mode fabric-engaging units located at a plurality of points. The fabric-engaging units are operable in a first fabric-gripping mode to releasably grip a fabric to be tested, and in a second fabric-tensioning mode to impart tension to a fabric to be tested, between gripped points, by displacing the fabric. The tester also has force measurement means to measure the tension so imparted and displacement measuring means to measure the displacement of the fabric. The fabric-engaging units are arranged and controlled so as to measure displacement-force characteristics along two or more axes of the fabric to be tested. Embodiments of the invention allow for determination of stretch characteristics in the Course, Wale, and two Bias directions of a fabric, as well as the characterisation of tension decay.
US07703330B2	Power tool A power tool includes a driving unit for performing screw tightening operations; a motor for rotatably driving the driving unit; a trigger switch for turning on and off the motor; and a control circuit, accommodated in a main body of the power tool, for monitoring the screw tightening operations. The control circuit having a screw tightening completion detection unit for detecting completion of a screw tightening operation, a screw tightening count unit for counting the number of detected tightening operations, a screw tightening number setting unit for presetting the number of screws to be tightened, a screw tightening completion notifying unit for notifying completion of the screw tightening operations when the number of detected tightening operations reaches the preset number of screws.
US07703329B2	Pressure sensor There is provided a pressure sensor having: a sensor chip (30) which detects a pressure; a base plate (20 (21, 22)) which supports the sensor chip (30); and a support diaphragm (50) which is bonded to the base plate (20 (21, 22)) and supports the base plate (20 (21, 22)), wherein the pressure sensor (1) has a structure in which the support diaphragm (50) is joined to a package (10), and the sensor chip (30) and the base plate (20 (21, 22)) are supported in the package through the support diaphragm (50) alone, thereby constantly and accurately detecting a pressure without being affected by a heat stress caused due to heat from the outside.
US07703328B2	Pressure sensor utilizing a low thermal expansion material A pressure sensor for use in measuring the pressure within fluids. The sensor comprises a medium whose material has a low coefficient of thermal expansion. The pressure can be measured by observing how signals pass through the medium at some unknown pressure and then comparing the observations to how the signals pass through the medium at a known pressure. The signals can be acoustic waves or light waves.
US07703326B2	Method and system for diagnosing mechanical, electromechanical or fluidic components There is described a diagnosis method and system including a sensor for structure-borne noise which emits a measuring signal in a bandwidth-filtered manner due to its mechanical resonant frequency, capacitance and inductance. The system also includes an evaluation device in which the measuring signal is undersampled and which outputs an error signal should the undersampled measuring signal exceed a defined threshold value. The system requires only a small number of electronic components and only a little power supply capacity. The system thereby allows diagnosis to be carried out without complication in existing devices, especially in field devices of process instrumentation for which only a limited amount of operating power is available. The method and system are especially advantageous for the recognition of valve leakage with an electropneumatic position controller.
US07703314B2	Probe position control system and method The present invention provides a technique for eliminating the effect of the thermal drift and other variances and to improve the observing or manipulating accuracy of a scanning probe microscope or atom manipulator by using the technique to correct the aforementioned change in the relative position of the probe and the sample due to heat or other factors during the observation or manipulation. To obtain an image of the sample surface at the atomic level or perform a certain manipulation on an atom on the sample surface, the present invention can be applied to a probe position control method for controlling the relative position of the probe and the sample while measuring an interaction between the objective atom on the sample surface and the tip of the probe. In the present method, the relative position of the probe and the sample are changed while the probe is oscillated relative to the sample in two directions parallel to the sample surface at frequencies of f1 and f2 (S1a). Meanwhile, a point (or characteristic point) where the frequencies f1 and f2 disappear from the measured value of the interaction working in the direction perpendicular to the sample surface is detected (S1b). Then, the relative movement of the probe and the sample is controlled so that the measurement value thereby detected is maintained (i.e. the characteristic point is tracked; S1c), and the speed of the aforementioned relative movement is determined (S1d). Subsequently, the relative position control is corrected using the detected speed (S2).
