最新美国发明专利第2011-07-19期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US07981631B2	Identification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans antigens for use in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of periodontal diseases Antibodies, polypeptides, and polynucleotides are provided for the detection, prevention, amelioration and treatment of diseases caused by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
US07981630B2	CBARA1 and LHX6 cell markers for embryonic stem cells Polynucleotides associated with differentiation states of stem cells are provided. Also provided are methods and kits for detecting, identifying and/or discriminating differentiated stem cells from undifferentiated ones by measuring an expression level of one or more genes, such as CBARA1 and LHX 6, in the stem cells.
US07981628B2	Monoclonal antibodies and their use Isolated monoclonal antibodies are disclosed herein that specifically bind a cell surface antigen expressed on the human pancreatic endocrine cells or a subset thereof, and/or a precursor thereof. Isolated monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed herein that specifically bind a cell surface antigen expressed on human pancreatic exocrine cells or human ductal cells. Humanized forms of these antibodies, and functional fragments of these antibodies, are also disclosed. The antibodies can be conjugated to an effector molecule, such as a detectable marker, a therapeutic agent, or a toxin. These antibodies are of use to detect and isolate pancreatic cells or a subset thereof. The antibodies can be used for in vitro or in vivo detection and/or isolation of pancreatic endocrine cells. Methods of treating a pancreatic tumor are also disclosed. In several examples, the isolated monoclonal antibodies bind pancreatic endocrine cells and can be used to detect diabetes or a pancreatic endocrine cell tumor.
US07981622B2	Procedure for the determination of the reaction lag phase in an analyte-dependent reaction The invention is in the field of analytical technique and relates to an improved procedure for determining the concentration or activity of an analyte, an analyte-dependent detection reaction being set in motion and the reaction kinetics determined being evaluated. The procedure makes possible an individual determination of the lag phase of the reaction kinetics for each measurement.
US07981616B2	Enhanced detection of RNA using a panel of truncated gene-specific primers for reverse transcription The present invention provides truncated gene-specific primers in panels that can be used during the reverse transcription step of RT-PCR to increase signal detection of cancer gene markers in a tissue sample. Also provided are forward and reverse primers for RT-PCR. Methods of using the primers are also provided.
US07981614B2	Methods for generating polynucleotides having desired characteristics by iterative selection and recombination A method for DNA reassembly after random fragmentation, and its application to mutagenesis of nucleic acid sequences by in vitro or in vivo recombination is described. In particular, a method for the production of nucleic acid fragments or polynucleotides encoding mutant proteins is described. The present invention also relates to a method of repeated cycles of mutagenesis, shuffling and selection which allow for the directed molecular evolution in vitro or in vivo of proteins.
US07981613B2	Diagnosis kits and method for detecting cancer using polymorphic minisatellite The present invention relates to a kit and a method for diagnosing cancer using polymorphic minisatellites (MS), more specifically, relates to a primer set for detecting polymorphic minisatellites MUC2-MS6 or MUC2-MS7 in the MUC2 gene, a DNA typing kit comprising said primer set, and a kit and a method for diagnosing cancer using a primer set for detecting polymorphic minisatellites MUC2-MS6, MUC2-MS7 or hTERT-VNTR 2-2. According to the present invention, DNA typing of MUC2-MS6 and MUC2-MS7 can effectively achieve the parentage identification, kinship identification or medicolegal examination, because the polymorphic minisatellites MUC2-MS6 and MUC2-MS7 are inherited through meiosis according to Mendelian genetics. In addition, the polymorphic minisatellites MUC2-MS6, MUC2-MS7 and hTERT-VNTR 2-2 can be used to predict and diagnose various cancers; such as gastric cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer and prostate cancer etc.
US07981611B2	Regulation of fibroblastic growth factor-2 (FGF-2) gene expression in living cells with the application of specific and selective electric and electromagnetic fields Methods and devices are described for the regulation of Fibroblastic Growth Factor-2 mRNA and/or FGF-2 protein in bone cells and other tissues via capacitive coupling or inductive coupling of specific and selective electric and/or electromagnetic fields to the bone cells or other tissues, where the specific and selective fields are generated by application of specific and selective signals to electrodes or one or more coils or other field generating device disposed with respect to the bone cells or other tissues so as to facilitate the treatment of diseased or injured bone and other tissues. By gene expression is meant the up-regulation or down-regulation of the process whereby specific portions (genes) of the human genome (DNA) are transcribed into mRNA and subsequently translated into protein. Methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of injured or diseased bone and other tissue that include generating specific and selective signals that generate electric and/or electromagnetic fields in the target tissue optimized for increase of FGF-2 protein gene expression and exposing bone and other tissue to the fields generated by specific and selective signals so as to regulate FGF-2 protein gene expression in such tissue. The resulting methods and devices are useful for the targeted treatment of osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteonecrosis, fresh bone fractures, fractures at risk, nonunion, bone defects, spine fusion, and/or other conditions in which FGF-2 protein has been implicated.
US07981610B2	ZAP-70 expression as a marker for chronic lymphocytic leukemia / small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) It has been surprisingly found that ZAP-70 expression, both at the protein and mRNA levels, is indicative of clinical subgroups of CLL/SLL patients. In particular, high ZAP-70 expression is indicative of Ig-unmutated CLL/SLL. Methods are provided for discriminating between clinical subgroups of CLL/SLL, by determining whether subjects overexpress ZAP-70 mRNA or protein.
US07981609B2	Methods for identifying and using SNP panels Described are methods for identifying single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) that are useful for analyzing genetic samples, and for using said SNPs to determine genetic identity of samples.
US07981602B2	Photoproteins with enhanced bioluminescence and assays using the same The present invention relates to photoproteins with enhanced bioluminescence obtained by mutagenesis of clytin, to their use as intracellular calcium indicators and in cell-based assays.
US07981601B2	Method of preparing polyepitope chimeric gene vaccine The invention relates to a method for preparing polyepitope chimeric gene vaccines, designated as Epitopes Assemble Library Immunization (EALI). It involves the construction of expression libraries of polyepitope chimeric genes with different sizes and lengths using gene shuffling and random assembly so as to screen polyepitope chimeric gene vaccines. Immunization of the body with the gene libraries of the invention results in the induction of high level of specific antibodies and specific types of cytokines, and protection on the body.
US07981600B2	Methods and devices for removal of organic molecules from biological mixtures using an anion exchange material that includes a polyoxyalkylene Methods and devices for removing small negatively charged molecules from a biological sample mixture that uses an anion exchange material that has associated therewith a polyoxyalkylene.
US07981597B2	Method for preparing agglutinatable, fixed platelet fragments The present invention relates to a method for preparing agglutinatable platelet fragments, in which native platelets are treated with ultrasound and a fixative. The platelet fragments are suitable for use in diagnostic assay methods which include an agglutination reaction, such as, for example, in a method for determining VWF activity.
US07981596B2	Tissue preservation with a salt solution isotonic with interstitial fluids The present invention provides for compositions and methods for the preservation of tissues and organs ex vivo and in situ. In addition, the present invention provides for kits that may be used in the preparation of the solutions of the present invention.
US07981595B2	Reduced pitch multiple exposure process A lithographic method to enhance image resolution in a lithographic cluster using multiple projections and a lithographic cluster used to project multiple patterns to form images that are combined to form an image having enhanced resolution.
US07981587B2	Developing agent and method for producing the same A method for producing a developing agent including heating a dispersion of a toner particle material containing a binder resin fine particle, a coloring agent particle and a dispersion medium at a temperature of a glass transition point of the binder resin or higher and adding a coagulating agent in the heated dispersion of a toner particle material to coagulate a toner material containing the binder resin fine particle and the coloring agent particle, thereby forming a coagulated particle is disclosed.
US07981586B2	Image forming method using the same An electrophotographic image forming method is disclosed. The method includes steps of conveying a developer comprising a toner to a developing zone by a developing roller, and developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrostatic latent image carrying member by the developer, and the developing roller has an electroconductive shaft and a resin layer provided around the shaft, the resin layer comprises a surface layer containing silicone copolymer resin as the principal component and a layer containing resin-silica hybrid composite as a principal component provided directly under the surface layer.
US07981585B2	Cleaning blade In an image forming apparatus comprising a charging section, an exposure section, a developing section, a transfer section, a peeling section, a cleaning section including a cleaning blade, and a fixing section, the cleaning blade is composed by dispersing 15 parts by weight through 33 parts by weight of fluorine resin particulate and secondary particles thereof into 100 parts by weight of a synthetic resin of a base material and, on a surface of the cleaning blade 16a, and a number of the secondary particles of the fluorine resin particulate having a particle diameter of 0.5 μm or more existing in unit area of 100 μm2 is made to be 50 or less.
US07981579B2	Thiadiazole containing photoconductors A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one, charge transport layer, such as 1, 2, 3, or 4 layers, and more specifically, 2 layers, and wherein the photogenerating layer contains a thiadiazole.
US07981570B2	Fuel cell The present invention provides a fuel cell having a layered structure, including: a membrane electrode assembly having a fuel electrode, an oxidation electrode, and an electrolyte membrane held between the fuel electrode and the oxidation electrode; and stainless steel separators holding the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. The stainless steel separator contains Cr and Fe; the Cr concentration by mass % by mass ratio of Cr to Fe at the separator surface facing the fuel electrode is from 0.7 to 1.3; and the Cr concentration by mass % by mass ratio of Cr to Fe at the separator surface facing the oxidation electrode is less than 0.7.
US07981568B2	Ion conductive composite membrane using inorganic conductor An ion-conductive composite membrane and a method of manufacturing the same, the membrane including phosphate platelets, a silicon compound, and a Keggin-type oxometalate and/or Keggin-type heteropoly acid, wherein the phosphate platelets are three-dimensionally connected to each other via the silicon compound. An electrolyte membrane having an ion-conductive inorganic membrane or an ion-conductive organic/inorganic composite membrane effectively prevents crossover of liquid fuel without the reduction of ion conductivity in a liquid fuel cell, thereby allowing for the production of fuel cells having excellent performance.
US07981566B2	Membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cell therewith A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has superior power generation characteristics under low humidity conditions and superior starting characteristics under low temperature conditions. In the membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is disposed between a pair of electrodes containing a catalyst, the polymer electrolyte membrane has a polymer segment A having an ion conductive component and a polymer segment B not having an ion conductive component. Furthermore, in the case in which the polymer electrolyte membrane is immersed in water at 90° C. for 30 minutes, absorbed water which exhibits a thawing temperature of from −30 to 0° C. is in a range from 0.01 to 3.0 g per 1 g of the polymer.
US07981564B2	Solid electrolyte fuel cell and operating method thereof A solid electrolyte fuel cell having a long service life includes a power generating cell having a fuel electrode laminated on one surface of a solid electrolyte and an air electrode laminated on the other surface, an air electrode current collector laminated in contact with the air electrode of the power generating cell and formed of a porous silver material or a silver-coated porous metal material, a fuel electrode current collector laminated in contact with the fuel electrode of the power generating cell, an air electrode-side separator having a silver-plated layer formed on its surface on the side contacting the fuel electrode current collector, a fuel electrode-side separator laminated in contact with the fuel electrode current collector, and air supply passage provided by being connected with the air electrode-side separator and a fuel supply passage provided by being connected with the fuel electrode-side separator, wherein a silver vapor supply unit is provided in the air supply passage to thereby supply silver vapor-containing air to the air electrode current collector.
US07981560B2	Fuel cell with integral manifold and laterally spaced electrodes A MEMS-based fuel cell has a substrate, an electrolyte in contact with the substrate, a cathode in contact with the electrolyte, an anode spaced apart from the cathode and in contact with the electrolyte, and an integral manifold for supplying either a fuel or an oxidant or both together, the integral manifold extending over at least a portion of the electrolyte and over at least one of the anode and cathode. Methods for making and using arrays of the fuel cells are disclosed.
US07981557B2	Gas control and operation method of a fuel cell system for water and gas distribution A gas control and operation method of a fuel cell system for improved water and gas distribution is disclosed. The present invention provides for a mechanization of a fuel cell system that allows control of the anode reactant and anode effluent through the anode portions of the fuel cell system to improve water and gas distribution on the anode side of the fuel cells that increases the voltage stability of the fuel cells.
US07981555B2	Method of operating a fuel cell system A method for operating a fuel cell system having a fuel cell equipped with an anode and a cathode includes the steps of generating electric power by allowing hydrogen gas supplied to the anode and oxygen gas supplied to the cathode to react electrochemically with each other, recovering water from water vapor discharged from at least one of the anode and cathode, storing recovered water in a water storing portion equipped with a tank having a closable drain opening, through which opening water stored in the tank is dischargeable to outside the fuel cell system, supplying water stored in the tank to a water utilizing means by a water supply portion, and making a decision whether or not to discharge the stored water to outside the fuel cell system through the drain opening in view of an increase in an amount of undesirable germs contained in water stored in the water storing portion.
US07981554B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a gas liquid separator, a first drain channel, and a second drain channel. The gas liquid separator is connected to a fuel gas discharge passage of the fuel cell stack through a fuel gas discharge channel. The first drain channel is connected to the fuel gas discharge passage separately from the fuel gas discharge channel, and connected to the gas liquid separator through a valve unit. The second drain channel chiefly discharges liquid droplets from the gas liquid separator.
US07981551B2	Electrolyte for lithium ion rechargeable battery and lithium ion rechargeable battery comprising the same The present invention relates to an electrolyte for a lithium ion rechargeable battery and a lithium ion rechargeable battery including the same. The electrolyte includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and triphenyl phosphate. A lithium ion rechargeable battery including the electrolyte has improved overcharge stability and shows excellent chemical properties including reducing swelling, high-temperature storage stability, and cycle life characteristics.
US07981549B2	Separator for a battery having a zinc electrode The instant invention is a separator for a battery having a zinc electrode. The battery separator according to the instant invention includes a microporous membrane, and a coating on at least one surface of the microporous membrane. The coating includes a mixture of 25-40 weight % polymer and 60-75 weight % surfactant combination. The polymer is cellulose acetate, and the surfactant combination includes a first surfactant and a second surfactant. The first surfactant, preferably, has an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of organic ethers, and the second surfactant is, preferably, an oxirane polymer with 2-ethylhexyl dihydrogen phosphate.
US07981548B2	Multilayer secondary battery and method of making same A multilayer secondary battery including a positive electrode having an active substance layer formed on a flat sheet-form collector and a negative electrode having an active substance layer formed on a flat sheet-form collector stacked together in opposite relation via a separator. The positive electrode active substance layer differs in area from the negative electrode active substance layer. Active substance-free portions with no active substance layer coated thereon are formed on sides of the outer periphery of a collector of the electrode having the smaller active substance layer. The surface of the collectors at the active substance-free portions is covered with an insulating layer. The end face of the insulating layer facing away from a side contiguous to an active substance layer and the end face of the electrode having a larger active substance layer area are stacked together on the same plane that intersects vertically an electrode plane.
US07981547B2	Process for positive electrode active substance for lithium secondary battery A positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery containing a lithium-cobalt composite oxide is produced by firing, as a cobalt source, a mixture of substantially spherical cobalt hydroxide or tricobalt tetraoxide having such a sharp particle size distribution that the average particle size D50 is from 7 to 20 μm, and cobalt oxyhydroxide having an average particle size of secondary particles formed by agglomeration of primary particles of from 7 to 20 μm, in a proportion of from 5:1 to 1:5 as the cobalt atomic ratio, at a temperature of from 700° C. to 1050° C. in an oxygen-comprising atmosphere.
US07981544B2	Positive electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and production method thereof A positive electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using a positive electrode active material mixture according to an embodiment of the invention includes a positive electrode active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion, a conductive agent and a binder, in which the positive electrode active material is produced by coating cobalt-based lithium composite oxide represented by a general formula: LiaCo1-sM1sO2 with lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide represented by a general formula: LibNitCouMnvO2, the ratio r1/r2 of the average particle diameter r1 of the cobalt-based lithium composite oxide and the average particle diameter r2 of the lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide is 2≦r1/r2≦50, and the average particle diameter r2 of the lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide is 0.5 μm≦r2≦20 μm. By containing such a constitution, a positive electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which even when the charging discharging is repeated at a high potential of 4.5 V based on lithium, not only is the retention characteristics in a charged state excellent, but also the enhancing the capacity and the energy density of the battery can be achieved; and a production method thereof, can be provided.
US07981540B2	Rechargeable battery A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, a casing which stores the electrode assembly and which includes a support to support the electrode assembly that protrudes inwardly from in an inner surface thereof, and a cap assembly which is combined with the casing and which has an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly.
US07981539B2	Battery connector including a housing, a plurality of electric terminals, and a stopping element A battery connector includes a housing having a bottom wall, two sides of the bottom wall extend upward to form two sidewalls, and the back end of the bottom wall extends upward to form a back wall. At least one partition wall is set between the two sidewalls and connects with the bottom wall and the back wall. A plurality of terminal recesses are defined in the housing and separated by the partition wall for receiving a plurality of electric terminals. Each electric terminal has a soldering portion extending forward to connect with a printed circuit board and a contacting portion protruding upward out of the housing for contacting a battery. Between the housing and the printed circuit board a stopping element is set. The stopping element can stop the contacting portion moving forward to contact the printed circuit board or lose resilience if improper installation of the battery occurs.
