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US07811576B2 |
Rodent hepatitis B virus core proteins as vaccine platforms and methods of use thereof
The present invention relates to hepatitis virus core proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods comprising recombinant hepatitis virus core proteins or nucleic acids for use in vaccine formulations. |
US07811569B2 |
Recombinant anti-Plasmodium falciparum antibodies
The present invention relates to a recombinant human antibody comprising an antibodysequence specific for the MSP-3 antigen of Plasmodium falciparum. In particular, the invention relates to a recombinant human antibody which is specific for the MSP-3194-257 antigen. The invention further relates to nucleic acid encoding such antibodies and to uses of these antibodies, in particular in the treatment or prophylaxis of malaria. |
US07811568B2 |
Smallpox monoclonal antibody
Humanized monoclonal antibodies against the vaccinia virus B5R surface antigen. The antibodies are effective in treating smallpox infection. Also disclosed are nucleic acids that encode the heavy and light chains of such antibodies and cells that express them. |
US07811567B2 |
Methods of using antibodies against human IL-22
The present application provides human antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-22 (IL-22) and methods of using those antibodies, for example, in diagnosing, treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, septic shock, infectious disorders, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders. |
US07811565B2 |
Antibodies and related molecules that bind to 161P2F10B proteins
Antibodies and molecules derived therefrom that bind to 161P2F10B protein and variants thereof, are described wherein 161P2F10B exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 161P2F10B provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 161P2F10B gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 161P2F10B can be used in active or passive immunization. |
US07811563B2 |
Anti-addl antibodies and uses thereof
The present invention relates to antibodies that differentially recognize multi-dimensional conformations of Aβ-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention can distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease and control human brain extracts and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLs, and tauphosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with soluble oligomers of amyloid β 1-42. |
US07811560B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating collagen-mediated diseases
A drug product comprising a combination of highly purified collagenase I and collagenase II from Colostridium histolyticum is disclosed. The drug product includes collagenase I and collagenase II in a ratio of about 1 to 1, with a purity of greater than at least 95%. The invention further disclosed improved fermentation and purification processes for preparing the said drug product. |
US07811554B2 |
Horse liniment
The horse liniment is a veterinary composition for topical application for the relief of muscle and joint pain in horses. The composition contains, by weight, about 49% alcohol, 20% olive oil, 10% arnica, 14% creosote, 1% iodine, 2% turpentine, 2% camphor, and 2% alum. The ingredients may be mixed at room temperature, the powdered ingredients being soluble in the alcohol-olive oil base. The composition is applied topically to the affected muscles or joints in conventional manner as needed. The composition has been found to be effective, often with a single application, with increased range of motion, an absence or reduction of limping, increased energy, and other signs of a healthy, active horse. |
US07811553B2 |
Molded shaving aid compositions, components and methods of manufacture
Razors and components thereof are provided, as well as methods of making such. |
US07811552B2 |
Cosmetic composition comprising a mixture of surfactants, a mixture of cationic polymers and a silicone
A cosmetic composition for treating keratin fibers, such as the hair, comprising: at least one anionic surfactant; at least one second surfactant chosen from amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants; at least one first cationic polymer chosen from cationic polysaccharides; and at least one second cationic polymer chosen from dialkyldiallylammonium homopolymers and copolymers; and at least one non-amino non-volatile silicone, and treatment processes using the composition. |
US07811545B2 |
Process for large-scale production of monodisperse nanoparticles
The present invention is directed to a process for making nanoparticles of metals, metal alloys, metal oxides and multi-metallic oxides, which comprises the steps of reacting a metal salt dissolved in water with an alkali metal salt of C4-25 carboxylic acid dissolved in a first solvent selected from the group consisting of C5-10 aliphatic hydrocarbon and C6-10 aromatic hydrocarbon to form a metal carboxylate complex; and heating the metal carboxylate complex dissolved in a second solvent selected from the group consisting of C6-25 aromatic, C6-25 ether, C6-25 aliphatic hydrocarbon and C6-25 amine to produce the nanoparticles. |
US07811544B1 |
Sulfur recovery process
A method for recovering sulfur from a sulfur-bearing process gas stream in which a process gas stream comprising H2S and/or SO2 is contacted with a lean mixture of a lean UCSRP solution and a catalyst for promotion of a reaction between H2S and SO2 in anon-UCSRP vessel at a temperature below which H2S and SO2 react, whereby at least a portion of the H2S and/or SO2 is absorbed by the lean UCSRP solution, forming a rich mixture of a rich UCSRP solution and the catalyst. The rich mixture is introduced into a UCSRP vessel and heated to a reaction temperature greater than or equal to a melting temperature of sulfur, forming elemental sulfur and H2O. |
US07811543B2 |
Controlled synthesis of nanoparticles using continuous liquid-flow aerosol method
A method and apparatus for producing surface stabilized nanometer-sized particles includes the steps of mixing reactants, a surface-stabilizing surfactant, and a high boiling point liquid to form a mixture, continuously passing the mixture through an ultrasonic spray nozzle to form a mist of droplets of the mixture, injecting the mist directly into a furnace to cause a reaction between species of the mixture, and collecting the nanometer-sized products. The ultrasonic nozzle is positioned directly at one end of the heating furnace, preferably the top end, for travel of the droplets through the furnace. The continuous liquid-flow process, along with certain operating parameters, eliminates the need for dilution of the high boiling point liquid with a low boiling point solvent as in the prior art, significantly increases the yield, improves the quality of the product, and makes the process scalable. |
US07811542B1 |
Carbon nanotube particulates, compositions and use thereof
A method for making carbon nanotube particulates involves providing a catalyst comprising catalytic metals, such as iron and molybdenum or metals from Group VIB or Group VIIIB elements, on a support material, such as magnesia, and contacting the catalyst with a gaseous carbon-containing feedstock, such as methane, at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient contact time to make small-diameter carbon nanotubes having one or more walls and outer wall diameters of less than about 3 nm. Removal of the support material from the carbon nanotubes yields particulates of enmeshed carbon nanotubes that retain an approximate three-dimensional shape and size of the particulate support that was removed. The carbon nanotube particulates can comprise ropes of carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotube particulates disperse well in polymers and show high conductivity in polymers at low loadings. As electrical emitters, the carbon nanotube particulates exhibit very low “turn on” emission field. |
US07811533B2 |
Unit for sterilising and depyrogenating containers
A unit for sterilizing and depyrogenating containers of the type including a conveying device suitable for receiving a plurality of containers through at least an inlet and supplying the containers in a set direction to a corresponding outlet of the unit. The unit has a sterilizing/depyrogenating unit defined by at least two sterilizing modules arranged consecutively in said direction and communicating through an intermediate passage and affected by the conveying device. The sterilizing modules are activatable independently of one another according to alternative operating modes for hot and/or cooling sterilizing the containers. |
US07811532B2 |
Dual-flow valve and internal processing vessel isolation system
Fluid flow valve assembly comprising a valve body having an external port and an inlet end having at least a first port, a second port, and a third port; a first valve disposed within the valve body and adapted to control fluid flow between the first and second ports; and a second valve disposed within the valve body and adapted to control fluid flow between the third port and the external port. |
US07811526B2 |
Device for recovering feedstock liquid, device for supplying a feedstock liquid, device for solidifying the surfaces of drops, and apparatus for producing ammonium diuranate particles
This invention provides a dripping nozzle device to produce ADU particles with good sphericity, a device for recovering a feedstock liquid to prepare a uniform feedstock liquid, a device for supplying a feedstock liquid to form drops with a uniform volume, a device for solidifying the surfaces of drops so that the drops will not deform easily when they fall onto and hit the surface of an aqueous ammonia solution, a device for circulating an aqueous ammonia solution so that the uranyl nitrate in the drops can be changed to ammonium diuranate completely, to such an extent that uranyl nitrate in the center of each drop is changed to ammonium diuranate, and an apparatus for producing ammonium diuranate particles with good sphericity. The dripping nozzle device is provided with a single vibrator to vibrate nozzles simultaneously. The device for recovering a feedstock liquid recovers the feedstock liquid remaining in the nozzles and mixes it with a fresh feedstock liquid. The device for supplying a feedstock liquid is provided with a light irradiator for irradiating falling drops with light. The device for solidifying the surfaces of drops sprays ammonia gas over each of the paths along which the drops dripping from the nozzles fall. The device for circulating an aqueous ammonia solution enables drops to flow upward in the aqueous ammonia solution in the aqueous ammonia solution reservoir. The apparatus for producing ammonium diuranate utilizes these devices. |
US07811525B2 |
Methods and systems for modulating acoustic energy delivery
The present invention provides systems, methods, and devices for using acoustic energy. In some embodiments, a fluid bath may be provided in the system where the fluid bath quality may be monitored using acoustic energy. An assessment of fluid bath quality can be determined through a comparison that is made of an initial power signal of the acoustic energy with a reflected power signal of the acoustic energy. |
US07811521B2 |
Testing microchip and testing apparatus using the same
A testing microchip includes a specimen storage section; a reagent storage section; a reaction section; a testing section for a test of a reaction product obtained from the reaction; a liquid feed control section; and a gas bubble trapping structure. The sections are connected continuously by a series of flow channels. The liquid feed control section stops passing of liquid until a liquid feeding pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, and passes the liquid when the liquid feeding pressure becomes higher than the predetermined pressure; and the gas bubble trapping structure traps a gas bubble in the liquid that flows in the flow channel so that the gas bubble does not flow to the downstream side and only the liquid passes to the downstream side. A testing apparatus that performs testing in the testing section of the testing microchip, wherein the testing microchip is attachably and detachably mounted to the apparatus. |
US07811519B2 |
Analysis device, analysis disk, and analysis system using the device and the disk
An analysis system includes an analyzing disk, and an analyzer. The analyzing disk includes a chamber into which a test sample is input. The test sample includes a first component and a second component. The analyzer includes a driving unit for rotating the analyzing disk so as to centrifuge the first component and the second component of the test sample from each other in the first chamber, an optical unit movable in a radial direction of the analyzing disk for illuminating light to the analyzing disk and detecting light from the test sample in the first chamber, and a controller for detecting, based on the light from the optical unit, a boundary between the first component and the second component centrifuged in the first chamber. This analysis system monitors the status of the separation due to the centrifugation, hence analyzing the test sample accurately. |
US07811513B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating marine growth on a surface
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating of marine growth on the surface, such as the holes of boats and ships.A confinement arrangement is used to confine a volume of heated fluid against the surface. The confinement arrangement is retained against the surface by maintenance and mounts rollers so that it can be moved over the surface to treat other parts of the surface. A heated fluid is provided to the confined volume from an external heater. |
US07811512B2 |
Method for producing sintered body and sintered body
A method for producing a sintered body is provided. The method for producing the sintered body comprising: forming a green body by molding a composition for forming a green body into a specified shape to obtain the green body, the composition comprising powder constituted of a metallic material and a binder containing a first resin which is decomposable by ozone; first debinding the green body by exposing the green body to a high ozone content atmosphere to decompose the first resin and remove the decomposed first resin form the green body to obtain a brown body; exposing the thus obtained brown body at least once to a low ozone content atmosphere whose ozone concentration is lower than an ozone concentration of the high ozone content atmosphere to obtain an intermediate brown body; and sintering the intermediate brown body which has been exposed to the low ozone content atmosphere to obtain the sintered body. By using the composition mentioned above, it is possible to safely, easily and cost-effectively produce a metal sintered body having a reduced metal oxide amount and improved properties (dimensional accuracy). Such a sintered body is also provided. |
US07811508B2 |
Process for colouring ceramic materials
The invention relates to a new process for coloring ceramic materials by using aqueous solutions of chromophore ions. In particular, certain types of silica are added to the ceramic mixes which are to be colored, after which aqueous or organic solutions comprising inorganic salts of Fe (II) and/or Fe (III), or organic derivatives of Fe (II) and/or Fe (III) are applied to the surface of the said additive-containing ceramic mixes. |
US07811507B2 |
Dialysis membrane having improved ability for removal of middle molecules
A hydrophilic semipermeable hollow-fibre membrane for blood treatment, with an integrally asymmetric structure based on a synthetic polymer. The hollow-fiber membrane possess on its inner surface a separating layer and an adjoining open-pored supporting layer, and has an ultrafiltration rate in albumin solution of 5 to ≦25 ml/(h·m2·mmHg). The hollow fiber membrane is free from pore-stabilizing additives and has a maximum sieving coefficient for albumin of 0.005 and a sieving coefficient of cytochrome c that satisfies the equation SCcc≧5·10−5·UFRAlb3−0.004·UFRAlb2+0.1081·UFRAlb−0.25. |
US07811503B2 |
Devices, assemblies, and methods for extracting extractable materials from polymerized biomedical devices
A biomedical device carrier includes multiple recesses for holding a plurality of polymerized biomedical devices, such as polymerized ophthalmic lenses, during an extraction procedure. A biomedical device extraction assembly includes multiple biomedical device carriers. The structure of the individual carriers and the arrangement of the carriers in the assembly provide sufficient extraction of an extractable component from the biomedical devices during an extraction procedure using relatively small amounts of extraction media per biomedical device. Methods of extracting biomedical devices include providing polymerized biomedical devices in the present carriers and assemblies and contacting the devices with an extraction composition. |
US07811502B2 |
Aqueous release agent and its use in the production of polyurethane moldings
The invention relates to aqueous dispersions containing agents having release activity, emulsifiers and customary auxiliaries and additives, wherein a combination of A) at least one agent having a release activity, selected from the group consisting of soaps, oils, waxes and silicones, and B) polyisobutylene is used as agents having release activity. |
US07811496B2 |
Methods of making ceramic particles
Method for making ceramic particles. Embodiments of ceramic particles made according to the present invention can be are particularly useful as abrasive particles. |
US07811495B2 |
Composite construction members and method of making
A method of forming a hollow composite construction member of the type suitable for use as building material includes providing an elongated inflatable mold assembly having a longitudinal axis, a flexible tubular bladder wall defining an elongated inflatable cavity, a reinforcing fabric positioned concentrically around the flexible bladder wall, and a flexible air-impervious outer layer positioned concentrically around the fabric. The bladder wall and the outer layer define an elongated annular space with the fabric positioned therein. Tension is applied longitudinally to the fabric and fluid is introduced into the cavity to at least partially inflate the mold and shape the fabric. The mold is shaped to a desired shape while maintaining the fabric under tension. The elongated annular space and the fabric are infused with a rigidification material. The rigidification material is hardened while maintaining the fabric in tension to form a rigid hollow composite construction member. |
US07811493B2 |
Joiner panel system
A joiner panel system is formed from a composite material and includes a panel attached to a deck by a coaming or shoe and attached at its upper edge by a curtain plate that fits around obstructions at the ceiling area. The shoe can be readily installed to an uneven steel deck by stud welding to reduce installation time or attached to a composite material deck. A curtain plate fabrication method uses a laser scan or close range photogrammetry of the overhead area to optimize and automate the cutting of curtain plate sections. The curtain plate sections can then be readily installed in the overhead area. A composite material panel to provide good flame, smoke and toxicity properties and good mechanical properties is formed from a phenolic resin foam material, micro-balloons to reduce the weight and density, and reinforcing fibers and powder material to improve the mechanical properties. The panel can be formed by a method in which the core and face skins are co-cured to provide a good bond. |
US07811492B2 |
Process and apparatus for trimming polymeric parts
A process for forming and trimming a part comprises providing a continuous web of polymeric material, thermoforming the continuous web of polymeric material into the desired part, providing a cutter arrangement comprising a blade, providing a platen assembly comprising a closed groove that generally corresponds to the outer shape of the blade and a vacuum system, wherein at least one of the cutter arrangement and the platen assembly is moveable with respect to the at least one other assembly, trimming the part of the continuous web of polymeric material from the remainder of the continuous web of polymeric material via the blade, and removing undesirable trim material formed during the trimming of the part via the vacuum system. |
US07811485B2 |
Optical plate having three layers and method for manufacturing the same
An exemplary optical plate includes a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer and a light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer is between the first and second transparent layers. The light diffusion layer, the first and second transparent layers are integrally formed. The light diffusion layer includes a transparent matrix resin and a plurality of diffusion particles dispersed in the transparent matrix resin. Both the first and second transparent layers define a plurality of spherical protrusions on an outer surface thereof distalmost from the light diffusion layer respectively. A method for making the optical plate is also provided. In addition, a direct type backlight module using the optical plate is also provided. |
US07811484B2 |
Apparatus for producing three-dimensional structure
A process for producing a periodic structure comprises the steps of preparing a working object, the property of which changes in view of a photoreaction caused by an exciting energy, generating a light having a photonic energy of intensity of one fraction of natural number divisions of the exciting energy by each of the light sources of light-source groups arranged regularly in a two-dimensional arrangement, and concentrating the light emitted from the light source group at each of the light-concentrating points arranged at regular intervals in the working object to cause a photoreaction at and around the light-concentrating point to form a periodic structure comprised of regions each of which has a changed property in the working object. |
US07811481B2 |
Polarizing plastic optical device and process for producing the same
A polarizing plastic lens comprising a polarizing film with low tendency to detachment from an optical resin layer. There is provided polarizing plastic lens comprising polarizing film constituted of a polyvinyl alcohol resin. Two optical resin layers of different thicknesses may be disposed on both surfaces of the polarizing film. The optical resin layers are formed by polymerizing a polymerization raw material composition in contact with the polarizing film. The polymerization raw material composition contains as one main component an isocyanated or isothiocyanated compound. The iscocyanate or isothiocyanate functional group reacts with the hydroxyl of polyvinyl alcohol resin of polarizing film to thereby form an urethane bond or thiourethane bond, so that the optical resin layers are strongly unified with the polarizing film. |
US07811478B2 |
Positive-electrode active material powder
The present invention provides a positive-electrode active material powder, which comprises a granular material (A) capable of doping/dedoping lithium ions and a deposit (B) placed on the surface of the material in a granular or layered form (herein, the material (A) and the deposit (B) are not the same), the percentage of [volumetric sum of particles having a particle diameter of 1 μm or less]/[volumetric sum of entire particles] being 5% or less. |
US07811475B2 |
Neutron shielding material composition, shielding material and container
There is provided a neutron shielding material which has heat resistance and has ensured neutron shielding performance even in a high-temperature environment during storage of a spent nuclear fuel for high burnup. A neutron shielding material having improved heat resistance and ensured neutron shielding performance due to the absence of an amine curing agent is provided by a neutron shielding material composition comprising a polymerization initiator, a polymerization component, a density increasing agent and a boron compound. As the polymerization component of the present invention, an epoxy component and an oxetane component are particularly preferably used. |
US07811474B2 |
Simultaneous warm gas desulfurization and CO-shift for improved syngas cleanup
The present invention involves a process and materials for simultaneous desulfurization and water gas shift of a gaseous stream comprising contacting the gas stream with a nickel aluminate catalyst. The nickel aluminate catalyst is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni2xAl2O2x+3, Ni(2−y)Ni0yAl2O(5−y), Ni(4−y)Ni0yAl2O(7−y), Ni(6−y)Ni0yAl2O(9−y), and intermediates thereof, wherein x≧0.5 and 0.01≦y≦2. Preferably, x is between 1 and 3. More preferably, the nickel containing compound further comprises Ni2xAl2O2x+3−zSz wherein 0≦z≦2x. |
US07811468B2 |
Method of forming a composite containing a matrix component and at least one liquid crystal component
A method of forming a composite containing a matrix component and at least one liquid crystal component includes providing a matrix, providing a first material that is phase separable from the matrix, adding the first material to the matrix, and replacing the first material that is phase separable form the matrix with a second material exhibiting liquid crystalline behavior. |
US07811467B2 |
Optical film
A composition comprising a polymerizable compound of the formula (1) and a rod-shaped polymerizable liquid crystal compound: P2-E2-X2-B2-A2-(G2)t-Y-(G1)s-A1-B1-X1-E1-P1 (1) (in the formula (1), Y represents a di-valent group, s and t represent each independently an integer of 0 or 1, G1 and G2 when s and t are 1 represent each independently —CR1R2—, R1 and R2 represent each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, halogen atom or hydrogen atom, A1 and A2 represent each independently a di-valent cyclic hydrocarbon group, di-valent heterocyclic group, methylenephenylene group, oxyphenylene group or thiophenylene group, B1 and B2 represent each independently a di-valent group, X1 and X2 represent each independently a di-valent group, E1 and E2 represent each independently an alkylene group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, and P1 and P2 represent a hydrogen atom or polymerizable group, at least one of P1 and P2 being a polymerizable group.). |
US07811464B2 |
Preferential etching method and silicon single crystal substrate
There is provided a preferential etching method wherein a preferential etchant which contains at least a hydrofluoric acid whose composition by volume falls within the range of 0.02 to 0.1, a nitric acid whose composition by volume falls within the range of 0.5 to 0.6, an acetic acid whose composition by volume falls within the range of 0.2 to 0.25, and water is used to etch a silicon single crystal substrate whose electrical resistivity is less than 10 mΩ·cm at a rate higher than 0.1 μm/min, thereby eliciting BMDs on a surface of the silicon single crystal substrate. As a result, the preferential etching method that can evaluate and utilize characteristics of crystal defects, especially BMDs in an ultralow-resistance silicon single crystal substrate whose electrical resistivity is less than 10 mΩ·cm, which cannot be readily detected by conventional techniques, by performing preferential etching using a chromeless etchant containing no harmful chrome can be provided. |
US07811463B2 |
Centrifuge apparatus and methods for on-line harvesting of a predetermined component of a fluid medium
A rotatable rotor for separating components contained in a fluid, comprising an annular base having a first annular channel and an annular cover having a second annular channel for holding a flexible doughnut-shaped centrifuge bag therebetween. The cover has one or more radially spaced apart concentric indicator lines for monitoring the separation of the components. When the base and cover are superimposed, the first and second channels define an annular interior chamber having an off-centered figure eight configuration. The base and cover each comprise a grooved column axially centered and extending from the base top surface and the cover bottom surface, respectively. The flexible bag comprises inner and outer tubes extending from the core of the bag and which are seated in the column grooves to ensure that the bag is fixably rotatable with the rotor. |
US07811462B2 |
Additive dispersing filter and method of making
A method for dispersing an oil additive into an oil passing through a filter, the method comprising: filling a first cavity of an additive cartridge with an additive; locating the additive cartridge within a housing of the filter, the additive cartridge being located within a flow path through the filter, the additive cartridge having a second cavity without any additive disposed therein, the second cavity defining a first fluid path through the additive cartridge and the oil must pass through the second cavity in order to exit the filter; and metering the additive through an opening in the additive cartridge, the opening providing a second fluid path into the additive cartridge. |
US07811460B2 |
Process and apparatus for removal of biocolloids from water
Biocolloids, e.g. Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, are removed from water by filtration using a packed bed of a granular filter medium, preferably MgO, establishing an electric field across the packed bed, perpendicular to the flow of the water through the packed bed. The packed bed is provided in an annular space between two concentric electrodes. |
US07811458B2 |
Method for treating aqueous sludge, material so produced and the use thereof
The invention relates to a method for the accelerated dehydration of sludges in sludge disposal areas, especially of sludges from rivers and harbors, by the exclusive use of anionic polymer flocculants and the use of materials obtained according to the inventive method. |
US07811455B2 |
Removal of ammonia from fermentation effluent and sequestration as ammonium bicarbonate and/or carbonate
A method for the removal and sequestration of ammonia nitrogen from anaerobic fermentation effluent while producing a higher BTU biogas. The method includes the steps of removing the slurry from the digester, stripping the ammonia from the slurry or portion thereof with a high BTU biogas, blending the stripped ammonia with the digesters biogas to remove the carbon dioxide and precipitate ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate as a solid while producing a high Btu biogas, a portion of which is used to strip the ammonia and CO2 from the slurry. The process removes ammonia nitrogen from the digester effluent while producing a high Btu biogas and a solid ammonium bicarbonate/carbonate product. Ammonia stripping is accomplished with a recycled stripping gas deficient in CO2 and ammonia that is capable of removing the CO2 and ammonia from solution by virtue of the lower partial pressures of CO2 and ammonia in the stripping unit. |
US07811452B2 |
Microfluidic device for sample analysis
A device for sample analysis includes a microfluidic device for separating analytes of a sample comprising a liquid, the microfluidic device comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the substrate defining features that collectively occupy an area of the substrate of about 0.1 to 10 cm2, the features comprising a sample input port located at the first surface; a drying agent input port located at the first surface; an enrichment column; a separation column; switching ports located at the second surface; and fluid-conducting passages extending through the substrate from the switching ports to the sample input port, the drying agent input port, the enrichment column and the separation column. Also provided are methods and systems for separating analytes from a sample. |
US07811448B2 |
Control system
An apparatus and method for controlling a water characteristic of a body of water by controlling the cyclic release of a water characteristic material into the body of water with or without the system being responsive to a level of the water characteristic in the body of water. |
US07811446B2 |
Method of recovering energy from a fluid catalytic cracking unit for overall carbon dioxide reduction
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method of recovering energy from a FCC unit having a reactor and a regenerator for overall CO2 reduction is provided. The method comprises cooling syngas to a predetermined low temperature to define cooled syngas. A turbo-expander including a first compressor is provided. The turbo-expander train is configured to combust and expand gas to drive the first compressor. The cooled syngas is compressed with the first compressor to define compressed syngas. A first stream of gas comprising CO2 and a second stream of gas comprising CO are separated from the compressed syngas. O2 and the first and second streams of gas are introduced to the turbo-expander train. The first stream of gas is expanded and the second stream of gas is combusted and expanded with the O2 to recover energy, driving the first compressor and producing the syngas. |
US07811441B2 |
Organic photosensitive pigment
Processes for making organic photosensitive pigments for charge generating layers of imaging members. The pigments may include titanyl phthalocyanine. The pigments may be synthesized through a partially electrochemical or purely electrochemical process. The pigments may be used in a charge generating layer of an imaging member having a substrate, the charge generating layer, and a charge transfer layer. |
US07811439B1 |
Concentration and separation of biological organisms by ultrafiltration and dielectrophoresis
Disclosed is a method for monitoring sources of public water supply for a variety of pathogens by using a combination of ultrafiltration techniques together dielectrophoretic separation techniques. Because water-borne pathogens, whether present due to “natural” contamination or intentional introduction, would likely be present in drinking water at low concentrations when samples are collected for monitoring or outbreak investigations, an approach is needed to quickly and efficiently concentrate and separate particles such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites in large volumes of water (e.g., 100 L or more) while simultaneously reducing the sample volume to levels sufficient for detecting low concentrations of microbes (e.g., <10 mL). The technique is also designed to screen the separated microbes based on specific conductivity and size. |
US07811435B2 |
Method for scanning gels and gel folder for use in the method
The present invention relates to a method of scanning an electrophoretic gel after electrophoresis of fluorescence labelled samples, comprising inserting the gel into a separate low fluorescent scanning unit, in the shape of a gel folder or a frame, and scanning the gel inside the gel folder or frame with a fluorescence scanner. Any gel may be scanned but if the gel is provided with a gel adherent backing the backing is first removed in a first step. The gel folder may be sealed after scanning for future analysis of the gel. The invention also relates to gel folders and frames as well as a kit with these and a hydrogel. The invention also relates to the use of these for scanning of electrophoretic gels. |
US07811433B2 |
Electrochemical carbon dioxide sensor
An electrochemical sensor is provided for the detection of carbon dioxide gas. The sensor includes a non-conductive solid substrate and at least one each of a metal oxide sensing electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode positioned on the substrate. A solid polymer electrolyte anion-exchange membrane is in intimate contact with the sensing electrode, reference electrode and counter electrode. The sensor is highly sensitive and selective to carbon dioxide and has very rapid response time. |
US07811430B2 |
Biosensors and methods of making
Devices and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample of liquid are provided. |
US07811424B1 |
Reducing mechanical resonance and improved distribution of fluids in small volume processing of semiconductor materials
An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a plating head configured to plate a surface of the substrate with a layer of a material using a fluid meniscus between the plating head and a surface of the substrate. The apparatus also includes a fluid meniscus stabilizing apparatus configured to apply a pre-processing fluid to the surface of the substrate before the fluid meniscus is applied to the surface. |
US07811420B2 |
Isothermal gas-free water distillation
A method of and apparatus is disclosed for water desalination including steps of transferring water vapor from salt-water in a vaporization zone 7, via a water vapor transfer zone 12, to a condensation zone 11, and condensing the water vapor into fresh-water. The water vapor transfer zone 12 is maintained substantially free of any gas other than water vapor. Heat is supplied to the vaporization zone 7 and extracted from the condensation zone 11, at relative rates such that there is a net transfer of water from the vaporization zone to the condensation zone. Also disclosed is a method of and apparatus for degassing salt water using at least two degassing chambers 17A, 17B each provided with a valved vent 47 and a valved inlet 21,29,90,91, with a valved pipe circuit 17a, 72-82,85-87, having a pump 71. pump and valved circuit transfer water from one chamber 17A to another 1713 so as to reduce the pressure in the one chamber 17A inducing the release of dissolved gas, and expelling gas above the water out of the other chamber 1713. The direction of water transfer is then reversed so as to release dissolved gas in the other chamber 17B and expel gas in the one chamber 17A. |
US07811419B2 |
Press apparatus for removing water from a web
A press apparatus (10) is disclosed for removing water from a web (W). The apparatus includes a rotatable roll (12) which defines a peripheral surface (14). An elongate shoe (16) has a curved surface (18) which cooperates with the peripheral surface (14) of the roll (12) for defining therebetween a nip (N) for the passage therethrough of the web (W). The arrangement is such that when the web (W) extends through the nip (N), water is pressed from the web (W). A blanket (20) is disposed between the curved surface (18) of the shoe (16) and the web (W) for supporting the web (W) during the passage of the web through the nip (N), the blanket (20) enclosing the shoe (16). Moreover, the blanket (20) has a diameter within a range 500 mm to 875 mm. |
US07811413B2 |
Apparatus for targeted delivery of additives to varying layers in gypsum panels
A multilayer gypsum board forming device, and a gypsum additive delivery system in which additives are delivered to one or more layers of a multi layered gypsum board panels, including engineered polymers, includes at least one additive assembly connected in-line with a first gypsum delivery receptacle for providing an additive fluid feed into the stream of a first gypsum slurry being transported through said first gypsum delivery receptacle for homogenously adding an additive to the first gypsum slurry, and a second gypsum delivery receptacle transporting a second gypsum slurry, in fluid communication with the mixer providing the first gypsum slurry, having a different set of characteristics from those of the first gypsum slurry. At least one outer surface including a polymeric compound or wax emulsion additive entrained therein essentially encases the core gypsum within two facing layers. |
US07811412B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus and substrate processing method drying substrate
A substrate processing apparatus comprises a spin chuck holding and rotating a substrate and an atmosphere blocking member, corresponding in planar shape and size to the substrate, arranged oppositely and proximately to the upper surface of the substrate and formed with a processing solution discharge port and a gas discharge port discharging a processing solution and gas to the central portion of the upper surface of the substrate respectively. The atmosphere blocking member is formed with an outer gas discharge port outside the gas discharge port in plan view for discharging the gas to the upper surface of the substrate. The outer gas discharge port is so formed on the atmosphere blocking member that an arrival position of the gas discharged from the outer gas discharge port is closer to the center of the upper surface of the substrate held by a spin base than an intermediate portion between the center and the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface. Thus provided is an apparatus capable of effectively expelling droplets remaining on the substrate before spin-drying the substrate by high-speed rotation. |
US07811411B2 |
Thermal management of inductively coupled plasma reactors
An RF coil assembly provides a source to generate a plasma inductively in a process chamber. The RF coil assembly includes an RF coil disposed about a perimeter of the processing chamber and a frame disposed about a perimeter of the processing chamber. The frame is adapted to support the RF coil in position. An interface material is disposed between and in thermal contact with the frame and a sidewall of the processing chamber. The interface material has a thermal conductivity of 4.0 W/mK or greater. |
US07811410B2 |
Matching circuit for a complex radio frequency (RF) waveform
A complex waveform frequency matching device is disclosed. In various embodiments, the matching device comprises a plurality of radio frequency generators coupled in parallel with one another. Each subsequent one of the plurality of radio frequency generators is configured to produce a harmonic frequency related by an integral multiple to a frequency produced by any lower-frequency producing radio frequency generator, thereby generating a complex waveform. A plurality of frequency splitter circuits is coupled to an output of the plurality of radio frequency generators, and each of a plurality of matching networks has an input coupled to an output of one of the plurality of frequency splitter circuits and an output configured to be coupled to a plasma chamber. |
US07811409B2 |
Bare aluminum baffles for resist stripping chambers
Bare aluminum baffles are adapted for resist stripping chambers and include an outer aluminum oxide layer, which can be a native aluminum oxide layer or a layer formed by chemically treating a new or used bare aluminum baffle to form a thin outer aluminum oxide layer. |
US07811408B2 |
Metal-clad laminate and method for production thereof
A metal-clad laminate excellent in isotropy, appearance, bondability between a TLC polymer film and a metallic sheet, and dimensional stability is provided less costly with a first step of thermally compressing the film with the metallic sheet by passing them through a nipping region between heating rolls, and a second step of heat-treating the resultant metal-clad laminate at a temperature not higher than the melting point of the film, wherein the film has thermal expansion coefficient αL satisfying αL=βT+γ with thickness T, thickness coefficient β and anisotropy coefficient γ of the film; wherein the coefficient β is within the range of −0.08 to −0.01; the coefficient γ is within the range of αM+6≦γ≦αM+10 with thermal expansion coefficient αM of the metallic sheet; and thermal expansion coefficient αT of the film is within αM−2≦αT≦αM+3 with the coefficient αM. |
US07811404B2 |
Applying adhesive labels to products and product containers
A web (36) of paper or the like has labels (42) defined therein by printing the web (36) followed by skip cutting (40) the web to define the label boundaries. The skip cutting (40) leaves the labels (42) connected to the remainder of the web (36) by breakable catch points (44). The labels (42) are rendered capable of being applied to product containers (16) by the web (36) having adhesive applied to the side opposite the printing, and the web (36) is rendered capable of being wound up by having an adhesive release coating, such as silicone, applied over the printing. By providing such a construction, the web can be fed through conventional applicator machinery in which, as the web passes over an applicator beak, sequentially the label leading edges of the labels protrude from web, and attach to product containers moving synchronously through the machinery, and as the application process continues, the catch points break resulting in complete removal of the labels from the web and application to the containers. |
US07811401B2 |
Cassette apparatus and process
In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for preparing a cassette spool. The apparatus includes: a supply reel for supplying and unrolling tape material on original backing paper; at least one cutting member for cutting unrolled tape material while on original backing paper; a cutting surface defined in a plane; a pivoting path member adapted to move from a first position aligned in the plane to a second position aligned at least partially out of the plane; at least one removing member for removing uncut unrolled tape material from original backing paper; and a cassette spool for rolling up unrolled cut tape material on original backing paper. In further embodiments, methods are provided for preparing a cassette spool with cut tape material on original backing paper. |
US07811394B2 |
Aluminum alloy strips for heat exchangers
Aluminum alloy strips less than 0.3 mm thick for making heat exchangers, containing, in wt. %: Si<1.0, Fe<1.0, Cu<0.8, Mg<1.0, Mn≦1.8, Zn<2.0, In<0.2, Sn<0.2, Bi<0.2, Ti<0.2, Cr<0.25, Zr<0.25, Si+Fe+Mn+Mg>0.8, other elements <0.05, each and <0.15 in total. The strips have between the surface and half the thickness a difference of corrosion potential, measured relative to a saturated calomel electrode in accordance with the ASTM G69 standard, of at least 10 mV. The invention also concerns a method for making such strips by continuous casting in conditions promoting formation of segregations in the strip core, optionally hot rolling, cold rolling optionally with one or several intermediate or final annealing(s) of 1 to 20 hours at a temperature between 200 and 450° C. The fins or separators made from the inventive strips have enhanced resistance to perforating corrosion. |
US07811392B2 |
Suppression method of radionuclide deposition on reactor component of nuclear power plant and ferrite film formation apparatus