US07703302B2	Open rings for supporting jewelry between fingers A mounting device for hand-worn jewelry in the shape of two open rings joined together at their ends essentially forming an inverted ‘m.’ The mounting device comprises two semicircular arcs joined together to form the bottom of the inverted ‘m’ shape and three vertical stems connected at their lower end to the semi-circular arcs thus forming the legs of the inverted ‘m’. Caps are affixed to the tip of the stems, to allow anchoring of the mounting device to the webbing of the hand and also to provide on their upper surface a mounting and display area for mounting precious stones or for engraving artistic motifs.
US07703296B2	Dual cooling mode air conditioner for normal or rapid cooling Disclosed is an air conditioner that can operate in a general cooling mode in which indoor air is cooled by heat exchange with a first refrigerant in a main evaporator, or alternatively in a fast cooling mode in which the indoor air is primarily cooled by heat exchange in a midway heat exchanger which includes the main evaporator for the first refrigerant and a fast cooling condenser for a second refrigerant, and then re-cooled in a fast cooling evaporator for the second refrigerant. Accordingly, fast and agreeable air cooling can be achieved.
US07703290B2	Air thrust bearing for a gas turbine engine A gas turbine engine comprises a rotary compressor (6) which is subject to forward thrust forces and is mounted on an axial shaft (50) which has a forward facing surface (67) located in a thrust bearing (52). A bleed of air under pressure (70, 74, 78) is provided from the compressor to the thrust bearing to form an air cushion (66, 68) opposing the forward thrust of the compressor transmitted by the shaft. The air cushion pressure automatically increases with engine speed. Other air cushion bearings (54, 56) are also provided along the shaft.
US07703287B2	Dynamic sealing assembly to accommodate differential thermal growth of fuel injector components A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes an inlet fitting for receiving fuel, a nozzle for issuing fuel into the gas turbine engine, an injector body extending between the inlet fitting and the nozzle and having and interior bore extending therethrough, and an elongated fuel tube disposed within the interior bore of the injector body for delivering fuel from the inlet fitting to the nozzle. The fuel tube has an inlet end portion dynamically associated with the inlet fitting and an outlet end portion rigidly connected to the nozzle. An adapter is operatively associated with either the inlet end section of the fuel tube or a reception bore formed with the inlet fitting of the injector for accommodating a seal member in a manner that permits thermal growth of the injector body relative to the fuel tube.
US07703284B2	Supercharging system for two-stage supercharging of V-type internal combustion engines A supercharging system, in particular an at least two-stage supercharging system, including a first stage and a second stage for an internal combustion engine having two cylinder banks. The at least two-stage supercharging system includes at least two charge air coolers. An exhaust gas turbocharger representing the first stage and an exhaust gas turbocharger representing the second stage are each situated next to one of the cylinder banks of the internal combustion engine.
US07703282B1	Heat exchanger with horizontal flowing charge air cooler The heat exchanger of the present invention has a charge air cooler stacked upstream of a jacket water cooler. The charge air cooler is split into two sections. Each section has a vertical tank and header on the outside of the charge air cooler. Charge air enters the respective tanks and then horizontally flows to a vertical center tank, where it flows vertically to the outlet, and is routed to the engine. Maximum entering temperature differentials in the charge air cooler occurs at the sides of the cooler, as does maximum heat energy transfer. The air passing through the middle of the charge air cooler (adjacent the vertical center tank) gains the least amount of heat energy. The jacket water cooler can be a vertical flow cooler. A significant portion of the jacket water cooler at the middle of the jacket water cooler operates at increased entering temperature differential.
US07703281B2	Motor, motor device, and lens drive mechanism using the same An arrangement of the invention includes a base block 16, a cylindrical cam 14, as a rotary member, which is rotatably supported on the base block 16, and includes a contact portion on an outer periphery thereof for outputting a rotating force, a drive gear 21, as an oscillatory ring, which includes a contact portion on an inner periphery thereof, and is oscillated on a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the cylindrical cam 14 in contact with the contact portion of the cylindrical cam 14, parallel springs 23 through 26, as a position retainer, for retaining the position of the drive gear 21, and three or more shape metal alloy actuators (SMA) wires 35 through 38, as expandable and contractible actuators, with both ends of the each SMA wire being fixed to the base block 16 for contact with the drive gear 21.