US07981536B2	Microporous membrane, battery separator and battery Disclosed herein is multi-layer, microporous polyolefin membrane comprising a first porous layer comprising primarily a polyethylene, and a second porous layer comprising a polyethylene resin and polypropylene, the polypropylene having a weight-average molecular weight of 6×105 or more and a heat of fusion (measured by a differential scanning calorimeter) of 90 J/g or more, a fraction of the polypropylene having a molecular weight of 5×104 or less being 5% or less by mass.
US07981534B2	Rechargeable battery with flexibly connected vent plugs A rechargeable battery includes a housing, a plurality of cells within the housing, and a cover which closes the housing. The battery also includes a plurality of filling openings arranged in the cover separated from one another by a distance and a plurality of plugs. Each of the plurality of plugs is configured to close one of the plurality of filling openings. A flexible connecting element connects at least two of the plugs. The flexible connecting element is configured such that the distance between the plugs which are connected to one another can be variably matched to the distance between their associated filling openings by rotating at least one of the plugs connected by the flexible connecting element.
US07981531B2	Multi-colored shaped body The present invention relates to a multi-colored shaped body having layers arranged on top of one another for producing dental restorations, a process for its production and its use for the manufacture of dental restorations.
US07981524B2	Platinum complex compound and organic electroluminescent device An organic electroluminescent device is provided and has at least one organic layer between a pair of electrodes. The organic compound contains a compound represented by the following formula (I): Z1 and Z2 each represents a nitrogen-containing aromatic 6-membered ring coordinating to platinum atom at the nitrogen atom, Q represents a nitrogen-containing aromatic 5-membered ring having one or two nitrogen atoms, L1 and L2 each represents a single bond or a divalent group, and n represents 0 or 1.
US07981520B2	Oxide-forming protective coatings for niobium-based materials A coating suitable for use as protective oxide-forming coatings on Nb-based substrates, and particularly monolithic niobium-based alloys, exposed to high temperatures and oxidative environments. The coating contains aluminum, may further contain silicon, and optionally contains niobium, titanium, hafnium, and/or chromium, which in combination form one or more intermetallic phases that promote the formation of a slow-growing oxide scale. The intermetallic phases may be M(Al,Si)3, M5(Al,Si)3, and/or M3Si5Al2 where M is niobium, titanium, hafnium, and/or chromium.
US07981518B2	Thermoplastic resin composition excellent in barrier property A thermoplastic resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of a polyamide resin composition (A) and 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of a carbodiimide compound (B) having two or more carbodiimide groups. The polyamide resin composition (A) contains a polyamide resin (a-1) and nylon 11 and/or nylon 12 (a-2) in an amount of 5 to 95% by mass of the component (a-1) and 95 to 5% by mass of the component (a-2) each based on a total amount of the components (a-1) and (a-2). The polyamide resin (a-1) is constituted by diamine units 70 mol % or more of which are derived from m-xylylenediamine and dicarboxylic acid units 70 mol % or more of which are derived from a C4 to C20 α,ω-linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. The thermoplastic resin composition is excellent in barrier property, strength and impact resistance, in particular, barrier property to alcohol-containing fuels, and suitably used as various shaped articles such as fuel containers, tubes and parts.
US07981516B2	Transparent substrate which is covered with a stack of thin layers having reflection properties in infrared and/or solar radiation The invention relates to a transparent substrate provided with a thin-film multilayer comprising at least one functional metal layer, especially a silver-based layer, having reflection properties in the infrared and/or in the solar radiation range, at least one metal barrier layer in contact with the functional layer and at least one upper dielectric layer, characterized in that at least one barrier layer is based on zirconium and in that the upper dielectric layer comprises at least one ZnO-based layer in contact with the functional layer or with the barrier layer.
US07981510B2	Compartmentalized chips with polymers of different viscosities for improved processability Compartmentalized chips of at least two chemically similar crystallizable thermoplastic polymers each having a different intrinsic viscosity placed in separate zones are disclosed. These compartmentalized chips exhibit thermal characteristics that are different from the traditional technique of homogeneously combining the two materials into the chip. These compartmentalized chips in their amorphous, crystalline and solid phase polymerized forms exhibit a longer crystallization half time than the homogeneous mixture, thus permitting faster injection cycle times.
US07981509B2	Polymer blend, polymer solution composition and fibers spun from the polymer blend and filtration applications thereof The invention relates to a web or filter structure such as the filtration media comprising a collection of fiber comprising a first polymer and a second polymer in a fine fiber or fine fiber web structure. The combination of two polymers provides improved fiber rheology in that the fiber has excellent temperature and mechanical stability. The combination of polymers imparts the properties of elasticity or tackiness, which is desirable for adhering particles to the fiber web, with high temperature resistance.
US07981508B1	Flexible circuits The present invention provides a circuit creation technology that improves conductive line manufacture by adding active and elemental palladium onto the surface of a substrate. The palladium is disposed in minute amounts on the surface and does not form a conductive layer by itself, but facilitates subsequent deposition of a metal onto the surface, according to the pattern of the palladium, to form the conductive lines.
US07981507B2	Primer composition and coated article A primer composition for a polysiloxane hard coating is provided. This primer composition comprises (A) a vinyl polymer having a hydrolyzable silyl group and/or SiOH group and an organic UV absorbing group bonded to its side chain, and (B) fine silica particles dispersed in an organic solvent, and the primer layer formed after coating and curing has a coefficient of linear expansion of up to 150×10−6/° C.
US07981505B2	Coated articles and multi-layer coatings Articles are disclosed wherein a color-imparting non-hiding coating layer is deposited on a surface thereof. The coating layer is deposited from a protective coating composition comprising color-imparting particles having a maximum haze of about 10% and a film-forming resin. Methods of using the coatings, and the substrates coated therewith, are also disclosed.
US07981504B2	Methods and compositions for dielectric materials The present invention comprises methods and compositions of dielectric materials. The dielectric materials of the present invention comprise materials having a dielectric constant of more than 1.0 and less than 1.9 and/or a dissipation factor of less than 0.0009. Other characteristics include the ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures, from both high temperatures of approximately +260° C. to low temperatures of approximately −200° C., operate in wide range of atmospheric conditions and pressures (e.g., a high atmosphere, low vacuum condition such as that found in the outer-space as well as conditions similar to those found at sea level or below sea level). The dielectric materials of the present invention may be used in the manufacture of composite structures that can be used alone or in combination with other materials, and can be used in electronic components or devices such as RF interconnects.
US07981503B2	Stretched resin film and label comprising the same Disclosed is a stretched resin film having a liquid absorption coefficient of at least 5 ml/(m2·ms1/2). The stretched resin film has good liquid absorbability with good seepage resistance. When stuck to objects with a water-base adhesive, it dries within a short period of time and attains good adhesiveness.
US07981500B2	Carbon fiber reinforced prepreg of gas barrier properties, carbon fiber reinforced plastic and methods of producing the same There are provided a carbon fiber reinforced prepreg of gas barrier properties comprising a sheet-like carbon fiber reinforcement and a matrix resin including therein a gas barrier layer having a clay mineral with a plate-like crystal structure unidirectionally aligned and densely laminated, and a carbon fiber reinforced plastic produced from the carbon fiber reinforced prepreg. Such prepreg is obtained by disposing a film material of gas barrier properties having a clay mineral with a plate-like crystal structure unidirectionally aligned and densely laminated, in at least one interlayer of a laminate of a carbon fiber reinforced prepreg comprising a sheet form carbon fiber reinforcement and a matrix resin; and then heating and/or pressurizing the laminate. The carbon fiber-reinforced composite material of the invention exhibits high gas barrier properties, and particularly hydrogen gas barrier properties.
US07981497B2	Honeycomb structure and method of producing the same The present invention provides a honeycomb structure in which a coating layer is firmly secured to an outer wall forming a cell structure so that separation of the coating layer is effectively prevented. A honeycomb structure according to the present invention includes a cell structure having a porous partition wall partitioning a plurality of cells serving as fluid channels and an outer wall integrally formed with the partition wall, and a coating layer disposed on the surface of the outer wall forming the cell structure, a depression/protrusion portion and/or a cut portion formed by partially removing the surface of the outer wall being formed on the surface of the outer wall, and the coating layer being disposed to cover the surface of the outer wall.
US07981496B2	Honeycomb structured body A honeycomb structured body of the present invention includes plural pillar-shaped honeycomb units which are bonded to one another through sealing material layers, each unit having in the longitudinal direction a large number of cells placed in parallel with a cell wall therebetween, wherein each honeycomb unit includes inorganic fibers and/or whiskers in addition to inorganic particles, a cross-sectional area of the honeycomb unit on a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is set to at least about 5 cm2 and at most about 50 cm2, and a coefficient αL of thermal expansion of the sealing material layer and a coefficient αF of thermal expansion of the honeycomb unit satisfy the following relationship: about 0.01≦\|αL−αF\|/αF≦about 1.0.
US07981491B2	Package for ink jet recording medium The invention provides an ink jet recording medium package comprising a main body, a flap, and a self-adhesive layer, wherein the main body accommodates an ink jet recording medium and has an opening through which the ink jet recording medium is taken out, the flap closes the opening, the self-adhesive layer allows repeated adhesion of the main body to the flap, and the self-adhesive layer is composed of an olefin-based elastomer.
US07981489B2	Optical compensation sheet and liquid crystal display device An optical compensation sheet, which contains a cellulose acylate film that contains 1 to 20 parts by mass of a retardation controlling agent, to 100 parts by mass of a cellulose acylate, wherein the retardation controlling agent comprises at least two compounds different in Re/Rth ratios each other; and a liquid crystal display device, which contains the optical compensation sheet.
US07981486B2	Compound having alkyl on benzene ring, liquid crystal composition having the compound, and liquid crystal display device having the liquid crystal composition A compound represented by the following formula (1), a liquid crystal composition containing the compound and a liquid crystal display device containing the composition: all the symbols in the formula (1) are defined in the specification.
US07981485B2	Apparatus and method for performing a PCVD process The present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out a PCVD process in which one or more doped or undoped glass layers are coated onto the interior of a glass substrate tube. The apparatus comprises an applicator having an inner wall and an outer wall and a microwave guide that opens into the applicator. The applicator extends around a cylindrical axis and which is provided with a passage adjacent to the inner wall, through which the microwaves supplied via the microwave guide can exit, over which cylindrical axis the substrate tube can be positioned, while the applicator is fully surrounded by a furnace that extends over the cylindrical axis.
US07981480B2	Hot dip coating apparatus Hot dip coating apparatus for coating a steel strip in an Al—Zn alloy bath comprises components that are made from stainless steel containing an appreciable amount of nitrogen distributed substantially uniformly through its microstructure. The nitrogen is incorporated into the stainless steel as an alloy additive and improves the steel's corrosion resistance and minimizes pitting and thinning of the component when immersed in the metal bath for extended periods.
US07981479B2	Multi-station rotation system for use in spray operations A system and method for use in applying a coating of a desired material onto one or more medical implant components. The system may include one or more thermal sprayers and a rotatable holding fixture having a plurality of mounting stations each operable to hold at least one medical implant component. The fixture may be operable to rotate about a central axis and each mounting station may be operable to rotate about a respective mounting station axis. The fixture may be arranged adjacent to one or more thermal sprayers so that during operation one or more desired materials may be sprayed by the one or more thermal sprayers upon an outer surface of each of the medical implant components while the fixture rotates about the central axis and while simultaneously therewith each of mounting stations having a respective medical implant component rotates about the respective mounting station axis.
US07981476B2	Apparatus for coating outer peripheral surface of pillar structure and method for coating outer peripheral surface of pillar structure An apparatus for coating the outer peripheral surface 1a of a pillar structure 1 comprising a smoothing means 10 having a smoothing plate 10a and an elastic body 10b; the elastic body 10 being disposed to be contacted with the outer peripheral surface 1a of the pillar structure 1 to be coated. The coating surface of a coating material supplied to the outer peripheral surface 1a is smoothed between the outer peripheral surface 1a and the elastic body 10b. A method for coating the outer peripheral surface of a pillar structure is also provided. According to the method by using the apparatus, the occurrence of partial uncoating or peeling of the coating and occurrence of cracks in the coating portion during drying after coating can be inhibited since the coating material can be applied thinly and uniformly on the outer peripheral surface, thereby the coating surface is smoothed.
US07981474B2	Fluoropolymer containing laminates The multilayer film serves as a laminate. The film is a multilayered structure that, in its base form, encompasses an intermediate layer with first and second outer layer affixed to opposing sides of the intermediate layer. The first outer layer is a semi-crystalline fluoropolymer. The intermediate layer includes a polyester and the second outer layer is an olefinic polymer. The layers are bonded together in the noted order to provide the multilayer film.
US07981473B2	Transient enhanced atomic layer deposition A process in which a wafer is exposed to a first chemically reactive precursor dose insufficient to result in a maximum saturated ALD deposition rate on the wafer, and then to a second chemically reactive precursor dose, the precursors being distributed in a manner so as to provide substantially uniform film deposition. The second chemically reactive precursor dose may likewise be insufficient to result in a maximum saturated ALD deposition rate on the wafer or, alternatively, sufficient to result in a starved saturating deposition on the wafer. The process may or may not include purges between the precursor exposures, or between one set of exposures and not another.
US07981471B2	Processes for producing thin films and optical members A process for producing a thin film and an optical member which are free from discoloration of a lens and exhibit a good antistatic property and a good water repellency. The thin film is formed by a vacuum deposition of a water repellent solution which contains (a) a water repellent having a perfluoroalkyl group, (b) a mixture of a silane coupling agent, a modified silicone oil introduced with an organic group into its side chain and/or both terminal ends, and a perfluoroether compound, and (c) at least one conductive substance selected from the group consisting of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphite compounds.
US07981470B1	Interior chemical treatments for inflatable balloons A commercial method for the interior chemical treatment of inflatable balloons, the method including inflating a balloon with air, coating the interior surface of a balloon with a micro-atomized chemical mixture and allowing the chemical mixture to coat and permeate the inner surface of the balloon.
US07981467B2	Web-reinforced separator and continuous method for producing the same A process for preparing an ion-permeable web-reinforced separator membrane includes the steps of: providing a web (2A) and a suitable paste (5), guiding the web (2A) in a vertical position, equally coating both sides of the web with the paste to produce a paste coated web (2B), and applying a symmetrical surface pore formation step and a symmetrical coagulation step to the paste coated web to produce a web-reinforced separator membrane.
US07981460B2	Substituted benzyl ester derivative and use thereof The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition or a cosmetic composition, containing one or more kinds of a compound represented by the following formula (I′) wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an ethoxy group, R2 is a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an acetoxy group, or R1 and R2 in combination optionally form a methylenedioxy group, R is represented by the following formula wherein Y is an ethylene group or a vinylene group, m and n are each an integer of 0 to 7, which satisfy m+n=2 to 8, and R3 and R4 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group, provided that, (1) when R1 is a methoxy group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group; and (2) when R1 is a hydroxyl group, then R2 is not a hydroxyl group and an acetoxy group. According to the present invention, a stable capsinoid derivative is provided, and a pharmaceutical composition, a food composition, a cosmetic composition and the like containing the derivative as an active ingredient can be provided.
US07981459B2	Cooking apparatus A domestic fryer assembly and method of using which includes interconnected shell and cooking pot with the shell having an interior cavity receiving the cooking pot. A heating unit as in a resistance bar heater unit is supported by the combination shell and cooking pot and extends down into the cooking pot and features a generally horizontal portion suspended above the cooking pot bottom and preferably having a configuration of a horse-shoe with outer curved sides that generally follow the curvature of the supporting pot. The cooking pot is designed to hold sufficient cooking fluid to provide for deep frying relatively large single item food pieces as in a whole turkey of, for example, 8 to 18 pounds. The food item is preferably retained in a cooking basket that is dimensioned for insertion into the cooking pot. The cooking pot also preferably includes one or more volume reduction step-ins such as a bottom or lower one for doubling as a cooking basket support and/or an upper annular ledge step-in in the pot.
US07981458B2	Food material and food product using the same Provided is a food material which contains, as its main ingredients, a wheat protein and at least one of a fusuma bran and a nuka bran, and which eliminates a poor texture peculiar to the fusuma bran, the nuka bran, and a mixture of the fusuma bran and the nuka bran. For this purpose, the food material contains a thickening stabilizer as well as a wheat protein and at least one of a roasted fusuma bran and a roasted nuka bran.
US07981457B2	Taste improving substances The present invention in a first aspect relates to taste improvement of foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutics, tobacco products and oral care products, using a substance according to formula (I), or edible salts thereof: formula (I): R1—CR2(OR3)—CO—X. It was found that substances represented by formula (I) are capable of modifying and complementing, the sensory impact of taste imparting substances. Thus, the present taste improving substances are advantageously applied in flavour compositions, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, tobacco products and oral care products. Typical examples of taste improving substances according to the present invention include N-lactoyl GMP, N-lactoyl AMP, N-lactoyl CMP, N-lactoyl IMP, N-gluconyl GMP, N-gluconyl AMP, N-gluconyl CMP, N-gluconyl IMP, O-lactoyl-GMP, O-lactoyl AMP, O-lactoyl CMP, O-lactoyl IMP, O-gluconyl GMP, N-gluconyl AMP, O-gluconyl CMP and O-gluconyl IMP and the mixtures thereof.