It is an object of the present invention to efficiently suppress radionuclide deposition on a reactor component of nuclear power plant. Radionuclide deposition on the surface of a metallic reactor component of nuclear power plant is suppressed by forming a ferrite film on the component, wherein the film is formed, after decontamination for removing radionuclides contaminants from the component surface is completed and before the plant is started up, by contacting a treatment solution which mixes a first agent containing the iron (II) ions, a second agent for oxidizing the iron (II) ions into the iron (III) ions and a third agent for adjusting pH level of a solution to 5.5 to 9.0 in this order with the reactor component surface. |
US07811389B2 |
Flux and process for hot dip galvanization
A flux for use in a hot dip galvanization process has an acidic component so that the flux has a pH of about 1.5 or less. The flux also includes an alkali metal chloride and a nonionic surfactant containing polyoxyethylenated straight-chain alcohols with a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of less than 11. Depending on the particular application, the flux also includes other components, such as ferric chloride, an inhibitor containing an amino derivative and bismuth oxide. |
US07811387B2 |
Hard surface cleaning composition
The present invention relates to a hard surface cleaning composition comprising a copolymer, wherein said copolymer comprises a zwitterionic unit A or a mixture thereof and another unit B or a mixture thereof, wherein said unit A comprises a betaine group or a mixture thereof and wherein said betaine group of said unit A is a sulphobetaine group or a mixture thereof, and wherein said unit B is derived from vinyl-pyrrolidone. |
US07811384B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating substrates in a rotary installation
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the treatment of substrates, in particular for the coating of plastic containers on a rotary installation. A plurality of treatment devices are arranged on the rotor and pass through a plurality of process phases as a function of their angle position on the rotor. For at least one process phase, the angle position can be set variably as a function of the current rotational speed of the rotor. |
US07811382B2 |
Method for forming a semiconductor structure having a strained silicon layer
A wafer having a silicon layer that is strained is used to form transistors. The silicon layer is formed by first forming a silicon germanium (SiGe) layer of at least 30 percent germanium that has relaxed strain on a donor wafer. A thin silicon layer is epitaxially grown to have tensile strain on the relaxed SiGe layer. The amount tensile strain is related to the germanium concentration. A high temperature oxide (HTO) layer is formed on the thin silicon layer by reacting dichlorosilane and nitrous oxide at a temperature of preferably between 800 and 850 degrees Celsius. A handle wafer is provided with a supporting substrate and an oxide layer that is then bonded to the HTO layer. The HTO layer, being high density, is able to hold the tensile strain of the thin silicon layer. The relaxed SiGe layer is cleaved then etched away to expose the thin silicon layer. A low temperature silicon layer is then epitaxially grown with tensile strain, correlated to the tensile strain of the thin silicon layer, on the thin silicon layer using trisilane at a temperature preferably not in excess of 500 degrees Celsius. The resulting tensile strain, correlated to the strain of the thin silicon layer, is thus also correlated to the germanium concentration of the relaxed SiGe layer. The thickness of the low temperature silicon layer, using the trisilane at low temperature, is significantly greater than what would normally be expected for a silicon layer of that tensile strain. |
US07811380B2 |
Process for obtaining bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride
A process for obtaining bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride, liminating impurities from the obtained crystal and manufacturing substrates made of bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride has been now proposed. According to the invention, the process for obtaining of mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride from the gallium-containing feedstock in a supercritical ammonia-containing solvent with mineralizer addition is characterized in that the feedstock is in the form of metallic gallium and the mineralizer is in the form of elements of Group I and/or their mixtures, and/or their compounds, especially those containing nitrogen and/or hydrogen, whereas the ammonia-containing solvent is in the form of the mineralizer and ammonia, there are two temperature zones in each step of the process, and the feedstock is placed in the dissolution zone, and at least one mono-crystalline seed is deposited in the crystallization zone, and following the transition of the solvent to the supercritical state, the process comprises the first step of transition of the feedstock from the metallic form to the polycrystalline gallium-containing nitride, and the second step of crystallization of the gallium-containing nitride through gradual dissolution of the feedstock and selective crystallization of gallium-containing nitride on at least one mono-crystalline seed at the temperature higher than that of the dissolution of the feedstock, while all the vital components of the reaction system (including the feedstock, seeds and mineralizer) invariably remain within the system throughout the whole process, and consequently bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride is obtained. The invention relates also the the post-treatment (slicing, annealing and washing) of the thus obtained crystals.The improved process and the bulk monocrystals obtained thereby are intended mainly for use in the field of opto-electronics. |
US07811367B2 |
Drying enhancement additive and method of using same
A drying agent particularly suited for facilitating the drying of inks and paints includes a cobalt drier that is more than six percent cobalt by weight, and no more than fourteen percent cobalt by weight. In particular, the cobalt drier is twelve percent cobalt by weight. The drying agent can also include a manganese drier, tung oil, a water-activated drier, a two-way drier, and a lithographic overprint varnish. All ingredients can be present in the mixture at a concentration of one part by weight. The drying agent can be used with a variety of printing stock substrates, and may be used at significantly higher concentrations than prior art drying agents. |
US07811366B2 |
Metal surface treatment composition, metal surface treatment method, and metal material
A metal surface treatment composition including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a zirconium compound and a titanium compound, and an organosiloxane, which is a polycondensate of organosilane and has in a molecule thereof of at least two amino groups, in which the Degree of polycondensation of the organosiloxane is at least 40%, the content of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the zirconium compound and the titanium compound is predetermined content, the content of the organosiloxane in the metal surface treatment composition is predetermined content, and the mass ratio of at least one element selected from the group consisting of the zirconium element and the titanium element contained in the zirconium compound and the titanium compound, respectively, to the silicon element contained in the organosiloxane is a predetermined ratio. |
US07811365B2 |
Wireless receptor for communications within housings
The present invention provides a system and method for transmitting information between a device within a housing to a second device, preferably a test or monitoring unit, outside of the housing. There are numerous issues associated with transferring information from within a sealed housing to an external device. In some cases, the use of wires inside the housing may be impractical, due to internal conditions, such as fluid flow, pressure or temperature. In one embodiment, the antenna of the external RF reading device is electrically connected to the dome of the housing. In another embodiment, the device within the housing is electrically connected to a housing component. In another embodiment, the gasket is used to pass information from within the housing to an external device. |
US07811364B2 |
Bubble separator
A bubble separator is a cyclone-type bubble separator having a cooling mechanism (oil cooler) connected downstream thereof, and is provided with a relief mechanism that operates when the interior pressure in a main body increases. The fluid inside the main body escapes downstream of the cooling mechanism due to the operation of the cooling mechanism. In particular, preferably the relief mechanism is provided in a gas discharge portion that is connected to the main body. |
US07811363B2 |
Air purifier with carbon dioxide sensor
Provided is an air purifier, including: a body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a blower, an electric control box, an electrostatic absorption device and a carbon dioxide sensor. The air purifier effectively removes dust particles and bacteria in the air, measures and controls the carbon dioxide content in the air, displays the content of carbon dioxide to users and helps to protect human health. |
US07811362B2 |
Oil/gas separation membrane, its use in gas sensor and process for producing the same
An oil gas separation membrane combines a gas permeable yet oil and temperature resistant bulk polymer membrane such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene-co-hexafluoropropylene); a porous metal support such as sintered metal frit disk made with stainless steel, bronze or nickel; and an highly gas permeable adhesive that bonds firmly the bulk polymer membrane and the metal frit surface together. The adhesive is either a homogenous polymer that has desirable gas permeability, or a coalescent porous polymer particulates network. A gas sensor employing the oil gas separation membrane for detecting and monitoring fault gases of oil filled electrical equipment requires no mechanical wearing or moving part such as pump and valve and the gas sensor is operated normally under various temperature and pressure conditions. |
US07811361B2 |
Process for a gas removal zone
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for increasing an efficiency of an acid gas removal zone. The process can include sending a sour gas stream including at least one gas to a first absorber providing an overhead stream absorbing the at least one gas; withdrawing a side-stream from the first absorber and passing the side-stream through a holding tank, a side-stream fluid transfer device, and a side-stream chiller before returning the side-stream to the absorber; and passing the first absorber overhead stream to a pump-around circuit for a second absorber. Usually, the pump-around circuit may include a flash drum, a pump-around fluid transfer device and a pump-around chiller before providing a slipstream to the first absorber and another portion to the second absorber. |
US07811360B2 |
Contact and adsorbent granules
The present invention relates to a unit suitable for the through-flow of a fluid medium at least partially filled with an adsorbent/catalyst in pellet form consisting essentially of iron oxide and/or iron oxyhydroxides, solidified with oxides and/or (oxy)hydroxides of the elements Al, Mg and Ti, the pellets or granules based on iron oxides and/or iron oxyhydroxides and iron(III) hydroxide for the absorbent/catalyst, and processes for their production and their use. |
US07811356B2 |
Method of purifying metal
The disclosure is directed to a method for purifying metals, which can very efficiently and inexpensively eliminate impurity elements included in various metallic or semiconductor materials, or more specifically included in metallurgical grade silicon. |
US07811350B2 |
Filter device, manufacturing method for the same, and filter element securing tool
A sheet-like filter element is installed on a support within the casing of a filter device. A plate-like portion is integrally formed in at least the outer periphery of the filter element. A crimped portion which is to be secured to the support in a crimped state is formed in this plate-like portion. A protrusion which rises through the above described plate-like portion is formed so as to be integrated with the above described support around this crimped portion. The plate-like portion is secured to the support by means of this protrusion. |
US07811347B2 |
Centrifugal separator
In a centrifugal separator for cleaning a gas comprising liquid impurities, a stationary casing encloses a separation space having an inner wall surface. The separator comprises an inlet for the gas. A rotating member rotates around and brings the gas to rotation for separation of at least a main part of the liquid impurities from the gas. A gas outlet is provided downstream the rotating member for discharge of the cleaned gas. A first liquid outlet discharges the liquid impurities and comprises an outlet hole. An annular surface extends inwardly from the wall surface and is located downstream the outlet hole. The first liquid outlet comprises an annular shield element extending from the annular surface at a distance and radially inside the outlet hole. The shield element and the annular surface form an annular groove radially inside the outlet hole. |
US07811346B1 |
Filter housing
An air filter housing slidably receives an air control insert therein without requiring the air filter housing to be removed from the wall, floor or ceiling surrounding an air duct. The air filter housing varies in size in at least one dimension to reduce the quantity of air filters and air filter housings required to accommodate a wide variety of air duct types and sizes. The housing is mounted to a register, diffuser or return air grill covering an air duct. The air control insert is slidably received in the air filter housing for ease of removing, cleaning or replacing. The housing is adaptable to receive a variety of inserts which are custom designed to remove specific pollutants from the air to improve the air quality in a home or office, or to block the flow of air entirely. |
US07811345B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with a removable cyclone array
A portable vacuum cleaner having at least first and second cleaning stages wherein the first cleaning stage has a dirt collection member and the second cleaning stage comprises a plurality of cyclones and at least one dirt collection chamber, wherein the first and second cleaning stages are emptied separately. One cleaning stage can be removably mounted from the vacuum cleaner without removing another cleaning stage. |
US07811341B2 |
Reaction device, heat-insulating container, fuel cell device, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed is a reaction device that includes a reaction device main body that includes a first reaction unit and a second reaction unit, a container to house the reaction device main body and a first region that corresponds to at least the first reaction unit and a second region that corresponds to the second reaction unit, the first and second regions being provided to the container or internal side of the container. The first reaction unit is set to a temperature higher than that of the second reaction unit, and the first region has a higher reflectivity than that of the second region, with respect to heat ray that is radiated from the reaction device main body. |
US07811340B2 |
Multi-stage facility and method for gasifying a feedstock including organic matter
Facility for producing synthesis gas from a solid feedstock including organic matter, said facility including means for circulating a heat-carrying solid providing the heat necessary for such production, and several stages including gasification means (Z1, Z3), intermediate separation means (Z2, Z4) for separating the effluents coming from each stage, and combustion means (Z5). |
US07811336B2 |
Compositions comprising at least one aminated silicone and monoethanolamine, and methods and devices for use thereof
The present disclosure relates to compositions for dyeing keratinous fibers, for example human keratinous fibers, such as hair, wherein the compositions comprise, in a medium appropriate for dyeing, at least one oxidation base, at least one coupler, at least one aminated silicone, and monoethanolamine, wherein the at least one aminated silicone has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of greater than or equal to 75,000 g/mol, and monoethanolamine is present in an amount ranging from 1 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. The present disclosure also relates to methods of dyeing keratinous fibers using said compositions and devices comprising the compositions. |
US07811334B2 |
System and method for motion-controlled foot unit
A system and method associated with the movement of a limb. In one example, the system, such as a prosthetic or orthotic system, includes an actuator that actively controls, or adjusts, the angle between a foot unit and a lower limb member. A processing module may control movement of the actuator based on data obtained from a sensor module. For instance, sensing module data may include information relating to the gait of a user and may be used to adjust the foot unit to substantially mimic the movement of a natural, healthy ankle. The system may further accommodate, for example, level ground walking, traveling up/down stairs, traveling up/down sloped surfaces, and various other user movements. In addition, the processing module may receive user input or display output signals through an external interface. For example, the processing module may receive a heel height input from the user. |
US07811333B2 |
Systems and methods for processing limb motion
Control systems and methods are disclosed for processing a time series of signals associated with the movement of a device associated with a limb. The time series of motion signals is filtered, such as thorough an autoregressive filter, and compared to stored data sets representing a limb-motion event and/or phase. In certain examples, a plurality of accelerometers generate the time series of motion signals based at least on acceleration measurements in three orthogonal directions and/or planes. The acceleration measurements may relate to the movement of an artificial limb, such as a prosthetic or orthotic device. Upon determining an event and/or phase of limb motion, the control system may trigger an actuator to appropriately adjust one or more prosthetic or orthotic joints. |
US07811329B2 |
Transforaminal prosthetic spinal disc replacement and methods thereof
The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine and methods for inserting said discs. The present invention also relates to prosthetic spinal disc designs that are implanted using a transforaminal approach, methods thereof, and apparatus thereof. |
US07811328B2 |
System, device and methods for replacing the intervertebral disc with a magnetic or electromagnetic prosthesis
One embodiment of the present application includes a spinal disk prosthesis with one end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with one vertebra of a patient's spine and another end portion to form a load transmitting relationship with another vertebra of the patient's spine. A tube connects the end portions together and a damping material is positioned inside the tube. The end portions each include a magnet to generate a corresponding magnetic field. These magnetic fields are oriented to provide a repulsive force between the end portions to provide a magnetic bearing. |
US07811325B2 |
Intervertebral implant component with three points of contact
A method of implanting an intervertebral implant or component thereof, in which each component is selected to have an inner surface and an outer surface which engages an adjacent vertebra and presents only three distinct points of contact with a cortical rim of the vertebra. The outer surface is selected to have a footprint which is sized to be within that of the cortical rim. In disclosed embodiments, the footprint can be convexo-concave shaped or kidney shaped. The intervertebral implant can be provided with upper and lower (or first and second) components which engage adjacent first and second vertebrae and which move relative to one another. The implant has both the first and second outer surfaces sized to present a respective footprint sufficient for two lateral-anterior and one posterior points of contact with an adjacent cortical rim of the respective first and second vertebra. |
US07811319B2 |
Glare reducing rough surfaces
An intraocular lens for insertion into a capsular bag in order to focus incoming light toward a retina and process for manufacturing thereof along with concomitant reduced glare and improved vision provides for a center lens portion of a lens for focusing incoming light toward the retina and the surrounding lens portion for mounting the lens within the capsular bag. A surface roughness disposed on the surrounding lens portion is provided for reducing the glare due to non-focused light directed toward the retina from the intraocular lens with the roughness having a roughness level of between about Ra 45 and about Ra 350. |
US07811318B2 |
Apparatus and method for pneumatically driving an implantable medical device
A driver is disclosed for powering a pneumatically operated implantable device, such as an artificial heart with a left and a right ventricle. The driver includes a pair of compressors that each has a first and a second compression chamber. In a first mode of operation, both the first and the second compressor power the left and right ventricle of the artificial heart. In the event of a malfunction in the second compressor, the left and right ventricles of the artificial heart may be powered by the first compressor. Similarly, if a malfunction occurs in the first compressor, the artificial heart may be fully powered by the second compressor. |
US07811317B2 |
Medical devices for delivering a therapeutic agent and method of preparation
A method for making an intravascular stent by applying to the body of a stent a solution which includes a solvent, a polymer dissolved in the solvent and a therapeutic substance dispersed in the solvent and then evaporating the solvent. The inclusion of a polymer in intimate contact with a drug on the stent allows the drug to be retained on the stent during expansion of the stent and also controls the administration of drug following implantation. The adhesion of the coating and the rate at which the drug is delivered can be controlled by the selection of an appropriate bioabsorbable or biostable polymer and the ratio of drug to polymer in the solution. By this method, drugs such as dexamethasone can be applied to a stent, retained on a stent during expansion of the stent and elute at a controlled rate. |
US07811316B2 |
Device for regulating blood flow
An elongated support dimensioned and configured for implantation in a blood vessel. The support has two axially spaced apart portions, which may be in the form of an expandable crown or a similar structure. At least one linking member connects the two portions to one another. A valve membrane is supported between the axially spaced apart portions. The valve membrane is adapted and configured for movement between a first position in which blood flow through the support is permitted and a second position in which blood flow through the support is inhibited. |
US07811315B2 |
Implant valve for implantation in a blood vessel
An implant valve for implantation in a blood vessel is comprised of a flexible tube and a hollow, substantially cylindrical support with a casing, expandable in diameter from an initial position to an implantation position. The support extends substantially coaxially over a part of the length of the tube along the inner wall of the tube. The casing of the support cooperates with the inner wall of the tube such that, in the implantation position, a first part of the tube can be formed into a rigid shell, which can be clamped substantially coaxially along the inner wall of a blood vessel. A second, axially contiguous part of the tube can then form a flexible, tubular valve body, which can extend substantially clear in the blood vessel. In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible tube comprises a vein turned inside out and the ends of the tube are connected to form a ring embracing the support. |
US07811313B2 |
Device for treatment of tissue adjacent a bodily conduit by thermocompression
A method and apparatus of treating tissue adjacent to a bodily conduit using thermotherapy, while preventing obstructions of the bodily conduit due to edema employs the circulation of warmed fluid to maintain the temperature of the bodily conduit walls and compresses the tissue to be treated to increase the effectiveness of the irradiated heat. An energy-emitting source containing catheter is inserted in a bodily conduit and is positioned in a region of the tissue to be treated so that the energy-emitting source radiates energy to the tissue to be treated. Fluid warmed to over 30° C. is circulated into and through the catheter to warm walls of the bodily conduit adjacent the catheter. The circulated fluid inflates a balloon to a pressure to compress the tissue to be treated. The combination of warmed fluid over 30° C. being circulated adjacent the bodily conduit to maintain the warmth in its walls and the compression of the tissue to be treated enables a natural stent to be formed that remains after the catheter and compression balloon is removed. |
US07811312B2 |
Bone alignment implant and method of use
A bone alignment implant includes a first bone fastener with a first bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone and a second bone fastener with a second bone engager that is adapted for fixation into the metaphyseal bone. A link connecting the two fasteners spans across the physis. These implants act as a flexible tethers between the epiphyseal and the metaphyseal sections of bone during bone growth. These implants are designed to adjust and deform during the bone realignment process. When placed on the convex side of the deformity, the implant allows the bone on the concave side of the deformity to grow. During the growth process the bone is then realigned. A similar procedure is used to correct torsional deformities. |
US07811300B2 |
Thin film devices for temporary or permanent occlusion of a vessel
Thin film devices implantable within a human subject for occlusion of an aneurysm or body vessel are provided. The devices are movable from an elongated, collapsed configuration for delivery to a deployed configuration within the body. Open slots in selected portions of the device telescope as the device moves to its deployed configuration, which causes the associated portions to longitudinally foreshorten and radially expand, while also decreasing in porosity for preventing blood flow. Closed slits in other portions of the device open as the device moves to its deployed configuration, which causes the associated portions to longitudinally foreshorten and radially expand, while remaining open for fluid flow or endothelialization. The occlusion devices may be either self-supporting or supported by a strut structure. Additionally, the occlusion devices may comprise a plurality of mesh layers having unaligned pore systems which further reduce porosity in desired portions of the deployed configuration. |
US07811298B2 |
Fatigue-resistant gastric banding device
A fatigue-resistant inflatable gastric banding device suitable for laparoscopic placement around the stomach of a patient for the treatment of obesity and a method for such treatment are disclosed. The device includes a gastric band having a chambered inflatable member, substantially coextensive with an inner stomach facing surface of the band, that does not crease, wrinkle or fold when adjusted, so as to present a substantially smooth contour along the inner circumference, and to avoid fatigue or failure of the member itself. A gastric band having multiple inflatable compartments or chambers, which may be inflated together or individually is also disclosed. |
US07811294B2 |
Automatic guidewire maneuvering system and method
System for guiding a catheter through a lumen system of a body of a patient, to a predetermined location within the lumen system, the system including a medical positioning system, a moving mechanism coupled with the catheter, and a controller coupled with the medical positioning system and with the moving mechanism, the medical positioning system including at least one position detector, the position detector being firmly attached to a distal portion of the catheter, the medical positioning system determining the position of the position detector, the controller controlling the operation of the moving mechanism to move the catheter to the predetermined location, according to the position and according to a topological representation of at least a portion of the lumen system. |
US07811292B2 |
Surgical instrument for implants
An implant insertion device includes a handle, an insertion rod attached to the handle, and an implant gripper attached to the insertion rod. The implant gripper includes a gripping surface that has a movable pin and a fixed pin. The implant insertion device also includes a pin actuator so that the movable pin can be moved into place in an implant. A method of attaching an implant to an implant insertion device is disclosed, as well as a method of detaching an implant from an implant insertion device. Finally, a method of inserting an implant with an implant insertion device is provided. |
US07811287B2 |
Intervertebral spacer device having an engagement hole for a tool with an extendable post
Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed. |
US07811286B2 |
Implant device for applying compression across a fracture site
A fracture fixation implant formed from a single piece of material bent in loop form to provide juxtaposed first and second legs joined by a bend. The first leg is dimensional and configured to be implanted within a bone to extend across a fracture in the bone, the second leg extending backwardly from the bend and having a length to extend on an outer surface of the bone across the fracture. The implant exits from the bone at the bend, such that application of a pulling force on the second leg produces compression across the fracture. The second leg is flat and is provided with a plurality of holes in which bone screws can be installed to secure the second leg directly to the bone and maintain the compression across the fracture. The implant avoids the use of washers. |
US07811285B2 |
Dynamic, modular, single-lock anterior cervical plate system having assembleable and moveable segments and instrumentation for installation thereof
An anterior cervical plating system having modular plate segments that are assembleable to vary the overall length of the plate, moveable to allow and/or cause intersegmental compression of vertebral bodies, and coupled together by a detachable fastener. The plating system includes locking elements for locking only one bone screw to the plate, instrumentation, and method for installation thereof. The plating system is capable of both passive and active dynamization and the ability to produce the former from the latter. |
US07811284B2 |
Systems and methods for internal bone fixation
Internal bone fixation devices and methods for using the devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone are disclosed herein. A device for use in repairing a fractured bone includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, wherein the delivery catheter has an inner void for passage of at least one reinforcing material and an inner lumen for passage of a light source; a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, wherein the conformable member moves from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light source and the at least one reinforcing material. |
US07811282B2 |
Fluid-assisted electrosurgical devices, electrosurgical unit with pump and methods of use thereof
The invention provides an electrosurgical unit comprising a radio-frequency power source and a pump, with the throughput of fluid expelled by the pump controlled by the RF power level setting and fluid flow rate setting. The invention also provides various electrosurgical devices which may be used with the electrosurgical unit. In one embodiment, the electrosurgical device comprises a first electrode tip spaced next to a second electrode tip with a portion of the first electrode tip facing the second electrode tip and a portion of the second electrode tip facing the first electrode tip, the first electrode tip and the second electrode tip both having a spherical distal end, and a fluid outlet arrangement to expel fluid onto the electrode tips solely at locations remote from the electrode tip portions facing each other. |
US07811279B2 |
Programmable medical drug delivery systems and methods for delivery of multiple fluids and concentrations
A drug delivery system provides for mixing various drugs in an optimally controlled manner, for using flow controllers to guide multiple drugs into a single or into multiple catheters, for enabling a single lumen catheter to treat a specific region with several drugs, for allowing for dilution of a concentrated drug in order to both increase the time between refilling and also for providing any concentration of a drug that might be desired, for using a buffer fluid to deliver exact amounts of several drugs from the same catheter or to separate several drugs within a single catheter, for using external fluid present in the human body either as a diluent or buffer fluid, and for providing for a drug testing/filler apparatus to be used prior to implant to ensure proper function and easy means of filling multiple reservoirs with different fluids, and also after implant for refilling operations. The drug delivery system (DDS) can perform both bolus and continuous delivery of substances, and enable the measured delivery of any one of several drugs to one or more distal locations at independently programmable rates. New types of catheter systems and uses therefore are also described. Catheter hub assemblies allowing for easy replacement of drug delivery systems offer advantages when replacing drug delivery systems. New methods for using the DDS in the promotion of healthy pregnancy and treatment of a developing fetus are also possible. |
US07811278B2 |
Fluid connector
A fluid connector and method of use is disclosed that includes a male housing with a male proximal end portion adapted to be in fluid communication with a first line and a male distal end portion having a resilient ring. Also included is a female housing with a female proximal end portion adapted to be in fluid communication with a second line and a female distal end portion with a resilient annulus that removably engages the ring. Operationally, the male and the female housings are configured at the annulus and ring engagement to have a high separating resistance axially and a low separating resistance transverse to the axial axis by manually applying a bending moment between the male and female engaged housings by a force transverse to the axial axis. Further included is structure for fluid sealing between the male and female housings when the annulus and ring are engaged. |
US07811276B2 |
Medical sensor and technique for using the same
A sensor is provided that is appropriate for transcutaneous detection of tissue or blood constituents. A sensor for tissue constituent detection may include a gas collection chamber with a conduit to a sensing component and a conduit from the sensing component to the chamber. A sensor as provided may also include a barrier layer to prevent water from infiltrating the sensor. |
US07811273B2 |
Absorbent article with improved surface fastening system
An article having a surface fastening system and a primary direction of load bearing. The surface fastening system includes at least one first fastening element and at least one second fastening element. The first fastening element further includes an attached portion, partially joined to the article, at least one liftable portion extending from the attached portion, and at least one hinge line disposed at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the primary direction of load bearing, the hinge line is positioned between the attached portion and the liftable portion. At least one second fastening element is affixed at a second position to the article and configured to be engageable with the liftable portion of the first fastening element. Articles such as disposable diapers, bibs, clothing, etc. are disclosed. |
US07811271B2 |
Absorbent article having flap activation
An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, adult incontinence device, or the like. The absorbent article has a pair of flaps for securing the absorbent article. The flaps extend laterally outward from the main body portion of the article. The flaps are associated with the main body portion at a juncture along the longitudinal edges of the main body portion. The flaps have a notch. The flaps have at least one first zone of anisotropic stiffness contiguous with the notch. The first zone of anisotropic stiffness has a relatively stiffer direction and a relatively less stiff direction. The first zone of anisotropic stiffness can be made of corrugated or ring-rolled portions of the absorbent article. |
US07811270B2 |
Disposable absorbent sanitary napkin with modified circular bending stiffness and absorbency index values for improved drapeability
An absorbent article including a cover layer, a barrier layer and an absorbent system arranged between the cover layer and the barrier layer, the absorbent article being drapeable and possessing the absorbency attributes required of a sanitary napkin. |
US07811263B2 |
Dose metering mechanism for an injection device
A dose metering mechanism for setting a dose to be administered from an injection device, the mechanism including a setting sleeve marked with dose amounts by which a dose to be administered is set by rotation, and a rotating sleeve which can be rotated out of the dose metering mechanism to prime the dispensing of a dose and is marked with dose amounts, the setting sleeve coupled to the rotating sleeve whereby when the rotating sleeve is fully rotated out, the dose amount of the setting sleeve is not offset from an associated dose amount of the rotating sleeve. |
US07811253B2 |
Insufflation gas warmer and humidifier
An insufflation gas warmer and humidifier apparatus and methods are provided. Insufflation gas is received from a bulky insufflation tubing. Insufflation gas received travels through, in one aspect, a channel or winding flow path, in a passage. The configuration of the passage ensures that the insufflation gas, which travels through the passage, receives sufficient heat and moisture. A humidifying reservoir humidifies the insufflation gas as the insufflation gas is passed to the passage. In one aspect, an oxygenator introduces slight amounts of oxygen into the insufflation gas. A warmer connected to the passage warms the gas in the passage. The warmer, in one aspect, contains a reactive agent that when exposed to air produces heat that is transferred to the passage to warm the insulation gas within the passage. |
US07811239B2 |
Cervical dilation measurement apparatus
The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger. |
US07811237B2 |
Systems for and methods of assessing urinary flow rate via sound analysis
Systems for and methods of assessing urinary flow rate via sound analysis. Embodiments of the uroflow measurement systems include a computer and a telephone or a digital recording mechanism to capture the sound of one or more urination events, which are stored as audio files in a database The uroflow measurement systems may include sound analysis software for analyzing the strength and duration of each urination event and may include a web-based uroflow software application for viewing the results via the Internet or other network In one embodiment, the sound analysis software performs the steps of reading in the raw data of a selected audio file, generating a plot of the audio signal amplitude vs. time, generating a plot of smoothed data for the purpose of presenting an outline of the flow, generating a main flow plot, which is a plot of the largest continuous flow that has a strength that is greater than a predetermined minimum, and generating a set of numerical values that correspond to the strength and duration of urination. |
US07811235B2 |
Aerodynamic tissue driver
An apparatus for causing air flow to vibrate a selected tissue includes a tube and a deflector. The tube defines a passage for guiding air flow from an inlet to an outlet thereof. The deflector is disposed to receive the air flow from the outlet of the tube. The configuration of the deflector is such as to channel air flow from the outlet past the selected tissue. This causes vibration of the selected tissue. |
US07811233B2 |
Finite amplitude distortion-based inhomogeneous pulse echo ultrasonic imaging
A method and system for imaging a sample. The method includes the steps of generating an ultrasonic signal, directing the signal into a sample, which signal is distorted and contains a first order and higher order component signals at first and higher frequencies respectively. The received distorted signal is processed, and an image is formed, and then displayed, from the sum of the first order and second order component signals of the received distorted signal. |
US07811232B1 |
System for characterizing skin condition
A system for characterizing skin condition comprises a spreadable indicator and a reference. The indicator is suitable for application to human skin and visually changeable when in contact with the oil on human skin. The visual change of the indicator is representative of the amount of the oil in contact with the indicator. The reference relates a plurality of possible visual changes of the indicator to a plurality of skin conditions, whereby a user can compare the reference to the visual change of the indicator to characterize a skin condition of human skin due to the amount of the oil on the human skin in contact with the indicator. |
US07811231B2 |
Continuous glucose monitoring system and methods of use
A continuous glucose monitoring system including a sensor configured to detect one or more glucose levels, a transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor, the transmitter configured to receive the detected one or more glucose levels, the transmitter further configured to transmit signals corresponding to the detected one or more glucose levels, and a receiver operatively coupled to the transmitter configured to receive transmitted signals corresponding to the detected one or more glucose levels, and methods thereof, are disclosed. In one aspect, the transmitter may be configured to transmit a current data point and at least one previous data point, the current data point and the at least one previous data point corresponding to the detected one or more glucose levels. |
US07811227B2 |
Endoscope apparatus and communication method used in the apparatus
An endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope, a signal processing unit, and a communication unit. The endoscope includes an information storage section including an endoscope information memory and a first controller controlling readout of the information in the endoscope information memory. The endoscope is detachably connected to the signal processing unit, which includes a second controller issuing at least an instruction for a readout operation of the information to the information storage section. Data is transmitted and received between the first controller and the second controller through the communication unit. The endoscope apparatus includes a communication speed setting unit setting the communication speed of the communication unit to a higher communication speed allowable in the first controller and a switching unit switching the communication speed. |
US07811223B2 |
Articles, devices, and methods for pelvic surgery
Described are implants, tools, and related methods, for use in pelvic surgery to treat conditions such as prolapse and incontinence, including one embodiment of a method that uses a transcoccyx tissue path; other embodiments that use particular implants with various features relating to, e.g., end portions; and other embodiments relating to particular tools. |
US07811220B2 |
Device for processing filter tow material, and device for the production of filters
A device for processing filter tow material used for producing filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as cigarettes. The device includes a filter tow supply to provide at least two filter tow strips to at least two filter tow guideways. Each of the at least two filter tow strips is directed within the at least two filter two guideways, respectively. Apparatuses are also provided for processing the filter tow strips. The device includes a separately controllable independent processing apparatus assigned to each filter tow guideway. |
US07811215B2 |
Multi-purpose exercise device
An exercise device capable of simultaneously exercising a plurality of muscle groups, which includes an exercise chair mounted to a base, the exercise chair having a pivotally-resistant seat back. The exercise device further includes large, curvilinear conduits through which pass adjustably-resistant elastic bands with grips fixedly attached to the elastic bands proximate the upper and lower ends of the curvilinear conduits, which curvilinear conduits are laterally spaced, one on each side of the exercise chair. The exercise device further includes a resistive foot platform positioned at the front end of the base, which resistive foot platform is moveably engaged with the exercise chair. The exercise device further includes a resistive seated-row grip positioned at the front end of the base that permits cardiovascular exercise. The exercise device further includes rotatable and rocking latches for quickly changing from between one or more differently-tensioned resistive elements. |
US07811214B1 |
Resistance training exercise apparatus with poppet load system
Resistance training exercise apparatus includes a poppet load system. During movement of a user-engaged exercise member in a first exercise direction, fluid flows past an open poppet in a first flow direction between housing chambers. During movement of the user-engaged exercise member in a second exercise direction, fluid flow between the chambers is blocked by a closed poppet, and instead fluid flows through an auxiliary passage through a one-way valve. Ballistic training is enabled with the addition of a second auxiliary fluid passage, second one-way valve, and a release valve. |