US07703276B2	Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for engine Clogging of an injection nozzle which supplies a reducing agent to the exhaust gas on an upstream side of a reduction catalyst in the exhaust gas passage is prevented, and the efficiency of NOx purification processing is improved. A reducing agent supply unit uses a detection signal of the exhaust gas temperature from a temperature detection device to set a supply quantity at or above a lower limit for cooling the interior of an injection nozzle to below the temperature at which urea water crystallizes, for the detected exhaust gas temperature, and supplies urea water to the injection nozzle at the set supply quantity. By such supply of urea water, the interior of the injection nozzle is cooled to below the temperature at which the urea water crystallizes. As a result, the urea water does not crystallize inside the injection nozzle, and clogging of the injection nozzle can be prevented.
US07703274B2	Pintle injector To provide a simple structured and low cost pintle injector capable of uniformly atomizing and mixing fuel and oxidizer, and further improving the combustion efficiency of the combustion reaction in the combustion chamber. A pintle injector part having a first propellant channel forms a first injector flow path as a regenerative cooling path along the pintle external wall that projects into a combustion chamber, and high temperature fuel gas is injected from the first pintle injector port. On the other hand, an axial injector part is located upstream of the first pintle injector port, and injects comparatively low temperature liquid or gas fuel from an axial injector port via a third propellant channel and a third injector flow path. Oxidizer is injected from a second pintle injector port via a second propellant channel and a second injector flow path, and is atomized and mixed while being impinged on either by the high temperature fuel gas and the comparatively low temperature liquid or gas fuel. The fuel injected from the first pintle injector port and the fuel injected from the axial injector port may be the same type or a different type of fuel.
US07703270B2	Cable connection for a gas turbine engine safety fuel shut-off mechanism A mistake proof cable assembly for promoting short time engine assembly and method of assembling same. The mistake proof cable assembly comprises a slotted member defining a slot having an open end, and a cable connected to the slotted member and extending longitudinally through the slot. First and second restrainers are mounted on the cable on opposite sides of the slotted member for limiting free movement of the cable in the longitudinal direction of the slotted member. A lock prevents removal of the cable from the slot through the open end thereof.
US07703268B2	Rotary cutter bar mechanism and blade pin coupling A rotary mowing implement including a rotary cutter bar disk, at least one hub, a blade element, a pin, and a pin retaining mechanism. The at least one hub is connected to the rotary cutter bar disk. The blade element has a hole therein. The pin couples the blade element to the hub. The pin is insertable through the hole and is removably coupled to the hub. The pin retaining mechanism couples the pin to the hub.
US07703267B2	Mower blade coupler with enlarged head and projecting fins A coupler comprising a shaft, an enlarged head, a proximal end of the shaft, and a journal for contacting and rotating in an annular bearing surface of a component for forming a pin connection with the component. In addition, the coupler includes a plurality of projecting fins projecting from the journal along axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and are radially spaced around the journal.
US07703265B2	Web packaging system with ergonomic forming plug change A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.
US07703263B2	Method and device for shrinking a heat shrink film placed A method using heat for shrinking a heat shrink film wrapping placed around a stack of items. The heat shrink film wrapping protrudes on the upper side of the stack of items at least beyond the upper edge of the stack of items to a top sheet film, which is welded to the heat shrink film wrapping. In the method hot gases rising up along the sides of the stack of items are diverted inward, in a direction parallel to the upper side of the stack of items, by a heat diverting and pressing apparatus, which is arranged above the stack of items. The heat diverting and pressing apparatus is for preheating and inwardly folding over the overhang of the heat shrink film wrapping and for preheating the top sheet film in the region of the upper side. The layers of the overhang are joined, by pressing the layers of the heat shrink film onto one another by the heat diverting and pressing apparatus. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
US07703262B2	Beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material having a device to treat bottles and a method of treating bottles with said device A beverage bottling or container filling plant for filling bottles or containers with a liquid beverage material having a device which utilizes an ultraviolet source to treat the surfaces of the bottles or containers, and a method of treating the surfaces of bottles or containers with the ultraviolet source of the device.
US07703254B2	Reflective insulation tiles Heat insulation tiles (20) are supported in a grid (14) of support bars (15 and 16) of a ceiling assembly (10) with the ceiling tiles being in the form of insulation boxes (21) that form a dead air spaces (24) therein. Reflective material (22) is applied to at least one of the interior surfaces of the box that faces the dead air space (24) and a layer of phase change material (40) is applied to the insulation boxes.