US07981448B2	Methods of treating necrotizing enterocolitis The present invention relates to a method of treating necrotizing enterocolitis in a patient, which includes administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes carbon monoxide to the patient.
US07981443B2	Method of treating sleep disordered breathing using topiramate A method for treating snoring, sleep apnoea and other forms of sleep disordered breathing involves administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of topiramate over an appropriate period of time, such as a period substantially coinciding with the sleep period of a patient. A useful route of administration is per os. Also disclosed is the use of topiramate for the diagnosis of snoring, sleep apnoea and other forms of sleep disordered breathing.
US07981442B2	Ultrasound enhancement of drug release across non-ionic surfactant membranes A method of targeted drug delivery and imaging using nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) in combination with ultrasound. Niosomes have potential applications in targeted drug delivery and imaging because of their ability to encapsulate therapeutic agents and their enhanced uptake by physiological membranes. Ultrasound may be used to mediate delivery non-invasively by altering the niosome membrane structure. Niosomes composed of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (Tween 61), cholesterol, and dicetyl phosphate were synthesized via a thin film hydration technique and used for encapsulation studies. Carboxyfluorescein dye (CF) was used as a drug model to demonstrate delivery. The amount of dye in the niosomes, the concentration of the vesicles, and their mean particle size after each 5 minute incremental exposure to ultrasound was monitored. Dye concentration in niosome samples decreased while the population and size distribution of the niosome remained largely unchanged. Ultrasound is demonstrated to enhance the rate of dye diffusion across the niosome membrane non-destructively.
US07981441B2	Drug delivery systems using mesoporous oxide films Sustained-release drug-delivery devices employing a mesoporous oxide coating that functions as a drug reservoir, and the use of mesoporous oxide coatings for improved adhesion of organic polymers to inorganic substrates.
US07981440B2	Antimicrobial lenses, processes to prepare them and methods of their use This invention relates to solutions for packaging ophthalmic devices comprising at least one antimicrobial metal salt which prevent the loss of said antimicrobial metal salt during autoclaving and storage.
US07981437B2	Indanyl- and tetrahydronaphthyl-amino-azoline compounds for combating animal pests The present invention relates to Indanyl- and Tetrahydronaphthyl-amino-azoline compounds of formula I wherein the variables R1 and R2 are as defined in description. The invention relates also to methods of combating or controlling insects, arachnids or nematodes, to methods for protecting growing plants from attack or infestation by insects, arachnids or nematodes, to methods for the protection of seeds from soil insects and of the seedlings' roots and shoots from soil and foliar insects and to methods for treating, controlling, preventing or protecting animals against infestation or infection by parasites.
US07981436B2	Hydrogels for the controlled release of bioactive materials The present invention relates to the formation of hydrogels based on guanosine hydrazide derivatives in the presence of cations. The hydrogels can be used as a carrier/delivery system for biologically active substances such as flavors, fragrances, insect attractants or repellents, bactericides, fungicides, pharmaceuticals or agrochemicals.
US07981430B2	Multi-clade chimeric immunogens derived from highly conserved regions of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) consensus proteome The present invention provides artificial fusion proteins (AFPs) designed to elicit an anti-HIV immune response, as well as nucleic acid molecules and expression vectors encoding those proteins. The AFPs of the invention may comprise domains from various HIV proteins, such as Gag, Pol, Vif, and Env proteins, which are partial sequences. HIVCON is an AFP in which the HIV domains are from several HIV clade consensus sequences and which optionally contains additional domains which may be useful, for example, in monitoring expression levels or laboratory animal immune responses. Other aspects of the invention may include compositions and methods for inducing an anti-HIV immune response in a subject, preferably with a DNA prime-MVA boost strategy, and to induce a cell-mediated immune response.
US07981429B2	Influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.
US07981428B2	Flu vaccines and methods of use thereof This disclosure is directed, inter alia, to polynucleotides, polypeptides, vectors, cells and compositions comprising the same, and their use in affecting viral pathogenesis, in particular for influenza viral infection.
US07981424B2	RAGE fusion proteins, formulations, and methods of use thereof Disclosed are RAGE fusion proteins comprising RAGE polypeptide sequences linked to a second, non-RAGE polypeptide. The RAGE fusion protein may utilize a RAGE polypeptide domain comprising a RAGE ligand binding site and an interdomain linker directly linked to the N-terminus of an immunoglobulin CH2 domain. Also disclosed are RAGE fusion protein formulations and the use of the RAGE fusion proteins and RAGE fusion protein formulations as therapeutics for RAGE-mediated pathologies.
US07981422B2	Antibodies against West Nile Virus and therapeutic and prophylactic uses thereof The present invention relates to compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to one or more antigens of a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), and methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with a flavivirus, particularly of West Nile Virus (WNV), infection utilizing said compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for preventing, treating or ameliorating symptoms associated with WNV infection, said methods comprising administering to a human subject an effective amount of one or more antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen. The present invention also relates to detectable or diagnostic compositions comprising antibodies or fragments thereof that immunospecifically bind to a WNV antigen and methods for detecting or diagnosing WNV infection utilizing said compositions.
US07981418B2	Predicting response to a HER inhibitor The present application describes the use of low HER3 as a selection criterion for treating patients with a HER inhibitor, such as pertuzumab.It also describes the use of high HER2:HER3 ratio as a selection criterion for treating cancer patients, such as ovarian cancer patients, with a HER inhibitor, such as pertuzumab.In addition, the application describes the use of high HER3 as a selection criterion for treating cancer patients with a chemotherapeutic agent, for instance gemcitabine.
US07981415B2	Humanized PAI-1 antibodies The present application relates to compositions of humanized anti-PAI-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof which convert PAI-1 to its latent form. One aspect relates to antibodies having one or more modifications in at least one amino acid residue of at least one of the framework regions of the variable heavy chain, the variable light chain or both. Another aspect relates to antibodies which bind and neutralize PAI-1 by converting PAI-1 to its latent form or increasing proteolytic cleavage. Another aspect relates to the use of humanized antibodies which inhibit or neutralize PAI-1 for the detection, diagnosis or treatment of a disease or condition associated with PAI-1 or a combination thereof.
US07981412B2	Food containing a probiotic and an isolated β-glucan and methods of use thereof The invention features a food product containing a probiotic and β-glucan isolated from a natural source, methods of treating a disease or disorder by administering the food product, and a package containing separated components of the food product.
US07981411B2	Use of live bacteria for growth promotion in animals The present invention relates to the use of F4+ non-pathogenic Escherichia coli strains to promote growth in an animal. The present invention also relates to the use of such strains to homogenize growth among a herd of animals. More specifically, the animal(s) of interest in the present invention are those wherein growth promotion or growth homogenization are desired goals, such as animals reared for meat production. The present invention further relates to a method for promoting growth of an animal as well as a method for homogenizing growth among a herd of animals.
US07981408B2	Method of preserving food using antimicrobial packaging The present invention relates to an anti-microbial packaging polymer and its method of use, and more particularly to a contact anti-microbial such as quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts covalently bound to a polymeric material that may be suitable in a variety of applications such as film and container packaging of foodstuffs, cosmetics, medical equipment and devices, environmental, hygienic and sanitary applications, as well as other consumer and commercial use. This anti-microbial polymer has the benefit of being bactericidal, fungicidal, and/or viricidal. For example, this anti-microbial feature may result in additional shelf life of the foodstuff contained in the anti-microbial packaging polymer of the present invention.
US07981407B2	Hair cosmetic composition A leave-on hair cosmetic composition, which contains the following components (A), (B) and (C): (A) an organic C2-8 dicarboxylic acid or salt thereof selected from the group consisting of malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, or salts thereof, (B) at least one or more of an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic alcohols, wherein the organic solvent has a ClogP of from −2 to 3, and (C) an edetic acid or a salt thereof, wherein the cosmetic composition has a pH of from 2 to 5 at 25° C. when diluted to 20 times the weight with water. The present invention also relates to a hair quality improving method which includes treating the hair with the hair cosmetic composition. The hair cosmetic composition of the present invention can provide benefits such as luster, manageability, pliability and elasticity to the hair which is apt to be dry, having lost water therefrom owing to damage by coloring, permanent waving, or repetitive excessive blow drying.
US07981406B2	Compositions for accelerating the production of collagen-containing proteins A composition includes ascorbate, zinc gluconate, and tropocollagen factors including L-proline, glycine and L-lysine. The composition contains the ascorbate, tropocollagen factors and zinc gluconate in concentrations effective to accelerate the production of collagen proteins within at least one collagen-containing tissue of an animal when administered to the animal. The at least one collagen-containing tissue includes at least one of cartilage tissue, tendon tissue, ligament tissue, vitreous humor tissue, connective tissue, hair tissue, bone tissue, and corneal tissue.
US07981405B2	Cosmetic hair preparation A leave-on hair cosmetic composition contains (a) malic acid or its salt, (b) lactic acid or its, and (c) an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of aromatic alcohols, N-alkylpyrrolidones, alkylene carbonates, polypropylene glycol, lactones and cyclic ketones.This hair cosmetic composition is excellent in the effect of substantially modifying the hair property to improve its sleekness, styling ease and touch feel.
US07981399B2	Method to determine state of a cell exchanging metabolites with a fluid medium by analyzing the metabolites in the fluid medium The present invention relates to a method for determining the ideal time for and outcome of reproductive health procedures including in vitro fertilization by establishing a correlation between the successful outcome of said procedure and the spectra of a body fluid obtained using a chosen analytical modality for a population of patients, acquiring for a patient a spectrum of the body fluid of the patient using said chosen modality.
US07981396B2	Methods for production of carbon nanostructures Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the large scale synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. Metal catalysts having small diameter and narrow distribution of particle sizes are prepared and continuously injected as aerosols into a reactor. The metal catalysts are supported on supports that are substantially free of carbon, and the reactor is configured to control the flow of the gases such that the reaction time and contact of the reactants with the reactor walls can be controlled. Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be synthesized at a large scale and with high yields.
US07981395B2	Negative electrode carbon material for lithium ion secondary battery and manufacturing method thereof A negative electrode carbon material for a lithium ion secondary battery manufactured by calcinating a rice starch portion obtained by removing the pericarp and tests from unpolished rice and a method for manufacturing the same. The rice starch portion is preferably middle-grade white bran or high-grade white bran each obtained when unpolished rice is polished. The above negative electrode carbon material may have a relatively broad peak at a 2θ of 40 to 50° and a sharp peak at a 2θ of 42 to 44° in its powder X-ray (CuKα) diffraction. According to the present invention, a negative electrode carbon material for a lithium ion secondary battery which has the same quality as the prior art product can be manufactured at a low cost by making effective use of middle-grade white bran or high-grade white bran of rice.
US07981389B2	Process using microwave energy and a catalyst to crack hydrocarbons A process for cracking hydrocarbons at atmospheric pressure includes the following steps: providing a catalyst, passing a gaseous hydrocarbon over the catalyst and exposing the catalyst to microwave energy. The hydrocarbons are broken down into lower Carbon number molecules.
US07981387B2	Immunoassay device with improved sample closure An apparatus and method for sealing a fluid sample collection device, comprising loading a fluid sample collection device with a fluid sample, said device comprising a housing having at least one substantially planar surface that includes an orifice in fluid communication with an internal fluid sample holding chamber which terminates at an internal capillary stop; and slidably moving a sealing element over at least a portion of said substantially planar surface in a way that displaces any excess fluid sample away from the orifice, seals the fluid sample within said holding chamber, and inhibits the fluid sample from prematurely breaking through the internal capillary stop.
US07981385B2	Microfluidic device and microfluidic system with the same Provided is a microfluidic device and microfluidic system with the device. The microfluidic device includes a substrate; a channel formed in the substrate and in which a fluid can move; a valve controlling flow of a fluid flowing along the channel and including a phase transition material which can be melted by energy such as electromagnetic wave energy; and a lens disposed on the substrate and adjusting an irradiating region of the valve, onto which the energy is applied.
US07981384B2	Liquid aspirator and analyzer provided with same Liquid aspirators are described that include an aspirating pipette; a drive source for descending the aspirating pipette; and a controller for controlling the drive source; the aspirating pipette being stopped from being descended by loss of synchronism of the drive source caused by upward force to be exerted on the aspirating pipette.Analyzers are also described.
US07981383B2	Latch system and modified blade design for thick stopper-closed container sampling piercing station A piercing station for piercing sample container caps or thick stoppers is provided. The cap piercing station utilizes a piercing blade having a generally Z-shape cross-section, a carriage assembly for moving the blade to pierce a cap on a container, an alignment block assembly for preventing the container from being lifted up by friction with the blade when the blade is being withdrawn from a pierced cap, and a latch assembly for latching the alignment block assembly when the blade is being withdrawn.
US07981379B2	Producing nitrogen to use in under balanced drilling, secondary recovery production operations and pipeline maintenance The invention uses a feed of atmospheric air and mixes the air with hydrogen. The hydrogen and air mixture is fed into a catalytic reactor where a deoxygenation reaction occurs. The deoxygenation reaction uses a platinum catalyst to produce water from oxygen and hydrogen. The nitrogen passes through the catalytic reactor without reacting with the hydrogen, the oxygen, or the water. The water is separated from the nitrogen in a dryer. The nitrogen may then be used in drilling and production operations. The water is fed into an electrolyzer where an electrolysis reaction occurs. The electrolyzer passes an electrical current through the water to produce gaseous oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is recycled back to the catalytic reactor and the oxygen may be vented or sold.
US07981378B2	Water activation piece for use in flow passage, arrangement structure of the water activation piece, and water activation device using the water activation piece and the arrangement structure A water activation device is configured by arranging a plurality of water activation pieces in a holder in a manner that the water activation pieces do not contact with each other where an axial direction of each piece is established along the flow passage. Multiple layers of the holders are established in an internal space of the body of the water activation device. Each of the water activation piece is formed as a cylindrical body with a through hole that includes an axis. Spiral grooves are formed non-continuously or continuously on an inner surface and outer surface of the water activation piece so that when the axis of the water activation piece is established in the flow passage, the water activation piece axially rotates by the flow pressure. The spiral grooves are formed in a rightward rotation (clock-wise) manner in plan view.
US07981376B2	Processes for the isomerization of normal butane to isobutane In a normal butane isomerization process where the isomerization effluent (108, 114) is fractionated in a deisobutanizer (116) operated such that a lower boiling fraction (118) is provided containing at least 80 mass-% isobutane and a higher boiling fraction (122) containing normal butane and at least 10 mass-% isobutane. The higher boiling fraction (122) is contacted with a selectively permeable membrane (124) to provide a permeate (126) containing normal butane-containing and a retentate (128) containing at least 80 mass-% isobutane. The preferred membranes are sieving membranes having a C4 Permeate Flow Index of at least 0.01 and a C4 Permeate Flow Ratio of at least 1.25:1.
US07981371B2	Device and method for destroying liquid, powder or gaseous waste using an inductively coupled plasma The invention relates to a device and a process for the destruction of toxic or hazardous chemical products using inductively coupled plasma. These products may occur in liquid, gaseous or powder form and belong to the family of organic or halogenated organic compounds.
US07981368B2	Method and apparatus for acoustically controlling liquid solutions in microfluidic devices Acoustic energy is used to control motion in a fluid. According to one embodiment, the invention directs acoustic energy at selected naturally occurring nucleation features to control motion in the fluid. In another embodiment, the invention provides focussed or unfocussed acoustic energy to selectively placed nucleation features to control fluid motion. According to one embodiment, the invention includes an acoustic source, a controller for controlling operation of the acoustic source, and one or more nucleation features located proximate to or in the fluid to be controlled.
US07981367B2	Systems and devices for emitting volatile compositions Methods and devices for emitting volatile materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods and devices for emitting two or more fragrance compositions are disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment of a device, the device has a housing, and the housing is supported on an electrical outlet by a plug at least indirectly joined to the housing. The device contains a first volatile composition and a second volatile composition. The first volatile composition is emitted in an alternating period relative to said second volatile composition. In one embodiment of the method, the volatile compositions are alternately emitted during periods that are greater than 15 minutes and less than 2 hours.
US07981365B2	Electrospray coating of aerosols for labeling and identification A device having an air sampler, an electrospray apparatus, and a fluorescence excitation and detection system. The air sampler is capable of moving air suspected of containing a biological or chemical aerosol particle into a chamber. The electrospray apparatus is capable of spraying a charged solution into the chamber to coat the aerosol particles with a coating. The solution has a fluorescent-labeled biological or chemical marker capable of specific binding to the aerosol particle. The fluorescence system is capable of detecting fluorescence of the fluorescent label in the coating. A method of detecting the aerosol particle by: moving air suspected of containing the aerosol particle into a chamber; spraying the charged solution into the chamber with an electrospray apparatus, such that a coating of the solution is formed around the particle; exciting the fluorescent label; and detecting fluorescence of the fluorescent label.
US07981364B2	Gas detection method and system There is disclosed a method of operating a colorimetric gas detector system that comprises a substrate (1) bearing a material (12) that can react with a target gas to produce a change in the wavelength of radiation absorbed or transmitted by the material (“color-change material”). The method involves: a) applying onto a region (15) of the substrate that includes color-change material a chemical of predetermined concentration that reacts directly or indirectly with the color-change material to produce a change in the wavelength of the radiation absorbed or transmitted by the material; b) detecting the radiation absorbed or transmitted in said region (15) at a wavelength absorbed or transmitted by the reaction product of the color change material with the chemical, and c) generating a signal in accordance with the amount of radiation detected at the second wavelength, said signal being dependent on the amount of color-change material on the substrate. The signal can be used to correct the reading of the color change material when exposed to target gas to compensate for varying amounts of color-change material on the substrate.