US07811208B2 |
Exercise device with flexible support elements
A stationary exercise device with flexible support elements may include a frame with a base portion. A crank system with crank arms is coupled to and supported by the frame. Right and left pivotal linkage assemblies may each have an arcuate motion member and a foot support member. The arcuate motion member may be coupled to the frame. The foot support member may be coupled to the arcuate motion member. The arcuate motion member may be oriented in a generally vertical position and the foot support member may be oriented a generally horizontal position. Flexible element coupling systems couple the right and left foot support members to the crank system. |
US07811206B2 |
Elliptical exercise device
An exercise device includes two cranks rotatably coupled to an upright support of a base, two handles pivotally coupled to the upright support, and two foot supports each having a front portion pivotally coupled to the pivot rod or an extended arm of the cranks with a link and each having a rear portion pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the base, and the lower portions of the handles are pivotally coupled to the foot supports to allow the moving stroke of the foot supports to be controlled by the handles. The handles may be pivotally coupled to the cranks with levers. A foot pedal may be pivotally supported on each of the foot supports and pivotally coupled to the handles. |
US07811203B2 |
Walker behavior detection apparatus
A behavior of a walker is detected according to combination of detection of the walking behavior on a level and an altitude variation of the walker to more accurately detect the behavior of the walker. A burned calorie can be obtained according to the type of the walking behavior. An altitude variation can be obtained more accurately by integrating altitude variation only at sections with vertical movement during walking. A stride is estimated according to the behavior of the walker in consideration of the vertical movement. Obtained position and traveling direction are used for compensating values in inertial navigation system. The behavior with and without vertical movement is used in a walker navigator and a worker observing system including a worker terminal carried by the walker for detecting the behavior of the worker and a worker observing terminal for providing the detected position and behavior of the walker. |
US07811201B1 |
Fitness applications of a wireless device
Methods and wireless devices for use in connection with a fitness program and/or an exercise apparatus. In one such method, fitness information is stored in a memory and operative communication is established with an exercise apparatus. At least a subset of the fitness information is sent to the exercise apparatus to facilitate a user workout using the exercise apparatus. Exercise information corresponding to the user workout is received from the exercise apparatus, and the at least a subset of the fitness information is updated in the memory according to the received exercise information. |
US07811194B2 |
Differential assembly with torque vectoring drive mechanism
A drive axle assembly includes first and second axleshafts connected to a pair of wheels and a drive mechanism operable to selectively couple a driven input shaft to one or both of the axleshafts. The drive mechanism includes a differential, a speed changing unit operably disposed between the differential assembly and one of the first and second axleshafts, and first and second mode clutches. The first mode clutch is operable to decrease the rotary speed of the second axleshaft which, in turn, causes a corresponding increase in the rotary speed of the first axleshaft. The second mode clutch is operable to increase the rotary speed of the second axleshaft so as to cause a decrease in the rotary speed of the first axleshaft. A control system controls actuation of both mode clutches. |
US07811193B2 |
Speed reduction device
A low-noise speed reduction device that is simple in structure, small-sized, and little in energy loss is provided. Two-stage gears, i.e., a large-diameter gear 65 and a small-diameter gear 66 of a third external gear 63 are supported by a supporting shaft 59, and one-stage second external gear 58 that meshes with the small-diameter gear 66 is only attached to an axial one end of a crankshaft 40. Therefore, the axial length of the whole speed reduction device becomes short, and consequently, miniaturization becomes possible. Further, since gears mesh with each other only in two places until a driving force is transmitted to the crankshaft 40 from the first external gear 54, noises can be reduced, and energy loss can also be lowered. |
US07811190B2 |
Drive device for vehicle and method of assembling the same
A vehicular drive system including a first electric motor, a power distributing mechanism, and a second electric motor disposed on a first axis, and an automatic transmission portion disposed on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a power transmitting member at an end of the first axis remote from an input rotary member and a rotary member at an end of the second axis remote from the input rotary member are connected to each other through a drive linkage, thereby a total axial dimension of the first electric motor, power distributing mechanism, and second electric motor and an axial dimension of the automatic transmission portion are substantially equal to each other, whereby the axial dimension of the drive system is reduced. A housing of the vehicular drive system includes mutually separate first, second, third, and fourth casing portions, so the drive system can be easily assembled. |
US07811185B1 |
Method for training and improvement of batting skill
A method of training in swinging and hitting a baseball or softball in which a mechanical training aid is provided and attached to a batter's trailing back forearm and trailing back calf with a stretchable band attached between the back forearm and back calf. The band is stretched as a batter swings with proper extension and rotation of his body. The stretched band may further cause a visual, audible, or tactilely perceived indicator to the batter or observer that a batter has properly extended during a swing. |
US07811184B2 |
Goal shot training system and methods
A soccer training system is used to condition soccer players to make shots at the goal with an improved likelihood of scoring by conditioning the soccer players to aim towards the areas of the goal where shots are more likely to score. Similarly disclosed is a novel method of conditioning soccer players to improve their ability to score goals. |
US07811183B1 |
Ball kicking-training apparatus
A ball kicking-training apparatus has a base which vertically supports a post having a rotatable axle whose top end is provided with a ball and socket device. The ball component of the ball and socket device is attached to an arm whose opposite end is attached to the ball to be kicked by the user of the apparatus. |
US07811181B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head (20) having optimized inertial properties and center of gravity is disclosed. The golf club head (20) preferably has a volume between 300 cubic centimeters and 500 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (20) has a center of gravity located less than 1.7 inches from an exterior surface of a front wall (30). The positioning of the center of gravity of the golf club head (20) and the optimized inertial properties provide the golf club with greater ball spin robustness and better performance. |
US07811177B2 |
Water amusement system and method including a self-contained floating marine park
A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. At least a portion of a floating marine park may be coupled to at least a water amusement ride. |
US07811176B2 |
Wheel hub/universal joint assembly with securing ring for axially supporting the clamping means
A wheel hub/universal joint assembly (11) comprising a rotatably supported wheel hub (21) which is provided with a wheel flange (22) for bolting on a vehicle wheel and which comprises a central through-aperture (29) with inner shaft teeth (30), and a universal joint (41) with an outer joint part (42) to which there is attached a driving journal (43) with outer shaft teeth (53), wherein the driving journal (43) is inserted into the through-aperture (29) and wherein the wheel hub (21) and the outer joint part (42) are connected to one another in a rotationally fast way by inter-engaging inner and outer shaft teeth (30, 53), and wherein, between the wheel hub (21) end facing the joint and an end face (50) of the outer joint part (42), which end face (50) faces the wheel, there is provided an axial free space (81), wherein between the wheel hub (21) and the driving journal (43), there includes a clamping element which load the wheel hub (21) towards the outer joint part (42) and wherein, for supporting the wheel hub (21) on the driving journal (43), a securing ring (86) is inserted into an outer annular groove (85) against which there rests an end face of an inner widening (32) in the wheel hub (21). |
US07811172B2 |
System and method for wireless lottery
A lottery system is provided. Lottery tickets may be purchased using a communication device, such as a mobile device. Sales commissions, or other credit, for the purchased tickets may be determined for one or more retailers based at least partially on the location of the communication device, for example, when the purchase is made. |
US07811171B2 |
Game system and game program
A game image representing a part or all of an identical game space is displayed on game machines. A first game machine detects the link strength of wireless communication between the first game machine and a second game machine. The first game machine executes predetermined game processing such that a processing result changes depending on the detected link strength. Further, the first game machine updates the game image based on a result of the predetermined game processing. The first game machine sends game processing information indicating the result of the predetermined game processing, to the second game machine. The second game machine updates the game image based on the game processing information sent from the first game machine. |
US07811169B2 |
Game program
An object (OB1) displayed on a second display screen (12a) is allowed to move according to input coordinates on a touch panel. When a control target object collides with an obstacle, the control target object is allowed to stop immediately before the obstacle. Thereafter, when the distance between the display coordinates of the control target object and the current input coordinates is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a straight line connecting the control target object and the finger is displayed on the second display screen (12a). By this, in a game in which an object displayed on a display screen is moved by a player sliding his/her finger across a touch panel, even if the finger has unexpectedly deviated from the object during the course of the game, the player does not feel a sense of uncertainty. |
US07811168B2 |
Random pay gaming system using weighting function with maximum, minimum, and average value
A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a plurality of possible game outcomes, is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random award from the prize pool for each of at least two game outcomes from the plurality of game outcomes. |
US07811161B1 |
Corn cob collection device with stowable conveyor system having positive de-husking capability
A cob collection device for use with a corn harvester, includes a conveyor system including a portion for positively removing or cleaning attached husks from the cobs after removal of corn therefrom by the harvester, the conveyor system including an upwardly inclined conveyor portion operably movable in cooperation with the collection device for distributing delivery of cobs thereto, the cob collection device having a wall portion including an aperture for receiving the inclined conveyor portion, and a door for closing the aperture when the conveyor is removed, allowing unloading of the collection device, and stowage of the conveyor in a compacted manner to facilitate travel under bridges, utility wires, doorways and the like. |
US07811156B2 |
Optical fiber preparation device
An optical fiber preparation device (11) is disclosed having a body (12) with at least one abrasive portion (15) and at least one adhesive portion 19. The abrasive portion (15) includes a protrusion (29) defining a polishing portion (31). A method for polishing and cleaning an end of an optical fiber using the optical fiber preparation device includes the steps of inserting the end of the optical fiber into the abrasive portion of the optical fiber preparation device and rotating the optical fiber preparation device about the center of the abrasive portion. A cover member (23) is removed from the optical fiber preparation device, exposing the adhesive portion, and the end of the optical fiber is then pressed against the adhesive portion. |
US07811154B2 |
Grinding apparatus
A grinding apparatus for grinding workpieces includes two clamping rods and a base. Each of the two clamping rods has a first end and an opposite second end. The first ends are opposite to each other for clamping workpieces therebetween. The base includes a receiving groove for receiving the workpieces therein and two positioning slots at opposite sides of the receiving groove. The positioning slots are aligned with each other and configured for receivingly engaging with the clamping rods to align the clamping rods with each other. |
US07811152B2 |
Food chewing assembly for doll
Provided is an assembly for moving a selectively magnetized article. The assembly has a conduit having an inlet and an outlet and defining a lumen extending from the inlet to the outlet. A magnetic source is selectively positioned proximate an exterior surface of the conduit and transmits a magnetic field into the lumen to magnetically engage at least a portion of the selectively magnetized article. The assembly is configured to attract the selectively magnetized article through the inlet and move the article through the lumen toward the outlet. The assembly can be positioned within a doll with the inlet of the assembly positioned proximate a mouth of the doll. The assembly can include means for articulating a lower lip of the doll to simulate chewing of the selectively magnetized article when the article is inserted into the mouth of the doll. |
US07811148B2 |
Light source bodies for filament tubes and ARC tubes
Manufacturing equipment and manufacturing process steps that improve upon prior art processes for the manufacturing of filament tube and arc tube light sources, their components and subassemblies, and lamps employing said light sources. A double ended, tipless filament tube or arc tube light source incorporates a drawn-down tubular body, and one piece foliated leads with spurs for process handling and for spudding into a filament with stretched-out legs. Bulged ends on the body provide a novel cutoff means, facilitate a flush-fill finishing process, and enhance mounting and support of the light sources in lamps. The foliated leads are made from a continuous length of wire in a process including foil hammering and two-bath AC electrochemical etching. Cost-reduced light source and lamp production enables affordable household consumer lamps, even when containing two series-connected halogen filament tubes. Safety benefits ensue from series connection, especially in combination with disclosed body and filament constructions. |
US07811140B2 |
Terminal fitting with a wire restriction
A terminal fitting (10, 120, 210, 230) has a connecting portion (11, 121, 211) to be connected with a mating terminal and a wire barrel (12, 126, 212) to be crimped into connection with an end portion of a wire (20, 110, 220). A restriction (18, 152, 218A, 231) is between the connecting portion (11, 121, 211) than the wire barrel (12, 126, 212) and faces a placing surface of a bottom plate (16, 123, 216) where the end portion of the wire (20, 110, 220) is to be placed for restricting an upward movement of the end portion of the wire (20, 110, 220). |
US07811138B2 |
Electrical connector for surgical systems
An apparatus for creating an electrical connection with a surgical tool is provided that is capable of engaging the shafts of rotatable surgical tools having varying diameters. In one aspect, the apparatus includes a body of nonconductive material connected to a pair of spaced, electrical contact members that provide two spaced points of contact with the tool shaft. In another aspect, a contact arm is provided which pivots within a slot formed within a housing to receive larger diameter tool shafts. Additionally, the contact arm closes an opening on the housing and resiliently shifts to an open position as the contact arm is brought into engagement with the tool shaft. A method of connecting a conductor assembly to a rotatable tool shaft is also provided which includes using tension in the conductor assembly to resist rotation of a gripping end of the assembly connected to a rotatable tool. |
US07811135B2 |
Connector for electronic devices
Various embodiments are provided herein for a connector that can provide electrical and mechanical coupling between first and second objects. In one broad aspect, the connector generally comprises at least one connecting element that has at least one first and at least one second contact portions; at least one guidance portion located towards an end of a given connecting element and adjacent to the at least one first contact portion; a straight end portion comprising the at least one second contact portion, and connected to one of the first and second objects by a solder connection; and a biasing portion that is adjacent to the at least one first contact portion and the straight end portion. The biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical connection between the at least one first and the at least one second contact portions and to resiliently move the given connecting element from a first position to a second position to provide a mechanical coupling force to the first and second objects. |
US07811134B2 |
Connector with insert for reduced crosstalk
A differential pair connector has a housing floor, an array of differential pairs passing through the housing floor, and a conductive grid integrated into the housing floor for reducing crosstalk between the differential pairs. The conductive grid can have various structures, such as conductive inserts, plated regions and/or a conductive housing floor surrounding non-conductive inserts protecting the differential pins. Although any suitable means can be used to fasten the conductive grid into the housing floor, the grid is preferably press fitted into the top of the housing floor. |
US07811133B2 |
Shielded electrical connector with a spring arrangement
A connector for a shielded electrical cable. The cable has at least one insulated central conductor surrounded by conductive shielding. The connector comprises a dielectric spacing element for receiving the at least one central conductor of the cable and a conductive shielding arrangement provided around the spacing element and having a first end which defines an annular surface for contacting the shielding of the cable. The connector further comprises a spring arrangement coupled to the shielding arrangement for resiliently urging the shielding of the cable against the annular surface of the shielding arrangement to thereby provide a reliable electrical connection between the cable and the shielding arrangement. |
US07811129B2 |
Electrical connector system
High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz. |
US07811128B2 |
Electrical connector having improved shielding plate
An electrical connector (1) has an insulative housing (10) including a number of receiving passages (100), a number of terminal modules (20) mounted to the insulative housing and located adjacent to another and shielding plates (3). The terminal module has a base (22) including a first side (223), a plurality of terminals (21) secured to the base and a spacer (23) received to the insluative housing. The shielding plates have at least a first shielding plate (30) assembled to the first side (223) of the terminal module and including a number of tines (31) connected to a printed circuit board, and a second shielding plate (40) assembled to the first side of neighboring terminal module and having a connecting section (41) connected to the first shielding plate. |
US07811121B2 |
Flexible electric power cable and wind turbine
A wind turbine and a flexible electric power cable for transferring electric power in a moving environment are provided. The power cable includes a conductor with a plurality of cores for conducting an electric current and an isolator for protecting the conductor and a connector piece for surrounding and connecting an end of the conductor with one or more apparatuses. The connector piece includes at least two encircling connection areas including one or more electrical connection areas establishing electrical connection between the connector piece and the plurality of cores, the electrical connection areas including one or more through-going connection holes for connecting the connector piece to the one or more apparatuses, and one or more mechanical connection areas establishing mechanical connection between the connector piece and the conductor. The areas are positioned in continuation of each other, separated and connected by one or more adapting sections. |
US07811120B2 |
Electrical connector having improved LEDs
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10) defining a number of insertion slots (112), a number of LED (Light Emitting Diode) pairs (20) received in the insertion slots, and a number of fixing portions (31) respectively inserted in the insertion slots. Each LED pair has a first and a second LEDs (21, 22) disposed side-by-side in one insertion slot to save space. Each fixing portion has a vertically extending spacer (311) disposed between the first and second LEDs of each LED pair to prevent undesirable electrical connection between the first and second LEDs. |
US07811118B2 |
Wire containment cap
A wire containment cap has twisted pair slots for routing twisted wire pairs through the wire containment cap. The twisted pair slots are provided with funnel-shaped entrances to assist in routing the twisted wire pairs from a rear end of the wire containment cap toward wire slots of the wire containment cap. The wire containment cap may be provided in shielded or unshielded versions, and is adapted for use with a communication jack assembly. |
US07811115B1 |
Connector assembly with two stage latch
A connector assembly includes an outer housing and a floating latch. The outer housing includes a flexible latch and mates with a header connector subassembly. The floating latch is slidably joined to the outer housing. The floating latch latches onto the outer housing and the header connector subassembly. When the outer housing is moved along a mating direction to mate with the header assembly, the floating latch travels with the outer housing until one of opposite ends of the floating latch couples to the header connector subassembly. After the floating latch is coupled to the header connector subassembly, the outer housing continues to travel along the mating direction relative to the floating latch with the floating latch sliding relative to the outer housing until another one of the opposite ends couples with the flexible latch of the outer housing. |
US07811114B2 |
Connector with improved latching mechanism
The invention relates to a connector including a connector housing and a latch including a first beam and a second beam, which first and second beam are connected with each other. The first beam includes a first locking structure and the second beam includes a second locking structure capable of locking said connector onto a counterpart in a locking position of said first and second locking structure. The first beam includes a force application element and the second beam and the connector housing are arranged to interact with each other in order to move the second locking structure from said locking position to a release position on application; of a force on said force application element. The invention further relates to a latch and a method of releasing a cable connector from a board connector. |
US07811111B2 |
Positioning structure for USB connector
An exemplary positioning structure is used for a USB connector assembled with an electronic device including a main body. The positioning structure includes a through hole defined in the main body, and a guiding portion configured on a periphery of an inner sidewall of the through hole. |
US07811110B2 |
Electrical connector with improved contact arrangement
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10) and a number of contacts (4) retained in the insulative housing (10). The insulative housing (10) includes a first body portion (11) and a first tongue (12) extending from the first body portion (11). The first tongue (12) defines a number of first receiving slots (13). The contacts (4) comprise a plurality of first contacts (41) insert molded in the insulative housing (10) and a number of second contacts (42). Each first contact (41) has a flat first contact portion (411) extending to the first tongue (12). Each second contact (42) has an elastic second contact portion (421) received in the first receiving slot (13). The first contact portions (411) and the second contact portion (421) are arranged at a same side of the first tongue (12) along a thickness direction of the first tongue (12). |
US07811109B2 |
Separable loadbreak connector with a conductive tube and a conductive piston
Separable loadbreak connectors include an interference element spaced about the contact tube that is configured to engage a portion of a connector piston. |
US07811106B2 |
Card connector
A card connector comprises an insulating housing having contact receiving slots. An engaging portion is formed on a side of the housing and has a first fixing position and a second fixing position. A plurality of terminals is received in the receiving slots. An ejector comprises a card ejecting plate assembled to the housing and a push bar movable disposed on the engaging portion of the housing and connected with the card ejecting plate. A fixing portion is formed on an internal side of the push bar. The push bar drives the card ejecting plate to move between a card receiving position wherein the fixing portion is located at the first fixing position and a card ejected position wherein the fixing portion is located at the second fixing position. |
US07811105B1 |
Electrical connector housing with an actuator to release the electrical connector housing from an electrical connector
An electrical connector housing includes a housing body and a lever. The housing body has a base panel member, a pair of opposing side walls, a forward side wall and a rearward side wall connected to each other to form a generally box-shaped cavity. The lever has a pair of lever arms disposed apart from and extending parallel to one another and a main cross-member interconnecting the pair of lever arms to form a generally U-shaped configuration. The pair of lever arms straddle the base panel member with the pair of lever arms pivotably connected to the pair of opposing side walls for angularly moving about a pivot axis between a first position where the pair of lever arms extend generally parallel to the pair of opposing side walls and a second position where the pair of lever arms are disposed angularly relative to the pair of opposing side walls. |
US07811099B2 |
Differential signal transmission connector and board mountable differential signal connector for connecting therewith
A differential signal transmission connector includes an insulative housing. A plurality of pairs of differential signal transmission contacts and a plurality of grounding contacts are provided in the insulative housing. The differential signal transmission contacts and the grounding contacts are arranged in two rows. A first contact from each of the pairs of the differential signal transmission contacts is arranged in a first row, and a second contact from each of the pairs of the differential signal transmission contacts is arranged in a second row. The grounding contacts are arranged in the first row between each of the first contacts and the grounding contacts are arranged in the second row between each of the second contacts. |
US07811098B2 |
Connecting box of a solar panel with a cooling structure
The invention relates to a receptacle (1) particularly suitable for wiring one or more solar cells (81). The receptacle (1) comprises a housing (10) and a connecting shaft (60) that can be separately closed by a cover (63). The receptacle (1) is raised from the back side of the solar panel (80). |
US07811095B2 |
Socket having aligning keys for accommodating different sizes of integrated chips
A socket connector is provided for accommodating different sizes of chips and a printed circuit board and includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts embedded in the housing. The housing includes a conductive region and a margin region around the conductive region, and defines a supporting surface and a mounting surface opposite to the supporting surface. A number of passageways for accommodated the contacts extending through the isulative housing. Sidewalls extend upwardly from the margin region with a plurality of location blocks extending to the conductive region. The location blocks and the sidewalls are unitarily formed. A number of engaging grooves are defined in the margin region for assembling a number of aligning keys can be assembled to the respond engaging grooves for accommodating different sizes of chips. |
US07811094B2 |
Contact member and connector
A contact member which is resistant to contact failure even if the environment of use is bad. A film is affixed to the surface of a long plate-shaped elastic body which is disposed between two to-be-connected objects. A electrically-conducting path which electrically connects between terminal portions of two to-be-connected objects is provided on the surface of the film. A first conductor contact portion which is capable of being brought into contact with the terminal portion of one of two to-be-connected objects is disposed at one end of the electrically-conducting path, and a second conductor contact portion which is capable of being brought into contact with the terminal portion of the other of two to-be-connected objects is disposed at the other end of the electrically-conducting path. A plurality of holes are formed in the first and second conductor contact portions. |
US07811083B2 |
Rotary tubular kiln useful for the production of activated carbon and having a modified geometry of the rotary tube
The invention has as subject matter a rotary tube, especially for a rotary tube kiln for the production of carbon, with several mixing elements arranged in the inner space of the rotary tube for a thorough mixing of a charged material. The rotary tube comprises a transitional area from a smaller inside cross section to a larger inside cross section of the rotary tube. The mixing elements are formed in the transitional area and/or are arranged in such a manner that the charged material is transported during operation by the mixing elements toward the smaller inside cross section. The result is an excellent thorough axial mixing and blending of the charged material, which results in an increased homogeneity of the activated carbon produced. |
US07811076B2 |
Alkaline protease and washing and cleaning products containing said novel alkaline protease
An alkaline protease, the DNA thereof having been taken from a bottom sample, alkaline proteases that are at least 40% identical, and nucleic acids with an identity at least 50% homologous with the associated nucleic acids. The invention also relates to the fragment of said protease comprising the amino acid positions 108 to 325, in addition to the gene fragment coding therefor, and alkaline proteases that are at least 60% identical or nucleic acids that are at least 70% identical. Furthermore, the invention defines technical possibilities of use for said proteases, especially use thereof in washing and cleaning products. |
US07811074B2 |
Food extruder
A food extruder including a barrel provided at one end with an outlet from which the food substance can be extruded, a rotatable screw positioned within the barrel that is capable of being rotated and moved longitudinally within the barrel, a handle member at a top end of the rotatable screw for manual engagement, and a rod member protruding from an upper portion of the handle member for insertion into a drill chuck. The rod member, in a preferred embodiment, has a hexagonal cross section, which facilitates insertion and securement within a drill chuck, so that the drill may be used to turn the rotatable screw, rather than having to turn it manually. Additionally, a hand grip member may be attached to the barrel member at a generally right angle thereto, so that a user may grip the hand grip while using the drill to turn the rotatable screw, in order to prevent the entire extruder from rotating. |
US07811072B2 |
Gear pump
A gear pump (1) for use with a hand-operated tool (200) having a rotatable shaft (201), said gear pump (1) comprising: a housing (5) having a chamber (6), an inlet (65) for fluid into the chamber (6) and an outlet (66) for fluid from the chamber (6); and a gear assembly (2) comprising at least one gear (21) mounted for rotation within the chamber (6) between the inlet (65) and outlet (66), and a drive shaft (24, 25) extending from the gear (21) and externally of the chamber (6), wherein a tool-engaging end (25) of the drive shaft (24, 25) is engageable with the rotatable shaft (201) of the hand tool (200) such that rotation of the drive shaft (24, 25) by the hand tool (200) causes fluid to move between said inlet (65) and outlet (66). |
US07811071B2 |
Scroll compressor for carbon dioxide refrigerant
A scroll machine is provided with wear resistant features to provide the scroll machine with improved operation when processing CO2 refrigerant. In certain aspects, the scroll machine has an Oldham coupling comprising aluminum, where the aluminum has an anodized surface forming a passivation layer thereon. The scroll machine optionally further has a self-lubricating bearing capable of use in the CO2 scroll machine for at least 1,000 hours of operation. |
US07811069B2 |
Fan housing with strain relief
An equipment fan has a housing (22) that externally defines an air passage opening (41) provided in the fan (20). The fan has a motor (21) for rotatably driving blades (40) about a rotation axis (23), as well as a carrier element (51), provided between the motor (21) and the housing (22), which extends transversely to the passage (41) and is configured as a trough (53) that serves to receive an electrical lead (52) and guides the lead along a predetermined path from the motor (21) to a location (64) on the housing (22). The fan also has a deflection device (50) which, by deflecting the lead (52) at a first deflection location (55) and at a second deflection location (84) and in at least two planes extending at a predetermined angle with respect to one another, effects strain relief for the lead (52) that proceeds to the motor (21). |
US07811066B2 |
Double-headed piston type compressor
In a double-headed piston type compressor provided with a rotary valve in a rotary shaft, the rotary valve has an introducing port for introducing refrigerant from a suction-pressure region through a supply passage and a respective suction port into a compression chamber. A shaft seal between a front housing and the rotary shaft for preventing leakage of refrigerant along a peripheral surface of the rotary shaft is accommodated in a shaft seal chamber formed in the front housing. A communication passage connects the shaft seal chamber to the cam chamber. A communication groove is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft that forms the rotary valve adjacent to the front housing for communication between the introducing port and the shaft seal chamber. The supply passage and the cam chamber are in communication through the communication groove, the shaft seal chamber and the communication passage. |
US07811064B2 |
Variable displacement reciprocating pump
A variable displacement reciprocating pump with pumping rate that is adjustable from zero to maximum stroke while the pump is running. Stroke is varied by changing relative position of pairs of eccentric inner and outer cams that drive the pump's plungers. The pump's input drive shaft drives two gear trains: a first gear train that turns the inner cams and a second gear train that turns the outer cams. These cams normally revolve together with no relative motion occurring between them. A rotary actuator is positioned in the first gear train to rotate the inner cams relative to the outer cams and thereby changes the pump's stroke. A computerized system of sensors and control valves allows the pump to be automatically controlled or limited to any one or combination of desired output flow, pressure and horsepower. |
US07811062B1 |
Fiber reinforced metal rotor
A fiber reinforced metal compressor disc includes a hub, a rim and a diaphragm extending radially between the hub and the rim. The fiber reinforced metal compressor disc comprises a first ring of ceramic fibers and a second ring of ceramic fibers. The first ring of fibers is arranged in the hub and the second ring of fibers is arranged in the rim of the disc. The rim of the disc carries a plurality of blades. This arrangement of the rings of fibers minimizes the weight of the disc, especially for large radius discs suitable for carrying large blades and operating at high rotational speeds. |
US07811057B2 |
Methods and apparatus to facilitate lubrication of components
A method facilitates lubrication of components. The method includes coupling a blade to a pitch control mechanism such that a bearing is positioned between the blade and the pitch control mechanism. The method further includes coupling a control system to the pitch control mechanism and configuring the control system to control the blade pitch mechanism for controlling movement of the blade and rotate the blade from a first position to a second position when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. |
US07811049B2 |
Flow control arrangement
A flow control arrangement is provided for a gas turbine engine in which an inlet slot is positioned prior to a stationary structure such as a stator or pylon in order that air flow is bled or removed from a mainflow. The removed air passes through a passage duct and is re-injected through an outlet nozzle with an askew angle consistent with an angle of rotor blades of a turbine. In such circumstances, distortion in the flow due to the stationary structure is relieved such that there is less instability downstream from that structure. |
US07811046B2 |
Dual-compartment trailer with front and rear live floors
A bifurcated, dual-compartment trailer having a front storage compartment and a rear storage compartment, each having a power driven live floor. The storage compartments are selectively separated by a moveable or openable partition having a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the partition divides the front compartment from the rear compartment and provides a barrier that prevents bulk material contained in either compartment from mixing with bulk material in the other compartment. The trailer includes a rear door, and when opened, the rear compartment may be unloaded using the rear live floor, after which the partition may be opened and the front compartment unloaded using both the front and rear live floors. |
US07811041B2 |
Car dumper dust collection method and apparatus
An apparatus for controlling dust generated by the rotary dumping of rail cars may include one or more baffles of a rotary dump frame to seal a portion of the material receiving pit during a portion of the rotary motion. The dust cloud generated by this dumping is retained in the pit for an increased time due to tumbling of the cloud induced by the baffles and other features of the facility. A plurality of intake ducts removes the dust cloud from the pit for transfer to a remote filtering facility. |
US07811038B2 |
Self-locking nut
A self-locking nut includes a nut; a washer having a locking feature, the locking feature having a plurality of ridges; and at least one locking tab for slidably coupling the nut to the washer and engaging with the locking feature to resist rotation of the nut with respect to the washer. |
US07811037B2 |
Anchor bolt and annularly grooved expansion sleeve assembly exhibiting high pull-out resistance, particularly under cracked concrete test conditions
A wedge-type anchor assembly, capable of meeting cracked concrete testing standards, comprises an anchor bolt component and a substantially C-shaped expansion sleeve component annularly disposed about the anchor bolt component. A plurality of annular grooves, threads, or teeth are disposed only about the forward end portion of the expansion sleeve component, as opposed to throughout the entire axial length thereof, so that when the anchor bolt component is moved axially through the expansion sleeve component, the maximum interference area (M.I.A.) and maximum interference volume (M.I.V.) can be generated between the anchor bolt component and the expansion sleeve component in a controlled and predictable manner, as well as between the expansion sleeve component and the internal peripheral side wall portions of a concrete substrate or substructure can be generated so as to enhance pull-out resistance and reliability of the anchor assembly within the concrete substructure or substrate. |
US07811035B2 |
Apparatus for deburring with planing tools a metal strand cut to length by gas cutting
An apparatus is described for deburring with planing tools a metal strand cut to length by gas cutting, which planing tools are adjustably held each for themselves transversally to the metal strand in a support, and with a drive for the relative advancing movement of the planing tools relative to the metal strand which is cut to length. The annular support includes at least two sets of planing tools which are radially adjustable to the metal strand cut to length, which sets are arranged behind one another in the longitudinal direction of the metal strand cut to length and which are staggered against each other set by set. |
US07811032B2 |
Methods and devices for ground stabilization
Methods and devices for stabilizing slopes created by human activity during, for example, building construction, road construction, golf course construction, or other type of construction, where a plurality of plate piles are inserted in a diamond shaped lattice pattern below the ground surface to stabilize. Methods and devices for securing existing slopes around structures where a plurality of plate piles are inserted in a diamond shaped lattice pattern below the ground surface. Methods and devices for stabilizing a waterfront where a series of plate piles are inserted along the waterfront. |
US07811031B2 |
Device and method for installing a rock bolt and a rock bolt installation rig
A device (5) for installing a pressure fluid expandable rock bolt (4) of the kind having a tubular expansion portion and a fitting portion, said device at a distal portion having chuck means for gripping the fitting portion and for establishing a sealed connection between a fluid source and the inlet, said device extending essentially in an axial direction. The device includes at a proximal portion a holder portion (11) that is adapted to be fitted to a drill string engagement element (27) of a rock drilling machine. The invention also concerns a method and a rig. |
US07811028B1 |
Hooded check tube
A check tube is sealed on one end and may be open on the opposite end. The check tube may have a cape, a flap and/or a hood attached to the check tube to, among other things, anchor the check tube and/or to prevent water flow, and thus erosion, between adjacent check tubes, beneath the check tube and/or downstream of the check tube. A temporary pocket defining a subset of the volume of the check tube is provided in the check tube and filled with fill material that expands after being introduced to water. Just prior to, during or after installation of the check tube, the pocket is opened, broken or dissolved and the check tube is introduced to water thereby allowing the fill material to expand to the full volume of the check tube. |
US07811026B1 |
Support base for flexible marker device
A flexible marker device comprises a marker body having a bottom end and a top end, and a base for supporting the marker body. The base has an aperture in a center portion thereof and a cavity extending about the aperture in an upper surface of the base. The bottom end of the marker body is at least partially disposed within the cavity, which has a segmented cog shape. A cured material, preferably urethane, is disposed in the cavity to thereby secure the marker body to the base. |
US07811024B2 |
Dovetail alignment and locking system
An alignment and locking system includes a dovetailed male portion having partial female threads formed in a surface thereof, a housing having a dovetailed notch for slidingly receiving the male portion, and a screw assembly coupled to the housing. The screw assembly includes a rotatable rod having a threaded region that partially extends into the housing's notch. The threaded region includes a partially threaded portion and a fully threaded portion. The partially threaded portion is defined by (i) a first region that cannot engage the partial female threads of the male portion as it slides in the notch, and (ii) a second region that can engage the partial female threads of the male portion as it slides in the notch. The system is further configured to impart a biased rotational movement to the rod to align the first region of the partially threaded portion with the notch when the male portion is not engaged in the notch. |
US07811023B2 |
Articulated junction device