US07703253B2	Segmented band joist batts and method of manufacture Insulation is partially divided into segments (200a), wherein each of the segments (200a) has an R-value and thickness and has length and width dimensions of, at least somewhat greater than 9.5 inches by at least somewhat greater than 14.5 inches to fill band joist cavities between spaced apart joists (106); and the batt (200) is either three segments (200a) in length or four segments (200a) in length, or is folded at intervals of the three segments (200a) in length or four segments in length (200a), and the batt (200) has a width of either one segment (200a) or two segments (200a), and the segments (200a) of the same batt (200) are partially divided from one another and remain in the batt (200) until separated at the point of use or installation.
US07703250B2	Facade panel What is described is an extruded ceramic facade panel (20) for a ventilated curtain-type facade structure, comprising at least one preferably rear head rebate (25) and one preferably rear foot rebate (26) and also at least one core running in the direction of extrusion, in which panel the wall between the core hole (24) and the rear of the facade panel has at least one elevation (22e) and the thickness of the wall between the highest point of the elevation (22e) and the rear of the facade panel is identical to the thickness of the head rebate (25) and/or to the thickness of the foot rebate (26). A method of producing such a facade panel is also described.
US07703246B2	Solar panel mounting structure The present invention proposes a solar panel mounting structure comprises: a frame and three gears. The frame has a first opening, a second opening and a third opening, and connects to a solar panel; the third opening is aligned with the first opening and the second opening. The first gear has a first bar; the first bar works in the first opening. The second gear has a second bar; the second bar works in the second opening. The third gear has an axle, and locates between the first gear and the second gear and gearing therein; the axle works in the third opening; thereby, the solar panel seesaws when the third gear turns.
US07703240B2	Automatic subterranean watering device An automatic watering system for a plant growing in a growth medium, wherein the system comprises a water storage reservoir substantially filled with water and an air-tight closure that substantially seals a fill aperture. Water flows out of a reservoir drain opening through a water drain conduit and air in a water feed reservoir escapes through an air return conduit and into the water storage reservoir until a float valve seals the lower end of the air return conduit. Water thereafter flows into a growth medium through water feed apertures until the water level in a water feed reservoir drops below a water drain conduit and air is allowed to escape into the water storage reservoir therethrough. Thereafter the pressure differential between the water storage reservoir and the water feed reservoir is equalized, releasing the float valve to repeat the cycle. The latent heat generated by the roots of the plant evaporates water in the growth medium to allow the water storage reservoir to supply water to the growth medium.
US07703239B2	Vertical-mount laminar planter A planter for living plants, composed substantially of a wall-facing layer (16), one or more drainage layers (14) and a front comprised of one or more plant-root retaining panels (12), held together in close proximity in a laminar, vertically oriented, array. The planter allows plants to be planted in, and grow from, the front vertical surface of the planter.
US07703238B2	Methods of seed breeding using high throughput nondestructive seed sampling The present invention provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. In one embodiment, a high-throughput, non-destructive method for analyzing individual seeds in a population of seeds comprises removing a sample from a plurality of seeds in the population while preserving the germination viability of the seed and analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of one or more characteristics of at least one genetic or chemical trait.
US07703236B2	Method and apparatus for killing insects An apparatus and a method are provided for killing insects on vegetation using an insecticide, where the insecticide does not contact the vegetation. In one embodiment, an absorbent material is placed on an upper surface of a disc mower. The absorbent material is soaked with insecticide, and as a tractor moves the mower through a field of hay, insects land on the insecticide-laden material and die from the toxic effect of the insecticide. In another embodiment, an L-shaped blade outfitted with an insecticide-laden mat is mounted transverse to the front of an all-terrain vehicle or a tractor, which is driven through a field. The blade, or alternatively a feeder bar attached to the blade, brushes the tips of vegetation in the field, causing bugs and insects to fly, fall or jump from the vegetation onto the insecticide-laden mat, where the insecticide kills some, most or all of the bugs and insects.
US07703235B2	Hydrodynamic fishing device A hydrodynamic fishing device includes a plate that changes attitude as the plate passes through a body of water. A plate positioning controller is pivotally mounted to the plate and is indexable relative to the plate by direct application of manual force so as to assume a plurality of predetermined adjustment positions. The adjustment positions establish different paths of travel of the plate as the plate passes through a body of water.