US07981363B2	System and method for analyte measurement A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
US07981362B2	Modular assay plates, reader systems and methods for test measurements Luminescence test measurements are conducted using an assay module having integrated electrodes with a reader apparatus adapted to receive assay modules, induce luminescence, preferably electrode induced luminescence, in the wells or assay regions of the assay modules and measure the induced luminescence.
US07981361B2	Circulation and disposal device for multi-purpose sterilization chambers and washing chambers The present invention provides an apparatus for circulating a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas in a chamber. The apparatus includes a housing defining a flow path therethrough. The housing has an inlet end and an outlet end. A blower is provided for conveying a carrier gas containing a chemical deactivating vapor or gas along the flow path. A filter that includes a filter element is provided. The filter is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the filter element is fluidly isolated from the flow path when the filter is in the first position, and the filter element is disposed in the flow path when the filter is in the second position. An actuator is provided for moving the filter between the first position and the second position.
US07981359B2	Rotor and process for manufacturing the same A rotor comprising bonded magnet portions mainly composed of magnet powder and a binder, which are embedded in a soft magnetic portion mainly composed of soft magnetic powder and a binder, the rotor being produced by a compression-molding method, and the magnetic pole surfaces of the bonded magnet portions being embedded in the soft magnetic portion.
US07981354B2	Production of metal nano- and mesofibers The invention relates to a method for producing metal oxide fibers with diameters on the micro- and nanometric scale by using electrospinning. At least one polymer is dissolved in a solvent, a metal salt is dissolved in this polymer solution, and this mixture is subsequently electrospun into fibers. Breaking down the polymer renders metal oxide fibers accessible that can be optionally reduced into the corresponding metal fibers.
US07981351B2	Crystallization method of neck of primary molded product for biaxially-oriented blow-molded bottle-shaped container and jig to be used for the same A method for thermally crystallizing a neck of a primary molded product for forming a bottle-shaped container made of polyethylene terephthalate as principal ingredient, said neck having a functional part and a neck ring at a lower end thereof, said functional part being formed with screw threads at an upper portion thereof and a bead ring below the screw threads, said method comprising: heating the neck, and then squeezing the bead ring heated to the heat-deformable temperature, from outside so as to form an outer diameter of the bead ring within a dimensional tolerance for deformation with regard to sealing effect.
US07981336B2	Process of making mixed fibers and nonwoven fabrics The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the production of a predetermined ratio of multicomponent fibers in combination with monocomponent fibers or other multicomponent fibers, preferably through a spunbonding process. After extrusion, these fibers can produce a fiber network that is subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric comprising multiple types of fibers. The multicomponent fibers within the network may be processed to remove one component by dissolution or to split the individual components into separate fibers. As a result, the fabric will be comprised of fibers with a range of diameters (micro- or nano-denier fibers as well as higher denier fibers) such that the fibers will not pack as tightly as in a homogeneous nonwoven fabric produced from one type of monocomponent or multicomponent fiber. The present invention additionally relates to methods for producing nonwoven fabrics with increased loft, breathability, strength, compressive properties, and filtration efficiency.
US07981332B2	Method and apparatus for making a composite, in particular comprising an injection-molded part with a polyurethane coating In a method for producing a composite, a carrier component is placed into an opened cavity of a mold. The mold is then closed to a predetermined position, thereby creating a cavity of a first expanded size. To improve venting, a vacuum is generated in the expanded cavity before filling the expanded cavity with a flooding material. A compression step is then executed either at the same time as flooding material is introduced or following the introduction of the flooding material.
US07981330B2	Form assembly for use in constructing pier pads Form assemblies disclosed herein include a form assembly having a reusable flexible form. The form can define a molding cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of a pier pad. The form assembly can selectively adjust the size and shape of the cavity such that different types of pier pads can be formed with a single form assembly. A user can determine the shape and configuration of the form based using a table relating pier pads of a first shape to pier pads of a second different shape.
US07981327B2	Method for producing metal particle dispersion, conductive ink using metal particle dispersion produced by such method, and conductive coating film Disclosed is a method for producing a metal particle dispersion wherein a metal compound is reduced by using carbodihydrazide represented by the formula (1) below or a polybasic acid polyhydrazide represented by the formula (2) below (wherein R represents an n-valent polybasic acid residue) in a liquid medium. By reducing the metal compound in the presence of a compound having a function preventing discoloration of the metal, there can be obtained a metal particle dispersion having excellent discoloration preventing properties. Metal particles produced by such methods have a uniform particle diameter and are excellent in dispersion stability. By using a conductive resin composition or conductive ink containing a metal particle dispersion obtained by such production methods, there can be formed a conductive coating film, such as a conductive circuit or an electromagnetic layer, having good characteristics.
US07981326B2	Silver fine powder, process for producing the same, and ink A silver fine powder comprising silver particles with an average particle diameter of 20 nm or less and having an organic protective material on the surface thereof, wherein the proportion of the organic protective material present is 0.05 to 25% by mass based on the total mass of the silver particles and the organic protective material. An amine compound having a molecular weight of 100 to 1,000 is preferably used as the organic protective material, and that having one or more unsaturated bond in one molecule is particularly preferred. This silver fine powder has, for example, a crystallite diameter in (111) crystal plane of silver particle of 20 nm or less. The present invention further provides an ink comprising particles of the silver fine powder dispersed in an organic solvent in the silver concentration of 10% by mass or more, the ink having a viscosity of 50 mPa·s or less.
US07981322B2	Use of a metal organosilicate polymer for the protection of compounds sensitive to oxidation and/or to electromagnetic radiation In the invention, use is made of at least one metal organosilicate polymer, in the form of particles, having one of the following formulae I and II: R4Si4Al2O8(OH)x, Formula I: R8Si8M6O16(OH)y, Formula II: for the protection from oxidation and/or electromagnetic radiation of a compound sensitive to oxidation and/or to electromagnetic radiation. The invention finds application in particular in the field of the protection from oxidation and photoaging of various materials.
US07981321B2	Illumination system comprising a yellow green-emitting luminescent material An illumination system, comprising a radiation source and a luminescent material comprising a phosphor capable of absorbing a part of light emitted by the radiation source and emitting light of a wavelength different from that of the absorbed light; wherein said phosphor is a europium-activated oxonitridoalumosilicate of general formula AE1−y−zLnySi3-xAlx−aBa O1+x−yN4−x+y:Euz, wherein AE is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Sr, Ca, Ba, Mg and Zn; Ln is a lanthanide metal selected from the group of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y; B is a trivalent metal selected from the group of boron, gallium and scandium and a 0≦a<2, 0≦x<2, 0≦y≦1, 0.001
US07981320B2	Polymerizable composition A polymerizable composition comprising a bifunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by the following general formula (1) and a monofunctional (meth)acrylate compound represented by the general formula (2): R1 and R2 each=a hydrogen atom, methyl group, or halogen atom; A1, A2, A3 each=a benzene, cyclohexane, cyclohexene, naphthalene, decahydronaphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, or phenanthrene ring; rings may be substituted with 1-8 carbon atom alkyl group, 1-8 carbon atom alkoxy group, a halogen atom, or a cyano group; at least one of A1, A2, and A3 comprises a substituent; —CH═ may be replaced by —N═, and —CH2— may be replaced by —S— or —O—: L1, L2, L3 each=a single bond, —COO—, —OCO—, —(CH2)p—, —CH═CH—, —(CH2)qO—, —CH═CHCH2O—, —CH≡C—, —(CH2)2COO—, or —CF═CF—; n=integer 0-3; and, when n≧2, L3 and A3 may be the same or different; p and q each=an integer 1-8:
US07981317B2	Composition for surface modification of a heat sink and method for surface treatment of the heat sink for printed circuit boards using the same The present invention provides a composition for surface modification of a heat sink, the composition including: 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of an organic titanium compound; 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of an organic silane compound; 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an organic acid; 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of a sequestering agent; and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a buffer with respect to 100 parts by weight of distilled water. The composition of the present invention provides excellent adhesion strength with prepreg, and improve heat releasing performance.
US07981316B2	Selective barrier metal polishing method The polishing method uses a polishing solution for removing barrier materials in the presence of interconnect metals and dielectrics. The polishing solution comprises, by weight percent, 0.1 to 10 hydrogen peroxide, at least one pH adjusting agent selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid for adjusting a pH level of the polishing solution to less than 3, at least 0.0025 benzotriazole inhibitor for reducing removal rate of the interconnect metals, 0 to 10 surfactant, 0.01 to 10 colloidal silica having an average particle size of less than 50 nm and balance water and incidental impurities. The polishing solution has a tantalum nitride material to copper selectivity of at least 3 to 1 and a tantalum nitride to TEOS selectivity of at least 3 to 1.
US07981315B2	Polar molecule dominated electrorheological fluid Polar molecules dominated electrorheological fluids mainly comprising a mixture of dispersed phase of solid particles and/or dispersing liquid medium. The dispersed phase solid particles, on the surface, or the liquid dispersing medium contain polar molecules or polar groups, the dipole moment of which is 0.5-10 deb and the size is between 0.1 nm and 0.8 nm. Dispersed phase solid particles are spherical or nearly spherical, of which the size is 10-300 nm and dielectric constant is higher than 50. The conductance rate of the liquid dispersing medium is lower than 10−8 S/m, and the dielectric constant is lower than 10. The PM-ER fluids possess the characteristics of high yield strength, high dynamic shear strength, low leakage current, the linear dependence of yield strength on electric field, and high yield strength at low electric field, etc. The yield strength improves to almost 100 times of that of ordinary ER fluids and reaches to more than 200 Kpa.
US07981314B2	Corrosion inhibitor formulations with improved performance, lower toxicity and reduced manufacturing hazards Aqueous corrosion inhibitor compositions, preferably storage-stable, useful in acidic cleaning solutions for cleaning the surfaces of metal, comprising reaction products of at least one rosin amine component, at least one non-flammable liquid ketone component, at least one carboxylic acid component, at least one paraformaldehyde component and water; aqueous acidic cleaners prepared therefrom; and methods of their use. The inventive corrosion inhibitor compositions are made by a simple process which reduces the presence of toxic and/or flammable raw materials, co-products, residual reactants and chloride ion while providing acid inhibition in aqueous acidic cleaners.
US07981305B2	High-density field emission elements and a method for forming said emission elements A method for forming high density emission elements and field emission displays formed according to the method. Oxygen and a silicon etchant are introduced into a plasma etching chamber containing a silicon substrate. The oxygen reacts with the silicon surface to form regions of silicon dioxide, while the silicon etchant etches the silicon to form the emission elements. The silicon dioxide regions mask the underlying silicon during the silicon etch process. High density and high aspect ratio emission elements are formed without using photolithographic processes. The emission elements formed according to the present invention provide a more uniform emission of electrons. Further, a display incorporating emission elements formed according to the present invention provides increased brightness. The reliability of the display is increased due to the use of a plurality of emission elements to supply electrons for stimulating the phosphor substrate material to produce the image.
US07981300B2	Treating runoff Systems and methods for treating water passing through a catch basin may include first and second filters. In some embodiments, one or both of the filters can have a plurality of regions with different nominal flow rates.
US07981299B2	Thickener and method for thickening The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for thickening liquids carrying suspended particles, such as a slurry containing minerals. The thickening apparatus comprises a tank (2), a feedwell (4), which includes a chamber having an inlet for receiving feed slurry (9) and an outlet in fluid communication with the tank and means for distributing the material in the tank, at least one conduit (5) for feed slurry to deliver a feed slurry (9) into the feedwell, means for diluting the feed slurry, when at least one separate dilute liquid conduit (16, 19) is directed tangentially with respect to the feedwell (4) and at least one inflow aperture (15) is arranged tangentially with respect to the feedwell for recirculating the dilute liquid from the tank inside the feedwell in order to dilute the feed slurry.
US07981296B2	Methods of using geotextile composite for filtration of contaminated liquids and sediments Geotextile composite configured to filter liquids and related methods are provided. The geotextile composites include a pre-filter layer, a post-filter layer and at least two intermediate filter layers disposed between the pre-filter layer and the post-filter layer. At least one fibrous web that includes composite fibers and adsorptive particulates is disposed between the at least two intermediate filters. The fibrous web has a structural component, and a thermally-bondable, polymeric component. The geotextile can be placed in a location where a liquid that contains contaminants therein resides. The liquids can pass through the geotextile such that the liquid contacts the adsorptive particulate. The contaminants are then filtered from the liquid through contact of the contaminants with the adsorptive particulate.
US07981293B2	Method and apparatus for treatment of contaminated liquid Methods and apparatuses for treatment of contaminated liquid are provided including an integrated ultra-filtration and clarification apparatus, and an optional integrated electrocoagulation capability. The integrated apparatus comprises an outer tank, an inner casing, and a plurality of ultra-filtration filters contained within the inner casing. Clarification of liquid occurs in the gap between the casing and tank. Solid matter settles, and aggregates in the bottom portion of the tank. The accumulated solid material acts as a secondary filter by pre-filtering the liquid prior to contact with the ultra-filtration filters. Clarified liquid is retained in a chamber of the casing, and the clarified liquid is drawn through the ultra-filtration filters as initiated by a source of vacuum communicating with the ultra-filtration filters. The integrated apparatus can be incorporated within any desired liquid treatment facility, and one combination in accordance with this system of the present invention includes an upstream electrocoagulation unit and a downstream reverse osmosis unit. The electrocoagulation function may be incorporated in the tank by a plurality of reaction plates or blades mounted to the interior sidewall of the tank. Additionally, the integrated apparatuses may include bacterial treatment in which a selected group of micro-organisms are introduced into the apparatus for treatment of particular contaminates.
US07981292B2	System and method for biological wastewater treatment and for using the byproduct thereof A wastewater treatment system and process biologically treats wastewater to produce substantially clean water effluent and byproducts. The treatment system includes an array of media wheels that rotate into and out of exposure to sunlight for sustained algae growth. One byproduct is algae removed from the rotating media wheels, which may be provided to other processing facilities to produce, for instance, bio-diesel fuel. Waste CO2 from the processing facility may also be returned to the treatment system for enhanced algae growth. Bacteria is provided to form a symbiotic relationship with the algae, fueled by sunlight to effectively remove toxic materials from the wastewater. Large scale facilities may integrate the treatment systems in a regenerative cycle in which the biomass obtained from the algal colonies is used in a separate facility and byproducts of the operation of the separate facility are used by the treatment system to fuel further algal growth.
US07981289B2	Modular fluid treatment apparatus and method Some embodiments of the present invention provide a modular fluid treatment assembly and method in which modules of the system each have a head that can be connected to one or more heads (of one or more other modules) in different configurations. In some embodiments, the relationship between a cartridge of the module and its corresponding head prevents fluid from entering between the cartridge and an external shell of the module. Also, some embodiments provide a module having a head with substantially concentric inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with a cartridge coupled to the head.
US07981285B2	Internal UV treatment of potable water systems A UV disinfectant system for treatment of water resident in a vessel. One or more UV lamps are mounted within the interior of the vessel so as to expose the water stored therein. The vessel may be, for example, a water tank, water heater, water filter or other component which holds a volume of water. A layer of photoreactive material may be formed on an inside surface of a wall of the vessel so as to be exposed to the UV radiation from the lamp. The photoreactive material may be tin dioxide, titanium dioxide, or other material that produces hydroxyl ions in response to UV exposure. The hydroxyl ions flow from the vessel into the piping and other components of the system so as to inhibit microbial action therein. The UV lamps may be mounted in quartz sleeves that surround the lamps for immersion in water and that are supported to protect the sleeves and lamps from vibration damage. The system may also be used to prevent freeze damage to the vessel and water system.
US07981284B2	Suppressor utilizing micro ion exchange tube and ion chromatograph utilizing the same Disclosed herein is a suppressor using one ion-exchange tube which has an inner diameter close to that of a tube connected to a separation column and which is constituted by an ion-exchange membrane. The ion-exchange tube is folded or wound more than once in a plane into a sheet form to provide an ion-exchange tube sheet through which an eluate from a separation column flows. The ion-exchange tube sheet is accommodated in a container. The container provides a regenerant flow channel so that a regenerant is allowed to flow on both sides of the ion-exchange tube sheet.
US07981282B2	Automatic slurry strainer An automatic strainer assembly for straining a slurry comprises an inlet for receiving the slurry, a horizontally disposed strainer body in fluid communication with the inlet, and a rotatable strainer member received within the body having an inner surface and an outer surface. The strainer member defines a plurality of passageways for strained fluid to pass therethrough. A scraper is positioned substantially adjacent to and contacting the outer surface of the strainer member for removing material from the outer surface of the strainer member. A collection vessel is positioned substantially below the body for receiving material scraped from the outer surface of the strainer member. This collection vessel can include a transport member for returning this scraped material to an initial slurry supply for reprocessing thereof. An outlet is provided in fluid communication with the horizontal strainer body to expel the strained slurry.