An articulated junction device between a suspended structure and a load bearing structure comprises a hinge pin, at least one first part being installed in the suspended structure so as to be able to rotate about a first axis and a second part installed in the load bearing structure so as to be able to rotate about a second axis. The hinge pin passes through the first part and the second part. The first axis and the second axis are parallel to each other and offset from each other. |
US07811021B2 |
Product applicator, in particular for cosmetics
An applicator including an application face formed by a material incorporating a plurality of cells opening onto the application face via at least one emergent edge, the application face being at least partially covered by a flock coating formed from fibers, the average size of the cells being such that the surface on which the flocking fibers are placed is of a different profile from that of an envelope surface of the application face containing the emergent edges of the cells. |
US07811019B2 |
Sanitary disposable writing instrument, method of making, and dispenser therefore
A sanitary disposable writing instrument for minimizing the transfer of bacteria, viruses and/or chemicals from one person to another is provided. The sanitary disposable writing instrument comprises a strip of flexible holding material having a writing implement with a writing tip attached to the flexible material. A grasping means is formed from a portion of the holding material. This grasping means allows the user to grasp the writing implement to write with the writing tip. The disposable writing instruments are provided in a series of instruments that may be removed, used, and disposed of leaving a subsequent, untouched sanitary writing instrument in place for the next user. A dispenser for dispensing these writing instruments and a method of making such instruments is also provided in this invention. |
US07811018B2 |
Door opening or closing detecting apparatus and image forming apparatus
A door opening or closing detecting device and an image forming apparatus including a shaft member which is provided to a housing slidably along one end of a door, and urged to be brought into pressure contact with a pressing member through a pressure contact member, the shaft member being slid by the pressing member which moves with the opening/closing of the door. The opening/closing of the door is detected by a detecting portion according to sliding of the shaft member, and a power supply is interrupted by a switch portion. The door opening or closing detecting apparatus and the image forming apparatus are capable of reliably detecting the opening/closing of the door and appropriately interrupting the power supply while achieving space saving and reduction in size of the apparatus. |
US07811013B2 |
Media guide
Various embodiments and methods are disclosed relating to one or more media guides configured to guide a surface being printed upon relative to a manually moved print device. |
US07810998B2 |
Multi-handle utility bag
A multi-handle utility bag comprising a durable outer body and underframe, multiple handles, and a series of externally-disposed pockets. Extending from the peripheral lip or mouth of the bag are two pairs of diametrically-opposed handles, wherein the first pair of handles enables single-person carriage of the bag, whereas the second pair of handles enables, at a minimum, two-person in-line or side-by-side carriage of the bag. |
US07810997B2 |
Radiographic apparatus and radiation detection signal processing method
A radiographic apparatus according to this invention stores, before an imaging event, offset images and gain correcting images corresponding to a plurality of storage times, and acquires a lag image and a radiographic image based on these stored images. Then, lag correction is carried out to remove lags, using the lag image, from the radiographic image. In this way, from the radiographic image taking into consideration the offset images and gain correcting images corresponding to the storage times, lags are removed using the lag image which similarly fakes into consideration the offset images and gain correcting images corresponding to the storage times. Lag-behind parts, including offset and gain components, are removed from radiation detection signals in a simple way. |
US07810993B2 |
Temperature sensor having a rotational response to the environment
Methods and systems of the invention are directed to a temperature sensor that includes a substrate, a first conductive plate, and a second conductive plate. The substrate is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The first conductive plate is formed of a material having a CTE that is higher than the CTE of the substrate, and is attached to a first surface of the substrate. The second conductive plate is rotatably connected to the substrate through a hinge, and includes a portion that is adjacent to the first conductive plate. |
US07810989B2 |
Cocktail shaker
A cocktail shaker uses a motor to cause a container to be shaken. The shaker includes a following member coupled to a following device that is engaged in a directional mechanism, such as a slot or rod. The directional mechanism defines the path and angle of the motion imparted to the container. The throw is defined by the mechanism that transforms rotational motion of a motor to a shaking motion of the container. A mechanism for transforming rotational motion to a shaking motion may include a rotational member and an attachment member pivotally coupled to the rotational member on one end and coupled to the device holding the container on the other end. A combination of throw, path, and motor speed are capable of providing a mechanism for shaking the container that is similar to shaking the container by hand. For example, the motor speed and duration of shaking may be continuously variable or discretely selectable, which may be selected by the user. |
US07810984B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a container module with a novel structure
A liquid crystal display has a mold frame divided into several parts. The liquid crystal display device includes a display unit for displaying an image, a back-light assembly having a light source for generating a light, a light guiding plate for guiding the light, and a light focusing portion for focusing the light, and a mold divided into a first frame and a second frame. The mold frame receives the display unit and the back-light assembly. The first frame receives the light guiding plate and the light focusing portion and the second frame receives the light source. A reflection sheet is integral formed at an inner surface of the second frame so as to perform the function of a lamp reflector. Accordingly, a lamp cover is not required so that the number of parts and the manufacturing cost are reduced. |
US07810983B2 |
Optical plate and backlight module using the same
An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of enclosing V-shaped protrusions, a plurality of spherical protrusions, and a lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The spherical protrusions are formed on the light output surface. The enclosing V-shaped protrusions are formed on the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided. |
US07810977B2 |
Backlight device and display device using the same
A backlight device includes a main light guide plate, auxiliary light guide portions provided on the side of an opposed surface of the main light guide plate, and light sources arranged to emit light into the auxiliary light guide portions. A reflector is arranged to surround the introduction surface of the main light guide plate and the auxiliary light guide portions. Furthermore, an optical path forming member is provided on the inside of the reflector so as to form a dedicated optical path from the auxiliary light guide plate to the main light guide plate. Thereby, the light emitted from one auxiliary light guide portion is prevented from entering into another auxiliary light guide portion. |
US07810974B2 |
Lighting device
The invention relates to a lighting device (1) comprising an envelope (2), a base (3), a solid-state light source (4) and optical means (5) provided with a light-outcoupling surface, the solid-state light source (4) being optically coupled to said optical means (5). The use of a spirally wound optical fiber as optical means (5) and a transparant envelope (2) shaped as a conventional light bulb provides a lighting device (1) which is a good look-alike of the conventional incandescent lamp, such as, for instance, the carbon filament lamp. The long life-time and high efficiency of LEDs as a solid-state light source (4) will make this lighting device (1) a very attractive alternative for the conventional incandescent lamp. The lighting device (1) according to the present invention has the further advantage that a large gamut of colors can be chosen and adjusted by using, for instance, red green and blue LEDs in said lighting device (1). The electronics for driving and controlling the intensity and color settings can be incorporated in the lighting device (1). |
US07810972B2 |
Headlamp assembly having an adjustable light beam direction
A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle, including a housing coupling the headlamp assembly to a frame of the motor vehicle, a light source positioned within the housing for emitting light rays, and a reflector positioned within the housing and configured to direct the light rays into a beam. The reflector is movable with respect to the housing and the light source so as to adjust the beam direction. |
US07810970B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling swivel angle of on-vehicle headlight
In the vehicle lighting control apparatus and method, it is determined that the user's steering wheel is returned from a steering angle existing in a saturated steering angle region toward a neutral steering angle region at a given speed or more. If such a steering condition is found, a swivel angle is calculated based on a swivel-angle control characteristic showing a monotonic decrease in the swivel angle when the steering angle decreases from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering angle range to a third preset angle. The third preset angle is an angle from which the swivel angle decreasing from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering range becomes zero. This calculated swivel angle is used to control the swivel angle of light irradiated from on-vehicle headlights. |
US07810966B2 |
Cables fixing apparatus for backlight module
A cables fixing apparatus for a backlight module includes a rear frame having a leading-out area in a side edge provided with a plurality of protrusions thereof; a lamp cable led out from said leading-out area; and a mold frame provided with a plurality of crooks, wherein each of said crooks faces one of said protrusions on said side edge of said rear frame so as to define a cable groove, and said lamp cable is accommodated and fixed in said cable groove along an edge of said rear frame. These protrusions of the rear frame and these crooks of the mold frame are utilized to arrange and fix the lamp cable in the cable groove to avoid the fracturing problem of solder joint of lamp and prevent the interference as assembling because of the displacement issue of the lamp cable. |
US07810960B1 |
Light fixture assembly having improved heat dissipation capabilities
A light fixture assembly including an illumination assembly in the form of one or more light emitting diodes is interconnected to an electrical energy source by control circuitry. A mounting assembly supports the illumination assembly and a cover structure is disposed in heat transferring relation to the illumination assembly, wherein the cover structure, which has an enlarged surface area formed of a heat conductive material, defines a decorative exterior of the light fixture and is disposed exterior of a mounting surface, thereby effectively dissipating the heat generated by the LED illumination assembly towards the environment being illuminated by the light fixture. |
US07810959B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source and a ventilating tube. The light guide plate includes a light exiting surface and a light incident surface adjacent the light exiting surface. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes facing the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The ventilating tube is thermally connected to the light source. The ventilating tube defines an air inlet in one first end, an air outlet in an opposite second end, and an air passage channel interconnecting the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet is at a higher altitude than the air inlet along a gravitational force direction. |
US07810957B2 |
LED lamp assembly
An LED lamp assembly includes an LED lamp and a supporting member supporting the LED lamp. The LED lamp includes a plurality of LED modules and a heat sink supporting and cooling the LED modules. The supporting member includes a pair of supporting arms supporting the LED lamp and pivotably engaging with the heat sink of the LED lamp. The heat sink is rotatable relative to the supporting arms of the supporting member to vary an illumination angle of the LED lamp assembly. |
US07810955B2 |
Linear LED illumination system
A linear LED light module and system includes a heat sink, a printed circuit board, a plurality of LEDs, a power supply housing, a flexible electrical conductor, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a power supply. The heat sink is elongated in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis that is parallel with a greatest dimension of the heat sink. The PCB is in thermal communication with the heat sink and includes circuitry. The plurality of LEDs mount to the PCB and are in electrical communication with the circuitry of the PCB. The power supply housing connects to the heat sink. The flexible electrical conductor includes at least two wires that are configured to accommodate an AC line voltage of at least 120 VAC. The first electrical connector is at a first end of the electrical conductor. The second electrical connector is at a second end of the electrical conductor. The second connector has a configuration that complements the first connector so that the second connector can connect to an associated adjacent first connector of an associated adjacent LED module to allow a plurality of similar LED modules to be mechanically and electrically connected to one another. The power supply is disposed in the power supply housing and in electrical communication with the circuitry of the PCB and the electrical conductor. The power supply is configured to receive the AC line voltage from the electrical conductor and to convert the received AC line voltage to a lower DC voltage for delivery to the circuitry of the PCB to drive the LEDs mounted on the PCB. |
US07810953B2 |
Illuminating device
An illuminating device includes a light source module and a power supply module. The light source module includes a substrate, at least one solid state light emitting element, and a plurality of first heat-conducting fins. The substrate has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The at least one solid state light emitting element is arranged on the first surface. The first heat-conducting fins are formed on the second surface. The power supply module includes a housing with a slot formed therein. The housing includes a heat-conducting bottom plate and a plurality of second heat-conducting fins formed on the heat-conducting bottom plate. The light source module is detachably inserted in the slot with the first heat-conducting fins interleaved with the second heat-conducting fins and in thermal contact with the heat-conducting bottom. |
US07810951B1 |
LED module having heat dissipation structure and optimal light distribution
An LED module comprises a heat dissipating bracket, a substrate, multiple LED assemblies and two rotatable mounting assemblies. The heat dissipating bracket has a top panel, a bottom panel and multiple flues. Each flue connects a corresponding top hole of the top panel and a bottom hole of the bottom panel. The substrate is mounted on the bottom panel and has multiple independent through holes respectively corresponding to the flues. The LED assemblies are respectively mounted on the substrate between two adjacent through holes. The rotatable mounting assemblies are respectively connected to two ends of the heat dissipating bracket, wherein the heat dissipating bracket is adapted to change an illuminating direction of the LED assemblies by rotating with the rotatable mounting assemblies. With the heat dissipating bracket and the rotatable mounting assemblies, the LED module obtains good heat-dissipating efficiency and optimal light distribution. |
US07810946B2 |
Portable lighting lamp equipped with a printed circuit card housed in a tightly sealed environment, and method for assembling the lamp
A lighting lamp having an enclosure housing a DC power source and contact parts for connection to a printed circuit card connected with a light-emitting diode. The contact parts comprise first contact elements electrically connected with the power source and second contact elements designed to pass successively through a pair of holes situated in a tight intermediate wall of the enclosure and a through a pair of slots of the card. Soldering of the second contact elements onto the card, in addition to electric connection of the power source, enables a tightly sealed compartment to be achieved in the enclosure around the card. |
US07810939B2 |
Coordinated pivoting and extending vehicle mirror
An exterior vehicle mirror system has a support mounted to the side of the vehicle; a support arm extending from said support to a distal end; a mirror housing movable along said support arm from a first position proximate said fixed support to a second position proximate said distal end, and enclosing a mirror unit and an electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism for adjusting said mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes; an electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism for pivoting said support arm about said support between an extended position and a folded position, and for moving said mirror housing along said support arm from said first position to said second position; and an electronic control system operable by a driver of the vehicle to control the operation of said powered pivoting and extending mechanism independent of the operation of said powered mirror unit adjust mechanism. |
US07810936B2 |
Microscope and dust treatment method for microscope
A microscope includes an optical member; a movable member that moves so as to pass near the optical member at a time of observation operation of the microscope; and a dust removing member that is mounted on the movable member, and that exerts a function of removing dust adhered on a surface of the optical member when the movable member moves. |
US07810931B2 |
Light source apparatus, optical modulation apparatus, display apparatus, light condense illumination apparatus and projection type color display apparatus
A light source apparatus, including: an array light source in which a plurality of emission light sources is arranged; a divergence characteristic controller disposed corresponding to the array light source and configured to control a divergence characteristic of each of the emission light sources of the array light source; and a focusing optical element configured to control a directivity of light emitted from each of the emission light sources of the array light source, and the array light source, the divergence characteristic controller, and the focusing optical element are arranged in this order in a direction of emission from the array light source, and a following formula is satisfied: 0.067≦L/f<1.1 where an effective diagonal length of the array light source is L and a focal distance of the focusing optical element is f. |
US07810929B2 |
Optical system for a fundus camera
The invention is directed to an optical system for a fundus camera in which lens pairs are tilted relative to the imaging beam path to prevent flare. This tilting is carried out in two planes and these planes are preferably oriented perpendicular to one another. |
US07810928B2 |
Evaluating pupillary responses to light stimuli
Solutions for evaluating the pupillary responses of a patient are disclosed. An illustrative method includes alternately exposing a first eye and a second eye of the patient to light stimulation in successive intervals, the light stimulation provided by at least one light source controlled by at least one computing device; concurrently capturing, with at least one image device controlled by the at least one computing device, image data of the first eye and the second eye during the exposing; and using the at least one computing device to perform the following: determine a center point of the first eye within the image data of the first eye and a center point of the second eye within the image data of the second eye; obtain image data of a first half of the first eye having an edge defined by a line of pixels intersecting the determined center point of the first eye; obtain image data of a second half of the second eye, the second half of the second eye opposing the first half of the first eye and having an edge defined by a line of pixels intersecting the determined center point of the second eye; create a composite image including the image data of the first half of the first eye and the image data of the second half of the second eye; and provide the composite image for evaluation. |
US07810926B2 |
Lateral gaze angle estimation using relative eye separation
This invention provides for the automatic determination of a human's gaze angle. The gaze angle is assumed to be the same as the head angle (i.e., eyes looking straight ahead). It is determined by comparing the observed eye separation relative to a maximal eye separation. The gaze angle is then determined to be the inverse cosine, or arc cosine, of the ratio of these two measurements. |
US07810924B2 |
Eyeglass frames for people with special needs
Eyeglass frames for people with Down syndrome, for others having facial characteristics similar to those with Down syndrome, and those with a depressed nasal bridge or a low nasal bridge, the eyeglass frames having a bridge lower than the normal higher placed bridge and in general alignment with the optical center of lenses mounted in the lens frames, extensions to widen the temple distance to accommodate the broader temples of people having Down syndrome or facial characteristics similar to those with Down syndrome, lower temples to maintain the general alignment of the location of the optical center with the pupils of the person wearing the eyeglass frames; and shorter temples than temples for normal caucasians to accommodate the ears as located on persons with normal facial features. |
US07810922B2 |
Phase change ink imaging component having conductive coating
Herein includes an offset printing apparatus for transferring and optionally fixing a phase change ink onto a print medium including a) a phase change ink application component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image to an imaging member; b) an imaging member for accepting, transferring and optionally fixing the phase change ink image to the print medium, the imaging member having i) an imaging substrate, and thereover ii) an outer coating with a urethane and a conductive salt; and c) a release agent management system for supplying a release agent to the imaging member, wherein an amount of release agent needed for transfer and optionally fixing the phase change ink image is reduced. |
US07810918B2 |
One way compatibility keying for solid ink sticks
A plurality of ink sticks for use in phase change ink imaging devices includes a first ink stick configured for insertion through an insertion opening of an ink loader for a first phase change ink imaging device and configured for insertion through an insertion opening of an ink loader for a second phase change ink imaging device. The plurality of ink sticks also includes a second ink stick configured for insertion through the insertion opening of the ink loader for the second phase change ink imaging device and configured to be excluded from insertion through the insertion opening of the ink loader for the first phase change ink imaging device. |
US07810915B2 |
Actuator device, liquid-jet head and liquid-jet apparatus
Disclosed is an actuator device that includes a piezoelectric element provided as being freely displaceable on a substrate. The piezoelectric element includes a lower electrode, a piezoelectric layer and an upper electrode. In the actuator device, the Young's modulus of the lower electrode is not less than 200 GPa. |
US07810909B2 |
Liquid drop jet apparatus and image forming apparatus capable of improving image quality and reducing cost
A liquid drop jet apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of nozzles to jet out a liquid droplet, a liquid room corresponding to the nozzles, a liquid supply path to supply a liquid into the liquid room, a vibration board to apply a pressure to the liquid in the liquid room, and an electromechanical converter to vibrate the vibration board. The vibration board has a thin region corresponding to a wall of the liquid room and a thicker region thicker than the thin region. A longitudinal length of the thin region is longer than a longitudinal length of the liquid room, and the thicker region includes an end corresponding to a side of the liquid supply path. |
US07810908B2 |
Ink-jet head
The confronting area of flexible printed circuit is interposed between the leading face and the passage unit. A protruding length of the protrusion region from the spaced face is equal or larger than that of the fixed region. A recess is formed on the support face of the passage unit at a position confronting the leading face. Both ends of the leading face are interposed between both ends of the opening of the recess with respect to a draw-out direction. The confronting area of the flexible printed circuit passes through the recess. |
US07810902B2 |
Inkjet printer having printed media transport of drying length
An inkjet printer is provided having a housing, an elongate print media transport assembly mounted in the housing, a pagewidth printhead mounted in the housing so as to be located at a print media entry side of the print media transport assembly, and an air duct mounted in the housing so as to be arranged to deliver air to said transport assembly in order to dry print media in use. The elongate print media transport assembly has one or more conveyor belts which are of a length to facilitate warm-set ink drying of the print media during operation of said belts at the predetermined speed. |
US07810897B2 |
Droplet ejection apparatus and cleaning method of a droplet receiving surface
A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head that ejects droplets; a conveying member that retains a recording medium and conveys the recording medium with facing the recording medium to the droplet ejection head; a coating member that coats the conveying member with a lubricant; and a cleaning member that cleans the conveying member. The droplet ejection apparatus satisfies the following formulae (1) L2≧L1 (1) wherein, in the formulae (1): L1 is the width, in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, of the cleaning of the conveying member by the cleaning member; and L2 is the width, in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, of coating the lubricant on the conveying member by the coating member. |
US07810894B2 |
Hybrid printing device
A hybrid printer adapted to print onto roll-based print media and rigid print media is presented. The printer comprises a print head that is movable along at least one substantially horizontal scan axis; and drive means adapted to drive lifting means. The lifting means are arranged to cause the scan axis to undergo movement in a substantially vertical direction when driven by the drive means, thereby enabling a distance between the print head and the print media to be adjusted. |
US07810891B2 |
Refrigerator having basket lift apparatus
A refrigerator includes a main body having cooling chambers for keeping food items therein, a base frame disposed to be movable in outward and inward directions in a lower cooling chamber disposed at a lower portion of the main body, and having a basket door at its front side, a lift frame disposed on the base frame, on which the basket is put, a fluid pressure cylinder mounted at the base frame and connected to the lift frame to lift the lift frame, and an fluid compressor connected to the fluid pressure cylinder by an fluid supply pipe and supplying compressed fluid to the fluid pressure cylinder. Accordingly, as the basket is lifted when being drawn out, a user can take out food items kept in the basket without bending his/her back, which enhances user's convenience. |
US07810889B2 |
Digital databus
A brake system for a railway vehicle (10), wherein the axles (3, 6) of the vehicle are provided with axle speed sensors (1, 2, 4, 5) adapted to measure the speed of rotation of the respective axle. The output of the axle speed sensor being fed to a data processor (7), which is provided with local intelligence so as to permit individual control of brake pressure on each axle or, alternatively on each bogie or car. The data processor (7) communicates, in use, with a brake control unit via a databus (18), the sensor outputs being processed so that the data can be communicated between the data processor (7) and further data processors (17), which further data processors are adapted to process sensor outputs on further axles or bogies. |
US07810884B2 |
Vehicle seat with slide valve
The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a height-adjustable seat frame which comprises at least two seat frame parts which can move relative to one another and at least one fluid spring, in particular an air spring, arranged on the seat frame parts for height adjustment purposes, with at least one control device which is provided for influencing the fluid spring and which comprises at least one valve device with control valves which is attached to the first seat frame part and is designed to control fluid flows for the fluid spring, and also a control element which is provided on a second seat frame part and is designed to actuate the control valves, so that a height adjustment and/or damping oscillatory movement of the vehicle seat is ensured, wherein the valve device comprises an internally cylindrical component with at least one rod element arranged displaceably therein as a control element, wherein at least one fluid intake and discharge opening of the rod element can selectively be assigned to one of the control elements by a relative displacement of the cylindrical component and the rod element with respect to one another. |
US07810883B2 |
Adjustable child restraint device
The present invention provides an adjustable child restraint device, namely, a juvenile safety seat. The safety seat preferably includes a backrest and a pair of side guards that protect the body and shoulder of a person, such as a small child. Each of the pair of side guards have a top end and a bottom end and each are respectively pivotally connected about an axis to the backrest at their bottom ends and movable between a closed position and an open position so that the distance between the respective bottom ends of the side guards remains substantially constant and the distance between the respective top ends of the side guards is adjustable by pivoting movement of the side guards. A curved guide means is disposed in communication with the side guards for guiding movement of the side guards. |
US07810882B2 |
Ganging device for chair
A connectable chair has a frame for supporting a seat and a back support. The frame including a pair of spaced apart leg members. A female ganging device and a corresponding male ganging device both have a mounting portion and an engagement portion. The engagement portion interconnects like chairs in a side-by-side relationship. The mounting portion secures the female and male ganging device to opposite sides of the frame. The female ganging further includes a receiving slot extending across the engagement portion. The male ganging device further includes an elongated flange extending across the engagement portion. The flange of the male ganging device may be received by the receiving slot of the female ganging device of a like chair thereby providing for the interconnection of a plurality of connectable chairs in a side-by-side relationship. |
US07810881B2 |
Vehicle seat frame with a hinge mounting, more specifically with a seat back hinge mounting
A frame of a motor vehicle seat for a motor vehicle including a hinge mounting having a hinge arm, and further including a structure part, said structure part being connected to the hinge arm in a connection region, the connection region being rigid when subjected to a load below a threshold value that occurs at accelerations in a normal driving condition of the motor vehicle and the connection region being compliant when subjected to bending loads at values occurring at accelerations of the motor vehicle occurring in an event of an accident, whereby the connection region includes a tongue that projects from one of the hinge arm and the structure part, and further includes a holding device that is provided on the one of the hinge arm and the structure part on which the holding device is not provided. |
US07810871B2 |
Vehicle body side portion structure
A vehicle body side portion structure is disposed with a pair of right and left roof side rails disposed along a vehicle anteroposterior direction on both sides of a roof reinforcement that extends along a vehicle width direction of a roof and connection portions that bond together the roof side rails and the roof reinforcement. First fold portions in vehicle width direction outside end portions of the connection portions are disposed in a position higher in a vehicle vertical direction than second fold portions in vehicle width direction inside end portions of the connection portions. When a side load F equal to or greater than a predetermined value is inputted, the first fold portions rotate and move towards the vehicle upper side with the second fold portions acting as supporting points, the first fold portions become bent so as to become convex towards the vehicle upper side. |
US07810870B2 |
Vehicle body structure
A vehicle body stricture includes a vehicle frame having a pair of longitudinally extending first frame members spaced apart from one another supporting opposite lower side portions of a vehicle and a laterally extending second frame member extending between respective front portions of the first frame members. A vehicle body is supported on the vehicle frame. A bumper assembly is supported by at least one of the first frame members and the second frame member having a front bumper facia member with a lower edge that extends downward toward an underside of the second frame member. A compatibility member extends laterally between the first frame members, with at least a portion of the compatibility member extending below the second frame member. The compatibility member has at least one attachment point fixed to the second frame member. |
US07810867B2 |
Vehicle with drag-reducing outer surface
A vehicle with a drag-reducing outer surface. A method of reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes the steps of: providing an outer surface on a body of the vehicle, with the outer surface including spaced apart turbulence-inducing structures thereon. The structures cause boundary layer separation to be delayed along a length of the body, thereby reducing a drag coefficient of the body. A vehicle wrapping product for reducing aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag on a vehicle includes an outer surface for applying onto an opaque portion of a body of the vehicle. The outer surface includes a plurality of structures which induce turbulence and thereby delay separation of a boundary layer along a length of the body, to thereby reduce a drag coefficient of the body. |
US07810864B2 |
Opening and closing device
An opening and closing device includes an electrically conductive fixed body, a movable body, a drive motor, a speed control device, a detection assembly, and a determining device. The electrically conductive fixed body defines an opening portion therein. The movable body is displaceable between a full closed position and a full open position. The drive motor drives the movable body to open and close the opening portion of the fixed body. The detection assembly includes a sensor electrode. The determining device computes, as a detection value, a change amount of the capacitance at the sensor electrode per a predetermined constant measuring time based on the change of the capacitance detected by the sensor electrode. The determining device compares the detection value with a constant threshold value, and determines whether the object exists between the movable body and the periphery of the opening portion based on the comparison result. |
US07810862B2 |
Dual access vehicle storage assembly
A vehicle storage assembly can cover a vehicle storage area such as an interior console or a cargo box. The storage assembly can include a base and a lid. The lid can be opened from two sides to allow easy access for a driver and passengers to an interior storage compartment. The base includes at least two rods, which can act as axles for the lid to pivot about. The lid includes at least one rotation member or guide which can be released from the rod only when the lid is in a desired position, for example, a closed position. The lid can include a latch for each rod. The lid can have a lock to secure one or both of the latches with the lid in a closed position. |
US07810860B2 |
Portable pet faeces collection container
A portable container for faeces having a body provided with a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is provided with a first closure which in a first position allows access to the first chamber and in a second position seals the first chamber. The second chamber is provided with an opening which allows access to the second chamber. |
US07810859B1 |
Pet waste pickup and disposal system
An animal waste pickup and disposal device specifically designed to be inexpensive, simple to use and prevent a user from coming into direct contact with the animal waste either while picking it up, disposing of the waste, or after or during cleanup. The device having a bag on one part of the device to collect the waste and a shovel that is covered with a pad or sleeve that pushed the waste into the bag. The pad or sleeve designed to cover the shovel so as to protect it from becoming soiled in the process. |
US07810857B2 |
Protector
A protector assembly for attachment to a vehicle such as a truck. The assembly includes a base member which is permanently attached to the truck and a cushion member which is retained adjacent the base member by retainer. The cushion member is slidable relative to the base member between the retention position and a release position whereby in the release position the cushion member is no longer retained by the retainer. The cushion member includes a mounting portion formed from a relatively hard material which engages the retainer, and a working portion formed from a relatively soft resilient elastomeric material. |
US07810856B2 |
Locking system
The invention relates to a closing system for a door or a flap of a motor vehicle and comprises a lock, a door handle affixable to the door and fitted with an external grip element with a centralized locking motor linked to a control unit and operationally connected to the lock, whereby the closing system can be moved into a secured and into a disengaged state, and also comprises an opening motor acting as an opening accessory and/or a closing motor acting as a closing accessory for the lock.The invention provides that the door handle be associated with a handle support which is configured internally on the side away from the grip element and which affixes the door handle to the door, said opening motor and/or the closing motor as well as the centralized locking motor being mounted on the handle support, where said opening motor and/or the closing motor as well as the centralized locking motor are connected directly, or indirectly by means of at least one force transmitting element, to the lock 3. |
US07810854B2 |
Trash container locking apparatus
A locking apparatus for releasably securing the lid of a trash container in a closed position has a locking arm with an elongate central portion for extending across the closed lid and bent end portions pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the container via pivot brackets which allow the arm to be pivoted between a first position extending across the closed lid of the trash container and a second position extending across the front wall of the container. The pivot bracket on one side is part of a locking device which has first and second locking formations on opposite sides of the pivot bracket, and the bent end portion of the arm on that side is releasably locked to the first locking formation by a locking member such as a padlock when the arm is in the first position and releasably locked to the second locking formation by the same member when the arm is in the second position. |
US07810852B2 |
Manual actuating system assisted by a shape-memory actuator
An assisted manual actuating device includes a controlled member, which can be displaced from a first position into a second position, a control member, which is designed to actuate the controlled member, and a mechanical transmission, which connects the control member to the controlled member. The mechanical transmission includes a shape-memory element, which is supplied by an electrical-supply that can be activated when the control member reaches an actuation position. The assisted manual actuating device includes an activation device having an anchor for constraining the mechanical transmission when the control member reaches the actuation position of the device in such a way as to enable the mechanical transmission to move only in the direction useful for bringing the controlled member into the second position. |
US07810851B2 |
Wrenchless manifold
A sprinkler apparatus including a manifold is used with a nipple and a union. The manifold includes a pipe section and at least one port. There is a fitting on the port. The nipple has a proximal and distal end. A fitting is located at the distal end of the nipple. One or more radially extending projections may be positioned around the circumference of the nipple. The fitting on the distal end of the nipple may form a water-tight seal with a fitting on a valve without tightening with a wrench by mating projections and indentations and applying a torque to the union. The union includes one or more indentations that may align with and mate with the projections to allow the union to slide over the nipple. The union has a fitting. The fitting on the union corresponds to and engages the fitting on the port. |
US07810850B2 |
Tube coupling
A fluid coupling having an outer housing with an internal bore, an O-ring fitted within the bore, a spacer bushing fitted against the O-ring, a gripper ring fitted against the axially outer side of the spacer ring, the gripper ring having axially and radially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripping teeth, the teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, and an end bushing holding the gripper ring, spacer bushing, and O-ring within the outer housing. A fluid coupling having an outer housing with an internal bore, an O-ring seal fitted within the bore, a spacer bushing fitted against the seal, a first gripper ring fitted against the axially outer side of the spacer ring, a second gripper ring fitted against the O-ring seal, the gripper rings having axially and radially inwardly protruding circumferentially spaced gripping teeth, in one embodiment the teeth arranged for providing a twist when subjected to simultaneous rearward axial and rotational forces, and an end bushing holding the gripper rings, spacer bushing, and O-ring within the outer housing. |
US07810846B2 |
Electrostatic dissipation solution for angled fuel port of a fuel supply unit
A flange structure (10′) for a fuel supply unit of a vehicle includes at least one non-electrically conductive plastic fuel port (16′) having first and second ends. A non-electrically conductive plastic flange (20′) is integral with the fuel port between the first and second ends. The flange is constructed and arranged to be coupled with a fuel tank of a vehicle. Electrically conductive grounding structure (32) is associated with the fuel port and has an elongated portion (36) extending within the fuel port so as to be exposed to fuel, and an end (40) connected with the elongated portion. An electrically conductive hose (30) is coupled with the first end of the fuel port and is in contact with the end of the grounding structure thereby defining a discharge path such that static electricity generated when fuel flows through the fuel port can be dissipated through the discharge path. |
US07810843B2 |
Guide loop assembly
A guide loop assembly for a seat belt has a core body with spaced front and rear flanges and an arcuate bearing surface for the seat belt extending therebetween. An arcuate shell cover is provided and has a concave configuration relative to the arcuate bearing surface. The shell cover extends between the front and rear flanges thereof. The shell cover includes a bushing portion integrally connected by a flexible hinge to the concave core configuration portion. The integral hinge is connected to an impact cover as by threading a flexible portion of the hinge through a hinge portion such as a split pin on the impact cover. In a method assembly, the impact cover and shell cover are hinged together and mounted on the core. After the fastener is inserted through the assembly, the impact cover is pivoted about the hinge to cover a fastener for the assembly. |
US07810831B2 |
Vehicle hitch with multi-directional damping
The present invention is directed to a trailer hitch isolation assembly that attaches to the tongue of a fifth wheel trailer and that provides a moveable connection between a tow vehicle and the trailer. The hitch assembly includes a floating hitch attachment member such as a king pin, which is adapted to be attached to a tow vehicle. The hitch isolation assembly allows the hitch attachment member to move at least vertically relative to the tow vehicle to which the hitch assembly is connected. One or more air springs connect the floating hitch attachment to the frame of the trailer. These air springs permit relative movement between the attachment support member and the frame. |