US07703234B2	Fishing hook enclosure apparatus A fishing hook enclosure apparatus includes a first container portion which includes exterior rod ring/reel attachment means and a first line access notch. A second container portion is attached to the first container portion by first-to-second attachment means which may include a hinge. The exterior rod ring/reel attachment means and the first line access notch are located at opposite ends of the first container portion. Preferably, the exterior rod ring/reel attachment means are in the form of a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion which define a push-through clip. Once a fishing lure and fishing hooks are contained inside the closed container formed by the first container portion and the second container portion in a closed condition, the fishing lure and the fishing hooks are prevented from snagging or hooking into any person or object in the environment surrounding the closed container.
US07703232B1	1911 Handgun bushing tool A handgun bushing tool to facilitate the safe removal and replacement of a barrel bushing on a handgun such as a Model 1911, 1911-A1, 2011 type semiautomatic pistol using a single stack or staggered double-column magazine and having a barrel that requires a bushing and recoil spring plug to secure it. The tool has a handle with an aperture conforming to the shape of a barrel bushing; a hole conforming to the shape of a recoil spring plug and a lever assembly with a reversible handle that allows for pressure to be placed on the recoil spring and plug during the disassembly and assembly process. The tool also incorporate an alternate cutout in the handle which allows for a removable insert to be placed in the handle so as to allow for inserts of different types to accommodate differently shaped bushings made by a number of different manufacturers.
US07703231B2	Gun attachment holder A gun attachment holder includes a device holder, which has a coupling groove detachably coupled to a coupling flange of a gun and a sliding groove transversely extending across the coupling groove, two locking members reversely arranged in parallel and slidably mounted in the sliding groove and movable between a locking position to lock the device holder to the coupling flange of the gun and an unlocking position to unlock the device holder from the coupling flange of the gun, and a torsional spring set in between the locking members to hold the locking members in the unlocking position.
US07703227B2	Illuminated poster frame Illuminated poster frame with a frame box including a front frame, side panels and a rear panel, the frame box including a front clear panel. The top panel of the frame box has a slit to removably retain an inner frame that houses a poster. The inner frame has a front frame portion and a rear frame portion to removably retain the poster. The poster is printed on transparent of translucent material capable of transmitting light so that the entire poster is illuminated. The inside of the frame box includes a formed sheet having a plurality of recesses that each retains an amber LED. A translucent sheet placed in front of the LED holding sheet diffuses the light emanating from the LED's. A power source such as a battery supply or a wall pack transformer powers the LED's.
US07703225B2	Frameless display fixture A display apparatus can include a substantially self-supporting panel adapted to be erected and used without the use of a support frame. In one embodiment, a frameless display fixture includes first and second panels fastened to one another proximal their upper edges, recesses adapted to receive retail merchandise integrally formed along a front side of the panel, and mating portions proximal their lower edge which interlock with a substantially rigid base unit such that the lower edges of the panels are held a fixed distance from one another. The first and second panels may be substantially mutually self-supporting so as to form a frameless display fixture.
US07703220B2	Woven shoe with integral lace loops An article of footwear includes a woven region. A fit adjustment system includes a lace strap superimposed with strands of material forming the woven region. The lace strap is routed around the shoe and forms opposing pairs of lace holding elements such as lace loops. More specifically, the lace strap extends downwardly from a lace holding element on a first side of the upper, across and underneath the footbed, around the heel region, back across and underneath the footbed, and upwardly to form a lace holding element on the second side. By the routing of the lace strap, the lace strap is integrated with the heel and arch portions of the shoe. A shoe lace is routed through the lace holding elements and may be adjusted to affect the fit of the upper to a foot of a user.
US07703218B2	Traction device A traction device for a boot has a felt platform with a toe section and a heel section, and a heel extension attached to the heel section. Cording passes through two pairs of passages in each of the toe section and the heel extension. On each side, the cording passing from a toe section passage to a heel extension passage forms a side stringer, and the cord extending beyond the heel extension forms a cord extension segment. Loops are provided on each side stringer, and the cord extension segments are each passed through one of the loops before being cinched to tighten the cording against the boot. Preferably, a single length of cord is employed and the loops are tied into the side stringers. It is also preferred for the toe section passages to be positioned on ear extensions that protrude from a body of the felt platform.