US07981277B2	Integrated solvent deasphalting and dewatering A method for dewatering and deasphalting a hydrocarbon feed is provided. A hydrocarbon feed containing one or more hydrocarbons, asphaltenes and water can be mixed or otherwise combined with one or more solvents. The addition of the solvent sufficiently decreases the density of the hydrocarbon feed to enable gravity settling of the water phase, providing an oil phase containing one or more hydrocarbons, asphaltenes and solvents. The asphaltenes can be separated from the oil phase to provide an asphaltene mixture containing asphaltenes and a portion of the solvents and a deasphalted oil containing one or more hydrocarbons and the balance of the solvents. The solvents can be separated from the asphaltenes and deasphalted oil, and recycled to the initial mixing step wherein the solvent is mixed or otherwise combined with one or more solvents.
US07981276B2	Desulfurization of petroleum streams utilizing a multi-ring aromatic alkali metal complex The present invention relates to a process for removing sulfur from sulfur-containing hydrocarbon streams utilizing a multi-ring aromatic hydrocarbon complex containing an alkali metal ion. Preferably, the sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream is comprised of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, such as a low API gravity, high viscosity crude, tar sands bitumen, an oil derived from shale, or heavy refinery intermediate stocks such as atmospheric resids or vacuum resids which are typically difficult to desulfurize and contain relatively high amounts of sulfur. However, intermediate refinery streams and refinery product streams may also be treated by the process of the current invention to achieve very low sulfur concentrations to meet environmental specification for fuels sulfur content.
US07981274B2	Catalytic element A catalytic element useful for promoting catalytic gas phase reactions is provided, comprising a porous ceramic body comprising a multiplicity of open pores having a coating comprising a basic oxide material and a catalyst material selected from transition metal and noble metal compounds.
US07981271B2	Pseudo-isothermal radial reactor Pseudo-isothermal radial chemical reactor for catalytic reactions, comprising a substantially cylindrical shell closed at the opposite ends by respective base plates, comprising a reaction zone in which a respective catalytic bed is supported and a plurality of heat exchangers placed in said reaction zone.
US07981270B2	Extra light hydrocarbon liquids The present invention relates to an extra light hydrocarbon liquid derived from highly paraffinic wax. This extra light hydrocarbon liquid is suitable for use as a lubricant additive diluent oil in oil soluble additive concentrates. This extra light hydrocarbon liquid derived from highly paraffinic wax has a viscosity of between about 1.0 and 3.5 cSt at 100° C. and a Noack volatility of less than 50 weight % and comprises greater than 3 weight % molecules with cycloparaffinic functionality and less than 0.30 weight percent aromatics. The extra light hydrocarbon liquid makes an excellent lubricant additive diluent oil because it has low volatility, low viscosity, good additive solubility, and excellent solubility in lubricant base oil stocks. The present invention also relates to finished lubricants comprising the oil soluble additive concentrates made with the extra light hydrocarbon liquid and finished lubricants comprising the oil soluble additive concentrates. The present invention further relates to processes for making these lubricant additive diluent oils, oil soluble additive concentrates, and finished lubricants.
US07981269B2	Method of electrochemical fabrication An electroplating method that includes: a) contacting a first substrate with a first article, which includes a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the first substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the first substrate, is disclosed. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.
US07981268B2	Deionization and desalination using electrostatic ion pumping The present invention provides a new method and apparatus/system for purifying ionic solutions, such as, for example, desalinating water, using engineered charged surfaces to sorb ions from such solutions. Surface charge is applied externally, and is synchronized with oscillatory fluid movements between substantially parallel charged plates. Ions are held in place during fluid movement in one direction (because they are held in the electrical double layer), and released for transport during fluid movement in the opposite direction by removing the applied electric field. In this way the ions, such as salt, are “ratcheted” across the charged surface from the feed side to the concentrate side. The process itself is very simple and involves only pumps, charged surfaces, and manifolds for fluid collection.
US07981265B2	Gas concentration measuring apparatus designed to enhance measurement accuracy in desired range A gas concentration measuring apparatus for use in air-fuel ratio control of automotive engines is designed to determine the concentration of oxygen within a wide and a narrow range using a sensor current flowing through a sensor element. The apparatus includes an amplifier circuit equipped with an operational amplifier and a plurality of amplifying resistors and a switch. The switch is responsive to a request signal to switch a relation in electrical connection between an operational amplifier and the amplifying resistors to distribute the amplifying resistors into an input resistor and a feedback resistor for the operational amplifier to change an amplification factor of the amplifier circuit. This results in a change in resolution of measurement of the concentration of oxygen, thereby ensuring enhanced accuracy in determining the concentration of oxygen in a selected one of the narrow and wide ranges.
US07981258B2	Thin-film shape memory alloy device and method A thin film device, such as an intravascular stent, is disclosed. The device is formed of a seamless expanse of thin-film (i) formed of a sputtered nitinol shape memory alloy, defining, in an austenitic state, an open, interior volume, having a thickness between 0 5-50 microns, having an austenite finish temperature Af below 37° C.; and demonstrating a stress/strain recovery greater than 3% at 37° C. The expanse can be deformed into a substantially compacted configuration in a martensitic state, and assumes, in its austenitic state, a shape defining such open, interior volume. Also disclosed is a sputtering method for forming the device.
US07981256B2	Splitter with multi-stage heat pump compressor and inter-reboiler A splitter system is disclosed that produces a product stream from a mixed stream of two materials with similar boiling points. A multi-stage heat pump compressor is used in combination with a bottoms reboiler and an intermediate reboiler resulting in reduced utility consumption. The appropriately placed intermediate reboiler enables use of a lower temperature heat source relative to the bottoms reboiler heat source. As a result, a lower pressure overhead vapor stream can be used to deliver heat to both the intermediate and bottoms reboilers, thereby conserving energy. The first stage of the multi-stage heat pump compressor delivers pressurized overhead vapor to the intermediate reboiler and the second stage provides pressurized overhead vapor to the bottoms reboiler. The disclosed design and method lessens the heat pump compressor power consumption and trim condenser duty for a propylene/propane splitter system by over 20%. A third stage of compression upstream of the overhead trim condenser may be used for purposes of making the column pressure and temperatures independent of the trim condenser temperature.
US07981254B2	Heat pump system, operation procedure therefor and evaporator system In a heat pump system including a water purifier and an evaporator for evaporating feed-water to produce steam, water used for spray cooling is effectively used and productivity of purified water used for the spray cooling is increased. Discharged water from the water purifier is supplied to the evaporator when water used for spray cooling is produced by use of the water purifier. Otherwise, drain of the evaporator having higher temperature is supplied to the water purifier by using such a fact that in a reverse osmosis membrane type water purifier, the higher the temperature of feed-water is, the higher the purified water productivity becomes.
US07981253B2	Distillation tower baffle An improved de-entrainment device for use in distillation towers, especially vacuum distillation towers used for fractionating petroleum atmospheric resids is in the form of a baffle which is to be located in the portion of the tower below the feed zone and at the top of the flash zone. The baffle is in the form of an apertured plate above the stripping zone and in its preferred form comprises number of radial fins or blades, resembling a static fan with openings between the fins to permit vapors from the lower portions of the tower to pass upwards through the baffle with a minimal pressure drop. The fins of the baffle are preferably oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° away from the incoming feed so that the incoming feed stream skims over the top edges of the fins.
US07981251B2	Method and arrangement for feeding chemicals into a process stream An apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream of a papermaking process is disclosed, as well as a method of utilizing the apparatus for feeding one or more chemicals into a process stream is disclosed.
US07981250B2	Method for paper processing According to the present invention, a process is provided for making paper or board comprising forming a cellulosic suspension that may or may not comprise a filler, flocculating the cellulosic suspension, draining the cellulosic suspension on a screen to form a sheet, wherein the cellulosic suspension is flocculated using a flocculation system comprising the sequential or simultaneous addition of a siliceous material and an organic, cationic or anionic, dispersion micropolymer in a salt solution.
US07981248B2	Gas free valve for pulp vacuum washer and method A method of treating pulp on a porous surface of a rotating drum cylinder having a lower drum portion in a vat of pulp slurry and a radial array of filtrate conduits including: as the porous surface of the drum rotates through the vat, drawing filtrate from the slurry through the porous surface by the application of a suction to the filtrate conduits vacuum; draining the filtrate from the filtrate conduits into the filtrate chamber and to a filtrate suction conduit extending to an elevation below the vat; forming a pulp mat on the porous surface which passes filtrate and substantially blocks fibers in the pulp slurry; removing the pulp mat on the porous surface from the vat as the drum rotates; draining filtrate from the filtrate suction conduit, and before excessive gases passing through the porous surface enter the filtrate conduits, switching a fluid flow downstream of the filtrate conduits to a gas vent passage offset and below from a drum rotational axis.
US07981245B2	Multi-layered interconnect structure using liquid crystalline polymer dielectric A multi-layered interconnect structure and method of formation. In a first embodiment, first and second liquid crystal polymer (LCP) dielectric layers are directly bonded, respectively, to first and second opposing surface of a thermally conductive layer, with no extrinsic adhesive material bonding the thermally conductive layer with either the first or second LCP dielectric layer. In a second embodiment, first and second 2S1P substructures are directly bonded, respectively, to first and second opposing surfaces of a LCP dielectric joining layer, with no extrinsic adhesive material bonding the LCP dielectric joining layer with either the first or second 2S1P substructures.
US07981242B2	Printed vulcanized fibre-based product and process for making the same A three-ply product includes a particle board core assembled with a patterned vulcanized fiber sheet or layer on each surface. One of the vulcanized fiber sheets may have a preprinted decorative pattern provided thereon. The other vulcanized fiber sheet may also be decorative, or merely a plain sheet of vulcanized fiber. The product is useful for woodworking applications, and may be processed (i.e., stained, sanded, lacquered, etc.) like a natural wood product. Unlike prior vulcanized fiber processes, the process of making the vulcanized fiber sheets preprints a pattern, in a preprinting process, on the top sheets of cellulose paper plies.
US07981236B2	Method and device for bonding two sheets A method and a device for bonding at least two sheets, is disclosed. The sheets may be joined by a groove and are connected to each other at least in one contact area in the sheet surface of the first sheet. The sheets may first be shaped whereby the first sheet may be shaped with at least one hook which forms an angle with the sheet surface and the second sheet may be shaped with at least one groove and one leg. The hook may be accommodated by the groove and the leg may be substantially parallel to the contact area of the first sheet. The shaped sheets are then bonded to each other, whereby the hook is inserted in the groove and the leg is bonded to the contact area.
US07981234B2	Reduced ply separation tail seal Easy starting rolls of perforated tissue product which have a reduced tendency to ply separate are formed with an adhesively secured doubled over tail tab folded against the roll. The strength and location of the bonds are controlled by controlling the penetration of the adhesive into the tissue. The dry tensile strength of the projecting folded over tail tab exceeds 400 g/in and the caliper thereof exceeds one mil. The adhesive bonds are spaced away from lines of perforation joining sheets in the initial sheets of the roll.
US07981231B2	Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates An apparatus for producing an elastomeric nonwoven laminate including a plurality of elastomeric strands joined to a nonwoven web in a controlled distribution is provided. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a plurality of elastomeric strands onto a cooled surface of a rotating drum, which transports the strands in parallel alignment to a nip formed between two rollers rotating about parallel axis. The drum transfers the plurality of strands to the nip in a controlled distribution where it is bonded with the nonwoven. The apparatus also includes elements which automate the apparatus for creating the elastomeric nonwoven laminate.
US07981230B2	Method and joining jig for fabrication of an optical device Two prisms bonded together in a bonding step are then, in a pressing step, put onto a joining jig and pressed to be formed into an optical device. The joining jig has a pair of holding plates arranged opposite each other and a precision plate held between parts of the directly opposite surfaces of the holding plates. In the pressing step, the two prisms are pressed with the surface of one of the prisms placed in contact with the surface of the precision plate exposed to the gap between the holding plates, with another surface of the same one of the prisms placed in contact with the directly opposite surface of one of the holding plates, and with the surface of the other of the prisms placed in contact with the directly opposite surface of the other of the holding plates. Thus, the two prisms move along the oblique surface of each other, and are pressed onto the directly opposite surfaces of the holding plates. Thus, irrespective of variations in the chamfering done on the two prisms, the exterior shape of the joined prism is restricted by the directly opposite surfaces of the holding plates.
US07981229B2	Method of making and using shape memory polymer patches Patches consisting of transparent or translucent shape memory material can be manufactured so as to affect repair of transparent or translucent parts that have been damaged. These patches can be used to cover cracks and holes or provide additional structural support for the damaged parts. The patches can vary greatly in size and properties depending on the desired application.
US07981219B2	System for plasma treating a plastic component A system is provided for plasma treating a plastic component having an exterior surface and an inside surface. The system comprises at least one fixture. The fixture includes a support structure, a plurality of locating features, and a plurality of holding devices which cooperate to position a portion of the exterior surface to within a specified tolerance. The system further comprises at least one APAP nozzle configured to move relative to the exterior surface along a path, wherein the APAP nozzle directs a plasma jet onto the portion producing a functionalized polymer layer covering the portion.
US07981216B2	Vacuum processing apparatus A vacuum processing apparatus, including a reactor and a partitioning plate having a plurality of through-holes through which radicals are allowed to pass and separating the reactor into a plasma generating space and a substrate process space, the process, such as a film deposition process, being carried out on a substrate placed in the substrate process space by delivering a gas into the plasma generating space for generating a plasma, producing radicals with the plasma thus generated, and delivering the radicals through the plurality of through-holes on the partitioning plate into the substrate process space. The partitioning plate includes a partitioning body having a plurality of through-holes and a control plate disposed on the plasma generating space side of the partitioning body and having radical passage holes in the positions corresponding to the plurality of through-holes on the partitioning plate.
US07981204B2	Porphyrazine coloring matter and ink composition containing the same The present invention relates to a porphyrazine coloring matter represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein, the rings A, B, C and D shown by broken lines each independently represent a 6-membered ring having aromaticity, at least 1.0 of said rings A to D is a benzene ring and at least 0.5 of them is a nitrogen-containing heteroaromatic ring, when shown as an average value; E represents an alkylene group; X and Y are each independently an anilino group having 1 to 3 carboxy groups; and b is 0 to 3.4, c is 0.1 to 3.5, and the sum of b and c is 1.0 to 3.5, when shown as an average value. The present invention can provide a porphyrazine coloring matter suitable for inkjet recording, which has characteristics of having a good hue as cyan ink, excellent fastnesses, in particular, extremely excellent water fastness when printed on plain paper, and high solubility in water or a water-soluble organic solvent.
US07981202B2	Electroless pure palladium plating solution An electroless pure palladium plating solution capable of forming pure palladium plating films having less plating film variations is provided. The electroless pure palladium plating solution comprises an aqueous solution containing (a) 0.001 to 0.5 mol/liter of a water-soluble palladium compound, (b) 0.005 to 10 mol/liter of at least two members selected from the group consisting of aliphatic carboxylic acids and water-soluble salts thereof, (c) 0.005 to 10 mol/liter of phosphoric acid and/or a phosphate, and (d) 0.005 to 10 mol/liter of sulfuric acid and/or a sulfate.
US07981196B2	Apparatus and method for recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas using ammonia water An apparatus and method for absorbing and recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas using ammonia water as an absorbent, including an absorption column and a circulation cooler connected to the absorption column so that a high-temperature absorbent is recovered from the absorption column, cooled to a preset temperature, and then supplied again into the absorption column, in order to dissipate absorptive heat generated when carbon dioxide is absorbed from the flue gas.
US07981186B2	Air cleaner; air filter cartridge and method of manufacturing According to the present disclosure an air cleaner and air filter cartridge arrangement is provided. The air filter cartridge is a removable and replaceable cartridge for use in the air cleaner. The cartridge includes, among other things, an end cap having a preferred outwardly directed radial seal and a groove. The air cleaner includes a housing with a stabilizing ring projecting into an interior, positioned to project at least partially into the groove of the filter cartridge, when the filter cartridge is mounted for use. Methods of assembly and installation are described.
US07981185B2	Filter installation device Device for extracting droplets of a liquid agent suspended in a gaseous fluid displaced in a machine for displacement of such a gaseous fluid, the extraction device comprising a first part and a second part. The first part comprising a first element, which is of elongated shape, with a longitudinal axis termed the first axis, and is intended to ensure a filtration function inside the apparatus; and a second element, which is intended to enable at least one of the following functions, which are a function of grasping at least by hand the first part and a function of fixing this first part to the second part. The second part comprising a wall that defines a chamber which is intended to be traversed by the gaseous fluid to be filtered and receives said first element in a position termed the operational position; and comprises an opening that delimits a passageway sufficient for the insertion of the first element into the chamber.
US07981182B2	Labyrinth box structure and method A labyrinth box can include a housing that has an open end, a closed end, and defines two cavities. A cover is configured to cover the opening and can include a divider that extends into one of the two cavities of the housing to define first and second chamber passageways in that cavity. An inlet port is located in the bottom closed end of one of the cavities and an outlet port is located in the other of the cavities. The surfaces that define the chambers can be configured such that the box can be oriented in different positions and still work, namely, in horizontal and vertical positions. When in the vertical position, the divider can include surfaces that are angled off of the horizontal plane and towards the inlet port such that water and debris will return to the inlet port via gravity. The labyrinth box can be used in applications that require separation between fluids and/or debris, such as in a fuel tank pressure sensor system in which rainwater, backsplash, or other debris, should be kept clear from a pressure sensor that has a portion exposed to atmospheric pressure for sensor reference purposes.