US07810827B2 |
Pilot operated valve with inversion control and pressure hold functions
A valve is disclosed for use in a system and process for controlling vehicle loading on a multi-axle vehicle and improving maneuverability. The valve partially exhausts air from an axle air bag when the vehicle is maneuvering at slow speed, reduces the load on the axle, and thus reduces damaging forces that affect tire wear and suspension component wear. The valve is a normally open, pilot operated valve that delivers supply air pressure upon receiving a sustained air pressure input of a pilot signal. Using an inversion function, the valve then dumps the delivery pressure through a high capacity exhaust upon receiving the pressure input of a secondary control signal. The hold function of the valve traps a reduced amount of delivery air pressure by closing the exhaust valve, and the hold function is actuated at a predetermined delivery pressure to trap a volume of air in the associated air suspension system until the valve member is returned to a supply position. |
US07810825B2 |
Braking and steering system for a truck, wheeled platform, skateboard or vehicle
A steering enhancement and braking system for a skateboard or wheeled platform having an actuating element configured to change the position of the skateboard deck relative to the skateboard truck. The actuating element comprises a deck plate configured to be attachable to a skateboard deck, and a truck plate configured to be attachable to a skateboard truck and the deck plate. Upon an application of a force to the skateboard deck the position of the truck plate relative to the deck plate changes. In addition, the system can achieve braking action by transferring the differential motion to the skateboard deck and the truck by the use of the actuating element. |
US07810823B2 |
Oscillating steering system for an agricultural implement
An oscillating in-line steering system for a pulled agricultural implement includes first and second in-line axles pivotably coupled with a frame. The system also includes at least first and second in-line wheel arrangements pivotably coupled with the first and second axles respectively. Each wheel arrangement has a plurality of pivotable wheel assemblies arranged in-line and wheel linkages coupling the in-line wheel assemblies such that in-line wheel assemblies oscillate together. A right-to-left linkage couples the wheel linkage of the first in-line wheel arrangement to the wheel linkage of the second in-line wheel arrangement so that the first in-line wheel arrangement oscillates at a steering angle proportional to that of the second in-line wheel arrangement. |
US07810820B2 |
Lightweight plastic sleds for emergency transport and hauling of loads
Lightweight inexpensive sleds, made of tough plastic or similar material, are disclosed for transporting injured people or inert loads. For rescue sleds, a strong strap is passed through slots around the periphery. This distributes forces in ways that avoid tearing, and it provides secure handholds, allowing people to lift and carry an injured person in a manner comparable to a backboard. A rescue sled including straps weighs only about 6 pounds, and can be carried on foot for miles, affixed to a backpack, making these sleds available immediately when needed. |
US07810819B2 |
Method and device for damping vibrations
The invention relates to a method for damping vibrations on chassis bearings of motor vehicles, and a device for implementing the process. A process and a device are to be presented with which outstanding vibration damping and vibration isolation and noise insulation can be achieved over a wide frequency range with consideration of the driving states and roadway conditions which occur in motor vehicles. For this purpose it is proposed that the driving state of the motor vehicle and/or the roadway conditions are detected by way of sensors and that the at least one chassis bearing is modified to different characteristics to change its stiffness and/or damping depending on the detected parameters. The device is formed with sensors for detecting the driving state of the motor vehicle and for roadway conditions, with an electronic control device for processing the acquired signals and for selection of various controllable characteristics and at least one chassis bearing, the stiffness and/or damping of which can be modified. |
US07810815B2 |
Baseball game
A new baseball player card is disclosed. A new baseball game is also disclosed. The baseball player cards have game playing indicia on the face of the card. |
US07810814B1 |
Strategic pattern building board game with ejecting feature
A game apparatus for a strategic pattern building board game with a feature for ejecting playing markers is defined. The game board has a multiplicity of channels having a first end and an opposite second end for receiving and ejecting playing markers respectively. The multiplicity of channels may be disposed between a first wall having a multiplicity of first apertures that define a matrix within the first wall and a second wall having a multiplicity of second apertures juxtaposed relative to the first wall. One or more openings disposed at the second end allow a player to eject playing markers. A retainer may be used to maintain playing markers in the matrix, and the retainer may comprise a pivoting and shifting set of bars that allows or prevents ejecting and emptying the matrix of playing markers. Some playing markers have indicia that define game play. |
US07810813B2 |
Dice poker game
A dice game and a method of playing the same, the game including a dice throwing arena having a floor and a circumferential barrier wall for confining thrown dice, a set of chips with each bearing a point value, a chip rack for visually displaying the set of chips in stacks organized according to the indicated point value of the chips, and a set of set of five six-sided dice, either having conventional markings on the respective faces signifying integers 1-6 and wherein odd numbered faces are marked with one color and even numbered faces are marked with a different color, or having alphabetic letters marked on the respective faces. Players roll the five dice in turns and collect chips under a set of rules that encourages strategic decision making to take advantage not only of chip values, but potential bonus points awarded for the particular combinations of chips collected during the course of play. |
US07810808B2 |
Image forming apparatus, sheet-conveyance control method, and sheet-conveyance control program
A register roller conveys a recording sheet to a transfer position. A sheet feed roller conveys the recording sheet toward the register roller. A conveyance control unit controls rotation-start timings of the register roller and the sheet feed roller in such a manner that a rotation-start timing of the sheet feed roller is prior to a rotation-start timing of the register roller at a time of starting a registering process to convey the recording sheet to the transfer position at a right timing with the image formed on the image carrier. |
US07810807B2 |
Device for centering an overlapping sheet flow
The device comprises a driven conveyor with a transport element for the horizontal guidance of an overlapped flow of product. Driven alignment units for aligning the sides of the overlapped flow are positioned on a support. A first alignment unit is arranged on the left side of the driven conveyor as seen in transporting direction, and a second alignment unit is arranged on the right side of the conveyor as seen in transporting direction. At least one device is provided for loosening up the overlapped flow from below, thus reducing the friction between adjacent individual products of the overlapped flow. As a result, the operation of centering the overlapped flow in an intake region and a steady-flow region is aided considerably. The device for loosening up the overlapped flow can be realized particularly cost-effectively through raised regions on the transport rollers. |
US07810797B2 |
Fluid filled vibration damping device and method of producing the same
A fluid filled vibration damping device including an elastic body connecting a first and second mounting member, a pressure-receiving chamber defined by the elastic body and an equilibrium chamber defined by a flexible rubber film. The second mounting member is press fitted into a tubular holder member having an annular holding portion integrally formed at its lower end projecting radially inwardly. A cover plate member having an outside diameter smaller than an inside diameter of the holder member is disposed within the holder member with an outer peripheral portion is fixedly clamped by the second mounting member and the annular holding portion. A sealing rubber is disposed for fluid-tightly closing a gap formed between the clamped portion so that an tightly closed air chamber defined by the cover plate member is formed on a back side of the flexible rubber film. |
US07810793B1 |
Pulley actuator
A pulley actuator implements a motor to drive a screw and a guide rod to relatively expand or retract while utilizing one flexible rope and two pulleys to drive three telescoped tubes to relatively expand or retract move correspondingly. The pulley actuator has a simplified structure as compared with the known devices and is easy to fabricate. |
US07810789B1 |
Floor protective device for motorcycles and the like
The present invention comprises a generally rectangular base with two longitudinal containment lips and two semi-arcuate lips on the front and rear for the containment and display of motorcycles or similar vehicles. The apparatus is uniquely suited to hold and display motorcycles or similar vehicles in an aesthetically pleasing manner while also containing and fluid leaks or spillage that may occur during the storage or display. A pair of adjustable stands holding the vehicle. Each stand can be selectively raised and fixed in a vertical position and adjusted to hold the vehicle. The stands can be lowered to the surface when not in use or removed. |
US07810788B2 |
Belt lifter apparatus
In one form, a belt lifter apparatus provides increased lifting force and belt lift height by a scissors mechanism having crossed lifting arms each having a translatable end and having a translatable pivot axis between the lifting arms. Preferably, other ends of the lifting arms are fixed to an upper belt lifting member and to a lower support base member at locations such that the pivot axis translates to a position located substantially at the center of the lifted belt when the belt is lifted to the highest lift height. Lightweight, aluminum tubular members are used for the lifting member and the base support and each includes a track for supporting the translatable ends of the lifting arms. The span width of the base member is adjusted by sliding telescoping, tubular legs within the base tubular element. Pivoted wing arms are supported by braces extending to the belt lifting member. |
US07810779B2 |
Apparatus for preventing actuation of a vehicle seat position adjustment device
An apparatus is provided for preventing actuation of a seat position adjustment device coupled to a vehicle seat that is adjustably mounted to a vehicle seat frame. The apparatus may comprise a stop member mounted to the seat position adjustment device, and at least one biasing member configured to normally bias the stop member into engagement with the vehicle seat to prevent actuation of the seat position adjustment device. |
US07810775B2 |
Hanger bar for recessed lighting fixtures
A hanger bar for supporting a recessed light fixture is attachable to ceiling joists or a T-bar grid of a drop down ceiling. First and second bars of the hanger bar slide and telescope. First and second spring clips are detachably coupled to the brackets at the ends of the first and second bars, respectively. Each of the first and second clips has a pair of downwardly extending arms bent inwardly toward one another, a first leg extending from a first arm, a second leg extending from a second arm, and an outwardly-extending foot on the second leg. The spring clips snap on to the T-bar grid. Each bracket includes a nail that is angled away from the hanger bar and downward so that the nail head is below the level of the hanger bar. The angled nails enable easy hammer strikes to attach the hanger bar to ceiling joists without accidental hammer blows to the hanger bar. |
US07810773B2 |
Support arm structure with elastic force adjustment arrangement
A pivotal support arm structure has an elastic force adjustment arrangement in order to accommodate the various loads. One end of the support arm structure may be secured to the edge of a desk and the other end thereof may be secured to an article (e.g., LCD display) to be held in use. |
US07810771B1 |
Systems and methods for attaching barrier sheet material to extensible pole assemblies
A foot assembly for detachably attaching an extensible pole assembly to sheet material comprising a foot member, a first attachment member, and a second attachment member. The foot member is adapted to be attached to the extensible pole assembly. The foot member supports the first attachment member. The second attachment member is magnetically attracted to the first attachment member. The sheet material is arranged between the first and second attachment members. The magnetic attraction between the first and second attachment members holds the sheet material relative to the foot member. |
US07810763B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A vehicle lamp can include a wiring harness, a wiring clip for fixing the wiring harness in the lamp, and a casing for fixing the wiring clip. A force needed for fixing the wiring clip to a rib in the casing can be adjustable. The wiring clip can include both a clip body including at least one wire holder and a spring clip that is located in the clip body. The wiring clip can hold a wiring harness between the at least one wire holder and an inner surface of the casing and at the same time can be affixed to the rib of the casing. The width of the rib can differ in accordance with a longitudinal position of the rib, and the rib can be inserted between a U-shaped spring of the spring clip. Thus, the vehicle lamp can provide for fixing the wiring clip to the rib of the casing while also holding the wiring harness using the wiring clip to firmly fix the wiring harness in the lamp. |
US07810757B2 |
Mounting device for an aircraft
The invention relates to a mounting device in an aircraft. In one aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for assembling a metal securement member of the mounting device. In another aspect of the invention, a mounting device is disclosed. In another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for installing and using a mounting device in an aircraft. |
US07810756B2 |
Composite internal beam for reinforcing the structure of an aircraft
A beam for reinforcing the structure of an aircraft is located inside the fuselage of the aircraft. The fuselage includes at least one pressurized zone (P) that is separated by at least one airtight wall (18) of at least one other non-pressurized zone (16), the beam and the at least one airtight wall being intersecting. The beam traverses the at least one airtight wall (18) that includes a cutaway that is adapted to the section of the beam, whereby sealing elements (30) are provided to ensure the sealing between the beam and the airtight wall (18) that is traversed. |
US07810755B2 |
Hydraulic distributor for airplane landing gear
A hydraulic distributor 10 assembles in a single body an assembly of hydraulic components that assure the supply of actuators for controlling the movements of the moving elements of an airplane landing gear, for which the movements of the landing-gear legs and of the trap-doors are assured by hydraulic actuators. The airplane includes two or more landing-gear systems, each including a distributor 10 with a single body. The body of each single-body distributor is advantageously created by removing unused parts from a body that can satisfy the needs of all of the landing-gear systems of an airplane, or by addition of extensions onto a minimal body that can satisfy the needs common to all of the landing-gear systems of the airplane. |
US07810753B2 |
Filament winding method and apparatus
Helical winding is reliably carried out in a plurality of patterns at different angles in a short period of time. A filament winding apparatus for winding fiber bundles onto the surface of a mandrel includes a helical winding head for use in helical winding of the fiber bundles onto the mandrel. The helical winding head includes at least two guide arrays, each including a plurality of guide portions disposed along a circumferential direction of the mandrel, and a repositioning mechanism capable of repositioning the guide portions by rotating each guide array relative to another. |
US07810751B2 |
Hose reel assembly
A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis. |
US07810746B2 |
Processing of steel making slags
A process for separating different products from steelmaking slag includes reducing the average particle size of slag from a steelmaking process into fine particle size material, and separating the fine particle size material into at least an iron rich product and a silicate rich product based on the differences between these products in at least one or more properties including magnetic susceptibility, particle size or specific gravity. |
US07810745B2 |
Nozzle device and fuel injection valve having the same
A nozzle device has a nozzle holes for injecting sprays grouped into spray groups respectively in injection directions. The nozzle device has an injection axis extending through the center in the thickness direction thereof. The injection axis perpendicularly intersects with an imaginary plane, which is at a predetermined distance from the nozzle device. The nozzle holes respectively have passage axes from which imaginary lines are respectively extended. The imaginary plane and the imaginary lines therebetween have intersections respectively defining outer intersections and an inner intersection in at least one of the spray groups. Each of the nozzle holes is inclined at an inclination angle being determined in such a manner that: the outer intersections exist in a polygon or a circle, and the inner intersection exists inside the outer intersections. |
US07810741B2 |
Method of adjusting the height of a fixed rail carriageway
Method of adjusting the height of a fixed rail carriageway, in which the sleepers supporting the rails are embedded in a carriageway panel resting on a substrate includes the steps of separating the carriageway panel from the substrate at the common contact face, forming filling apertures extending from the upper face to the lower face of the carriageway panel, lifting the carriageway panel to a fixed target height, incorporating a flowable casting material through the filling apertures in order to fill the space between the carriageway panel and the substrate, wherein separation is effected by pressure impacts. |
US07810740B2 |
Back illuminated photodiode array, manufacturing method and semiconductor device thereof
A plurality of the recessed portions are formed in an array on the opposite surface side of the semiconductor substrate and a second conductive type semiconductor region composed of a second conductive type semiconductor is formed at bottoms of a plurality of the recessed portions to obtain photodiode arrays arranged in an array. |
US07810737B2 |
Record reproduction apparatus, record reproduction method, record reproduction program, storage medium, and information storage medium
An information storage medium includes a recording unit to record externally input data, a first display unit, and a second display unit. Control is done to display information about the data recorded in the recording unit on the first display unit, and attribute information of the information storage medium on the second display unit. |
US07810726B2 |
Method and system for tracking and verifying medication
A method to verify a product produced by a manufacturer, the method comprising the steps of attaching a unique product code to a product prior to delivery to a retailer, storing the product code with product information in a first database linked to a verification system associated with the manufacturer, distributing the product to the retailer and selling the product from the retailer to a customer, the step of selling including the steps of using a first computer to obtain the unique product code from the product, providing the obtained product code to the verification system, comparing the obtained product code with the stored product code and when the obtained product code and the stored product code match, preparing a receipt including a verification code and providing the receipt to the customer. |
US07810723B2 |
System and method to purchase applications by a point of sale terminal
A system and method to allow users to purchase software applications for point of sale (POS) terminals from an application server via a network (e.g., the Internet) utilizing the POS terminal itself. One or more menus providing portals to available applications and their respective demonstration applications are provided to users on POS terminals. The demonstration applications may be directly downloaded from the application server onto the POS terminals. In addition, the user is able to purchase the application via the POS terminal either before or after the user has viewed/downloaded the demonstration application. After purchase, the application may be downloaded directly from the application server onto the POS terminal. |
US07810713B2 |
Cash flow projection tool
A method of projecting cash flow is disclosed which may include the steps of displaying a position date at which a cash flow position is to be calculated, displaying a beginning cash balance total amount as of the position date, displaying a forecast sales total amount as of the position date, displaying an accounts receivable total amount as of the position date, displaying an accounts payable total amount as of the position date, displaying a projected expense total amount as of the position date and displaying a resulting cash flow position as of the position date. The method may allow the user to edit the amount of at least one of the displayed beginning cash total balance, forecast sales total amount, account receivable total amount, accounts payable total amount and projected expense total amount along with the position date and the method may calculate and display a new cash flow position based on at least one of the edited amounts and edited position date. |
US07810712B2 |
Method and device for transporting items by means of identified containers
A method and a device transport multiple items, in particular mail items, to predefined destination points. The respective destination point and a value of a predefined feature of each item are measured and stored. The item is transported together with other items in a transport device to an intermediate point. The transport device is furnished with a label which has a machine-readable identification. The identification is read. The transport device in which an item was transported is determined by the measure. After transportation to the intermediate point a value of the feature is measured afresh. In order to find a stored data record, a restriction is implemented on the search space to the data records of those items which were transported in the same transport device. |
US07810710B2 |
Stored-value product with manufactured article
A stored-value product includes a toy automobile and a panel. The toy automobile includes a body and wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The panel is coupled to the body and includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card assembly. Stored-value product assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value products, methods of using a stored-value product and other embodiments are also disclosed. |
US07810705B2 |
Apparatus and method for supplying electrically conductive material
In a conductive material supply apparatus that can connect a small slider electrode and a wiring electrode on a flexure in a miniaturized magnetic head, electrically conductive material is supplied, with the aid of flow of nitrogen gas that is pressurized to a first pressure, into the interior of a nozzle assembly that defines an interior space having a nozzle orifice through which the electrically conductive material can pass. After the electrically conductive material has been supplied, the flow of the nitrogen gas is stopped, and the interior space is temporarily brought into communication with the exterior space thereby decreasing the pressure in the interior space. Thereafter, nitrogen gas maintained at a second pressure that is designed to be lower than the first pressure is supplied to the interior space, whereby the electrically conductive material is ejected to the exterior from the nozzle orifice by the effect of the second pressure. |
US07810704B2 |
Method for fabricating large dimension bonds using reactive multilayer joining
A method for joining component bodies of material over bonding regions of large dimensions by disposing a plurality of substantially contiguous sheets of reactive composite materials between the bodies and adjacent sheets of fusible material. The contiguous sheets of the reactive composite material are operatively connected by an ignitable bridging material so that an igniting reaction in one sheet will cause an igniting reaction in the other. An application of uniform pressure and an ignition of one or more of the contiguous sheets of reactive composite material causes an exothermic thermal reaction to propagate through the bonding region, fusing any adjacent sheets of fusible material and forming a bond between the component bodies. |
US07810702B2 |
Solder standoffs for injection molding of solder
A method of producing standoffs in an injection molded solder (IMS) mold, which possesses cavities, each of which is filled with a solder paste using standard techniques, such as screening or IMS. This solder paste is heated to a reflow temperature at which the solder melts and forms a ball or sphere. Since solder pastes are known to reduce in volume due to the therein contained organic material burning off, the remaining solder ball will be significantly lower in volume than that of the cavity. A solder material having a lower melting point is then filled into the cavities about the solder balls. The mold and solder metal are then allowed to cool, resulting in the formation of a solid sphere of metal in the cavity surrounded by solder material of a lower melting point, which, upon transfer to a wafer, form the standoffs. |
US07810695B2 |
Wire bonding machine capable of removing particles from capillary and cleaning method of capillary bottom tip
A wire bonding machine capable of removing particles from capillary and cleaning method of capillary bottom tip uses a grinding film of the wire bonding machine mounted on a clamp block. The capillary of the wire bonding machine periodically moves on the grinding film and then, the bottom tip of the capillary is rubbed with and moves on the grinding film at a predetermined distance, whereby various particles formed at the bottom tip of the capillary are removed. |
US07810693B2 |
Surgical stapling and cutting instrument with articulatable end effector
A surgical instrument that has an articulatable end effector. Various types of passive articulation joints are disclosed for interconnecting a proximal frame portion to the end effector to facilitate pivotal travel of the end effector relative to the proximal frame portion of the instrument. |
US07810692B2 |
Disposable loading unit with firing indicator
A disposable loading unit for operable attachment to a surgical stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit may have a carrier that supports a staple cartridge therein, an anvil assembly that is movably coupled to the carrier, and an axial drive assembly that is constructed to move in a distal direction from a start position to an end position through the staple cartridge in response to a drive motion imparted to the axial drive assembly from the surgical stapling apparatus. A firing indicator is provided on at least one of the anvil assembly and housing for indicating a position of the axial drive assembly as the axial drive assembly is driven from the start position to the end position. |
US07810689B2 |
Stapler
A stapler that can push staples into a surface of a paper bundle regardless of thickness of the paper bundle is provided. An exemplary embodiment of the stapler includes a vertical movement section for causing an operating handle to vertically descend together with a staple mounting magazine by pressing the operating handle while keeping the operating handle at a predetermined angle, a post-vertical movement rotating section for causing the operating handle to rotate after the staple mounting magazine vertically descends to come into contact with the paper bundle placed on a horizontal base, and a vertical position fixing section for fixing a vertical position of the staple mounting magazine by starting the rotation of the operating handle. |
US07810686B2 |
Watercraft carrier
The invention is a watercraft carrier that can be easily loaded and secured. The carrier has a base and an arm with a belt that runs the length of both the base and the arm. A watercraft is placed within upon the base and against the arm. Then the belt is extended using a crank so that the belt come around the watercraft and the belt is secured using a fastener that is attached to the end of the belt. Then the belt is tightened to secure the watercraft by turning the crank the other direction or by use of a ratchet. In the preferred embodiment, the belt has a flexible stiffener added to make the belt stiffer, but still flexible enough to secure any shaped watercraft. |
US07810683B2 |
Carrier for handheld device
A carrier includes a base and a clear plastic top member connected to the base via a plurality of spaced binding bands with a receiving space formed between them for holding a handheld video device therein, and an arm band extended across and releasably secured to a lower side of the base for binding the carrier around a user's arm. The binding bands are length adjustably connected at a proximal end to peripheral edges of the top member, and are provided on a back side with a hook fastener surface each for releasably securing to loop fastener surfaces provided on the lower side of the base. |
US07810680B2 |
Shock resistant break-off top
The present invention is a top for a dispensing container. The top includes a base, a nozzle portion extending from a first end of the base, and a tab integrally formed with the nozzle portion at a neck down portion. The nozzle portion has an outer wall defining an internal conduit for passage of a liquid, powder and/or gel. The tab includes a tip end sealing the internal conduit and at least one shock absorbing portion. When the tab is twisted, the tip end is removed from the nozzle portion at the neck down portion, thereby opening the internal conduit. The shock absorbing portion can include a slot, an area with reduced thickness, a flex area, or a combination thereof. The top can be included on a container for storing liquids, powders and/or gels. |
US07810678B2 |
Dispensing device and pumping element
A device for dispensing at least one fluid comprises pumping means comprising an elastic deformable membrane (2) having a wavy annular wall (16) for producing a desired stiffness or pliability for said membrane (2). A pumping element (1) comprises a base (4) and said elastic deformable membrane (2). |
US07810676B2 |
Multiple brand ice beverage dispenser
A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages includes a touch panel assembly, removable fittings in a carbonator, a carbonator probe, and a carbonator pump assembly removable from a front of the beverage dispenser. The touch panel assembly includes a light source for backlighting a user interface and providing the dispenser with a visual presence. Electrode traces in the touch panel assembly detect interruptions in electrode fields and are accepted as user inputs for dispensing a beverage. A controller conducts the lighting, dispensing, and reconfiguring operations for the flavor selection areas on the user interface. The touch panel assembly further includes provisions for increasing a user interface area to increase visibility of a particular flavor, as well as bonus flavors on a beverage dispenser. The removable fittings each include an orifice for entry of water to be carbonated into the carbonator. The carbonator probe is a single wire probe with timed refill. |
US07810673B2 |
Device for the single-unit dispensing of shaped objects, such as pharmaceutical tablets
One end of the device is connected to a container in which the loose objects are stored, and optionally the other end connected to a cap for receiving the dispensed objects. The inventive device comprises a female and a male parts arranged coaxially. The female part is fixed and is used to collect, organize, and move the objects, and to store the same in a waiting line in one or more chute, while the male part is rotatable and is used to effect a single-unit removal of the objects to be dispensed by means of rotation in one direction of the other. |
US07810670B2 |
Composite pressure vessel assembly
A composite pressure vessel includes an endcap with first and second layers. The first layer is a thermoplastic layer and the second layer is a thermoplastic and glass fiber composite layer. A method for making the vessel includes placing commingled thermoplastic and glass fibers in a heated mold to melt the thermoplastic. The molten thermoplastic and the glass fibers are molded into the endcap shape. An outer surface of the pressure vessel is finished in accordance with another aspect of the invention. A pressurizable bladder with an inwardly facing surface is deflated. The outer surface of the vessel is heated to soften the thermoplastic. The pressure vessel is positioned in the bladder so that the inwardly facing surface of the bladder is adjacent to an outer surface of the pressure vessel. The bladder is pressurized to move the bladder inwardly into contact with the adjacent surfaces to each other. |
US07810668B2 |
Closure plug with improved gasket seat
An externally threaded closure plug for tightly closing off the internally threaded opening in shipping and storage containers such as drums, pails and the like. The plug is formed as a cup having a bottom wall and threaded cylindrical sidewall terminating in a circumferentially enlarged rim. Immediately beneath the rim of the plug is a gasket seat defined by the undersurface of the plug rim, the plug sidewall and an annular gasket retaining lip lying in a plane parallel to the undersurface of the plug rim. In use, the plug is screwed into and out of a container wall opening, having an internally threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, the sealing gasket being compressed between the unthreaded opening portion and the plug gasket seat and lying in close proximity to the internal thread. The gasket seat acts to prevent interengagement of the sealing gasket and the opening internally threaded portion. |
US07810667B2 |
Supply of packaging bags for a filling apparatus
A ribbon of packaging comprises individual packages (11) adjacently and separably arranged for separation prior to filling. The ribbon is preferably drawn under tension from a reel, and the packages are linked by mechanical couplers (FIG. 11) which are separable in a direction orthogonally to the traction force. The packages have a closure (FIG. 8) which is removed and replaced to permit filling. Also disclosed are preferred package couplers, and filling and dispensing arrangements. |
US07810662B2 |
Nursery bottle with automatic shut off mechanism for inhibiting tooth decay
A nursery bottle with an automatic shut off mechanism for inhibiting tooth decay. A nipple is attached to a shut off valve, and the shut off valve is attached to a bottle body. The nipple, the bottle body and the shut off valve are in fluid communication with each other. The shut off valve includes a timing mechanism, where the timing mechanism is coupled to a reset actuator that operates the timing mechanism to open the shut off valve for a feeding time period, and where the shut off valve closes to shut off fluid flow into the nipple after the feeding time period expires. |
US07810659B2 |
Boom component display apparatus
A boom component display apparatus 1 of the present invention is provided with processing units 4, connector assemblies 6 and a display unit 5. The processing units 4 are installed on each of a plurality of unit booms 11a thru 11g that compose a boom assembly 3 of a crane 100 and outputs identification information of each unit boom. The connector assemblies 6 transmits the identification information outputted from the processing units 4. The display unit 5 displays a connecting sequence information to show the relation between the connecting sequence of a plurality of unit booms 11a thru 11g and the identification information of a plurality of unit booms 11a thru 11g, basing on the identification information sent from the processing units 4 through the connector assemblies 6. By depending upon the boom component display apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the unit booms from being assembled in the wrong connecting sequences. |
US07810656B2 |
Modular storage rack
A modular flow through or push back storage rack system has a transfer assembly with a plurality of modular carriage units located in a warehouse storage bay. The carriage units are arranged in side-by-side pairs. Each side-by-side pair of carriages defines a space between the carriages. Further, the side-by-side pairs of carriages are arranged in end-to-end alignment. Each carriage is preferably provided as an endless loop link track. An inter-carriage transport unit extends between a space between one side-by-side pair of carriage units and another space between an adjacent pair of side-by-side carriage units. Each of the carriage units and the transport unit may be supported by a cross beam. The transport unit preferably extends between adjacent cross beams of adjacent pairs of carriages. The transfer assembly maintains the storage units at a substantially level plane and may modulate a transfer speed of the storage units between adjacent carriages. |
US07810652B2 |
Method to improve the selectivity of polybenzoxazole membranes
The present invention discloses a novel method to improve the selectivities of polybenzoxazole (PBO) membranes prepared from aromatic polyimide membranes for gas, vapor, and liquid separations. The PBO membranes that were prepared by thermal treating aromatic polyimide membranes containing between 0.05 and 20 wt-% of a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer. These polymers showed up to 95% improvement in selectivity for CO2/CH4 and H2/CH4 separations compared to PBO membranes prepared from corresponding aromatic polyimide membranes without a poly(styrene sulfonic acid) polymer. |
US07810648B2 |
Screen assembly for separating material according to particle size
The present invention provides a screen assembly having a base, a screen box having a screen medium and a pair of mutually opposed bearings, a shaft having a pair of eccentric journals that are rotatably supported in the respective pair of mutually opposed bearings, and at least one articulated suspension assembly having a first leg having a first torsion joint and a second torsion joint, a second leg having a third torsion joint and a fourth torsion joint, and a third leg having a first end pivotably secured to the second torsion joint and a second end pivotably secured to the third torsion joint, for pivotally interconnecting the screen box and the base to dampen vibrations. |
US07810646B2 |
Air separation of recyclable material
A separation system includes an air separator that in one embodiment primarily receives Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) containing relatively light MSW recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic containers, and/or metal containers. The air separator blows the relatively light MSW recyclable materials up though a chamber and onto a first conveyer while the other relatively heavy MSW material drops down a chute onto a second conveyer. A separation screen receives the relatively light MSW recyclable materials from the air separator and separates the relatively flat paper and cardboard from the plastic and metal containers. |
US07810645B2 |
Paddle for securely mounting a wafer cassette holder thereto
A platform for securely mounting a wafer cassette holder thereon is provided which includes a wafer cassette holder that has a flat bottom surface and four sidewall panels, a platform that has a flat top surface larger than and for mating to the flat bottom surface of the wafer cassette holder, And a securing device mounted in the flat top surface of the platform juxtaposed to each side of the four sidewalls of the wafer cassette holder for preventing the holder from accidentally slipping off the platform, the securing device may include either a plurality of engagement pins that slidingly engages the wafer cassette holder for securely holding the holder on the platform, or a plurality of side panels mounted along the peripheral edge of the platform for preventing the holder from slipping off the platform. |
US07810644B2 |
Container with pivoting intermediate support
Container (1) designed to hold cosmetic products including a lid (10) typically equipped with an interior mirror (60) and a base (20) equipped with an intermediate support (30) with two faces, front and back, surrounded by a frame (31). The frame (31) of the intermediate support is equipped with a first attachment device (34) which cooperates with a second attachment device (23) positioned on the base so that, when the intermediate support is detached from the base, it remains part of the base due to the cooperation of the first and second attachment devices (34 and 23), and is able to pivot around the first attachment device. Preferably, the first attachment device (34) is a protuberance equipped with an end fold (33) and the second attachment device (23) is a hollow body capable of accommodating and containing the end fold. The two faces of the intermediate supports are advantageously equipped with a plurality of compartments. |
US07810643B2 |
Memantine titration/compliance dosage methods
A titration package and method for enabling compliance with a regimen of changing dosage of medication over a period of time includes a backing having an array of receivers with the array including a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. A plurality of sets of Memantine tablets are provided with each tablet set having a common dose of medication and a different does than a tablet of a different set. Each set of tablets is disposed in receivers of one having an adjacent row and an adjacent column. Indicia is provided and disposed adjacent to the columns and rows for displaying common days and successive weeks. |
US07810639B2 |
Container for consumer electronics
A container is provided for use in the shipment and storage of consumer electronics. In particular, the container is useful for the shipment and storage of consumer electronics of different sizes, weights and shapes. The container includes a base having a bottom, at least two end walls and at least two side walls. The base includes base partitions forming a plurality of lower cavities for receiving the consumer electronics. The base partitions are spaced from one another and arranged between the end walls and the side walls. Each lower cavity has a width extending between the side walls. The container also includes a bottom surface including a plurality of cover partitions forming a plurality of upper cavities adapted to align with the lower cavities of the base to form compartments configured to store the consumer electronics. The container also includes an insert positioned between the base and the cover, the insert including a first frame wall and a second frame wall each positioned on one of the at least two side walls of the base that engages the base with its pair of webs. |
US07810637B2 |
Positively driven, tracking flat belt and conveyor
A flat belt conveyor that is flexible along its length and has a chevron drive and a matching drive drum with helical drive surfaces on its periphery to drive and track the belt. The flat belt may comprise a series of flexible modules, or belt segments, of one or more lengths joined end to end to form an endless belt of desired length. |
US07810631B2 |
Bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device
A bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device can exhibit a sufficient dispersing function even for fine and light weight bean sprouts-like articles liable to be entangled with each other, such as alfalfa sprouts. The loosening supply device includes two conveyors having both of their end portions constructed to turn so as to run endlessly, having their outer surfaces provided with needle members, and running at velocities different from each other. The conveyors are arranged to have their running paths opposed to each other so that their running directions are both downward and so that at least one portion of the needle members of the two conveyors mesh into each other. Alfalfa sprouts are supplied into the running paths from above and encounter the needle members of the two conveyors running at velocities different from each other and intersecting with each other. Each time the needle members intersect with each other, the alfalfa sprouts are separated upward and downward and dispersed. |
US07810629B2 |
Device for dynamic storage of objects
A device for dynamic storage of objects along a conveying section between an input station and an output station with an endless, flexible conveying means, which is variably subdivided into a conveying strand and an idle strand, with at least one carriage, which can be moved in the plane of conveyance, for changing the storage capacity, which carriage presents a first deflection for the conveying strand and a second deflection for the idle strand, as well as with a first drive device for the conveying means in the area of the input station and a second drive device for the conveying means in the area of the output station. The conveying means is provided over its entire length at identical intervals with grippers for the objects and the conveying means has a link chain, equipped with rotatable guide rollers, which runs at least in some areas in at least one stationary guide rail, where at least one guide roller is arranged on the respective chain link in a movable manner. |