US07703217B2	Drying-storing apparatus for powdered or granular material and feeding system for powdered or granular material A drying and storing apparatus for powdered or granular material and a feeding system for powdered or granular material. The apparatus comprises a heating and drying chamber having a discharge port at its lower end and a thermal conductive heating means therein and a hopper chamber connected to the upper end of the heating and drying chamber, in which the heating and drying chamber and the hopper chamber constitute a integrally combined material storage processing tank for powdered or granular material.
US07703213B2	Vehicle wheel alignment system and methodology A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications.
US07703210B2	Blade driving assembly for an adjustable hair clipper A blade driving assembly for an adjustable hair clipper of the present invention comprises a movable blade holder, a spring, a spring holder and a push lever. The spring is disposed with a coiled portion secured on the spring holder, a first portion which exerts pressure upon the movable blade holder to bias the movable blade towards the stationary blade and a second portion which biases the spring holder towards a retracted position. The push lever is driven to move forward or backward by an external force, and a front end of the push lever abuts against the rear end of the spring holder in such a way to push the spring holder forward when the push lever is driven forward, and when the push lever is driven backward, the spring holder is biased by the spring to retract until the rear end thereof abuts against the push lever.
US07703205B2	Method of refurbishing a high-pressure plug valve A high-pressure plug valve is refurbished by replacing a valve plug, a valve plug cage, and flow path inserts that line a flow path through the plug valve. The valve plug cage has first and second opposed flat side surfaces, each side surface has a port for receiving one of the replaceable flow-path inserts in a fluid-tight seal. In one embodiment, refurbishing the plug valve includes replacing at least one inset seal for sealing at least one of the ports when the plug is in a closed position to inhibit leakage through the valve at low fluid pressures.
US07703199B2	Method to accommodate increase in volume expansion during solder reflow Solder balls, such as, low melt C4 solder balls undergo volume expansion during reflow. Where the solder balls are encapsulated, expansion pressure can cause damage to device integrity. A volume expansion region in the semiconductor chip substrate beneath each of the solder balls accommodates volume expansion. Air-cushioned diaphgrams, deformable materials and non-wettable surfaces may be used to permit return of the solder during cooling to its original site. A porous medium with voids sufficient to accommodate expansion may also be used.
US07703196B2	Compression tool length adjuster An adjustable driver pin connector compression tool comprising a body that is configured for receiving a plurality of different sized connectors. A sliding head assembly is slidably mounted within the interior of the body. The sliding head assembly being operatively coupled to a driver pin bolt moveable between at least two fixed driver pin positions.
US07703194B2	Method for creating write element having high magnetic moment Co-Fe-O-N film with soft magnetic properties A method for creating a write element of a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes forming a first pole pedestal; forming a write gap layer above the first pole pedestal; forming a second pole pedestal above the write gap layer; and forming at least one of: a cap layer of CoFeON between the first pole pedestal and the write gap, and a seed layer of CoFeON between the write gap layer and the second pole pedestal. Note that other layers may be interspersed between those set forth here.
US07703193B2	Methods and apparatus for controlling the lapping of a slider based on an amplitude of a readback signal produced from an externally applied magnetic field The lapping of a slider is controlled based on an amplitude of a readback signal which is produced from an externally applied magnetic field. A lapping plate is used to lap a slider which includes at least one magnetic head having a read sensor. During the lapping, a coil produces a magnetic field around the slider and processing circuitry monitors both a readback signal amplitude and a resistance of the read sensor. The lapping of the slider is terminated based on the monitoring both the readback signal amplitude and the resistance. Preferably, the lapping of the slider is terminated when the resistance is within a predetermined resistance range and the readback signal amplitude is above a predetermined minimum amplitude threshold or reaches its peak value. Asymmetry can also be measured in the described system, where the lapping process is terminated based on asymmetry as well as resistance and amplitude measurements.
US07703189B2	Assembly plant and assembly method for vehicle Supplying work for many parts supplied for vehicle assembly is progressed toward one radiation center, and the supplied parts are assembled into one vehicle on a rotary-type assembly bed provided at the radiation center.