US07981181B2	Cyclone dust-separating apparatus and cleaner having the same A cyclone dust-separating apparatus that may be conveniently maintained and repaired is disclosed. The cyclone dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone chamber that separates dust using a whirling air current about a horizontal rotating axis, and a first cover that is detachably attached to an end of the cyclone chamber to expose the cyclone chamber. The first cover can be detached, so the cyclone dust-separating apparatus may be conveniently maintained and repaired.
US07981180B2	Dust filter A dust filter of an evaporated fuel treatment device is taught that preferably include a filtration member for filtering air introduced to an atmosphere introduction path, and a casing receiving the filtration member therein. The dust filter being disposed on the atmosphere introduction path of the evaporated fuel treatment device. The filtration member has an arcuate shape in cross section, and wherein the filtration member is arranged and structured such that air flows in a radial direction thereof, so as to be filtered.
US07981179B2	Air cleaner, engine unit and straddle-type vehicle An air cleaner includes an air intake port and an exhaust port on a side opposite to the intake port. A filter extends to the exhaust port side from the intake port side and divides the air cleaner into suction side and exhaust side air chambers. A distance between a side wall part of the suction side air chamber and the filter gradually decreases to the back of the suction side air chamber from the intake port. A distance between a side wall part of the exhaust side air chamber and the filter gradually increases to the exhaust port.
US07981178B2	Method and apparatus for removing contaminants from a reflow apparatus A reflow apparatus for solder joining electronic components to a substrate includes a reflow chamber, a conveyor to convey a substrate within the chamber, at least one heating element to provide heat to reflow solder on the substrate, and at least one system to remove contaminants generated from the reflow solder. The system is coupled with the chamber for passage of a vapor stream from the chamber through the system. The system comprises a contaminant collection unit in fluid communication with the vapor stream. The contaminant collection unit includes a coil and a collection container. The coil is configured to receive cooled gas therein. The arrangement is such that when introducing cooled gas in the coil, contaminants in the vapor stream condense on the coil, and when ceasing the introduction of cooled gas in the coil, contaminants in the vapor stream are released from the coil and collected in the collection container. Other embodiments and methods for removing contaminants are further disclosed.
US07981175B2	Self-cleaning blow-off A self-cleaning blow-off for a rotary air screen, includes a blow-off channel including an inlet disposed for receiving a flow of air from a pressurized air source, and a movable blow-off channel section configured and supported to be movable between an operational position disposed adjacent to a portion of the air screen for directing the flow of air for blowing debris and dirt from the screen, and a cleaning position disposed away from the screen such that accumulated debris and dirt in the blow-off section will be released. And, an actuator is connected to and controllably operable for moving the movable blow-off section between the operating position and the cleaning position. The actuator can be controlled to move the movable blow-off section to the cleaning position periodically, as desired, or responsive to an input.
US07981171B2	Hydrogen-generating reactors and methods Reactors and methods that generate hydrogen from fuel, such as naturally-occurring or synthesized hydrocarbon fuel. One embodiment of the reactor comprises a CO2/H2 active membrane piston disposed inside a cylinder that provides for highly efficient and scalable hydrogen generation from hydrocarbon fuels. This embodiment may function in a two or four stroke modes. Another embodiment of the reactor comprises a dual piston configuration having CO2 and H2 active membrane pistons inside a single cylinder. Other embodiments of the reactor comprise flexible membranes or diaphragms that operate in a manner similar to pistons with or without regeneration of residual reaction products. Exemplary methods introduce fuel into a controllable volume, selectively control pressure, temperature and residence time of the fuel within the controllable volume, chemically react the fuel within the controllable volume with one or more catalysts to produce one or more chemical species, selectively remove via a membrane one or more of the chemical species from the controllable volume, and exhaust residual products from the controllable volume.
US07981169B2	Single phase hydrous hydrocarbon-based fuel, methods for producing the same and compositions for use in such method This invention disclosure describes a conditioned single phase hydrocarbon-based fuel, a method for producing such fuel and components useful in such method. The described conditioned hydrocarbon-based fuel is a single phase hydrous fuel with improved performance, handling and storage characteristics. A method is also is also provided for producing the conditioned hydrocarbon-based fuel using a semi-solid activator. The resulting conditioned hydrocarbon-based fuel has a volume greater than the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel, a BTU content greater than the BTU content of the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel, less particulate emissions and less non-particulate emissions than the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel, and a water content less than the water content of the unmodified hydrocarbon-based fuel.
US07981165B2	Process for lightening keratin materials using an anhydrous composition comprising at least one fatty substance and at least one alkaline agent, and at least one oxidizing composition The present disclosure relates to a process for lightening keratin fibers, comprising applying to the keratin fibers: an anhydrous composition (A) comprising at least one fatty substance in an amount of at least 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, at least one surfactant, and at least one alkaline agent chosen from organic amines, organic amine salts, and ammonium salts; and a composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. The present disclosure also relates to a multi-compartment device comprising: a first compartment comprising the anhydrous composition (A); and a second compartment comprising the composition (B).
US07981160B1	Multi-hooded enarthrodial joint implant cup and securement Cup has an articular surface upon which a ball of a joint can articulate, and a margin generally about a hemisphere and at least two hoods that are marginally extended continuations of superior one-half or so of cup containment, a joint ball; and a securing member for resistance against outward displacement of the hood(s) so that the ball can be securely contained. An inwardly biased engagement tab can be is provided for hood brace(s), and perforation(s) or hole(s) can be present about the hood brace(s) and/or cover(s).
US07981159B2	Antero-posterior placement of axis of rotation for a rotating platform A knee replacement system includes a femoral component including a lateral condylar articulating portion and a medial condylar articulating portion, a tibial tray including an upper articulating surface, and a tibial insert including (i) a first articulating portion for articulating with the lateral condylar articulating portion with a first condylar dwell point, (ii) a second articulating portion for articulating with the medial condylar articulating portion with a second condylar dwell point, (iii) a lower articulating surface for articulating with the upper articulating surface, and (iv) a coupling member for coupling with the tibial tray and defining an axis of rotation about which the tibial insert rotates with respect to the tibial tray, the axis of rotation intersecting the upper articulating surface at a location posterior to a dwell axis including the condylar dwell points when the dwell axis is projected onto the upper articulating surface.
US07981153B2	Biologically implantable prosthesis methods of using A heart valve assembly includes a first annular prosthesis for implantation within a tissue annulus, a second valve prosthesis, and a plurality of magnets on the first and second prostheses to secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis. In one embodiment, the magnets are arranged to allow the second prosthesis to be secured to the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation. During use, the first annular prosthesis is implanted into the annulus, and the second valve prosthesis is inserted into the annulus. The magnets orient the second prosthesis relative to the first prosthesis to align the second prosthesis with the first prosthesis in a predetermined angular orientation; and secure the second prosthesis to the first prosthesis in the predetermined angular orientation.
US07981152B1	Vascular delivery system for accessing and delivering devices into coronary sinus and other vascular sites A method for placing a device into a target vasculature. The method comprises accessing the target vasculature with an access guide catheter to sub-select a proximal portion of the target vasculature. A rail catheter is tracked into the access guide catheter to place the rail catheter more distally and into a distal portion of the target vasculature. The access guide catheter is removed. A delivery catheter is tracked over the rail catheter. The rail catheter is then removed. A device catheter having the device is placed into the delivery catheter and positioned at a desired location within the distal portion of the target vasculature.
US07981150B2	Endoprosthesis with coatings An endoprosthesis such as a coronary stent includes a polymeric reservoir of drug and an over coating formed of ceramic or metal for controlling elution of drag from the reservoir.
US07981146B2	Inner eyelid treatment for treating meibomian gland dysfunction A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. Temperatures at the meibomian glands reach desired levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid. Reaching such higher temperature levels may be instrumental in removing obstructions in the meibomian glands. Less time may also be required to reach desired temperature levels when applying heat to the inside of the eyelid. A force may also be applied to the outside of the patient's eyelid to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the eyelid that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions.
US07981145B2	Treatment of meibomian glands In one embodiment consistent with the present invention a method of treating mammalian meibomian glands involves clearing the glands by applying a regulated heat to an eyelid containing the meibomian glands to a temperature adequate to melt obstructions in the meibomian glands to put the obstructions in a fluid or suspension (melted) state and maintaining the heat for a time period adequate to melt the obstructions. The glands can then be mechanically treated to express fluid from the glands, wherein the treating is carried out either during the time period or after the time period but while the obstruction remains in a fluid state. Subsequent pharmacological treatment of the glands by use a pharmacological agent (topical or systemic) can then be used to assist in maintaining proper flow of lipids from the glands. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US07981139B2	Suture anchors and methods of use The present invention provides apparatuses, systems, methods and kits for fastening sutures or similar devices used in medical surgical procedures. In particular, the present invention is suitable for use with percutaneous or minimally invasive procedures in which sutures are placed with catheter-based devices wherein the tying of knots is particularly challenging. Suture fasteners of the present invention provide for fastening the sutures together in a fixed position at any location along the suture strands. In addition, the fasteners are adjustable to allow repositioning of the fastener after placement to a new desired location along the suture strands. Similarly, such fasteners may be used to hold a single suture strand for various applications.
US07981135B2	Garment with affixed tourniquet The invention provides an article of clothing having a tourniquet affixed to the clothing at one end of the tourniquet, the tourniquet comprising a band comprised of an elastic and flexible material, the band having a width and a length, a first end and a second end, and a first face and second face, where at least a portion of the first face comprises hook-type fastener means, and where the second face comprises loop-type fastener means.
US07981134B2	Vascular embolic filter exchange devices and methods of use thereof Vascular embolic filtering systems, as well as methods for using the same, are provided. In general, the subject invention includes a system comprised of an embolic filter assembly and a multiple lumen delivery and retrieval sheath, where the embolic filter assembly includes a guide wire with an embolic filter operatively coupled to the distal end of the guide wire for capturing emboli created during interventional procedures within a target vessel. Features of the subject invention provide for the rapid exchange and deployment of embolic filters in a patient's vasculature.
US07981132B2	Self-conforming surgical seal The present disclosure relates to surgical seal, or valve, of the type adapted to releasably receive a surgical object. The seal disclosed herein defines an aperture that is configured to maintain a substantially fluid-tight seal with the surgical object upon its insertion, and includes at least one cable member connected to the seal that facilitates maintenance of the substantially fluid-tight seal during subsequent lateral manipulation of the surgical object.
US07981128B2	Atherectomy devices and methods The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.
US07981121B2	Tool and a method for attaching a cardiac stimulator lead at a desired position inside a heart For attaching a cardiac stimulator lead at a desired position inside a heart, the stimulator lead having a flexible tube from which a helix is extendible at a distal end thereof by a screw rotating motion and having a proximal end interconnected with an operating member, a tool has a flexible portion wire with an engagement formation at a distal end thereof that mates with a complimentary engagement formation at a proximal end of the operating member. The tool has a handle containing an internal cavity, with a proximal portion of the torsion wire being rotationally rotated by the handle in the internal cavity, and a resilient yoke is formed in the internal cavity, with at least a part of the yoke engaging grooves and ridges in a circumferential boundary surface of the internal cavity.
US07981115B2	Instruments and methods for sizing a connecting element for positioning along a bony segment Instruments and methods for determining the spacing between locations in an animal subject are employed to size a connecting element to secure along a bony segment in the animal subject. The instruments and methods include a measuring instrument mountable to proximal ends of extensions extending from anchors engaged to the bony segment. The measuring instrument is configured to provide an indication of the spacing between the anchors even if the extensions are in non-parallel relation to one another.
US07981108B2	Protective cover for a surgical tool A cover that protects a tip of a surgical instrument. The tip can be placed within a housing of the cover. The housing has openings on each end that allow sterilization fluid to flow across the tip during an autoclave procedure. The tip can be placed on a handle of the cover. The handle can be rotated relative to the housing to allow for the easy insertion and removal of the tip from the cover.
US07981107B2	Low profile inlet valve for a piston pump therapeutic substance delivery device Low profile inlet valve embodiments for a piston pump therapeutic substance infusion device are disclosed that reduce dead volume, occupies little residential space, operates rapidly, and have many other improvements. The therapeutic substance infusion device has a housing, a therapeutic substance reservoir, a power source carried in the housing, electronics, a piston pump, and an inlet valve. The piston pump is configured for pumping therapeutic substance from the therapeutic substance reservoir through an infusion port at a programmed rate. The inlet valve is in fluid communication with a reservoir outlet to control the flow of therapeutic substance into the piston pump. The inlet valve has a substantially coplanar valve surface and valve spring. Many embodiments of the low profile inlet valve and its methods of operation are possible.
US07981104B2	Method for treating otitis externa A device is provided herein for the treatment of otitis externa. The device (101) comprises a receptacle (103) adapted to store a pharmaceutical composition, and a distal portion (105), in open communication with the receptacle, which is adapted to apply the composition disposed in the receptacle to the meatal tissues of the external ear. A pharmaceutical composition is disposed in the receptacle, and comprises a corticosteroid disposed in a viscous medium. Preferably, the receptacle is charged with a single high dosage of the corticosteroid.
US07981101B2	Medical vial adapter with reduced diameter cannula and enlarged vent lumen A vented vial adapter for reconstitution of a medicament in a vial includes a vent lumen and a medicament lumen. The vent lumen has a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than that of the medicament lumen so that the fluid flow rate through the vent lumen is equal to or greater than that of the medicament lumen. As a result aerosols of the medicament outside the adapter are avoided as is the withdrawal of air bubbles from the vial as the reconstituted medicament is withdrawn from the vial. To maintain the diameter of the sharpened cannula of the vial adapter as small as possible, the vent lumen includes a concave wall facing the medicament lumen and a convex outer wall. In one embodiment, the vent lumen is in the shape of a polygon.
US07981100B2	Disposable absorbent article A disposable absorbent article includes a sheet member, an absorbent core, at least one front leg elastic member, and at least one rear leg elastic member. The leg elastic members intersect at left and right intersections located in a crotch region of the sheet member. The left and right intersections are placed at any position on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the vicinity of left and right side edges of the absorbent core in the crotch region. The front leg elastic member has left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections located on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the left and right intersections. The left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections are cut so as to have reduced contractile forces. The rear leg elastic member has left and right front leg contraction-reduced sections located on the outer side in the lateral direction relative to the left and right intersections. The left and right rear leg contraction-reduced sections are cut so as to have reduced contractile forces.
US07981099B2	Deodorizing gas filter assembly for a body waste collection pouch, and method of making A high performance flatus gas filter assembly, and a body waste collection pouch with which it may be used, along with a method for making such an assembly, are disclosed. The assembly includes a filter pad having first and second layers of deodorizing filter media with an imperforate gas and odor barrier layer sandwiched therebetween for blocking the direct flow of gases between the opposing inner faces of the filter layers. An envelope of liquid and gas impermeable material defines a chamber for enclosing the pad. The envelope has walls with first and second openings communicating with central portions of the first and second filter layers, and defines a peripheral space about the pad to permit the outward flow of flatus gases from the peripheral edge surface of one of the filter layers inwardly into the peripheral edge surface of the other of the filter layers.
US07981096B2	Optic nerve head implant and medication delivery system An method and a device for implant into the eye of a patient configured in size to frictionally engage within a cup-like depression naturally occurring in the optic nerve of the eye. The implant has a reservoir for calculated disbursement of medicine to tissue surrounding it and in one mode is refillable and in another mode is formed of biodegradable material which is absorbed by the patient after use ceases.
US07981095B2	Methods for treating meibomian gland dysfunction employing fluid jet According to the present invention, there is provided a method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction in a mammal wherein an occlusion blocks at least a portion of the flow of naturally occurring secretion out of a gland channel orifice. The invention comprises selecting a device capable of delivering a jet of heated medium. The device is positioned such that when the jet is it is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid, proximate to the gland channel orifice, a jet of heated medium is applied to the exterior surface of the eyelid proximate to the gland channel orifice at a pressure of from about 2 psi to about 30 psi. Application of the jet of heated medium is maintained for sufficient time to loosen, break up, fracture, soften or liquefy at least a portion of the occlusion such that at least a portion of the occlusion is removed. In an exemplary embodiment, the medium is water heated to a temperature of between about 42° C. and about 46° C. Depending on the particular type and composition of the obstruction, the fluid jet operates to melt or soften the obstruction and to milkingly move the corpus of the softened obstruction up the gland channel from the end opposite the meibomian gland orifice and out of the gland orifice. Repeated application of the heated fluid jet may also be necessary to soften and/or express the obstruction.
US07981087B2	Winged securement device A winged securement device includes a flexible base having an adhesive side and an opposite non-adhesive side. A generally planar, integral elastomeric anchoring member is mounted on the base non-adhesive side. The anchoring member includes a pair of opposing gripping tabs formed therein the anchoring member and a slit disposed between the tabs. The gripping tabs may be pulled to open the slit for receiving wings of a catheter hub therein and for securing the wings between the anchoring member and the base.
US07981085B2	Internal needle inserter A device comprises a housing having a mounting surface adapted for application to the skin of a subject, a needle with a pointed end portion adapted to penetrate the skin the subject, the needle having a first position in which the distal end portion is retracted within the housing, and a second position in which the distal end portion projects relative to the mounting surface. The device further comprises actuatable driving means actuatable to cause activation as well as release of the driving means, thereby moving the needle from the first position to the second position. By this arrangement the needle device can be supplied to the user in a non-energized state, the energizing taking place when the device is actuated by the user which means that energy will be stored only for a period from a few seconds to a few hours or days.