US07810626B2 |
Vehicle transmission comprising a parking brake and method for controlling the same
A vehicle transmission having shifting elements (A-E) and a parking brake for locking a drive train output and a method for controlling the transmission. Activation of the parking brake depends on a driver's control action. Deactivating the parking brake, when the vehicle is on a slope greater or lesser than a preset value and depending on the slope, a combination of shifting elements (A, D) or (B, D) frictionally slip, such that the output rotates against the strain on a parking brake locking element, caused by the slope, to partially eliminate this strain. Next, one of shifting elements (C, A or B) engages locking the output. The parking brake is then released and finally, the engaged shifting element (C or A or B) is disengaged in a regulated manner, such that the output can be driven according to the driver's control action. |
US07810625B2 |
Sintered clutch ring
A sintered clutch ring (1) is described, comprising a rim of clutch teeth (2) which comprise wedge-like face surfaces (3, 4) intersecting in an axial plane and flanks (5) sloping downwardly under an angle of inclination from the tooth back (6) against the tooth root, with the flanks (5) being relieved starting from a re-entrant, axially normal shoulder (7). In order to provide advantageous conditions for press forming the flank reliefs it is proposed that the planes of intersection between the wedge-like face surfaces (3, 4) extend outside of the center of the teeth and that the mutually axially offset shoulders (7) of the two flanks (5) of the clutch teeth (2) separate the relieved flanks (5) from a paraxial flank portion (8) which is substantially triangular and is adjacent to the face surfaces (3, 4). |
US07810620B2 |
Bracket mounting structure and bracket mounting method
In a monotube type hydraulic shock absorber, a plurality of rectangular recesses that are elongate in a circumferential direction are formed in an outer circumferential surface of a cylinder at a position in the vicinity of an upper limit of a slidable range of a free piston. A support for supporting an external part such as a sensor or a hose is positioned so as to be fitted around a portion of the cylinder at which the recesses are formed. Thereafter, while supporting the rear sides of the recesses by a moving die of a receiving member, a plurality of pairs of punches are moved towards each other, to thereby press flat press portions of the punches against the support, thus drawing the support locally into the recesses of the cylinder without forming projections in an inner surface of the cylinder. |
US07810618B2 |
Vibration generator
The invention relates to a vibration generator comprising a working piston and to a construction apparatus having a vibration generator, wherein the vibration generator is operated by a pressure fluid and comprises a control device having a control piston, which is supported in a displaceable manner inside the working piston. |
US07810615B2 |
Brake disk
A brake disk for a disk brake, in particular, for motor cycles or bicycles, includes a brake band of a first material which has a high heat resistance and an inner part (20) of a second material which has a lower density than the first material. The brake band and the inner part (20) each have a plurality of extensions, which in each case are arranged in pairs bordering one another. A plurality of connecting elements connect the brake band (10) to the inner part (20) by being received in recesses (13, 23) formed in the extensions. Thus, a divided brake disk has little deformation or wear in the region of the connection between the brake band and the inner part in combination with a low weight. Specifically, the recess (23) is formed in such a way that the connecting line (51) between the ends of the recess (23) is at an angle α of from 15 to 85° to the tangential direction (50). |
US07810609B2 |
Muffler
An absorption muffler includes a metallic exhaust pipe including a plurality of perforations, a polymeric housing carried by the exhaust pipe and enclosing the plurality of perforations, and including axially opposed ends. Thermal insulation is carried radially between the exhaust pipe and the polymeric housing and axially between the axially opposed ends inclusive thereof. Acoustic insulation is carried between the thermal insulation and the polymeric housing. |
US07810603B2 |
Compact swing arm structure for a shaft-driven vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same
A swing arm structure, in a shaft-driven vehicle, is configured and arranged compactly to minimize the size and weight thereof. A drive shaft of the vehicle is housed in a right arm portion of a swing arm. A front end of the drive shaft is connected to a powertrain output shaft via a universal joint. A pivot sleeve is disposed such that a central axis thereof is disposed downwardly and rearwardly of a central portion of the universal joint, and a front-end opening protrudes forwardly of the pivot sleeve. The central portion of the universal joint, having the largest diameter, is disposed forwardly of the center of a pivot shaft. This helps to keep the opening diameter small at the front of the right arm portion. |
US07810602B2 |
Variable energy management system for pedestrian, occupant, vehicle
An energy-absorbing system includes two formed and sealed components bonded together to form crush boxes that entrap air for controlled distribution during an impact, and an activator system adapted to extend the crush boxes in the event of a vehicle crash. Channels interconnect the crush boxes for optimal control of lateral flow of air for lateral energy distribution. The components can be thermoformed, injection molded, or otherwise formed. By this arrangement, the crush boxes provide a first level of static energy absorption when impacted in an undeployed state such that energy is absorbed at a first rate and stroke. Also, the crush boxes can be extended to provide a second level of static energy absorption when impacted in a vehicle crash (i.e., the activator system is energized and the crush boxes extended or “deployed”) such that energy is absorbed at a one or more different rates and strokes. |
US07810599B2 |
Reserve tank layout structure of motorcycle
A reserve tank layout structure of a motorcycle can secure a capacity of a reserve tank, and allow for easy checking of a remaining amount of a cooling water in the tank from the exterior. The layout structure is provided with a vehicle body frame, an engine supported by the vehicle body frame, a swing arm attached to the vehicle body frame so as to freely oscillate, a rear wheel supported by the swing arm, a wrapping transmission mechanism having an endless rope-like body wound between an output shaft of the engine and an axle of the rear wheel and transmitting power from the output shaft to the axle, and a reserve tank for storing cooling water of the engine, the reserve tank being disposed so that at least a part thereof is positioned at an inner peripheral side of the rope-like body. |
US07810592B2 |
Light hybrid vehicle configuration
The present invention provides a hybrid conversion module configured to easily attach to existing powertrain components in order to produce a light hybrid vehicle. The hybrid conversion module includes an electric motor/generator operable to transmit power to a torque converter and thereby drive the light hybrid vehicle. A storage device such as a battery is operatively connected to the electric motor/generator and is configured to transmit energy to or receive energy from the electric motor/generator. A clutch is configured to selectively decouple the light hybrid vehicle's engine from the torque converter such that the vehicle can be powered by the electric motor/generator in an efficient manner. The apparatus of the present invention also includes a light hybrid vehicle having such a hybrid conversion module attached in the manner described to a conventional powertrain. |
US07810591B2 |
Traveling device
In a traveling device according to the present invention, self-support and conveyance of the device by dragging are facilitated. Two wheels 1L, 1R are provided in parallel, and the wheels 1L, 1R are provided respectively with independent driving means (motors) 2L, 2R. The driving means 2L, 2R are connected by vehicle main bodies 3U, 3D divided into an upper side and a lower side. Further, casters 32L, 32R are provided on a rear side of the lower side vehicle main body 3D via support portions 31L, 31R. The casters 32L, 32R are rotated freely by rotary shafts 33L, 33R including a bearing or the like. Further, the casters 32L, 32R are disposed such that a tangent linking the respective outer peripheries of the casters 32L, 32R to the wheels 1L, 1R forms a predetermined angle θd relative to a road surface. The angle θd is set to be larger than a maximum tilt (departure angle) within an assumed normal traveling range of the vehicle. |
US07810590B1 |
Drivable trailer
A trailer which can be used to tow a vehicle and which can be towed by the same vehicle while that vehicle is inside the trailer and lowered down to ground level. |
US07810583B2 |
Drilling systems and methods
A drilling system comprising a pipe comprising a first end and a second end; a drill bit near a first end of the pipe, adapted to drill a hole in a formation; a pipe rotator near a second end of the pipe adapted to rotate the pipe; and a pump connected to the pipe between the first end and the second end, the pump adapted to transport a fluid from the first end of the pipe to the second end of the pipe, the pump comprising a first portion adapted to rotate with the pipe and a second portion adapted to remain stationary relative to the pipe. |
US07810581B2 |
Blade apparatus for work machine and work machine having the same
The blade apparatus includes a connection blade portion which is provided at its lower end with a central blade portion including a straight first cutting edge and having a second cutting edge which extends continuously with the first cutting edge through a predetermined angle rearwardly, and an end blade portion having a third cutting edge which extends continuously with a second cutting edge through a predetermined angle forwardly, wherein front surfaces of the blade portions are concave curved surfaces which are continuous from the upper end to the lower end, across line between the connection blade portion and the end blade portion and a cross point between the second cutting edge and the third cutting edge are located rearward of the cross point of the first cutting edge and the cross line between the central blade portion and the connection blade portion, and at least a central main region of the central blade portion is made of steel plate, and at least the connection blade portion and the end blade portion are integrally cast together with a back surface support portion and first and second brackets thereof. |
US07810580B2 |
Sectored disc for opener
A sectored disc assembly, removable disc sector, and method of replacing a disc sector are disclosed for use with a soil opener that uses a disc assembly to open the soil prior to injection of a fertilizer or seed into the ground. The sectored disc assembly includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of disc sectors cooperatively forming a substantially continuous disc around the hub. Connectors, such as bolts, secure each of the disc sectors to the hub. The disc sector includes a body with radially inner and outer margins and side margins that are configured for continuous abutment with adjacent side margins of other disc sectors. The method of replacing a disc sector includes removing the connector securing the disc sector to the hub, moving the disc sector radially outwardly away from the hub, placing a replacement disc sector into contact with the hub, and inserting the connector. |
US07810579B2 |
Crop residue and soil conditioning agricultural implement
A ground opener that is allowed to caster in one direction is associated with a pair of arms connected by a pivot connection that allows one arm to move relative to the other arm. The movable arm is forced against the stationary arm when the ground opener impacts the soil as the ground opener is pulled along a relatively straight travel path. When the ground opener is turned radially from the straight travel path, the movable arm may cast away from the stationary arm. The disc opener is coupled to the movable arm through a central hub and, as such, the trailing edge of the disc opener will move away from the stationary arm as the disc opener is turned. When the disc opener has completed the turn, the torque on the disc opener will lessen thereby allowing the movable arm to move back toward the stationary arm. |
US07810574B2 |
Submersible pump puller and method of use
An apparatus is shown for installing a pulling a submersible pump from a well bore where the pump is supported on a length of flexible tubing. The apparatus has a pivot frame located on a transportable base frame. A take up reel for the flexible tubing is also supported on the pivot frame by a pair of pivoting support arms. The take up reel is centered over the well bore by pivoting the reel on the support arms between a collapsed and a vertical work position. The reel can be further centered by pivoting the pivot frame in a horizontal plane relative to the base frame. |
US07810571B2 |
Downhole lubricator valve
A ball type downhole lubricator valve features a ball rotating on its axis to open or close with control line pressure to an actuating piston. The ball is also shiftable to a locked open position. A cage surrounds the ball and retains opposed seats to it. The cage is made from one piece and tangential holes are drilled and tapped before the piece is longitudinally split with a wire EDM cutting technique. Fasteners to rejoin the cut halves properly space them to the original one piece internal dimension. Auxiliary tools allow determination of spacing of internal components so that a desired spring preload on the seats against the ball can be achieved. |
US07810570B2 |
Shock-release fluid fracturing method and apparatus
A shock tool is adapted to a bottom hole tool assembly for isolating a zone in a subterranean formation accessed by a wellbore. Fracturing fluid such as nitrogen is accumulated at fracturing pressures uphole of the shock tool for subsequent and rapid release to the formation. The tool assembly can be suspended from a conveyance string in which fluid is accumulated for shock release through a valve of the shock tool and through an injection tool to the zone isolated by the injection tool. After a first zone is shocked, the tool assembly can be moved to a new zone, or multiple shocks can be applied cyclically at the selected zone. |
US07810566B2 |
Settable compositions free of portland cement and associated methods of use
Methods of preparing improved settable compositions free of Portland cement and methods of using such compositions in subterranean operations are provided. An example of a method of preparing such compositions may comprise providing an unhydrated mixture of raw materials comprising a silica component, an aluminum component, a magnesium component, a sodium component, a calcium component, a ferrous or ferric component, a sulfurous component, and a potassium component, wherein the mixture has been formed without heating any of the components to above about 3000° F.; and adding water to the unhydrated mixture of raw materials to form a settable composition. |
US07810565B2 |
Systems for extracting fluids from the earth's subsurface and for generating electricity without greenhouse gas emissions
An embodiment is an apparatus for generating a driver gas, for recovering fluid from the Earth's subsurface. The apparatus includes a fuel reformer, adapted to react a fuel with water to produce carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas; a compressor, adapted to compress a portion of the carbon dioxide gas and a portion of the hydrogen gas; a gas injection unit, adapted to inject the portion of the carbon dioxide gas and the portion of the hydrogen gas compressed by the compressor, into a subsurface reservoir; a gas capture unit, adapted to capture a portion of the carbon dioxide gas and the hydrogen gas, that emerges from the subsurface reservoir; and a control module capable of using subsurface data to regulate operation of the gas injection unit. The apparatus may also include a power generator adapted to utilize a portion of the hydrogen gas to generate power, hence producing electricity without greenhouse gas emissions. |
US07810564B2 |
Memory logging system for determining the condition of a sliding sleeve
A memory logging system for determining the status of a sliding sleeve valve disposed within the borehole. The sliding sleeve contains signal inducing devices. A logging tool is conveyed through the sliding sleeve and time intervals between sensor excursions induced by the sleeve's signal inducing devices are recorded and stored within the tool memory. These data are subsequently recovered when the tool is returned to the surface of the earth, and sensor excursion data are processed in a surface processor to ascertain relative axial positions of the sliding sleeve outer housing and the insert. The condition of the sliding sleeve is determined from these relative axial positions. |
US07810562B2 |
In-situ formation of solids for well completions and zonal isolation
A sol of metallic alkoxide is pumped into a desired location in a wellbore and allowed to gel, creating solids in-situ. The sol is either unstabilized, requiring rapid placement before gelling, or the sol is stabilized, permitting off-site mixing. Sols can be stabilized with either surfactant or with interfacial polymers. Large concentrations of surfactant can be placed in the sol to create templates around which gelation occurs, creating porous solids. |
US07810558B2 |
Drillable bridge plug
A downhole tool for isolating zones in a well includes a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone disposed around the mandrel proximate an upper end of the sealing element, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the upper cone, a lower cone disposed around the mandrel proximate a lower end of the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel adjacent a sloped surface of the lower cone, and two element end rings. The two element end rings include a first element end ring disposed adjacent the upper end of the sealing element and a second element end ring disposed adjacent the lower end of the sealing element. The downhole tool includes two element barrier assemblies; each assembly disposed adjacent one of the two element end rings. |
US07810557B2 |
Collet adapter for a motor shroud
An electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) includes a pump section, a motor section, and a seal section. In one embodiment, an exterior of the pump section defines a gripping indentation above the pump intake. Alternatively, a clamp member may be provided that surrounds the pump, wherein the clamp member defines the gripping indentation. A collet adapter is affixed to an upper end of a shroud. The collet adapter has gripping members that engage the gripping indentation for attaching the shroud to the electrical submersible pump assembly. The collet adapter is provided to ease installation of the motor shroud onto the ESP as well as to ease removal of the motor shroud from the ESP. The collet adapter of the present invention eliminates precise alignment and bolt-on requirements of typical motor shroud mounting techniques. |
US07810556B2 |
Lubricator for use with coiled tubing apparatus and universal rig having coiled tubing and top drive capability
A lubricator for use with a coiled tubing injector comprising an elongated housing having a first end and a second end. There is a guide system disposed in the housing for guiding coiled tubing passing through the housing, a first director proximal the first end of the housing to direct the coiled tubing in a first direction and a second director proximal the second end of the housing to direct the coiled tubing in a second direction. |
US07810555B2 |
Injector apparatus and method of use
The invention generally relates to an apparatus and/or a method for moving an round flexible member into and out of a well bore, and particularly, to an injector with two or more gripping members which bind the outer surface of the round flexible member; two or more actuators which cause the gripping members to bind or release the round flexible member; and at least one reciprocator for translating a gripping member to move the round flexible member, or for repositioning the gripping member. A method of translating a round flexible member is also provided which includes the steps of binding the outer surface of a round flexible member with at least one gripping members by engagement with an actuator, and translating a gripping member by reciprocator to move the round flexible member. |
US07810548B2 |
Method of removing excess metal from casting with press, and cutter used therefore
A set of dies are composed in order to remove excess metal from a casting with a press. A method of removing the excess metal from the casting includes the steps of: attaching a cutter to one of the stationary die side or the movable die side; setting a work on the other side; and punching excess metal of the work into a recess shape by one punching motion of the movable die with a plurality of blades from the first blade, which is smaller, to the final blade, which is larger and protruded, when the excess metal of the work is removed by a punching motion of the movable die conducted on the stationary die. |
US07810545B2 |
Elongated element for the frame of a panel system comprising a flexible sheet material
An elongated element for the frame of a panel system comprising a flexible sheet material includes a main profile to which an auxiliary profile is associated. The auxiliary profile is provided with means for anchoring an edge of the sheet material and it can be moved with respect to the main profile as a result of the driving of position control screws. The main profile is adapted to be fixed on the surface of a wall by connection means engaging a connection portion associated to it. The position control screws have a control formation which can be reached from the outside of the frame, when the main profile of the elongated element is fixed to a wall and the sheet material is anchored to the auxiliary profile. |
US07810543B2 |
Roller screen device
A roller screen device includes a fixed sectional element (10) and a mobile sectional element (11) that is able to move parallel to the fixed sectional element inside a frame contained in which is a screen (13), the mobile sectional element (11) bearing a roller (12) inside it, wound on which is the screen (13), which, at the other end, is anchored to the fixed sectional element (10). Guide elements (14 and 24) for guiding the mobile sectional element (11) are positioned at the top and at the bottom of the screen (13) and fixed at one end to the mobile sectional element (11), while the other ends of the guide elements (14) slide into the fixed sectional element (10). Moreover provided is a system for tensioning the guides (14 and 24), which acts during the steps of opening and closing of the screen (13). The tensioning system includes a thread (20), which extends starting from the end (21) of the top guide (14) that slides in the fixed sectional element (10) towards and around a bottom roller (22) and from here to the end (23) of the bottom guide (24), which slides in the fixed sectional element (10), to proceed to and around a top roller (25) and from here to the end (21) of the top guide (14) so closing to form a loop. |
US07810539B2 |
Compaction roller for a fiber placement machine
Tools for compacting composite parts are disclosed. These tools are used while layers of composite material, such as tows or laminae, are being deposited onto a fabricating surface, such as a mold or other forming tool. The compacting tool is typically divided into a series of narrow segments, each segment able to advance or retreat individually so as to conform to the surface of a composite part being formed. Pressurized fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid, or non-pressurized internal bladders with incompressible fluid, are used to evenly apply pressure to the segments in order to compact the material with which the tool and the segments are in contact. The compacting tool thus helps eliminate voids and helps the material conform to the desired shape on the forming tool. |
US07810538B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming dye sublimation images in solid plastic
Method for forming a dye sublimation image in a substrate, particularly a plastic substrate, and apparatus to perform the method. According to the method taught by the present invention, a substrate is disposed on a perforated platen and a dye carrier having an image formed thereon of a dye sublimation ink is disposed on the substrate such that the image is in contact with the substrate. The substrate, dye carrier and at least a portion of the perforated platen are then covered with a flexible membrane. A clamping pressure is then applied to the substrate and the dye carrier through the membrane. Once the clamping pressure is attained, the substrate and dye carrier are first heated, then cooled. |
US07810537B2 |
Apparatus and method for sealing a vertical protrusion on a roof
A device forms a radial flange on a bottom opening of a conate member having a longitudinal axis. The device has a die for receiving the conate member with the bottom opening extending from an open end of the die, a seal-forming cone having at least two radially-extendable sections and being removably located in the open end of the die, inside the conate member, and a handle, axially movable in the cone to extend the movable sections. |
US07810532B2 |
Router bit system and method for constructing tambours
A method for constructing tambour slats using a system of router bits. The router bit system can include at least two router bits, one of which may have a semi-spherical nose cutting surface and a concave ‘S’ shaped ogee cutting surface; and the other of which may have a ‘S’ shaped ogee cutting surface and a concave quarter round cutting surface. The method for constructing a tambour slat can include milling a groove in a strip of material. The strip of material with a groove may then be milled to form a tongue and a neck portion that may slide into a groove milled in another strip of material. The milling operations may be performed by a router fitted with the router bits from the router bit system. By using the router bit system, each strip of material may yield up to two tambour slats. |
US07810528B2 |
Transport container for sterile products
The transport container serves for transporting sterile products, for example caps or stoppers for pharmaceutical purposes, from a sterilization facility to a downstream facility, for example a filling plant. It has two connecting devices which are arranged opposite one another and one of which is equipped with a rapid transfer port for docking the transport container with the downstream facility and the other is a filling device. The rapid transfer port is equipped with a cover which is provided with an opening device for opening the port cover. In addition, the rapid transfer port is preferably provided with a medium outlet through which cleaning and sterilization media can be discharged when the port cover is opened. |
US07810527B2 |
Container-treatment machine comprising controlled gripping means for seizing containers by the neck
A machine for the treatment of containers (12) provided with a neck (14), includes at least one, treatment station provided with a nipple (22) having gripping elements (26) in order to seize a container (12), the gripping elements (26) including a tubular supporting cuff (50) which is provided with a series of radial drillholes (52), each intended for receiving a ball (54) movable radially between an inner gripping position and an outer release position, characterized in that the gripping elements (26) include a tubular control cuff (56) which is mounted slideably between a locked position, in which a frustoconical bearing surface (58) cooperates with the balls (54) in order to stress them toward their gripping position, and an unlocked axial position, and in that the nipple (22) includes controlled drive elements (62) capable of causing the sliding of the control cuff (56). |
US07810526B2 |
Insert rapier
An insert rapier includes a weft-holding portion at a bottom portion of a rapier head. Rear and front walls are provided at a distal side of the rapier head with respect to the weft-holding portion and protruding from both sides of the bottom portion, thereby having a warp-dividing function. The insert rapier can guide a weft, which intersects with warps at a predetermined angle, to the weft-holding portion. The rapier head includes a tongue piece provided at the distal side with respect to the weft-holding portion, in a region between the weft-holding portion and the rear wall. The tongue piece has a distal tip located lower than the rear wall, and has an upper ridge gradually ascending from the distal tip toward a proximal side. The tongue piece is movable to a position above the rapier head or toward the proximal side. |
US07810520B2 |
Connector for articulated hydrocarbon fluid transfer arm
A hydrocarbon transfer system includes a first structure carrying an articulated arm, having at a free end a first connector part, and a vessel having a second connector part, each connector part including a coupling member. The coupling member of the first connector part supporting at least one fluid duct on its exterior, which duct can be placed into sealing engagement with a fluid duct on the vessel along respective sealing faces, and a locking member for locking the coupling members together. The fluid duct on the vessel has a substantially horizontally directed first and second duct section. The first duct section is connected to piping on the vessel. The second duct section is connected to the fluid duct on the coupling member of the first connector part, the first and second duct sections being mutually connected. |
US07810514B2 |
Connector for tent poles
A connector for tent poles has a body consisting of a single piece on the whole, an approximate half part of the body constituting a first connection part which a single pole assembly passes through and is connected to, the other approximate half part of the body constituting a second connection part to which another pole assembly or a clip is connected, a pivot hole consisting of a base hole formed through the first connection part in a direction traversing a longitudinal axis of the body and having a size corresponding to an outer diameter of the pole assembly at a central point of a cross section of the first connection part and an expansion hole widely expanded in a radially outward direction of the body from both front and rear sides of the base hole so as to correspond to a swiveling trajectory of the pole assembly so that the pole assembly is able to swivel by a predetermined angle on any plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of the body, around the base hole of a swivel center, and pivot protrusions that are fitted into a gap between an end face of a male pole and an end face of a female pole of the pole assembly so as to serve as a pivot point combining the swiveling and position-fixing functions of the pole assembly, have respectively a cam surface following a swiveling trajectory delineated by the two end faces and are formed at two points opposite to each other in the base hole of each pivot hole. |
US07810508B2 |
Smoking article with encapsulated flavourant
A filter cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter attached to the tobacco rod by a band of tipping paper. The surface of the band of tipping paper is coated with a solution of cells having at least one flavorant encapsulated therein. In use, when the filter cigarette is placed in the mouth of a consumer, moisture from the consumer's saliva causes the cells provided on the surface of the tipping paper to release the encapsulated flavorant. The cells are preferably yeast cells. The solution of cells may be applied to the band of tipping paper by gravure printing. |
US07810505B2 |
Method of operating a cigarette smoking system
An electrical smoking system includes a lighter having a plurality of electrical heater elements and a system for electrically actuating the heater elements. The lighter is adapted to receive a cigarette with the heater elements at least partially superposing a portion of the cigarette. The lighter further includes an electromagnet arranged in proximity to magnetic portions of the heater elements, with the electromagnet being actuable to selectively repulse or attract the heater elements. |
US07810503B2 |
Mandibular advancement splint
Mandibular advancement splint against snoring and sleep apnea. The splint is made of two thermoformable trays (1, 2) designed to envelop the upper and lower arch. In order to be able to adapt to individual variations in conformation, the advancement splint includes an articulated frame having rigid and flexible elements, immersed in the thermoformable flexible material or molded around it. The frame's articulations (12, 13, 23) allow the splint to fit the curve of the dental arch and to adapt to irregularities in the teeth's position. The inventive splint is equivalent in terms of comfort and efficiency to a personalized splint made by an orthodontist or dental technician, but its cost is 6 to 10 times lower. |
US07810502B1 |
Anti-snoring and obstructive sleep apnea device
An anti-snoring and obstructive sleep apnea device for preventing one's lower jaw from receding and preventing one's tongue from blocking the air passageway thus eliminating one's snoring. The anti-snoring and obstructive sleep apnea device includes an first support being removably retained by a user's upper teeth; and also includes a second support being supported by a user's lower teeth; and further includes an assembly being retained to the first support for positioning the second support and preventing the lower jaw from receding and the tongue from blocking the air passageway of a user and to allow the user to open one's mouth and to move one's lower jaw forwardly and laterally. |
US07810501B2 |
Orthotic device for preventing and/or correcting deformational posterior plagiocephaly
The present invention is a simple, adaptable orthotic device that can correct and/or prevent deformational posterior plagiocephaly, especially if used before the infant is 4 months of age. The manufactured article provides an anatomically correcting, adjustable, concave-shaped resting surface for an infant's head in a manner that effectively eliminates uneven pressure on the infant's occiput. The orthotic device has a module design which permits easy adjustments of the devices' head cavity to accommodate differences in individual infant head size and shape, thereby providing the infant's head with a custom fit. Also, as the infant continues to grow in size, the adjustable head cavity and torso recess features of the orthotic device allow the contoured spatial volume and dimensions of the molded supporting surfaces to expand as the infant's calvaria grow; and thereby facilitate a progressive, normalization and rounding of the infant's occiput. |
US07810499B2 |
Gas exhaust system for a mask apparatus for use in a breathing assistance system
A gas exhaust system for a mask apparatus for use in a breathing assistance system may include a housing for supporting a cushion configured to provide a seal against a patient's face, the housing defining a housing opening, and a ball member secured in the housing opening such that the ball member may rotate relative to the housing. One or more exhaust passageways for communicating exhaust gas away from the patient may be defined between an outer surface of the ball member and the housing opening. |
US07810495B2 |
Packaging and delivery of pharmaceuticals and drugs
A blister pack for use with inhalation therapy inhalers comprises an elongate bottom element having an overlying top element defining a plurality of spaced top crowned areas containing powder or liquid medications or drugs. |
US07810493B2 |
Drink tube system for respiratory protective device
A retractable drink system for providing fluid delivery to a wearer with a donned protective mask covering the mouth, the drink system including a drink tube mounted within the interior of the mask, the drink tube having a retracted position and a deployed position; and an actuation coupling externally accessible with respect to the mask, the actuation coupling moving the drink tube between the retracted and deployed positions. |
US07810490B2 |
Solar air conditioning device
A solar air conditioning device (100) includes a solar collector assembly (30), an inlet assembly (10) at an entrance of the solar collector assembly, and an outlet assembly (50) at an exit of the solar collector assembly. The solar collector assembly includes a heat-absorbing set (31) and a transparent panel (38) being assembled to a top of the heat-absorbing set. The heat-absorbing set comprises a plurality of heat-absorbing units (32) engaged with each other. Each of the heat-absorbing units includes two adjacent supporting members (33) and a heat-absorbing plate (35) sandwiched between and buckled with the two supporting members. The heat-absorbing set defines an air channel (314) with the transparent panel and a heat-absorbing channel (315) below the air channel. The inlet and outlet assemblies are in fluidic communication with the heat-absorbing channel. |
US07810488B2 |
High efficiency atmospheric steamer
A pressureless or atmospheric steamer for cooking food with a high cooking efficiency has a cooking compartment with an outlet for steam and condensate that feeds to a tempering tank via an outlet conduit. The outlet conduit is spaced closely from the controlled water level in the tempering tank, and is in fluid communication with the atmospheric vent to create an open steam cooker. A steam generator is adjacent the cooking compartment and has a water reservoir, a heat exchanger secured within the reservoir in a heat-transferring relationship at an exterior surface of the heat exchanger with the water held in the reservoir, and a heater that supplies heat to the interior of the heat exchanger. The tempering tank has a drain and level controls for a water supply held in the tempering tank. A pressure-sensitive device is disposed to measure the steam pressure in the cooking compartment and to generate electrical output signals indicative of minimum and maximum pressure values to control the operation of the heater to maintain the steam pressure in the cooking compartment within that operating range. The steamer has an in-built water filtration system for water supplied to the water reservoir. |
US07810487B2 |
Apparatus and methods for providing an improved cooking grate for an outdoor cooking grill
Provided is a cooking grate for improving cooking performance on an outdoor cooking grill. The cooking grate has a metallic plate, configured to be placed over a heat source in the outdoor cooking grill, where the metallic plate has a plurality of perforation holes. The cooking grate further includes a plurality of cooking surface ribs, configured to support food during cooking and positioned above the metallic plate. Also provided are methods of providing an improved cooking grate for an outdoor cooking grill including the steps of: perforating a metallic plate, configured to be positioned above a heat source on the outdoor cooking grill; forming a plurality of cooking surface ribs, configured to receive food to be cooked thereon. |
US07810484B2 |
Heat distributing cooking grate with grease control structure for a barbecue grill
The present invention provides a cooking grate for use within a barbecue grill assembly. The cooking grate is located within a cooking chamber of the barbecue grill and adjacent the heat source. The cooking grate has an energy receptor portion and cooking members depending therefrom. The energy reception portion of the cooking grate receives energy from the heat source. The energy received by the energy reception portion of the cooking grate is then conducted through the cooking grate to cooking members to cook food thereon. The present invention also provides a grease control structure for the grate to assist in directing the flow of grease away from the burners. |
US07810483B2 |
Rail guide with bearings for tile saw
A tile cutting machine includes a tool support assembly having at least one rail with a rail bearing associated therewith for selective movement there along. The rail bearing includes a housing having a bore therethrough. A plurality of slots are located in the housing adjacent the bore. The slots receive an axle pin having a wheel thereon to provide a roller bearing. Portions of the wheels extend into the bore and ride along an outer surface of the rail when it is received in the bore. |
US07810479B2 |
Pistons
An improved internal combustion engine is provided with at least one channel or groove on its compression face. The at least one channel or groove can be open and of uniform width. The channel or groove can direct flow of an air-fuel mixture to increase combustion efficiency. |
US07810478B2 |
System and method for facilitating homogeneous charge compression ignition
A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition. |
US07810477B2 |
Oil mist removal device with oil fill
An oil mist removal device, with oil fill, is provided for an internal combustion engine. A housing has first and second passages, and a separator therebetween. An oil fill port in the first passage is provided for adding oil to the engine. |
US07810475B2 |
Fuel vapor purging diagnostics
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring reverse flow of fuel vapors and/or air through a vehicle fuel vapor recovery system, said fuel vapor recovery system coupled to an engine intake of a boosted internal combustion engine. One example method comprises, during boost, when the fuel vapor recovery system is commanded to be sealed from the intake, indicating degradation based on a pressure value in the fuel vapor recovery system. |
US07810471B2 |
Two-piece injector cup and method of manufacturing same
A fuel delivery system comprises a fuel rail having an outlet, and a fuel injector cup associated with the fuel rail outlet. The fuel injector cup includes a cup portion and a ring portion. The cup portion comprises a body, and the body includes a base at a first end, an opening at a second end, and an inner cavity therein between the base and the opening. The cavity of the cup portion is configured to receive a fuel injector, and the first end of the cup portion is configured to be associated with the outlet of the fuel rail. The ring portion of the fuel injector cup is configured to be affixed to the cup portion, and the second end thereof, in particular. The ring portion is further configured to reinforce the second end of said cup portion. |
US07810469B2 |
Combustion control based on a signal from an engine vibration sensor
Feedback control of an internal combustion engine is performed based on a signal from a vibration sensor and a crankshaft angle sensor. An energy factor can be computed based on these sensor signals. A vector of energy factor can be computed as a function of crank angle degree over a particular window of engine rotation of interest. Based on the energy factor vector, combustion phasing can be estimated. |
US07810468B2 |
Controller and control system for internal combustion engine
A requested injection time InjT that is necessary for a fuel injector to inject a fuel per one combustion cycle is computed in response to variables of an accelerator manipulated by a driver. An injectable time InjMax per one combustion cycle is computed on the basis of an engine speed, and whether the requested injection time InjT is larger than the injectable time InjMax is determined. Then, when it is positively determined that the requested injection time InjT is larger than the injectable time InjMax, the fuel pump is subjected to load-up operation so as to increase a fuel feed pressure. |
US07810466B2 |
Compound bracket system
A compound bracket system (400) for an internal combustion engine (100) includes a first bracket (112) that is rigidly connected to a crankcase (102) of the internal combustion engine (100). The first bracket (112) forms at least one mounting pad (310) that is arranged to connect to and support a first engine component (114). A second bracket (120) is connected to the crankcase (102) through at least one additional engine component (110). The second bracket (120) forms a component cavity (208) that is arranged to accept and support a second engine component (118). The first bracket (112) forms an interconnection pad (314), and the second component forms a strut (216) having a mounting tab (218). The mounting tab (218) is advantageously connected to the interconnection tab (314) with a fastener (422), thus increasing the rigidity of the second bracket (120) as mounted on the engine (100). |
US07810465B2 |
Power-storage-type engine starting system
A power-storage-type engine starting system includes a coil spring for storing power to be used in starting the engine. An end of a crankshaft is configured to pass through a cylindrical shaft part and is passed through a one-way clutch attached to inside of an assist boss so that an assist boss and the one-way clutch can be provided at radially outside of the shaft end, whereby the crankshaft is made shorter. |
US07810464B2 |
Procedure for starting a combustion engine
Procedure for starting a combustion engine with at least one combustion chamber, whereby injections from the high pressure system are deposited into the combustion chamber during the starting process, is thereby characterized, in that at least one injection into the combustion engine can be blanked out in order to limit a pressure drop in the high pressure system. |
US07810461B2 |
Lash adjuster