US07703187B2	Ladder station support assembly A ladder station supporting device is provided which includes an upper holder assembly having an upper mounting body and a first vertically-oriented holder rotatably fastened to the upper mounting body; a lower holder assembly having a lower mounting body and a second vertically-oriented holder rotatably fastened to the lower mounting body; and a vertically-oriented articulation rod interconnecting the upper and lower holder assemblies, wherein the upper holder assembly may be adjustably positioned along an axis defined by the articulation rod.
US07703185B2	Combined headstone and columbarium A combination memorial and columbarium having a headstone, and an above ground base supporting the headstone. In an embodiment of the invention, one deceased person is interred in the earth ahead of the headstone, and the cremated remains of another deceased are secured in a chamber disposed in the headstone or the above-ground base. In an embodiment, at least two chambers are individually formed in an interior portion of the headstone. Each chamber has an opening providing access to the chamber and at least one of the chambers is adapted to securely hold the cremated remains of a deceased person or previously living being. Another chamber is adapted to securely and, in a sterile environment, hold the DNA material of one or more deceased individuals or previously living beings. In an embodiment, each chamber is further adapted to hold a container for securely enclosing the cremated remains of DNA of a deceased person. The chambers can either be in the headstone or the above ground base.
US07703183B2	Coil zipper structure A coil zipper structure for elongating the life time of the conventional zipper that includes a first coil and a second coil, wherein the first coil and the second coil are respectively formed by linking plural engaging rings, and each engaging ring has a teeth portion for mutual engagement; and a sliding element, mounted between the first coil and the second coil for separating or engaging the engaging rings, wherein the engaging ring has an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion, in which the lower edge portion is fixed on a base cloth and the upper edge portion has a strengthened flat surface. Since the upper edge portion of the engaging ring is the strengthened flat surface, the collision or pulling and dragging between the sliding element and the upper edge portion can be reduced, so as to elongating the life time of the zipper.
US07703182B2	Hermetically sealed zip fastener with slider which grips the teeth supporting strips A hermetically sealed zip fastener includes two rows of facing teeth mounted on two strips of compressively elastic material, the teeth being joined and disengaged by a movable slider which can be displaced by gripping its outwardly projecting gripping member. On opposite sides of the strips, the slider has first and second concave capsules, substantially mirror-images of each other, arranged with the perimetral edges of their concavities opposite and facing each other, the first capsule having directed upwards a pin perpendicular thereto and able to slide perpendicularly through a cavity inside the slider and through a hole in the second capsule. The gripping member, when actuated, causes simultaneous displacement of the first towards the second capsule and of the second towards the first capsule perpendicular to the plane of the zip fastener, moving end parts of their perimetral edges together sufficient to grip between them, with desired pressure, the strips.
US07703179B2	Microreplicated surface This disclosure relates to a method for making a polymeric article mold, a method for making a polymeric article with that mold, and improved surface topography features for a polymeric article. A prototype article is formed and then coated with a thin conductive layer. The coated prototype article is then electroformed until nickel plated to a sufficient depth to define a nickel plating tool. After the prototype article has been removed from the mold face of the nickel tool, the tool can be used as a mold for forming finished polymeric articles which replicate the original prototype article. The use of fine topography features such as a dense upstanding stem array on the surface of the prototype article facilitates accurate and complete electroforming by increased surface area presentation. The disclosure also presents improvements to microreplicated surface structures such as stem arrays. The improvements include the formation on a stem array having separate zones of stems of differing heights, and the formation of directional microreplicated features (e.g., stems) which are oriented and shaped to promote or restrict frictional interaction in one or more particular directions.
US07703178B2	Hinge A hinge having two bases (2A/2B) on which a plurality of hollow cylinders (8) are arranged axially and spaced along each of the bases. Fixer holes (12) are provided in the bases at the spaces (10) between the cylinders to enable the hinge to be mounted directly without the need to work the mounting surface. The bases may be constructed to conceal the mounting screws (18).
US07703173B2	Self-propelled apparatus for cleaning roads and urban ares There is disclosed a self-propelled apparatus for cleaning roads and urban areas, having a longitudinal axis (1a) and comprising: propulsion and control members (2) including wheels and steering means (3) defining an axis of steering (3b) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (1a) and passing through the centre of turning (3a) of the wheels; an accumulation system (8) on the ground of the refuse comprising brushes (11) defining a reference line (10a) transverse to the longitudinal axis (1a); and a collection system (12) to suck up the refuse comprising a collection inlet (13) positioned at ground level; the steering means (3), the accumulation system (8) and the collection system (12) being predisposed suitably to dispose said axis of steering (3a) in a position intersecting a segment (15) parallel to the longitudinal axis (1a) and extending between the collection inlet (13) and the reference line (10a).