US07981084B2	Operating an infusion pump system Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump.
US07981081B2	Injection device with secondary reservoir A method and apparatus for injecting fluid into areas having high density tissue that creates a high backpressure resistance on the injection device is disclosed. The high backpressure resistance is overcome through a mechanical advantage achieved by using a secondary reservoir having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a primary reservoir. Exemplary injection device reservoir housings may comprise a primary reservoir, a secondary reservoir, a check valve, a septum penetrating cannula, travel limits, a pen needle connecting portion, sliding seal guide ribs, a sliding seal, a pen needle assembly, a needle stop, and a patient needle.
US07981077B2	Systems and methods for nasal lavage A nasal lavage device includes a source of saline solution, an effluent receptacle, and a nasal interface for engaging the nostrils of a user of the device. A fluid passageway is disposed to communicate the source of saline solution with the effluent receptacle through the nasal cavity of the user. The nasal interface and fluid passageways are included within a removable cartridge for communicating the saline relative to the nostrils in a first direction. A second cartridge can be inserted to communicate the flow in a second direction. The interface includes nasal pillows that form a seal against the user's nostrils.
US07981072B2	Method and apparatus for supplying predetermined gas into body cavities of a patient A gas supply apparatus measures a first pressure inside a first body cavity of a patient and a second pressure inside a second body cavity of the patient. The gas supply apparatus regulates a pressure of a predetermined gas based on the measured first and second pressures inside the first and second body cavities.
US07981069B2	Orthotic device for diabetic patients An orthotic device that minimizes weight bearing on certain areas of a shoe being worn by a diabetic suffering from a diabetic foot ulcer, the device allows patients to live active lifestyles while being treated for diabetic foot ulcerations. The orthotic device purposely establishes three points of contact between the device and a shoe. The present device is used in conjunction with a shoe having a sole that defines a cutaway wherein an ulcerous foot wound would lie.The orthotic device comprises a shoe cartridge, the shoe cartridge has a first, second and third section, each section has a left and a right side, at least five L-shaped docks attached to the shoe cartridge, a support attached to the shoe cartridge, and at least five securing means, each securing means is attached to each L-shaped dock.
US07981065B2	Lead electrode incorporating extracellular matrix Implantable devices containing extracellular matrix and methods of using the devices are provided.
US07981057B2	Joint motion sensing to make a determination of a positional change of an individual An apparatus in one example comprises one or more sensors that produce one or more signals based on one or more joint motions of an individual, and one or more processing components that employ one or more of the one or more signals to make a determination of a positional change of the individual.
US07981056B2	Methods and apparatus for lancet actuation A lancet driver is provided wherein the driver exerts a driving force on a lancet during a lancing cycle and is used on a tissue site. The driver comprises of a drive force generator for advancing the lancet and a processor coupled to the drive force generator capable of changing the direction and magnitude of force exerted on the lancet during the lancing cycle. The driver further includes a human interface on the housing providing at least one output for communicating with the patient.
US07981055B2	Tissue penetration device A sampling module includes a module body portion with a lancet channel, a lancet slidably disposed within the lancet channel. A cover sheet is disposed over the lancet and a lancet channel that captures the lancet shaft in the lancet channel, and a sample reservoir for collection of a sample obtained by lancing a patient with the lancet.
US07981052B2	Endoscopic submucosal core biopsy device An embodiment of the invention includes a device for collecting body tissue. The device may include an inner member comprising a hollow portion to collect body tissue and a distal end configured to both penetrate body tissue and define an opening of the hollow portion. The device may further include an outer member, co-axially and slidably disposed around the exterior of the inner member, comprising a distal end portion. The distal end portion of the outer member may be configured to penetrate body tissue, prevent body tissue from exiting the hollow portion of the inner member, and allow the distal end of the inner member to extend beyond the distal end of outer member. The opening of the hollow portion of the inner member may be disposed in a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner member.
US07981051B2	Biopsy device with fluid delivery to tissue specimens The invention is directed to a system and method for separating and collecting one or more tissue specimens from a target site within a patient and flushing the specimen to remove blood, debris and the like before the specimen is removed from the biopsy device. The flow of flushing fluid to the tissue collector is preferably controlled to coincide with delivery of one or more specimens to the collecting tray or basket of the device or after the receipt of the specimen within the tissue collector to ensure that the fluid is applied to a fresh specimen. The tissue tray or basket within the tissue collector has an open or foraminous portion to facilitate removal of fluid, such as the applied fluid and blood, and other debris from the tissue specimens on the tray. Vacuum is provided within the tissue collector, preferably under the tray to remove fluid and debris from the collector interior.
US07981049B2	Engagement interface for biopsy system vacuum module A biopsy system includes a biopsy device, a vacuum canister, a vacuum control module, and a plurality of tubes. A first tube is configured to provide an axial vacuum to the biopsy device, while a second tube is configured to provide a lateral vacuum. A third tube is configured to communicate atmospheric air to the second tube. A fourth tube is configured to communicate saline to the second tube. The vacuum canister is configured to collect fluids drawn through the first tube and the second tube. The canister has a lid with trenches formed in it for retaining the first, second, third, and fourth tubes. The lid also has engagement regions for selectively pinching each of the tubes against to prevent fluid communication through selected tubes. The canister can be removably inserted into the vacuum control module, which includes components for selectively pinching the tubes against the engagement regions.
US07981044B2	Method of measuring blood flow using bio-photon emission A device for and a method of measuring a blood flow of a living body having blood vessels that emit bio-photons and through which blood flows, the device including a detector positioned adjacent to a predetermined portion of the living body for measuring a bio-photon emission from the living body and a processor for analyzing and displaying the blood flow of the living body based on a value of the bio-photon emission.
US07981043B2	Non-invasive electronic method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure Provided is a non-invasive electronic method and apparatus for measuring blood pressure, in which the data is processed with an algorithm of non-linear fitting for recovering trend envelope of an oscillating PW by a firmware, so that the trend envelope of PW amplitude can be recovered accurately, and the obtained average pressure shows higher degree of agreement with the real situation in clinic. In this apparatus, a 3-way solenoid valve (20) is arranged between a cuff (10) and a first pressure sensor (30), wherein the common port of the 3-way solenoid valve (20) is connected with the first pressure sensor (30), the normally open port thereof connected with the cuff (10), and the normally closed port thereof connected with the air atmosphere during zeroing process. Moreover, an independent timing circuit (45) is provided additionally. In the measurement method of the present invention, the zeroing is performed with the help of the 3-way solenoid valve (20). Once a state of overtime or overpressure occurs, a gas pump (50) is immediately closed, and a quick-deflation solenoid valve (60) is opened so that the pressure in the cuff (10) is released to ensure safe application.
US07981037B2	Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus which performs ultrasonic diagnosis with respect of a fetal heart. An area change measurement section calculates an area of a specific heart chamber (left ventricle) in the fetal heart in frame units. Further, the area change measurement section generates a graph representing the area which is calculated in frame units. The maximum value and the minimum value are specified in the graph to thereby specify end-diastole and end-systole. Based on this information, a heart rate and a cardiac cycle with regard to the fetal heart are calculated. Further, an ejection fraction is also calculated from an end-diastolic area and an end-systolic area.
US07981035B2	Phase selection for cardiac contrast assessment In one embodiment, at least one visual characteristic from a selected image is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images from a plurality of heart cycles. In another embodiment, motion correction is performed on ultrasound images that are automatically selected from a plurality of ultrasound images associated with the same phase of the heart cycle. In yet another embodiment, ultrasound images are automatically selected from a set of images based on a time interval that is within a tolerance range from a reference phase of the heart cycle. In another embodiment, a stored user-preference of a phase of the heart cycle is used to automatically select an ultrasound image from a set of images. In yet another embodiment, a user-defined region of interest is placed on an ultrasound image associated with a selected phase of a heart cycle.
US07981030B2	Devices and methods for percutaneous tissue retraction and surgery Methods and devices for performing percutaneous surgery in a patient are provided. A retractor includes a working channel formed by a first portion coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions are movable relative to one another from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration to increase the size of the working channel along the length of the working channel while minimizing trauma to skin and tissue.
US07981028B2	Electrically-operated curving control device A curving control device to which an electrically-controlled endoscope is connected has a main CPU for primarily performing curving driving control, and a monitoring CPU for monitoring whether the operating state relating to curving actions is normal or abnormal. IN the event of detecting an abnormality from the monitoring CPU, the curving control device also performs processing for handling the occurrence of the abnormality, such as outputting an emergency stop through an interlock via the main CPU, turning the main power and the like of a servo driver OFF.
US07981027B2	Endoscope and front cover An endoscope includes an observation window for observing an image of a photographic subject; an illumination window for emitting illumination light for illuminating the photographic subject; a suction port connected to a suction channel are provided on a distal end surface of an insertion portion; an observation window peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the observation window is vertical to an observation light axis; an illumination window peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the illumination window is vertical to an illumination light axis which tilts outward with respect to the observation light axis; and a suction port peripheral edge portion which is formed so that a surface having the suction port is flush with the observation window peripheral edge portion.
US07981018B2	Folding superstructure in a web-fed rotary printing press and method for operating the same A folding superstructure and to a method for operating a folding superstructure of a web-fed rotary printing press with at least one former by which one or more paper webs fed through this former are provided with a longitudinal fold. The longitudinally folded paper web is guided to folding cylinders. The folding cylinders further process the uncut paper web to form cut sheets. The still uncut paper web is actively transported by at least one transporting device.
US07981010B1	Exercise machine with multi-function user engagement device An exercise machine has a main frame and a user support movably mounted relative to the main frame for movement between a start position and an end position during an exercise. At least one multi-function user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement and actuation by a user during an exercise, and a connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to movement of the user support. The user engagement device has two different modes of operation selectable by a user for performing different exercises which exercise distinct muscles or muscle groups. A load provides resistance for both exercises.
US07981005B1	Leg exerciser with opposite wheeled swivel foot plates on folding swivel rails An exerciser includes a base comprising a rotatable central seat and a fixed support upwardly extending out of the seat; first and second carriage assemblies each comprising two opposite rails each having one end formed as a joint pivotably secured to either side of the seat, a bar across the other ends of the rails, and a foot plate adapted to rotate horizontally with respect to the rails and move along the rails; and first and second damping assembly in the first and second carriage assemblies respectively and each comprising two rollers fixedly secured to the seat between the joints and an intermediate portion of the bar respectively, an elastic belt passing the rollers, and two attachments at both ends of the first elastic belt respectively, the attachments being releasably fastened at either carriage assembly.
US07981004B2	Elevated adventure course An elevated adventure course, having an entrance-exit platform connected to a support member; a tracking member secured to a top portion of the support member; an element secured to said support member; and a path defined by a plurality of the elements that leads to a second entrance-exit platform.
US07980994B2	Speed control structure and method for work vehicle A load control structure for a work vehicle comprises: set rotation speed detection device for detecting a set rotation of an engine of the work vehicle; actual rotation speed detection device that senses an actual rotational speed of the engine; continuously variable speed change device that receives power from an engine of the work vehicle; speed change position detecting device for detecting a speed change operation position of the continuously variable speed change device; operating device for speed-shifting the continuously variable speed change device; control device for controlling the operation of the operating device; wherein the control device calculates a drop amount of the actual engine rotation speed from the set rotation speed based on the detected information from the set rotation speed detection device and the actual rotation speed detection device, and sets a limit operation position for the continuously variable speed change device based on the calculated drop amount and a correlation data that correlates the actual engine rotation speeds with operating positions of the continuously variable speed change device, and controls the operating device such that the operating position of the continuously variable speed change device moves to the limit operating position based on the set limit operating position and detected information from the speed change position detecting device, and wherein the control device has command device for commanding a change of the correlation data.
US07980989B2	Double clutch of a double clutch transmission A double clutch of a double clutch transmission is described and illustrated, and can include an inner clutch which is connected to an inner shaft and has an inner disk carrier for inner disks; an outer clutch which is connected to a hollow shaft arranged co-axially with respect to the inner shaft and has an outer disk carrier for outer disks; and a drive member arranged on a drive shaft and having inner and outer drive disks which can be operatively connected to the inner or outer disks and which form an inner clutch pack or an outer clutch pack together with the disks; wherein a common disk carrier for both clutch packs is attached to the drive member; the disk carrier includes two hubs associated with the clutch packs and engaged within one another; and each hub comprises a plurality of teeth.
US07980986B2	Multi-speed transmission A multi-speed automatic transmission of a planetary design for a motor vehicle, the transmission comprises an input shaft (AN) and an output shaft (AB); first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4); and at least third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotatable shafts (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and first, second, third, fourth and fifth shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E) whose selective engagement defines different gear ratios between the input shaft (AN) and the output shaft (AB) such that eight forward gears and at least one reverse gear can be implemented. When shifting from one forward gear into one of a successive higher and a successive lower forward gear, only a single one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth shift elements is disengaged and only a single one of the first, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth shift elements is engaged.
US07980985B2	Gear train of automatic transmission for vehicle A gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include four planetary gear sets with three clutches and two brakes and realizes eight forward speeds, and the gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may minimize the number of friction elements, simplify the scheme of an transmission, and enhance transmitting power efficiency and fuel efficiency. The four planetary gear sets may include a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first planet carrier, and a first ring gear, a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second planet carrier, and a second ring gear, a third planetary gear set including a third sun gear, a third planet carrier, and a third ring gear, and a fourth planetary gear set including a fourth sun gear, a fourth planet carrier, and a fourth ring gear.
US07980984B2	Multi-speed transmission A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake.
US07980980B2	Hybrid powertrain A hybrid powertrain is provided that includes an engine operatively connected with an input member. The powertrain includes a transmission with first and second electric motor/generators, a differential gear set having multiple members, and selectively engagable torque-transmitting mechanisms. The input member, the output member, the engine and the motor/generators are selectively interconnected through the differential gear set by engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanisms in different combinations. An electronic controller controls the electric motor/generators, the engine and the torque-transmitting mechanisms to provide multiple operating modes between the input member and the output member, including an electric-only operating mode in which the engine is off and one motor generator acts as a motor to provide torque at the output member while the other electric motor/generator can remain substantially stationary, and another electric-only operating mode in which both electric motor/generators act as motors to provide torque at the output member.
US07980978B2	Hoisting and lowering driving engagement multi-row chain A hoisting and lowering driving engagement multi-row chain is disclosed, in which bending of the connecting pins in the chain is suppressed to avoid fatigue failure. Additionally, the load carrying balance in the chain width direction is improved, and contact vibrations and contact noises generated between the chain and the hoisting and lowering sprockets are suppressed. Endurance of the bush in the chain is thereby improved. Bending of connecting pins is avoided by press-fitting bushes, through which connecting pins pass, into intermediate tooth plates. This also improves load carrying balance widthwise. Contact noises and vibrations between the bushes and sprockets are suppressed by providing bushes with a separate sprocket engagement portion having a larger diameter than the press-fitting portion of the bushes.
US07980960B2	Iron-type golf clubs An iron-type golf club includes a conventional-weight section, a lightweight section and a heavyweight section. The conventional-weight section includes the hitting face and at least a portion of the hosel. The heavyweight section, made of a denser material than the conventional-weight section, includes the sole and an optional back flange. The lightweight section, made of a material less dense than either of the other sections, includes a core to which the other two sections are secured, such as by co-molding the core to the other two sections. The heavyweight section includes anchoring structures to which the lightweight section can securely attach. This arrangement maintains the overall weight of the club head compared to a similarly proportioned conventional club head while shifting the center of gravity low and aft. As such, the club head provides benefits such as forgiveness for thin shots, heel/toe shots, and provides longer drives with less roll.
US07980955B2	Method and apparatus for continuous execution of a game program via multiple removable storage mediums Data processing apparatus in which removable storage media store a respective program and associated data, the apparatus comprising: a removable storage medium reader; and means for executing the program from a first removable storage medium which is currently readable by the reader, using data stored on that first removable storage medium, the executing means and/or the program being arranged so that at least a predetermined point within execution of the program, the first removable storage medium may be removed from the reader and a second, different, removable storage medium associated with the reader, so that execution of the program can continue using data read from the second removable storage medium.
US07980952B2	Storage medium having information processing program stored thereon and information processing apparatus Acceleration data is repeatedly acquired, and an acceleration vector having a magnitude and a direction of an acceleration represented by the acceleration data is sequentially accumulated so as to calculate an accumulation vector. A following vector which follows, at a predetermined rate, the accumulation vector calculated by the accumulation vector calculation means is calculated by using the acquired acceleration data, and a difference between the accumulation vector and the following vector is calculated as a differential vector. A position in a virtual world displayed by a display device is designated using a value determined in accordance with the differential vector so as to perform a predetermined processing by using the position.
US07980948B2	Dynamic side wagering system for use with electronic gaming devices A technique is disclosed for facilitating side wagering activities conducted at a casino which includes a casino gaming network and a plurality of gaming machines. In at least one embodiment, a casino side wagering system may be utilized to enable casinos operators to provide side wagering opportunities to non-primary players of electronic gaming machines, electronic slot machines and/or other types of gaming machines.