A return spring is formed using a compression coil spring that is installed so that its axial direction is an up-down direction. The return spring is provided in a high-pressure chamber, and powers a plunger in an upwards direction. A coil diameter of the return spring varies along the axial direction. When the return spring is in a maximally compressed state, an axial direction dimension (up-down direction dimension) is smaller than a dimension that is a thickness of a spring wire multiplied by the number of coil turns. Hence, an overall height of a lash adjuster A can be reduced in comparison to when a return spring with a constant coil diameter over an entire length is used. |
US07810460B2 |
Adaptive individual dynamic volumetric efficiency optimization for engines with variable cam phasers and variable lift
A control system for an engine having a camshaft that is associated with an intake valve and a cam phaser that interfaces with the camshaft includes an air flow sensor that outputs first and second air flow signals based on mass air flow (MAF) delivered to the engine. An engine control module communicates with the air flow sensor and the cam phaser. The cam phaser adjusts an actuation time when the camshaft opens the intake valve during rotation of the camshaft. The control module further receives a rotational position signal based on the rotational position of the cam phaser and determines a rotational position of the cam phaser that delivers maximum air to the engine based on a first air flow signal measured prior to adjusting the cam phaser and a second air flow signal measured subsequent to adjusting the cam phaser. |
US07810459B2 |
Split-cycle four-stroke engine
An engine has a crankshaft, rotating about a crankshaft axis of the engine. An expansion piston is slidably received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke of a four stroke cycle during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A compression piston is slidably received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke of the same four stroke cycle during the same rotation of the crankshaft. A ratio of cylinder volumes from BDC to TDC for either one of the expansion cylinder and compression cylinder is fixed at substantially 26 to 1 or greater. |
US07810458B2 |
Reciprocating sleeve engine
A reciprocating engine (10) operating on the two stroke cycle, comprising a pair of stationary and substantially concentrically aligned mutually opposed pistons (13, 15) and a sleeve (11) adapted to reciprocate about these static pistons. The reciprocating sleeve (11) defining two cavities, each cavity being operatively connected to one of the pistons to define a chamber. The first chamber being a pre-charge chamber (21) and having at least one inlet port (25), and the second chamber being a combustion chamber (19) and having at least one outlet port (35), the two chambers being separated by a pressure operated transfer valve (23). The reciprocating motion of the sleeve (11) can be converted into rotary motion. |
US07810452B2 |
Basin capable of containing aquatic animals, especially experimental animals, and relating housing system
A basin including: a front housing compartment (1) in which there is a lower point (3) for collecting the organic material to be removed; an equipment compartment (4) at the back of the basin, connected to the housing compartment; a drainage device, in the equipment compartment (4), which includes an “overflow” pipe (6) fixed to a siphon (7); the drainage device being capable of moving down in order to operate the siphon (7); and, a partition (8) between the housing compartment (1) and the equipment compartment (4), the partition being capable of keeping the animals inside the housing compartment and letting the water pass into the equipment compartment. |
US07810447B2 |
Articulating paper coating dispenser and method
A strip of dental articulating paper is held pincer-like between two biased lateral edges of an outer housing. A grip head overlying a liner protects one lateral edge of the dental articulating paper, with a linear tracing of petroleum jelly formed on the liner adjacent exposed surfaces on both sides of the dental articulating paper. During storage, the grip head is received by and between the two biased lateral edges of the housing. Immediately prior to use, the dental professional slowly removes the grip head from the housing, with the biased lateral edges pressing against the sides of the withdrawing articulating paper, spreading an even, thin film of petroleum jelly over the surfaces thereof. |
US07810444B2 |
Configurable gauge apparatus including a flat panel display and a mechanical pointer
A configurable gauge apparatus includes a flat panel display (FPD) for displaying a user-defined gauge face, a transparent panel spaced from the FPD through which the displayed gauge face is viewed, and a mechanical pointer disposed between the FPD and the transparent panel for indicating a current value of a parameter of interest. The pointer includes a stem and a hub that rotatably supports the stem, and the hub is mounted on the FPD or the transparent panel. Pointer position is regulated either magnetically with a pointer magnet and a magnetic field generator disposed behind the FPD, or electrically with a motorized hub activated with transparent conductors formed on the FPD or transparent panel. The stem of the pointer is illuminated by either the FPD, or a hub-mounted LED activated with transparent conductors. Transparent conductors are also used to form a sensor array for detecting pointer position. |
US07810443B2 |
Motorboat having a cabin windscreen
A motorboat, in particular a yacht, with a cabin which merges on a rear side into a cockpit which is delimited laterally by side sections. To improve the wind comfort in the cockpit, a respective side guiding element for guiding the flow is disposed on each side of the boat. The side guiding element extends generally vertically upward and generally in the longitudinal direction of the boat from a rear end section of the respective side section. |
US07810439B2 |
Vehicle hitch engageable table
A portable table system engageable with a trailer hitch receiver mounted on a vehicle. The device features a pair of tables which are rotationally engaged to a support structure to allow movement from a deployed horizontal position, to vertical positions in a stacked arrangement adjacent to the rear of a vehicle. |
US07810434B2 |
Heated ski lift
The present invention is an improved ski lift. The ski lift contains a solar power source which is attached to one or more heating elements. The heating elements heat a passenger's hands during transit up the mountain. As a result, the passenger is made more comfortable during transit, increasing his or her overall skiing experience. |
US07810433B2 |
Device for the assembly and disassembly of a fastening device, more preferably a rail fastening device on a support body
The invention describes a device for the assembly and disassembly of a fastening device, more preferably of a rail fastening device on a support body, wherein the device is designed as screw adapter and the screw adapter is to be placed on the rail fastening device.The invention is based on developing a device for the assembly and disassembly of a rail fastening device which sits on the fastening device with an accurate fit and largely guarantees automated screwing in and screwing out of the fastening device in existing engagement stages.According to the invention this is achieved in that the screw adapter comprising an engagement pin at its stem, in the contact surface of its main body possesses a centrally arranged recess to accommodate the head of a fastening element, wherein the main body on both sides next to this recess comprises two mounting pockets designed trough-shaped as well as a stop. |
US07810432B2 |
Projectile cartridge wad
A wad for a projectile cartridge comprises a holder for holding a projectile, such as a plurality of shot, a charge barrier, and a support for mounting the holder to the barrier. The wad is unitary and is formed from a biodegradable plastic material. The barrier is preferably compressible, and more preferably substantially more compressible than the support. The wad has a first moisture content and is adapted to be conditioned, prior to employment in a projectile cartridge, to have a second moisture content. After conditioning, the weight of the wad may be increased by up to 19%, or the size of the wad maybe increased in at least one dimension by up to 6%. A projectile cartridge employing the wad, and a method of making the wad and the projectile cartridge are also disclosed, together with tools for making the wad and sleeve. |
US07810429B1 |
Consumable flash tube
A consumable flash tube for encapsulating igniter material in the propellant beds of propelling charges or rocket motors. The flash tube is constructed of a combustible, plastic material such as cellulose nitrate plastic or ethyl cellulose plastic. The combustible material is furnished with a filler of electrical charge dissipating material which renders the flash tube conductive. The conductive flash tube functions as an environmental housing and additionally as a grounded electrical conductor or Faraday shield so as to bleed off any inadvertent electrical charge presented to the flash tube and thus limit the charge transferred to the igniter material. Formation of the flash tube is by continuous extrusion of a mixture of the plastic material and electrical charge dissipating material into the shape of a hollow tube. After curing of the extruded tube, one end of the tube is flared to allow joining of the tube to a primer after the igniter material is positioned in the flash tube. |
US07810427B2 |
Circulation conveyor for food and drink
A circulation conveyor for foods and drinks effectively controls internal temperature of a tunnel section covering an upper portion of a circulation-type conveyor path for foods and drinks. The conveyor has a tunnel section covering an upper portion of and in the longitudinal direction of the carrying path. A cooling and heating pipe 24 inside the tunnel section in its longitudinal direction controls internal temperature of the tunnel section. In the tunnel section, upper and lower ventilation openings 32 and 33, disposed above and below, respectively, of the cooling and heating pipe 24 are provided. The ventilation openings communicate via communication pipes 30a to 30c to circulate air, and an air blowing section 34 circulates air in the tunnel section by drawing air from one of the upper or lower ventilation openings, into the pipes, and discharges the air from the other opening. |
US07810425B1 |
System for processing grains, carbohydrates, sugars, and oilseeds
The present invention includes a method apparatus and system for processing grains, sugars, carbohydrates and oilseeds. Specifically, the present invention includes a method and apparatus for fermenting carbohydrates from grains to produce ethanol. |
US07810423B2 |
Gas operated firearm action delay device
The invention relates to a device for delaying the gas action operated firearm. The device includes a gas chamber and an outlet, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the action tube of the firearm. The device has a port in fluid communication between the gas chamber and the barrel and a one-way check valve in the port. A gas release valve is included and is disposed on the container and in fluid communication with the gas chamber and the outlet. The device further includes linkage attached to the gas release valve and in mechanical communication with the bolt, such that when the gas release valve is in the closed position, gas is retained in the gas chamber and the linkage blocks the bolt from moving, and when the gas release valve is in the open position the linkage unblocks the bolt permitting normal gas action of the firearm. |
US07810421B2 |
Methods of preventing initiation of explosive devices
A method of preventing initiation of an explosive device. The method comprises substantially encasing an explosive device with a conductive foam. The explosive device is configured to be initiated by an electromagnetic radiation signal, such as that emitted by a transmitter of a wireless door bell device. Deactivated explosive devices are also disclosed. |
US07810410B2 |
Drum and washing machine or dryer using the same
The present invention relates to a drum rotatable provided in a washing machine or a dryer to dry laundry. A drum for a washing machine or a dryer includes an operable drum door provided at a circumferential surface of the drum; a balance weight provided at the circumferential surface of the drum. The balance weight is placed opposite to the operable drum door to balance the drum. |
US07810406B2 |
Circulating assembly for a ball screw
A circulating assembly for a ball screw comprises a cassette and a separator. The fitting hole of the cassette facilitates the installation of the balls, and the separator is inserted in the fitting hole of the cassette, and the sub-return path in the front end of the separator cooperates with the main return path of the cassette to smoothly guide the circulation of the balls, so that the balls can be installed easily and quickly. And the helical groove of the screw doesn't need to extend to the shoulder portion thereof. |
US07810405B2 |
Angle drive
An angle drive with two shafts (12, 15) which are drivingly connected to one another and whose axes (A1, A2) intersect one another at an angle, wherein on each of the shafts (12, 15) there is firmly arranged at least one gearwheel (19, 20, 21) and wherein there is provided a hollow gear (17) with an axis of rotation (A3) and wherein the gearwheels (19, 20, 21) engage the hollow gear (17). |
US07810403B2 |
Starter motor having a permanently engaged gear
Methods and apparatus for engaging gears in motors are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus for engaging gears in a motor includes an actuator; and an engagement assembly having at least one pawl axially movably configured to selectively couple the engagement assembly with a gear via operation of the actuator. The actuator may be a solenoid, and may further be a single-coil solenoid. The apparatus may further include a shaft having the actuator and engagement assembly disposed thereon; and a gear disposed on the shaft adjacent the engagement assembly. |
US07810402B2 |
Torque monitoring apparatus
A torque monitoring apparatus for monitoring torque between a driving structure rotating about a first axis and a driven structure rotating about a second axis. The torque monitoring apparatus includes a piston and cylinder assembly. The piston is received in an aperture defined by the cylinder. At least one of the piston and the cylinder is operable for connection to one of the driving structure and the driven structure and rectilinearly moveable along the first axis or the second axis. The aperture is centered on the axis of rectilinear movement. |
US07810398B2 |
Concept for detecting a change of a physical quantity by means of a conductor structure
An apparatus for detecting a change of a physical quantity by means of a conductor structure having a processor for applying a defined supply signal to the conductor structure so as to effect a current flow through the conductor structure, the current flow being changeable by the physical quantity, and a detector for detecting a magnetic field caused by the current flow through the conductor structure by means of a magnetoresistive element allocated to the conductor structure, a change of the physical quantity being associated with a change of the detected magnetic field. |
US07810396B2 |
Test device for electronic product
A test device for an electronic product includes a vertical pressing pole having a pushing end. The test device also includes a movable platform with a sticking point, wherein upward movement of the movable platform moves the vertical pressing pole upwards by the sticking point. The vertical pressing pole passes through a balance weight which rests on the sticking point. A pressurized platform bears pressure from the pushing end, when the pushing end is pushed onto the pressurized platform. A load-bearing platform supports the pressurized platform and the electronic product located below the pressurized platform. The product is pressed between the pressurized platform and the load-bearing platform due to the pressure from the pushing end lying on the pressurized platform. When the movable platform is further moved downwards after the pushing end is on the pressurized platform, the sticking point bearing the balance weight is separate from the movable platform. |
US07810394B2 |
Integrated sensor and circuitry
A micromachined sensor having a capacitive sensing structure. The sensor includes a first substrate with first and second conductive layers separated by a buried insulator layer, and a member defined by the first and second conductive layers and the buried insulator layer. A first set of elements defined with the first conductive layer is connected to the member and includes first and second elements that are electrically isolated from each other by the buried insulator layer. A second set of elements is defined with the first conductive layer and capacitively coupled with the first set of elements. A second substrate is bonded to the first substrate so that the member and the first set of elements are movably supported above the second substrate. The second set of elements is anchored to the second substrate, and the first and second sets of elements are physically interconnected through the second substrate. |
US07810390B2 |
Push in tire valve stem
A tire pressure monitoring assembly includes a sensor secured to a valve stem secured within a wheel rim. The sensor is secured to the valve stem with a push on clip. The valve stem includes two pieces that provide for installation from one side of the wheel rim. The valve stem is separable to provide for the elongation of the rubber housing. Elongation of the housing causes a reduction in an outer diameter that provides for insertion into the opening of the wheel rim. |
US07810389B2 |
Method for determining a tire position in a tire pressure measurement system
In a method for transmitting data, the step of transmitting the data representing a measured pressure or pressure variation is repeated with a first repetition rate if no pressure variation has been detected or repeated with a second repetition rate if a specific pressure variation has been detected. The second repetition rate is higher than the first repetition rate. The different repetition frequencies can be used in a method for determining a tire position in a tire pressure measurement system to switch between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The method for determining a tire position evaluates the repetition rate between the received data packets of transmitted data and extracts a pressure variation out of the received data packets. |
US07810388B2 |
Tire testing facility
A tire testing facility used for testing tires includes a tire testing device with one or more testing heads (5) for testing the inner running surface (8) of the tire (1) and one or more testing heads (6, 7) for testing the outer sidewall (3, 2) side wall of the tire (1). |
US07810384B2 |
Power turbine test apparatus
The invention provides a power turbine test apparatus able to significantly reduce the equipment cost and testing cost required for an independent operation test of a test object power turbine. The power turbine test apparatus for independently operating and testing a power turbine that drives a driven machinery using combustion gas or steam, comprises: an air compressor that supplies compressed outside air to a combustor positioned on a downstream side; a first air duct that guides the outside air compressed by the air compressor into the combustor; a combustor which combusts the compressed outside air and fuel to generate combustion gas; and a second air duct that guides the combustion gas generated by the combustor to the power turbine installed on the downstream side; wherein a rotating shaft of the power turbine and a rotating shaft of the air compressor are joined to each other, and power of the power turbine is recovered by the air compressor. |
US07810380B2 |
Systems and methods for collecting tear film and measuring tear film osmolarity
A sample receiving chip comprising a substrate that receives an aliquot volume of a sample fluid and a sample region of the substrate, sized such that the volume of the sample fluid is sufficient to operatively cover a portion of the sample region. The energy imparted into the sample fluid is transduced by the sample region to produce an output signal that indicates energy properties of the sample fluid. The sample receiving chip also includes a channel formed in the substrate, the channel configured to collect the aliquot volume of a sample fluid and transfer the aliquot volume of sample fluid to the sample region. |
US07810379B2 |
High temperature microelectromechanical (MEM) devices
A microelectromechanical (MEM) device per the present invention comprises a semiconductor wafer—typically an SOI wafer, a substrate, and a high temperature bond which bonds the wafer to the substrate to form a composite structure. Portions of the composite structure are patterned and etched to define stationary and movable MEM elements, with the movable elements being mechanically coupled to the stationary elements. The high temperature bond is preferably a mechanical bond, with the wafer and substrate having respective bonding pads which are aligned and mechanically connected to form a thermocompression bond to effect the bonding. A metallization layer is typically deposited on the composite structure and patterned to provide electrical interconnections for the device. The metallization layer preferably comprises a conductive refractory material such as platinum to withstand high temperature environments. |
US07810378B2 |
Monitoring of leakage in wastewater force mains and other pipes carrying fluid under pressure
A method of detecting leakage in a force main involves placing at least two spaced sensors on the force main. Liquid is pumped through the pipe by means of a pump. The pump is shut down for an interval of time, and during the period following pump shutdown while negative pressure is present in the pipe, signals are generated at the sensors due to noise or vibration resulting from fluid being drawn into the pipe. The position of a leak in the pipe is determined by correlating the leak noise signals generated while the pipe is under negative pressure. Alternatively, the invention can be applied to a pressurized pipe, in which case conditions of negative pressure can be deliberatively created for a period to draw in fluid from the outside. |
US07810371B2 |
Process and arrangement for calibrating and/or equilibrating single-channel and multi-channel liquid handling devices
An arrangement and process for calibrating and/or equilibrating single-channel and multi-channel liquid handling devices, wherein a dispensing volume of a liquid is dispensed via the dispensing channels of a liquid handling device into a measurement chamber of a measurement chamber carrier, each measurement chamber being associated with a dispensing channel, and the individual measurement chambers are hermetically sealed successively relative to the environment and are connected to a pressure chamber under an operating pressure so that an equilibrium pressure occurs that is relevant to the respective dispensing volume. |
US07810368B2 |
Multi-mode hammering machine
The invention is a multi-mode hammering machine that operates in a rigid mode, a flexible power hammer mode and a machine press mode to contour, shape and form sheet metal products. In all three modes, a ram is linearly stroked toward and away from a fixed die by a common ram drive assembly that includes a lever drive assembly and a reciprocating lever. The lever drive assembly moves in a rigid non-flexing manner. The reciprocating lever includes a rigid mode and a flexible mode. A conversion pin is used to engage one and simultaneously disengage the other. The lever drive assembly includes a control link that interfaces with a stroke adjustment mechanism. The gap adjustment mechanism is located at the fulcrum of the reciprocating lever. Both stroke length and gap are adjusted independently during the operation while the ram is cycling. |
US07810366B2 |
Electrohydraulic trimming, flanging, and hemming of blanks
A method of electrohydraulically trimming a blank involving positioning a blank on a trimming member having a cutting edge such that a portion to be trimmed extends over the cutting edge and is in fluid communication with a chamber. Immobilize the blank with respect to the trimming member. Position a pair of electrodes in the chamber proximate the portion of the blank to be trimmed such that the electrodes and the trimming member are on opposite sides of the blank. Electrically connect the electrodes to a capacitor. Charge the capacitor. Fill the chamber with fluid to submerge the electrodes and to contact the portion of the blank to be trimmed. Discharge the capacitor across the electrodes to generate a pressure pulse that pushes the portion of the blank to be trimmed against the cutting edge thus trimming it off the blank. |
US07810363B2 |
Electric steering locking apparatus
An electric steering locking apparatus includes a cam plate (5) that rotates in an unlocking direction (R1) and a locking direction (R2) by driving operation of a motor unit, and a locking shaft (8) that follows a sliding surface (6) of the cam plate (5) and that moves between a locking position where the rotation of a steering shaft is prevented and an unlocking position where the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted. The cam plate (5) is set such that a rotation center (O) coincides with a center of gravity (G). |
US07810362B2 |
Recirculation control in a washing machine
The present invention relates to a washing machine (7) and pump (8) for a washing machine (7). The pump is driven by a brushless DC motor (38). The pump can be controlled to improve the operation of the washing machine. In one aspect the invention comprises a washing machine (7) with a variable speed pump (8) for pumping out wastewater, a controller (50) for controlling the speed of the pump and a sensor (10) for determining the flow-rate of water being pumped from the washing machine, wherein the controller (50) controls the speed of the pump to maintain the flow-rate at a desirable level. |
US07810360B2 |
Deodorization apparatus and washing machine having the same
A deodorization apparatus and a washing machine having the same are provided. The washing machine having the deodorization apparatus includes a tub including a ventilator, and a deodorization apparatus disposed outside the tub, having one side that communicates with the tub, and removing an laundry odor by injecting air into the tub. Therefore, the laundry odor can be quickly removed, and water and power consumption and damage to the laundry, which are caused by a washing operation using the water for deodorization of the laundry, can be prevented. |
US07810356B2 |
Process and apparatus for producing porous quartz glass base
The present invention provides a process for producing a porous quartz glass base, which comprises hydrolyzing a silicon compound in an oxyhydrogen flame in a reaction furnace to generate and deposit fine silica particles on a starting member, thereby forming a porous quartz glass base, wherein a gas discharge pipe for discharging an unnecessary gas from the reaction furnace is heated. According to the present invention, fine silica particles can be prevented from adhering to a gas discharge pipe for discharging the unnecessary hydrogen chloride gas generated in producing a porous quartz glass base. |
US07810354B2 |
Multi-piece puzzle charm
Multi-piece charm includes at least one edge puzzle piece charm each having at least one smooth edge and at least one edge having at least one tab or blank, and at least one additional puzzle piece charm having a tab or blank and arranged to interlock with an edge puzzle piece charm. Each puzzle piece charm includes an aperture to enable a strand of material to be passed therethrough and enable the puzzle piece charms to be worn on a part of the body. The additional puzzle piece charm may be another edge puzzle piece or a middle puzzle piece charm which has one or more tabs or blanks, either on a single edge, on a plurality of edges or on all of its edges. |
US07810348B2 |
Beverage container with freeze pack
A container has a thermal pack aligned on a central axis of the container. The thermal pack includes a material such as a phase change material for cooling (or heating) the liquid in the container. The thermal pack attaches to the container such as by a threaded connection in a receiving tube, which makes full circumferential contact with an end of the thermal pack. The container has a drinking or pouring opening aligned relative to the thermal pack, but completely separated from the thermal pack. Radial flow slots permit fluid to flow from the container interior through the drinking or pouring opening. |
US07810343B2 |
Dispenser with a service interface for a consumer electronic device
A dispenser, a food dispensing appliance with a dispenser, and a system including a food dispensing appliance for providing at least one service to a consumer electronic device. The dispenser has a service interface providing at least one service for a consumer electronic device. The appliance comprises a cabinet, a door movably mounted to the cabinet and having a peripheral edge, and a dispenser on the door. A service interface is provided on the dispenser and provides at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The system comprises an appliance with a dispenser and service interface supplying the at least one service and an adapter capable of coupling to the service interface to receive the service and supply it to the consumer electronic device. |
US07810332B2 |
Gas turbine with heat exchanger for cooling compressed air and preheating a fuel
A gas turbine includes a compressor for compressing the combustion air, at least one combustion chamber, in which a fuel is burned while compressed combustion air is supplied, and at least one first turbine arranged downstream of the combustion chamber and in which the hot combustion gases from the combustion chamber are expanded to perform work. Part of the compressed combustion air is branched off, cooled in a cooling air cooler, brought to a lower cooling air pressure by a second turbine and supplied to the gas turbine for cooling purposes. |
US07810330B1 |
Power generation using thermal gradients maintained by phase transitions
Power is generated from an ambient environment through the use of thermodynamic engines. A thermodynamic engine is disposed in the ambient environment and converts heat provided in the form of a temperature differential to a nonheat form of energy. Conditions in the ambient environment induce a phase transition in a heat-transport medium that causes the temperature differential. The heat-transport medium is renewed by allowing inducing a reverse phase transition in the heat-transport medium, permitting the heat-transport medium to repeatedly or continuously undergo the phase transition that causes the temperature differential. |
US07810327B2 |
Variable geometry turbine
A variable geometry turbine comprises a turbine wheel supported in a housing for rotation about a turbine axis with an annular inlet passageway defined between a radial face of a movable nozzle ring and a facing wall of the housing. The nozzle ring is movable along the turbine axis to vary the width of the inlet passageway. A substantially annular rib is provided either on the face of the nozzle ring (such that the minimum width of the inlet passageway is defined between the rib and the facing wall of the housing) or on the facing wall of the housing (such that the minimum width of the inlet passageway is defined between the rib and the nozzle ring). |
US07810325B2 |
Self-pressurizing Stirling engine
A solar thermal powered aircraft powered by heat energy from the sun. A heat engine, such as a Stirling engine, is carried by the aircraft body for producing power for a propulsion mechanism, such as a propeller. The heat engine has a thermal battery in thermal contact with it so that heat is supplied from the thermal battery. A solar concentrator, such as reflective parabolic trough, is movably connected to an optically transparent section of the aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy from within the aircraft. Concentrated solar energy is collected by a heat collection and transport conduit, and heat transported to the thermal battery. A solar tracker includes a heliostat for determining optimal alignment with the sun, and a drive motor actuating the solar concentrator into optimal alignment with the sun based on a determination by the heliostat. |
US07810322B2 |
Turbo-transmission
Improvements in a turbo transmission are provided for transferring power from a power source to a work unit. The transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a power source and to a pump that is configured to rotate with the input shaft. The pump transfers energy received from the power source into a fluid or gas. The transmission includes an output shaft and a multi-stage turbine in line. The first turbine is fixed to output shaft, and a plurality of additional turbines are fixed on either one-way overrunning clutches or multi-disc clutches and these clutches are fixed to the output shaft and after each turbine is a multi-valves that discharges the fluid or gas. After all of the multi-stage turbines a planetary gear set connects the turbo transmission to the vehicle or work unit. |
US07810313B2 |
Method and system for the simultaneous measurement of a plurality of properties associated with an exhaust gas mixture
A method for simultaneously measuring one or more properties (e.g. temperature, concentration of NOx and ammonia, etc) in an exhaust gas mixture. Signals from one or more sensors that are cross-sensitive to one or more gases can be combined. A decoupling observer algorithm can be applied, such that these cross-sensitivities are decoupled. The sensors simultaneously obtain an estimate of one or more gases in the diesel exhaust. A decoupling observer algorithm can be structured and arranged to be operable among a plurality of positions corresponding to several internal configurations. |
US07810312B2 |
Heat exchanger arrangement
In certain circumstances recovery of a fluid flow presented through a heat exchanger into another flow can create problems with respect to drag and loss of thrust. In gas turbine engines heat exchangers are utilized for providing cooling of other flows such as in relation to compressor air taken from the core of the engine and utilized for cabin ventilation and de-icing functions. By providing an outlet valve through an outlet duct in a wall of a housing the exhaust fluid flow from the heat exchanger can be returned to the by-pass flow with reduced drag effects whilst recovering thrust. The valve may take the form of a flap displaceable into the by-pass flow before an exit plan to create a reduction in static pressure drawing fluid flow through the heat exchanger. |
US07810310B2 |
Integrated coal gasification combined cycle plant
An IGCC plant which can improve the power generation efficiency and which can suppress the emission of sulfur components and dust into the atmosphere is provided. The IGCC plant described above has a coal gasifier for converting pulverized coal to a syngas; an exhaust heat recovery boiler generating steam; a gas turbine system which is operated by the syngas and which supplies a combustion exhaust gas to the exhaust heat recovery boiler; a steam turbine system operated by the steam generated by the exhaust heat recovery boiler; a power generator connected to the gas turbine system and/or the steam turbine system; a desulfurization device for removing sulfur components from the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the exhaust heat recovery boiler; and a wet-type electric precipitator for removing sulfur components and dust. |
US07810304B2 |
Compact knife head assembly, bearing and eccentric for a sickle drive for a header of an agricultural plant cutting machine
A compact epicyclic drive includes a pinion rotatable about a ring gear and an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion so as to be rotated thereby, a knife head bearing supported on and extending around the eccentric element, and a knife head assembly connected in driving relation to a sickle knife assembly. The knife head assembly includes an element supported on and extending around the knife head bearing and configured so as to transfer sidewardly directed components of rotations of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements of the sickle knife assembly. The eccentric element, knife head bearing, and knife head assembly are generally flat and axially coextensive, contributing to the compactness of the drive. The sickle drive is adapted to incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of a header of an agricultural harvesting machine. |
US07810297B2 |
Floor panels with edge connectors
Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling. |
US07810292B2 |
Masonry cavity wall having a compressible, expandable debris blocker and method of assembly
A mortar and debris collection device for use within a cavity wall to prevent the blockage of weep holes at the base of the wall. The cavity wall assembly includes a masonry wall, an adjacent inner wall, a wall cavity therebetween, and a free-standing elongate strip of openwork material located within the cavity forming a debris collection surface a spaced distance above a base surface of the cavity. Preferably, the openwork material is inserted and positioned within the cavity after the inner wall and only a base portion of the outer masonry wall is constructed. Thereafter, the upper portion of the outer masonry wall is constructed and any mortar or debris falling into the cavity is caught and supported on the debris collection surface. |
US07810285B1 |
Building barrier system and associated method
A building barrier system wherein a portion of the building barrier system can transition between an erect position and a substantially flat position thereby allowing access to the interior of the structure without having to disassemble the building barrier system and associated method. |
US07810284B2 |
Vehicle window assembly
A vehicle window assembly, preferably for the rear of a pickup cab having a sliding glass member, is provided with a window frame molding having an integrated fluid inlet, fluid outlet and circuitous flow channel that doubles back on itself and connects the fluid inlet with the fluid outlet to permit fluid flow through the molding, thereby permitting water that has entered through the sliding glass member to drain from interior compartment to the outside of the vehicle while minimizing the introduction of road and wind noise in the interior compartment. |
US07810283B2 |
Exterior pocket door
An exterior pocket door of simple design is provided that can be used for commercial and residential exterior building applications. The exterior pocket includes a door frame structure having a top head jamb coupled to a bottom sill plate by a left wall jamb and a right wall jamb. A first exterior wall panel and a second exterior wall panel are coupled to an outside face of the frame structure and a first interior wall panel and a second interior wall panel coupled to an inside face of the frame structure. A first sliding door unit and a second sliding door unit are mounted within the door frame structure to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. The first exterior wall panel and the first interior wall panel form a first pocket in which the first sliding door unit is located in the open position, and the second exterior wall panel and the second interior wall panel form a second pocket in which the second sliding door unit is located in the open position. |
US07810282B2 |
Belt-driven rack gear power sliding door
A power door drive system for moving a sliding side door on a vehicle body having an aperture between an open position substantially clear of the aperture and a closed position substantially covering the aperture. A guide track having channel and rack portions is mounted to the vehicle body adjacent the aperture. The rack portion includes a plurality of rack teeth. A hinge member is adapted for mounting to the side door and includes a plurality of guide rollers for rollingly engaging the channel portion of the guide track. A power drive mechanism mounted to the hinge member includes a reversible motor for producing a drive torque, a pinion gear having a plurality of drive teeth meshingly engaging the rack teeth, and an endless belt for transferring the drive torque from the motor to the pinion gear thereby driving the sliding door between the open and closed position. |
US07810281B2 |
Electric motor drive system assembly with vibration dampening
A window lift system includes a motor drive assembly (10) constructed and arranged to control movement window glass of a vehicle, and a door module (35) to which the drive assembly is coupled. The door module has surface features (36) disrupting a surface (37) of the door module to reduce the transfer of vibration energy from the door module to the drive assembly or vise versa. In an embodiment, the door module includes a diaphragm (34) and the surface features are annular, undulating, wave-like features in the diaphragm. |
US07810279B2 |
Buoyant wetland system
A buoyant habitat system comprising an island body or submersible growing area, at least one solid elevated growing area and at least one hollowed-out elevated growing area. Preferably, the island body or submersible growing area has a top surface and is comprised of a nonwoven matrix that is injected with buoyant foam. Preferably, the at least one solid elevated growing area is attached to said top surface and is comprised of a nonwoven matrix that is injected with buoyant foam. Preferably, the at least one hollowed-out elevated growing area is attached to said top surface and is comprised of an outer ring of said nonwoven matrix that encircles a portion of growth medium. |
US07810278B2 |
Unattended plant watering system
An apparatus is provided for unattended watering of plants over an extended period of time utilizing a watering system that regulates a partial vacuum to control the discharge of water to the roots of the plants. A water reservoir is provided having an encapsulated interior cavity and an exterior exposed to ambient air, and having upper and lower ends. The reservoir is located above the root level of a plant to be watered. At least one drain opening is defined in the lower end of the reservoir. The upper end of the reservoir is closed and is provided with an adjustable valve, preferably a pinch valve, and an air conduit, preferably a flexible tube, that passes through the valve and extends between the interior and the exterior of the reservoir. The valve thereby interacts with the conduit to partially obstruct air flow through it, so as to maintain a partial vacuum in the upper end of the reservoir as water drains from the lower end of the reservoir. |
US07810277B2 |
Lawn edging with integral electrical conductor and clip connectors
A lawn edging strip includes imbedded conductors which can be used to conduct low voltage electricity to allow the lawn edging to double as a lighting strip. The lawn edging product enables solderless connection of one or more low voltage lights at points along the length of the edging using a light socket body with a plug adapted for insertion into holes formed in the strip to expose embedded conductors. Adjacent sections of lawn edging may be connected together physically and electrically. |
US07810276B2 |
Plant support assembly
A stackable plant support assembly may include two plant support frames that by be vertically stacked or secured to each other, one supporting the other, using a plurality of clips. Each frame may be formed from two or more wire frame portions. The clips, which may be constructed of plastic, may include a body having a pair of spaced apart, parallel channels and a closure that is used to close off the channels. Each channel of the clip(s) may extend through the body such that each channel has a pair of opens ends and an open top. A pair of parallel grooves may also be defined in the surface of each channel. The grooves may allow each clip to engage up to four separate frame portions. Therefore, the clips may be used for securing together and supporting two separate vertically arranged frames by engaging the frame portions of each frame. |
US07810272B2 |
Gun barrel assembly
A firearm barrel assembly having a gun barrel with a muzzle opening on a distal end, a shroud coaxially surrounding at least a portion of the barrel, the shroud having a distal portion extending beyond the muzzle opening defining a shroud front region having a distal end portion, a proximal portion extending proximally from the muzzle opening defining an annular region between the barrel and shroud, the shroud front region and annular region in fluid communication with substantially no obstruction between the shroud front region and the annular region, and a front wall disposed at the distal end portion of the shroud. The wall has an opening to allow passage of a projectile fired from the firearm. |
US07810270B2 |
Adjustable cheek piece for a firearm butt stock
A firearm butt stock with an adjustable cheek piece comprises an elongate stock base having a top, a bottom, a right side, a left side, a proximal end and a distal end. The stock base has a transverse pivot shaft near the stock base top and a transverse catch shaft spaced from the pivot shaft lengthwise of the stock base near the stock base top. A cheek piece has a proximal end and a distal end and a left and a right sidewall. The cheek piece defines a plurality of lengthwise stacked receptacles opening toward a proximal end of the cheek piece and an elongate hole having a distal and a proximal end spaced lengthwise and distal of the stacked receptacles. The stacked receptacles, the catch shaft, the elongate hole and the pivot shaft are configured so that with the pivot shaft received in the elongate hole and the pivot shaft at the distal end of the elongate hole, the catch shaft is received in one of the stacked receptacles and the cheek piece is prevented from pivoting about the pivot shaft. With the pivot shaft at the proximal end of the elongate hole, the catch shaft clears the opening of the stacked receptacles and the cheek piece can pivot about the pivot shaft. A spring detent is provided in operative association with one of the pivot shaft and the catch shaft. The spring detent prevents relative movement of the pivot shaft and the proximal and distal ends of the elongate hole without application of a lengthwise force to the cheek piece in a desired lengthwise direction of movement sufficient to overcome the spring detent. |