US07703171B2	Complex type cleaner A cleaner includes a body provided with a dust collecting container for storing dust, a fan motor installed at the body and generating a suction force; a vacuum cleaning head disposed at a lower side of the body, into which dust is sucked when the cleaner performs vacuum cleaning. A water cleaning head is mounted at the vacuum cleaning head, for spraying cleaning water onto a region to be cleaned, sucking contaminated water after completing water cleaning, and storing the sucked contaminated water, when water cleaning. By implementing both a vacuum cleaning function for sucking dust and a water cleaning function in one cleaner, a cleaner capable of reducing the cost and, increasing convenience of use is provided.
US07703170B2	Self-cleaning wet dry vacuum cleaning device A self-cleaning wet dry vacuum cleaning device for collecting and disposing of waste material and specifically animal waste, the device including a waste collection system for collecting and breaking up the waste, the waste collection system including a self-cleaning intake nozzle, a vacuum in communication with the waste collection system for providing suction to the intake nozzle, a waste storage system in communication with the vacuum for storing waste vacuumed into the intake nozzle, a fluid dispensing system having a fluid reservoir including a piston system, the piston system for consistently dispensing fluid from the fluid reservoir to the intake nozzle and a leash system, all of which are all integrated with or removably engageable with the device's body.
US07703167B2	Squeegee having reduced friction characteristics A squeegee blade made of a compound having a methyl vinyl silicone polymer, a filler, and a friction-reducing additive is provided. The friction-reducing additive is present in an amount from between about 5 and 42 weight percent. The average particle size of the friction-reducing additive is preferably less than about 25 microns, thereby permitting extrusion of the compound into the shape of a squeegee blade. Polytetrafluoroethylene is preferred as a friction-reducing additive, but other substances, such as boron nitride or graphite could be used.
US07703166B2	Riding floor and edge stripper applicator A riding floor and edge stripper applicator comprises a frame including attached thereto at least three wheels, a seat and a drive and steering mechanism for driving and steering the wheels. The stripper includes at least one tank mounted on the frame for holding stripping solution in fluid communication with supply conduits for delivering stripping solution to the mops. It further includes a central mop for receiving striping solution from the supply conduits and applying the solution to the floor. The stripper further includes at least one swinging mop for receiving striping solution from the supply conduits and applying the solution to a floor, the swinging mop pivotally attached at one distal end to the central mop and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position.
US07703165B2	Portable scrubbing apparatus A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a wheel rotatably mounted to the handle having a plurality of scrubbing elements. A nozzle delivers fluid to the scrubbing elements to effect rotation of the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing element in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. A dispensing system mounted to the handle is remotely operable to position a dispenser of treatment material in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
US07703162B2	Mechanical action estimation for washing machines An automatic clothes washer comprises a wash tub in which is disposed a wash basket defining a wash chamber for receiving fabric articles, and an article mover located within the wash chamber and driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the fabric articles upon contact. A method for controlling the operation of the automatic clothes washer comprises determining the work imparted to the fabric articles by the article mover, and controlling an operating cycle of the automatic washer based on the determined work.
US07703156B2	Side cover apparatus for electric mat A side cover apparatus includes an electric mat, a curtain-type side cover attached to an outer periphery of the electric mat, and a contracting portion disposed on an inner periphery of the side cover. The side cover conceals side surfaces of the electric mat and a bed mattress such that the combination of the electric mat and the bed mattress appears as if the combination is a single bed mattress.
US07703155B1	Mattress foundation corner connector and assembly A corner connector for a mattress foundation assembly and a mattress foundation assembly, wherein the corner connector includes a main body portion extending from a bottom surface to a top surface; a first corner abutment surface extending from a terminating edge to the top surface; a second corner abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the top surface; a first side surface of the main body portion; a second side surface of the main body portion, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; a first abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the first side surface; a second abutment surface extending from a terminating edge of the second side surface; and a radiused surface extending from a terminating edge of the first abutment surface to a terminating edge of the second abutment surface.

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