US07810268B1 |
Striker-fired firearm
A striker-fired firearm with field stripping mechanism and method. A striker-fired firearm generally includes a frame, a slide supported by the frame for longitudinal forward and rearward movement, a striker axially movable in a path of travel along a longitudinal axis, a trigger pivotably connected to the frame, a trigger bar movably coupled to the trigger and adapted to engage the striker, and a trigger bar camming member pivotably disposed in the frame and defining a camming surface engaged by the trigger bar. Pivoting the camming member moves the trigger bar from a first position to a second position in spatial relationship to the striker. In a preferred embodiment, the camming member is an ejector operable to expel spent cartridge casings from the firearm. |
US07810267B2 |
Patient identification products
An identification band is formed from a soft flexible woven fabric, such as polyester or nylon. The identification band includes a front surface and a back surface. Patient specific indicia can be imprinted on selected areas of the front surface. The identification band initially is part of a laminated sheet that can be processed through a printing apparatus. |
US07810266B2 |
Graphic display panel
A graphic design consists of graphic elements such as text, logos, images and texture. On the front surface of transparent substrate, a white translucent copy in the form of chosen graphic elements in the design (such as text) is applied, so when viewed from front is right-reading. The complete original graphic design is then applied in register onto the front surface, so that the parts of the design that were copied onto the front surface first come directly onto contact with that copy. A white copy in the form of the other areas (the graphic elements that were not copied onto the front) is applied onto the back of the substrate (i.e. the side facing away from the viewer) in register with the rest of the design (in reverse, so when viewed from front is right-reading). Further copies of this one may be applied behind it (i.e. on the back) to increase its opacity. A light-source is placed behind the substrate. |
US07810264B2 |
Flag warning system and method to use
A flag warning system is paramount because it increases the safety of a dock-loading area. Often times, workers and machinery are moving in and out of trailers to either load or unload trailers, and it is important to insure that the truck is not moved inadvertently, thereby preventing damage to individuals and equipment. This is a simple dock warning system that will alert the driver by simply rotating a flag so that the flag is either visible or not visible to alert the driver to move or not move the trailer. When the flag is visible to the driver when he or she looks in the rearview mirror, the load is safe to be pulled. If the driver does not see the flag, he or she should not pull the load. |
US07810255B2 |
Interlocking fluid-filled chambers for an article of footwear
An article of footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure includes a first chamber and a second chamber that each enclose a fluid. The first chamber and the second chamber both define a plurality of projections and depressions. At least a portion of the projections of the first chamber are located within the depressions of the second chamber, and at least a portion of the projections of the second chamber are located within the depressions of the first chamber. In some configurations, each of the first chamber and the second chamber may form portions of upper and lower surfaces of a pneumatic component. In addition, colors of the first chamber and the second chamber may be selected such that the colors combine at an interface of the first chamber and the second chamber. |
US07810251B1 |
Motorized leveling stages
A motorized leveling stage capable of adjusting the angular position of a work piece relative to a reference plane includes an upper stage, a lower stage, and a hinge coupling corresponding edges of the two stages together for relative pivotal movement of the stages. A first spring pivotally biases the upper and lower stages toward each other about the axis of the hinge. A slide is disposed for sliding movement on an upper surface of the lower stage in a direction generally perpendicular to the hinge axis. The slide includes an upper surface defining an inclined plane disposed in sliding abutment with a lower surface of the upper stage such that movement of the slide toward and away from the hinge respectively raises and lowers the upper stage relative to the lower stage. A motorized drive assembly is operable to control movement of the slide relative to the hinge. |
US07810249B2 |
Program to make of cutting data for inner face of dental prosthesis
To remove an undercut part from three-dimensional data of the inner face, the program includes a surface model creating means to create a surface model based on three-dimensional data of a gypsum model including an abutment tooth, a cutting direction specifying means to specify a direction of a cutting bar, and a surface model creating means to create a surface model for machining by changing the three-dimensional data to have new coordinates by determining a base axis in parallel with the cutting bar in the surface model and plane moving coordinates of the cutting bar, and converting the coordinates of a point which becomes an undercut part, to be equal to the plane moving coordinates of a point having a high height from a specified face rectangular to the base axis at the opposite side of the occlusion face and a long distance from the base axis. |
US07810245B2 |
Levelling bench arrangement, set of accessories for a levelling bench arrangement, and method for preparation of a levelling bench for a particular vehicle model
A levelling bench arrangement comprises a levelling bench (1), a structure (3, 5) releasably fastenable to the levelling bench, and a plurality of fixture devices (7) releasably mountable at the structure, where the fixture devices define certain specific reference points of a vehicle, which is to be repaired or inspected. Each of the fixture devices comprises a column (21) releasably mountable at a structure, an adapter (24) releasably mountable at the column, and a head (27) releasably mountable at the adapter. |
US07810237B2 |
Method for repairing and/or modifying component parts of a gas turbine
A method is for repairing and/or modifying component parts of a gas turbine. First, at least one, particularly damaged section of the component part that is to be repaired is cut out of the component part. In addition, if it does not exist, a data record is generated for a replacement part that is to be produced. The replacement part is subsequently produced with the aid of a rapid manufacturing process. Subsequently, the replacement part produced is integrated into the component part that is to be repaired. |
US07810236B2 |
Method for manufacturing a power transmitting apparatus
A method for manufacturing a power transmitting apparatus by molding both the pressure-contact assist cam and back-torque limiting cam even though either one of the pressure-contact assist cam and back-torque limiting cam is molded as a reverse-draft surface. The power transmitting apparatus has a clutch housing (2) and a clutch member (4) connected to an output member (3). A plurality of driven clutch plates (7) alternately is arranged between the driving clutch plates (6) of the clutch housing. The pressure plate (5) and the clutch member (4) are, respectively, formed with through windows (5c) and (4c) at positions corresponding to the pressure-contact assist cams (4aa) and (5ba) and the back-torque limiting cams (4ab) and (5bb) to form reverse-draft surfaces of the pressure-contact assist cams (4aa) and (5ba) and the back-torque limiting cams (4ab) and (5bb) by inserting pin-shaped cores into the windows (5c) and (4c). |
US07810234B2 |
Method of forming a thin film capacitor
An apparatus, and a method for forming, a split thin film capacitor for providing multiple power and reference supply voltage levels to electrical devices such as integrated circuits, may be useful in space restricted applications, and in applications that require very close electrical connections between the power consumer and the power supply. An example of both a space restricted application and a close coupling application may be an integrated circuit (IC) such as a microprocessor. The capacitor supplying and moderating power to the microprocessor needs to be closely coupled in order to respond to instantaneous power demands that may be found in high clock rate microprocessors, and the space inside a microprocessor package is very restricted. The microprocessor may use a lower voltage power supply level for minimum sized fast transistors in the fast core logic portions of the microprocessor, and a more normal voltage power supply voltage level for the cache memory and I/O transistor portions of the microprocessor. Thus a compact capacitor with multiple power and reference supply levels may be needed to provide the required power for a high frequency IC. |
US07810231B2 |
Self-piercing rivet setting apparatus and system
A self-piercing rivet setting apparatus (9) comprises a punch (14) and a die (18) for driving a self-piercing rivet into a plurality of workpieces including a receiving-side workpiece adjacent to the die. The self-piercing rivet has a large-diameter head and a hollowed leg. The leg is driven to pierce the workpieces while allowing the front end of the leg to be expanded and deformed in its radial outward direction and to be stayed in the receiving-side workpiece without passing therethrough, to connect the plurality of workpieces with each other by the expanded leg and the head. The die includes a first die member (26) having a first cavity (25), and a second die member (30) having a second cavity (27) and a protruding pin (29) provided at the center of the second cavity. The first cavity is adapted to allow the leg of the self-piercing to be driven into the workpieces in a straight direction when the self-piercing rivet is pressed by the punch (14). The second cavity and the protruding pin are adapted to allow the leg of the self-piercing rivet being piercing the workpieces to be expanded and deformed in its radial outward direction. |
US07810230B2 |
Sealing member fitting apparatus
A sealing member fitting apparatus includes a sealing member transfer device that switches between a sealing member receiving position where the sealing member transfer device faces a sealing member holding device provided with a hollow sealing member and a sealing member fitting position where the sealing member transfer device faces an electrical wire clamping device. The sealing member transfer device receives the sealing member in the sealing member receiving position and fits the sealing member on a covering end portion of the electrical wire in the sealing member fitting position. An electrical wire insertion guide device is disposed between the sealing member transfer device and the electrical wire clamping device and is slidable along the electrical wire from a lead-out member to the covering end portion. The sealing member transfer device positions a central axis of the covering end portion substantially coaxially with a central axis of the sealing member. |
US07810229B2 |
Tape core wire wiring apparatus
There is provided a tape core wire manufacturing apparatus that makes it possible to manufacture a large variety of tape core wires in small quantities with ease, and in addition, makes it easy to apply a uniform coating over a broad width. In the tape core wire manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, a coating apparatus that applies a coating material to respective optical fiber core wires has a coating head that moves in the longitudinal direction relatively to the respective optical fiber core wires that have been placed in a row on a coating jig. The coating head has a position adjustment surface that is located in the vicinity of a coating member of the coating head and adjusts the positioning in the thickness direction of the respective optical fiber core wires when these are in the form of a tape. This position adjustment surface is pressed against the respective optical fiber core wires. The coating head is also able to be tilted in the longitudinal direction. |
US07810218B2 |
Cross lapper
A cross lapper for laying a fleece from a card web includes a laying carriage movable transversely with respect to an output conveyor belt above same, and an upper carriage as well as a plurality of card web transport belts for passing the card web through the upper carriage and the laying carriage into an output nip formed at the laying carriage, wherein a belt entrance with a downwardly inclined entrance zone is formed at the upper carriage through which a first card web transport belt is passed, which extends from a lower end of the entrance zone in the direction towards the laying carriage, and is accompanied in parallel in this section by a section of a second card web transport belt enclosing the card web together with this belt up to the laying carriage. The second card web transport belt leaving the laying carriage and guided back to same extends through a tensioning carriage only which is movable transversely with respect to the output conveyor belt, but is not passed through the upper carriage. |
US07810216B2 |
Handle connection for a manual utensil or tool
A handle connection for a manual utensil or tool, whereby the implement (2) has a biconical through-hole and there is a handle head (1) on the handle with an exterior surface that matches the surface of the hole in which it is inset. The handle head (1) presents an interior hole (40), at the outlet (31) of which in the outgoing angle zone (Z2) there is a wedge (5) that, when pressure is applied to this outgoing angle zone (Z2), makes the zone fit flush with the hole. It has a fastening screw (7), the body of which (16) passes through the wedge (5), and it is screwed by threads (15 and 151) directly/indirectly to the head of the handle (1), which screw has a head (9) that directly/indirectly abuts against the implement (2) such that the head of the handle (1) works like a nut with respect to the fastening screw (7). |
US07810215B2 |
Hygienic, turning control element which is used to actuate a mechanism, such as a door opener
The invention relates to a hygienic, turning control element which is used to actuate a mechanism, such as a door opener. More specifically, the invention relates to a hygienic turning handle (12) which is intended to be fitted to a door and which is used to control the actuation of a mechanism, such as a lock. The invention is of the type that consists of a hub (18), a main body (20) and a left-hand form actuation segment (26) comprising an essentially C-shaped inner concave surface which extends from the plane of the door. The invention is characterized in that, in the handle (12) rest position, the concavity of the actuation segment (26) is essentially oriented upwards and can receive part of the arm, the wrist or the back of the hand of a user. |
US07810214B2 |
Automatically opening hinge assembly for portable electronic devices
A hinge assembly (200) includes a housing (12), a shaft (11), a fixing pin (14), a transposition mechanism (13) and a first spring (16). The housing has a circumferential wall defining a manual slot (121) and an automatic slot (123). Each of the manual slot and the automatic slot runs through a circumferential wall thereof. The shaft defines a pin hole (1141), and the shaft is engaged in the housing. The fixing pin passes through the pin hole of the shaft. One end of the fixing pin is alternatively received in the manual slot or the automatic slot. The transposition mechanism is configured for switching the pin from the manual slot to the automatic slot. The first spring provides an elastic force causing the housing to move relative to the shaft when the pin breaks away from the manual slot. |
US07810206B2 |
Wiper blade to clean windshields, in particular of automobiles
A wiper blade to clean windshields, in particular of automobiles. The wiper blade (10) has an elongated belt-shaped, flexible spring support element (12), with a separate first component designed as an elastic rubber wiper strip (14) that can be pressed against the windshield (20) located at the bottom belt surface (13) of the support element and with a separate second component located at the other upper belt surface (11) of the support element (12) that is designed as a wind deflection strip (24) that extends at least along a longitudinal section of the wiper blade (10). A particularly low-disruption wiper blade results if the two components (14, 24) are connected together at their sides facing one another. |
US07810204B2 |
Cleaning implements and substrates for cleaning a compressible resilient surface
A cleaning implement for removing particulate soils from a compressible resilient surface is provided.The cleaning implement includes a ramp for pressing particulates against the compressible resilient surface and a collection member for collecting the particulates which are projected away from the compressible resilient surface when the cleaning implement is moved across the compressible resilient surface. |
US07810202B2 |
Leaf and debris sweeper
A debris collecting device includes a rotatable drum 4 having a plurality of radially extending tynes 5 and a rake adapted to cooperate with the drum, the rake having dual arcuate shaped blades, including a debris releasing blade 7 and a reversing blade 9 adapted to contiguously contact either side of the drum over the whole length thereof at the respective leading edges thereof. The blades include elongate slots 11 adapted to intersect and accommodate the travel path of the tynes as the drum rotates such that debris pierced and picked up by the tynes rotating in a first direction is dislodged for transfer to a catcher 2. |
US07810201B2 |
Toothbrushes
Power toothbrushes are provided having toothbrush heads that move in a substantially random manner when in use and in contact with a user's teeth. |
US07810196B1 |
Independently extendable truck ramps and associated use therefor
The invention as presently conceived discloses a variable length ramp system attachable to a standard pickup truck that assists with the loading of all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), small tractors, yard equipment, golf carts, and similar items. The length of each ramp can vary independently with the other from a minimum of approximately four feet to a maximum of eight feet. The extension is similar to that of an extension ladder in which once piece slides inside the other. A textile strap with connectors provides further securement of the ramps with the truck body. When not in use, the ramps can be collapsed and stored in minimal space. |
US07810195B2 |
Apparatus and method for rapidly deflating air cells with check valves for cardio pulmonary resuscitation
A support surface includes a plurality of support surface air cells arranged in an array; and a CPR air cell in fluid communication with the support surface air cells via a plurality of inlet ports. The CPR air cell includes at least one outlet port. The outlet port has a higher flow rate than the inlet ports. The use of the CPR air cell provides an economical and efficient mechanism for rapidly deflating an inflatable support surface in the event that CPR is required. |
US07810192B2 |
Head support pillow
A pillow having a pillow body including a flat cushion and a flexible cover covering the surface of the pillow body. The pillow body includes a central portion defining a back head support and side head supports located on left and right sides of the back head support. The back head support includes a first slit extending in a widthwise direction and a second slit and a third slit extending so as to be inclined relative to the first slit. |
US07810190B1 |
Split-apart basket stretcher
Disclosed is an improved Stokes-type basket stretcher constructed to permit its upper and lower units to be reassembled to hold rescue equipment for storage or transport to a rescue site. The lower unit frame includes one or more rail members having affixed thereto a series of rib members. The top rail member is generally U-shaped having a coupler support structure extending vertically upward and provided with either the male or female mating coupler member. The upper unit frame is similarly constructed except the other coupler mating member is affixed to align with its corresponding lower unit mating member to form a pocket of predetermined size. |
US07810187B2 |
Patient handling system whereby a patient table top can move over a table base
A patient handling system comprising a table top (6) for carrying a lying patient (8). The table top (6) is supported by a table base (1) and the table top (6) can move in longitudinal direction over said table base (1) so that at least a part of the table top (6) can be displaced to a position away from said table base (1). At least a portion (1;4) of said table base (1), to which portion (1;4) the table top (6) is movably attached, can be displaced in substantially said longitudinal direction in which the table top (6) can move. Thereby, said table top (6) can be displaced in longitudinal direction over a distance which is larger than the length of the table top (6). |
US07810186B2 |
Device and method for motorized support of a patient positioning facility
A device and method for motorized support of patient positioning are provided. The position of a patient bed and the setting of an electric motor drive are recorded which may differ due to elasticity and/or flexibility of the bed drive. A control signal for the electric motor drive is generated depending on the position of the patient bed and the setting of the electric motor drive. The drive can thus be activated for servo-support in case the patient bed is manually displaced, whereby the control signal is generated depending on a change in position of the patient bed, which does not correspond to a simultaneous change in the setting of the electric motor drive. |
US07810174B2 |
Goggle lens interchange system
In a goggle lens interchange system, a goggle frame has a ledge on which a lens is removably placed, wherein the ledge is able to be exposed so that a lens of the goggles is able to be removed from the ledge, and another or replacement lens is able to be placed on the ledge. |
US07810173B1 |
Male fertility protecting shower garment
This is a two piece garment used in a shower that provides a barrier between male genitalia and hot water, which protects male fertility. The testes will stay cooler by using the garment. This will protect the viability of the user's semen. One piece is a solid, rigid, water impermeable cup that fits around the male genitalia that is open on the end and oriented downward. It is held over the groin area with a supporter made from stretchable, water tolerable material. A unique feature of the cup is the open bottom. This opening allows water to drain that may enter, and allows air to circulate around the testicles, both help to maintain a cooler environment. The cup is held in place by the supporter that fits around the legs and waist. The supporter is intended to only be used to hold the cup in place against the body. |
US07810171B2 |
Nursing garment
A T-shirt style nursing garment is described. A T-shirt or other type of torso garment has an opening along the sides of the garment starting from under the arm to approximately half-way down the length of the garment. The opening is not apparent or obvious to someone looking at the garment. The nursing garment allows a woman to breastfeed without exposing any portion of the breast or shoulder. In order to provide access to the breast by a nursing infant, the woman does not have to unhook or unzip the garment or remove any other portions of clothing, such as panels or flaps. Upon separating the back and front panels of the nursing garment to create the opening, the woman pulls the front panel of the garment toward the middle of her chest thereby creating the opening and exposing the breast for the nursing infant. |
US07810167B2 |
Tactical ballistic lower body armor outerwear
An over garment body armor in the form of shorts or long pants that are wearable over conventional clothing. The over garment body has two or more front leg pockets and at least one back pocket. The front leg pockets cover the femoral artery paths on the leg and the back pocket covers the lower portion of the spine. Ballistic protection pads are inserted into the pockets to protect the wear from bullets and projectiles. |
US07814562B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, control program, and storage medium
In an information processing apparatus which is equipped with plural storage devices, there are provided a security information comparison unit for, in a case where data is moved from a movement source storage device to a movement destination storage device, comparing security information of the movement source storage device with security information of the movement destination storage device, and a data movement control unit for controlling the movement of the data based on a comparison result by the security information comparison unit. Thus, it is possible to strongly secure safety with respect to the movement and/or copy of the data among the storage devices by a user. |
US07814558B2 |
Dynamic discovery and database password expiration management
An approach that proactively manages login security data is provided. The system selects requesters of a software application resource. A privileged requester is used to request login security data pertaining to the selected requesters. The login security data that is received is compared to one or more parameters that indicate which action(s) should take place. Based on this comparison, one or more actions are taken on behalf of the selected requesters. One of the actions that can be taken is a grace period. One of the actions that can be taken is an automatic security setting update. Another action that can be taken is an automatic notification that automatically informs a user or application that a requestor's access to the resource is about to expire. |
US07814553B2 |
Access control system, access managing method, image forming device and computer program product
A multifunction device includes a storage controlling portion for causing document data, which are to be given by a user who has logged in to a different user, to be stored in a box owned by the different user, and an access authority setting portion for granting an access authority to make access to the document data, to both of the users in the event that the document data are stored in the box and, also, for erasing the access authority, which has been granted to the user, when the user logs out. Thus, in the event that the user stores the data such as document data or the like in the box other than his or her personal box, the user can be permitted to make access to the data, while the owner of such box is warranted a high security and conveniences of data management are ensured. |
US07814551B2 |
System and method for manifest generation
The execution of software may be controlled by a security policy expressed in a manifest. The software vendor or distributor specifies requirements for the use of software (e.g., which modules may be loaded into the software's address space, which module-signing keys are trustworthy, etc.), using a manifest specification language. A generation tool reads the specification and creates a manifest based on the specification. The tool may handle such details as retrieving keys from key files, computing software hashes, and the like. The manifest is distributed with the software and used by the environment in which the software executes to enforce the security policy. |
US07814547B2 |
Stateful and cross-protocol intrusion detection for voice over IP
A method for detecting intrusions that employ messages of two or more protocols is disclosed. Such intrusions might occur in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, as well as in systems in which two or more protocols support some service other than VoIP. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a stateful intrusion-detection system is capable of employing rules that have cross-protocol pre-conditions. The illustrative embodiment can use such rules to recognize a variety of VoIP-based intrusion attempts, such as call hijacking, BYE attacks, etc. In addition, the illustrative embodiment is capable of using such rules to recognize other kinds of intrusion attempts in which two or more protocols support a service other than VoIP. The illustrative embodiment also comprises a stateful firewall that is capable of employing rules with cross-protocol pre-conditions. |
US07814545B2 |
Message classification using classifiers
A system and method are disclosed for improving a statistical message classifier. A message may be tested with a machine classifier, wherein the machine classifier is capable of making a classification on the message. In the event the message is classifiable by the machine classifier, the statistical message classifier is updated according to the reliable classification made by the machine classifier. The message may also be tested with a first classifier. In the event that the message is not classifiable by the first classifier, it is tested with a second classifier, wherein the second classifier is capable of making a second classification. In the event that the message is classifiable by the second classifier, the statistical message classifier is updated according to the second classification. |
US07814538B2 |
Two-way authentication using a combined code
An authentication process using a combined code as a shared secret between a client and target service is provided. The combined code is provided out-of-band and includes data to perform two-way authentication for both the client and the target service. The target service may provide the client with a certificate to establish a secure channel. The client may use the data in the combined code to validate the target service. When the target service is validated, the client may provide credentials in the combined code to the target service for authentication. In one example implementation, the combined code includes a hash of a public key. The client may compute another hash of another public key in the certificate provided by the target service and validate the service by comparing the hash in the combined code and the computed hash. |
US07814532B2 |
Data processing system and method for password protecting a boot device
A data processing system and method of password protecting the boot of a data processing system are disclosed. According to the method, in response to an attempt to boot the data processing system utilizing a boot device, the boot device is interrogated for a password. If the boot device supplies password information corresponding to that of a trusted boot device, the data processing system boots utilizing the boot device. If, however, the boot device does not supply password information corresponding to that of a trusted boot device, booting from the boot device is inhibited. In a preferred embodiment, the password information comprises a unique combination of the boot device's manufacturer-supplied model and serial numbers. |
US07814531B2 |
Detection of network environment for network access control
A method and apparatus for detection of network environment to aid policy selection for network access control. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a request to connect a device to a network and, if a security policy is received for the connection of the device, applying the policy for the device. If a security policy for the connection of the device is not received, the domain of the device is determined by determining whether the device is in an enterprise domain and determining whether the device is in a network access control domain, which allows selection of an appropriate domain/environment specific policy. |
US07814529B2 |
Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same
A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. |
US07814521B2 |
System and method for delivering personalized advertising data
A method is disclosed for distributing advertising data in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system, the method including dividing a plurality of end user devices in the IPTV system into K advertising groups; multicasting J advertising data multicast groups to end user devices in J advertising groups having a percentile ranking above or equal to a predetermined percentile ranking; and unicasting advertising data channels for actively viewed IPTV channels being viewed by other end users. |
US07814518B2 |
Methods, apparatus, and program products for presenting replacement content instead of a portion of a recorded content
Apparatus, methods, and a computer-usable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to present replacement/additional content in conjunction with an experiential data stream by maintaining a first playback position in the experiential data stream, detect proximity of the first playback position to an insertion coordinate associated with the replacement/additional content, and present content at the insertion coordinate from the replacement/additional instead of from the experiential data stream content. |
US07814515B2 |
Digital data delivery system and method of the same
A digital data delivery system that delivers video data of a content and audio data of the same content respectively to a first receiver and a second receiver, which are independent of each other, to reproduce the video data and the audio data at the first and second receivers in such a manner as to secure synchronous reproductions between the two data. The digital data delivery system includes a transmission server which delivers a video data packet and a video synchronization signal packet to the first receiver and an audio data packet and an audio synchronization signal packet which indicates a time on the same reference time axis as that of the video synchronization signal packet to the second receiver, the first receiver which adjusts a clock signal based on the video synchronization signal packet and reproduces the video data packet based on this clock signal, and the second receiver which adjusts a clock signal based on the audio synchronization signal packet and reproduces the audio data packet based on this clock signal. |
US07814511B2 |
Systems and methods for digitizing video related to products
In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display. |
US07814507B2 |
Method for controlling ball auto-balance system of optical disk drive
A method for controlling a ball auto-balancing system of an optical disk drive is provided. A rotational member is fixed on a rotating axis of an optical disk drive and rotates synchronously therewith. A spindle motor drives the rotational member to accelerate and decelerate within the rotating speed range at least twice. When the spindle motor accelerates and decelerates for many times, if the measured central error value is greater than the last measured one, the accelerating and decelerating range is adjusted. |
US07814506B2 |
Turntable allowing easy assembly of magnetizing yoke
Disclosed herein is a turntable allowing easy assembly of a magnetizing yoke, which includes a central guide part for helping seat a disc on the turntable, and a balancing part extending from the central guide part in a circumferential direction thereof and balancing the disc. In this case, the central guide part has an annular opening to which the magnetizing yoke is detachably coupled. The central guide part includes at least one coupling protrusion provided on a sidewall of the central guide part exposed to the annular opening, and the magnetizing yoke includes at least one coupling part which is provided along an edge of the magnetizing yoke and corresponds to the coupling protrusion. Further, the coupling part includes a coupling hole corresponding to the coupling protrusion, and a protrusion seat in close contact with the coupling protrusion. The protrusion seat is formed to be inclined downwards toward the coupling hole. |
US07814505B2 |
Objective-lens driving device utilizing tracking coils and focus coils arranged in series
A lens holder is configured by coupling an upper piece and a lower piece. First bobbin portions around which respective tracking coils are wound are provided in one of the upper and lower pieces, and second bobbin portions around which respective focusing coils are wound are provided in the other one of the upper and lower pieces. |
US07814500B2 |
Event correlation for decentralized message processing
A message is buffered and processing statistics are associated with the message, including characterizations of whether a process instance is to process the message, a number of process instances handling the message, and a number of process instances that have processed the message. A process instance may be generated to process content of the message depending on the message. The message may be dequeued based on the processing statistics. For example, if the processing statistics indicate that no process instances are handling the message and no process instance is to process content of the message. Also, if the content of the message is to be processed by a threshold number of process instances, the message is only dequeued if the processing statistics indicate that the threshold number of process instances have processed the content of the message. |
US07814498B2 |
Loading application resources
Described is a technology by which application-related resources are differentiated from other types of resources via a uniform resource identifier (URI) associated with each resource. Application-related resources may include a resource embedded in the application program, at least one content file associated with (e.g., distributed with) the application program, or a resource located on a site from which the application program was deployed. Because of the URI, a creating/loading mechanism may be called using substantially similar calling code to that which is used to call the mechanism for loading another type of resource, thereby providing a consistent programming model. In one example, the URI includes a packaging scheme and authority, or a relative path which may be converted to an absolute URI. The mechanism creates an object corresponding to the application-related resource, and loads the resource or a stream of a compound resource. |
US07814496B2 |
Method and system for replicating schedules with regard to a host controller for virtualization
According to one embodiment, USB device virtualization can be improved by giving virtual machines (VMs) direct access to USB devices with a combined hardware and software solution. One aspect is directed to including providing a set of PCI configuration registers and operational registers for each VM, providing an interrupt request line for each VM, and using a new schedule traversal algorithm for multiple schedules, including a fairness algorithm that prevents starvation of any VM's bulk traffic. |
US07814493B2 |
Resource presentation convergence
A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, find duplicate resource identifiers that originate from different applications, converge the duplicate resource identifiers into a converged interface object, and present the converged interface object. The duplicate resource identifiers identify the same resource, and the different applications manage the same resource. Duplicate links associated with the duplicate resource identifiers are found, where the duplicate links originate from different applications, and the duplicate links are converged into a converged interface object. The duplicate links provide information regarding the same resource. Duplicate task identifiers are found that are associated with the duplicate resource identifiers and that originate from the different applications. The duplicate task identifiers are converged into a converged interface object. The duplicate task identifiers identify tasks that are performed by the different applications via the same resource. In an embodiment, the duplicate resource identifiers and duplicate task identifiers may be found based on a convergence level. Invocation options are presented for the different applications in response to selection of the converged interface object. A most critical status associated with the duplicate resource identifiers is determined and presented. |
US07814492B1 |
System for managing resources partitions having resource and partition definitions, and assigning a named job to an associated partition queue
Systems and methods for resource management are provided. In one implementation a computing system is provided. The computing system includes a controller having an associated information base; the information base including a plurality of resource definitions, a partition definition defining a plurality of partitions, and a plurality of queues. Each partition includes a grouping of one or more resources available to process user jobs and each partition has a name. At least one queue of the plurality of queues is associated with each partition in the partition definition. The controller includes an administrative interface for managing partitions, resources and queues and an authorization routine operable to receive named jobs, a named job identifying a partition in the partition definition, and assign named jobs to an associated partition queue for processing by one of the resources in an associated grouping of one or more resources. |
US07814489B2 |
Processor system with temperature sensor and control method of the same
A processor system includes a plurality of first processors, a temperature sensor, a main memory, and a second processor. The first processors individually process tasks. The temperature sensor measures a temperature of each of the first processors. The main memory stores programs of the tasks processed by the first processors, and a task priority order table containing a relationship between the tasks and task priority numbers. The second processor assigns the tasks to the first processors on the basis of the task priority order table and the temperatures of the first processors measured by the temperature sensor. |
US07814484B2 |
System and method for web application extensibility
Resources provided by web applications can be extended through the implementation of library modules and extensions. Library modules stored outside a web application can provide resources in a web application environment as if they were part of the web application itself. Additionally, web applications can be configured with application extensions that are web applications stored as archives within containing web applications. |
US07814481B1 |
Method and system for minimal disruption during software upgrade or reload of a network device
A method and system for resetting a network device. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed for upgrading and/or reloading software for a network device with minimal disruption. The method begins by separating operations associated with layer two of an International Standardization Organization Open Systems Interconnect (ISO/OSI) reference model from other layers in the ISO/OSI reference model in a network device. Then, the software operations in layer two of the network device are reset. The software operations are reset while maintaining continuity for a communication session between the network device and other network devices coupled together through a network. Thereafter, for minimal disruption, execution of the software operations is recovered at layer two before continuity of the communication session s terminated. |
US07814476B2 |
Systems and methods for updating software
Systems and methods are disclosed for updating a software program through base image patching. In an exemplary method for base image patching, the method includes receiving a patch, retrieving a base image, wherein the base image corresponds to a base version of a software program, and combining the base image with the patch to create an updated program. In another exemplary method, the method includes receiving an updating patch, wherein the updating patch is used to create an updated software program, retrieving a patch from a repository, wherein the patch is a previous update to a stored program, distilling a base image of the stored program using the previous patch, combining the base image with the updating patch to create an updated program, and replacing the stored program with the updated program. |
US07814471B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing DLL compatibility
A method and apparatus include comparing a called DLL file with DLL file names listed in a database. If a file name of the called DLL file is one of the DLL file names listed in the database, a compatibility mode associated with a DLL file name that matches the called DLL file is referenced. Based on the referenced compatibility mode, an operation of a processor is affected using the compatibility mode associated with the DLL file name. |
US07814469B2 |
Speculative multi-threading for instruction prefetch and/or trace pre-build
The latencies associated with retrieving instruction information for a main thread are decreased through the use of a simultaneous helper thread. The helper thread is a speculative prefetch thread to perform instruction prefetch and/or trace pre-build for the main thread. |
US07814462B2 |
Methods and apparatus for parallel execution of a process
In one embodiment, a process may be performed in parallel on a parallel server by defining a data type that may be used to reference data stored on the parallel server and overloading a previously-defined operation, such that when the overloaded operation is called, a command is sent to the parallel server to manipulate the data stored on the parallel server. In some embodiments, the previously-defined operation that is overloaded may be an operation of an operating system. Further, in some embodiments, when the data stored on the parallel server is no longer needed, a command may be sent to the parallel server to reallocate the memory used to store the data. |