US07980947B2	Flexible determination of progressive awards The present invention provides novel method and devices for implementing progressive systems on networked gaming machines and associated network devices. Some preferred implementations of the invention allow a target progressive pool size to be selected and apply payouts such that the actual progressive pool size is not likely to exceed greatly the target progressive pool size. Some such implementations control the actual progressive pool size by applying a function to control percentages of the current progressive pool size payable to players of a wagering game on the networked gaming machines. The function may be a function of a current progressive pool size, target progressive pool size and bet size. The function may cause relatively higher percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool amount is greater than a target progressive pool size and relatively lower percentages of the current progressive pool size to be payable to players when the current progressive pool size is less than or equal to a target progressive pool size.
US07980946B2	Method of playing a slot machine game using wildcard symbols with randomly displayed multiplier values The present invention displays increasing values of two or more wildcard symbols in the symbol matrix. A preferred embodiment called “Up, Up & Way Wilds” displays increasing multiplier values for two or more wildcard symbols used in winning symbol combinations.
US07980938B2	Wagering game with video lottery bonus game System and method are disclosed for operating a gaming terminal. The system and method of the invention involves using a real-life video of a lottery drawing to conduct a wagering game on the gaming terminal. The wagering game may be a basic game or it may be a bonus game that is initiated on the occurrence of a certain outcome in the basic game. The real-life video of the lottery drawing may be stored locally on the gaming terminal, or it may be stored remotely on a network and subsequently streamed to the gaming terminal. The use of such a real-life video increases the entertainment value of the gaming terminal.
US07980935B2	Method of playing a poker-type game A method of playing a succession of poker-type games that has a plurality of two-card, revealed, starter hands and five unrevealed community cards. The starter hands remain the same for all games of the succession of game. In each game a player wagers on one or more starter hands, after which the community cards are revealed. Each starter hand is combined with all of the community cards to form complete hands. The player is paid a payout amount if a complete hand that has been wagered on is found in the pay table that corresponds to the hand. Optionally, there are multiple sets of community cards. Optionally, the player is required to wager on all of the starter hands. Optionally, the game is played after the occurrence of a triggering event in another game.
US07980927B2	Fume hood with floor access opening A fume hood is described for use in removing material from, or inserting material into, the opening of a container. The fume hood enclosure has a floor with an opening for insertion of the upper end of the container into the enclosure. The floor includes a circumferential groove around the opening, preferably in a raised shoulder. An annular flexible membrane having an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening is placed in axial alignment over the opening and the groove. A vacuum is drawn on the groove through a vacuum port to pull the section of the membrane above the groove into the groove, holding the membrane securely in place during use. If desired, a retainer can be placed in the groove above the membrane to prevent movement of the membrane in the event of a loss of vacuum.
US07980922B2	Method and system for controlling chemical mechanical polishing by controllably moving a slurry outlet A system and a method of operating a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) system comprises a slurry delivering unit configured for locally varying the supply of slurry while polishing the substrate. To this end, the slurry delivering unit may comprise at least one slurry outlet over a polishing pad of the CMP system, wherein the at least one slurry outlet is controllably movable to distribute slurry over the polishing pad.
US07980921B2	Tile cutting tool and methods A tool and method for marking dimensions for cutting a tile include a platform with a front wall defining an x axis, a side wall defining a y axis, with the y axis being perpendicular to the x axis, and a front guideline defining an x′ axis parallel to the x axis. Also included are a plurality of telescopic fingers which are manually extendable, in parallel with the y axis, to releasably retained protracted positions. The platform is configured for superposed alignment with an installed tile adjacent to an area with an obstruction, and also for adjacent alignment with a loose tile to be cut. Distal ends of protracted fingers indicate points on the surface of the loose tile for marking guidemarks demarcating dimensions for cutting the loose tile.
US07980917B2	Footwear and toy vehicle entertainment device An entertainment device is provided comprising the combination of an article of footwear and a self-propelled toy vehicle whose operation may be rudimentarily controlled by the actuation of one or more sensors mounted to the outsole or upper of the article of footwear.
US07980914B1	Splash pad kits Described are variations of a residential splash-pad system and kit for installation thereof. A system can comprise a residential water pump, a water filter, a water distribution valve, nozzles, a controller, and a drain. Some variations can include a heater, an ozonator, a ball valve, a three-way valve, an above-ground water feature, and/or a pool. The components can be compatible with and ready for installation in a system with each of the other components.
US07980910B2	Flexible high-temperature ultrabarrier A flexible barrier assembly having a flexible visible light-transmissive substrate having a Tg greater than or equal to that of heat-stabilized polyethylene terephthalate (“HSPET”) overcoated with a first polymer layer having a Tg greater than or equal to that of HSPET and further overcoated with at least two visible light-transmissive inorganic barrier layers separated by at least one second polymer layer having a Tg greater than or equal to that of HSPET can be used to mount, cover, encapsulate or form moisture- and oxygen-sensitive articles such as organic light emitting devices and light valves.
US07980908B2	Spark plug and method for production of a spark plug The invention describes a spark plug having an outer electrode (12), a central electrode (10), an inner conductor (2) connected to the central electrode (10) and an insulator (3) enclosing the inner conductor (2). It is provided according to the invention that the insulator (3) is produced by extrusion. The invention further relates to a method for production of a spark plug of that kind.
US07980905B2	Method and apparatus for providing power to a marine vessel A system and a method for providing power to a marine vessel and, more particularly to a tugboat is disclosed. The system includes diesel engines and generators and batteries which can be charged using power supplied by the generators, shore power or regenerated power. The tugboat is operated utilizing battery power only and the generators are used to provide additional power if needed or to recharge the batteries.
US07980903B2	Installation switch device having a connecting terminal arrangement An installation switch has an insulating housing and a terminal connecting arrangement for clamping a connecting conductor having an annular terminal shoe. The terminal connecting arrangement includes a terminal socket having an interior disposed between an insertion opening for receiving the terminal shoe and an access opening and a terminal screw having a screw head and a screw shank disposed in the interior of the terminal socket, the screw being actuatable in a longitudinal direction within the interior of the terminal socket between an open state and a clamped state. The arrangement further includes a connection plate having a screw hole with interior threads for threadably engaging the terminal screw when in the clamped state and a retaining device preventing the terminal screw from being removed from the terminal socket when in the open state.
US07980900B2	Next high frequency improvement by using frequency dependent effective capacitance A connector is provided for simultaneously improving both the NEXT high frequency performance when low crosstalk plugs are used and the NEXT low frequency performance when high crosstalk plugs are used. The connector includes a first compensation structure provided on an inner metalized layer of the PCB at a first stage area of the PCB, and a second compensation structure, provided at a second stage area of the PCB, for increasing compensation capacitance with increasing frequency.
US07980899B2	Modular connector with reduced termination variability A telecommunications connector assembly including a cable having a first pair of twisted wires and a second pair of twisted wires; a first connector having a first substrate having a first termination area, the first pair of twisted wires provided for electrical termination on a first side of the first substrate, the second pair of twisted wires provided for electrical termination on a second side of the first substrate, the second side opposite the first side; a second connector having a second substrate having a second termination area, the second pair of twisted wires provided for electrical termination on the first side of the second substrate, the first pair of twisted provided for electrical termination on the second side of the second substrate, the second side opposite the first side.
US07980896B1	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly includes a circuit board having signal vias extending at least partially through the circuit board, with the signal vias being arranged in pairs. The signal vias within the pair are open to each other through the circuit board and the circuit board has mounting pads exposed within the signal vias. An electrical connector is mounted on the circuit board. The electrical connector includes signal terminals extending into respective signal vias of the circuit board that are terminated to corresponding mounting pads. The signal terminals are arranged in pairs carrying differential pair signals. The signal terminals within the pair are arranged along a paddle supporting the signal terminals. The paddle is received in both signal vias of the corresponding pair of signal vias.
US07980892B2	Electronic accessory for an MP3 player, and method of providing the same In one embodiment, an electronic accessory configured to couple with an electronic device can comprise a housing and a spacer. The housing can comprise a body comprising a width, a length, and a thickness; and a neck extending from the body, the neck comprising a length less than the length of the body. The spacer can comprise an opening configured to be removably coupled around the neck. When the electronic accessory is fully electrically coupled to the electronic device through a docking end of the electronic device, the neck can be located between the body and the electronic device and the electronic device remains uncradled by the electronic accessory. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US07980890B2	Adhesive laminate label for a communication connector jack and communication connector jack and communications devices including same An embodiment of the invention is directed to an adhesive laminate label for a communications device. The adhesive laminate label includes an upper label including visible indicia and at least one lower label. Each of the lower labels includes corresponding visible indicia that are different than the visible indicia of the upper label and of the other lower labels. At least the visible indicia of each lower label are covered by either the upper label or one of the other lower labels and the upper and lower labels are removably adhered to one another.
US07980889B2	Method and apparatus for patch panel patch cord documentation and revision A method and apparatus are provided for monitoring and reporting cable connectivity such as patch panel port-level connectivity on a real-time basis. For patch panel systems, the approach is based upon a distributed architecture that may be modularly scalable and may reduce, if not eliminate, the need for a centralized signal processor and complex cabling between patch panels and the centralized signal processor. Each patch panel may determine port level connectivity independently. Polling delays and polling-related overhead processing may be reduced or eliminated by supporting real-time monitoring of port connectivity at the port level. The approach provides improved real-time reporting of patch panel connectivity with reduced cabling complexity, increased reliability, and decreased maintenance costs. In addition, the approach is compatible with (i.e., may communicate with and be controlled by) a multipurpose network management system (NMS). In addition, a compatible revision system is provided.
US07980888B1	Plug with a regulation pin to notify the required voltage A plug 100 includes a regulation pin 108 in addition to negative and positive terminals 106 and 110. A detection pin 208 of a plug receiver 200 is pushed down by the regulation pin 108 when the plug 100 is inserted into the plug receiver 200. The push-down amount of the detection pin 208 is detected by a plurality of depth sensors 216, whereby DC operating voltage to be supplied to the plug 100 is identified.
US07980885B2	Plug assembly with strain relief A plug assembly with strain relief includes a housing and a clamping basket which has radially movable clamping fingers. The clamping basket defines an axis and is constructed to allow insertion of a cable into the housing in a direction of the axis. A rotary sleeve is supported on the housing for rotation but substantially fixed in an axial position with respect to the housing. The rotary sleeve is hereby configured to move an element (e.g. the clamping basket itself, or a pinch ring) in the axial direction, when rotated, to thereby modify a radial position of the clamping fingers.
US07980883B2	Connecting block improved in crosstalk-characteristics A connecting block includes a housing having a plurality of slots extending from an upper surface thereof to an inside thereof with intervals, a plurality of terminal pins installed in the slots, a dielectric cover made of an insulating resin and coupled to the housing to cover a side of the housing, and a coupling pin electrically contacted with a terminal pin of any one pair among terminal pins belonging to different terminal pin pairs and extending opposite to a terminal pin of the other pair. The coupling pin is molded in a body of the dielectric cover such that the insulating resin is interposed between the coupling pin and the terminal pin opposite to the coupling pin.
US07980881B2	Connecting device and method of use The connecting device for connecting a cable fitted with a conductive shell to a case having a receiving portion, a contact portion, and a conductive joint. The contact portion includes electrical contacts, which are adapted to be joined with the receiving portion and with a printed circuit board. The conductive joint is crimped together with a shielding element of the case, between the receiving and contact portions, with the receiving portion allowing passage of the cable and fitted shell until it is located in abutment with the conductive joint.
US07980878B2	Electrical connector assembly with clamping members A connector assembly for holding a memory card provided with two card holes, includes an insulated body, two fixing members projecting from two opposite ends of the insulated body, two supporting elements formed on a front side of the insulated body and two clamping members mounted respectively on the opposite ends of the insulated body. Once the memory card is inserted into the electrical connector assembly, the clamping members cooperatively clamp two opposite ends of the memory card therebetween with the supporting elements extend respectively through the card holes in the memory card.
US07980877B2	Actuator system An actuator system comprising a housing (2, 19) having at least one socket (6) for the insertion of an electrical plug (7). The housing (2, 19) is provided with an arrangement which is capable of retaining an electrical plug, preferably of the Jack, DIN or Minifit type, inserted into said socket, said arrangement comprising a union nut (8) which may be retained in a position above the opening of the socket (6), and which at the same time surrounds the plug (7), said union nut (8) being rotatable between an inoperative position in which the plug (7) may freely be inserted and removed, and another position which is a locked position, in which the plug (7) cannot be inserted and, if it is already inserted, cannot be removed.
US07980874B2	Connector including isolated conductive paths An apparatus includes a pair of connectors, two or more conductive paths formed in each connector in the pair of connectors, and a shroud encompassing at least a portion of the pair of connectors. The pair of connectors includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is substantially more flexible than the second connector, and each connector in the pair of connectors includes a bulkhead. Each of the two or more conductive paths in each connector in the pair of connectors is electrically isolated from all other conductive elements in the pair of connectors. The shroud is located between the bulkheads and disposed about the pair of connectors when the pair of connectors are coupled together electrically.
US07980872B1	Splice assembly An electrical splice assembly includes a conductive bus plate having a plurality of male blades, an insulative housing having a forward portion retaining the bus plate and a rearward portion defining a terminal receiving tray, a plurality of female terminals disposed in the terminal receiving tray and attached to the male blades, and a cover integrally hingedly attached to the housing. The cover includes a lock bar that projects into the terminal receiving tray to retain the terminals in connection with the bus plate when the cover is in a closed position overlying the tray. The housing further includes an intermediate portion defining a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending cavities in communication with a space defined by the tray. At least a portion of each blade and a portion of each terminal extend into respective cavities.
US07980869B1	Safety socket A safety socket for receiving terminals of a plug includes a socket housing where at least two electrodes are mounted, a socket cover coupled with the socket housing and defining at least two inserting apertures corresponding to the electrodes, and an insulating baffle rotatably located above the electrodes by a torsional spring and having at least two gaps opened at intervals along a circle of which a center is at the rotation axis of the insulating baffle, and at least two driven slopes arranged alternately with the gaps along the circle. The driven slopes movably block between the inserting apertures and the corresponding electrodes. The terminals pass through the inserting apertures and act on the driven slopes to drive the insulating baffle to rotate so as to make the gaps exposed in alignment with the corresponding electrodes. Then the terminals pass through the gaps to be inserted in the electrodes.
US07980866B2	Plug-in connector comprising a modified insulator duct for shielding electromagnetic radiation A plug-in connector (1, 1′, 1″, 1′″) is provided that includes an insulator duct (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″) which forms one or more additional openings (3, 3′, 3″′) for conducting terminals (4, 4′, 4″, 4′″) and at least two contact areas (5.1, 5.1′, 5.1″, 5.1′″, 5.2, 5.2′). A conductor arrangement (6, 6′, 6″) which reduces the minimum non-conducting cross-sectional area of the insulator duct (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″) and is connected in a conducting manner to the housing (8, 8′, 8″) is formed in and/or on the insulator duct (2, 2′, 2″, 2′″).
US07980864B2	Connector for flexible printed circuit board A connector adapted for receiving a longitudinally inserted flexible printed circuit board therein includes an insulating housing having a base board, a plurality of electric terminals disposed in the insulating housing and a pressing cover vertically movably mounted onto the insulating housing. Two opposite ends of the base board protrude upward to form a pair of sidewalls. Each of the electric terminals has an elastic arm. The flexible printed circuit board is inserted between the base board and the elastic arms. A portion of a base portion of the pressing cover extends forward to form a pressing portion transversely spanned over the elastic arms of the electric terminals for pressing the elastic arms downward against the flexible printed circuit board when the pressing cover is pressed downward to be closed so as to make the flexible printed circuit board tightly clipped between the elastic arms and the base board.
US07980860B2	Power connector assembly A power connector, includes an insulating housing having a plurality of contact receiving passages, each of said plurality of contact receiving passages receives a contact pair having a pair of independent conductive contacts, wherein said independent conductive contact includes a first part made of high conductive material and a second part made of high mechanical material, said first part is connected with said second part by a positioning element, said supporting portion of said second part keeps said first part from over deforming when a force is applied on said contacting portion for power transmission, so as to ensure the stability of power transmission.
US07980857B2	Foldable dry erase board This invention relates generally to writing boards, and more particularly to reusable and foldable boards that permit writing to be easily removed. In one embodiment, a writing board comprises a substrate comprising a front panel, a rear panel opposite the front panel, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs connecting the front panel to the rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are integrally formed with the plurality of ribs. The writing board of this embodiment further includes at least one backslit formed in the rear panel, at least one living hinge formed in the front panel opposite the at least one backslit to form at least one outer panel, and at least one holding mechanism coupled to the at least one outer panel to maintain the outer panel in one of a substantially open, unfolded position or a substantially closed, folded position.
US07980856B2	Fall prevention training system and method using a dynamic perturbation platform A new apparatus, system and method for fall prevention training is provided that delivers, studies and analyzes the biomechanics of a disturbance event, such as a slip or trip incident, so that an appropriate response can be executed by the person to reduce or eliminate the number of falls experienced. The apparatus includes a platform that delivers a disturbance event in less than about 500 ms and preferably in the range of about 100 ms to about 200 ms. The method includes a unique protocol for fall prevention training using the apparatus.
US07980851B2	Heat treatment furnace and heat treatment facility comprising it With regard to a heat treatment furnace (a solution furnace 1 and an ageing furnace 3), a furnace chamber 15 comprises a furnace body 12 opening downward and a floor body 14 closing the lower opening of the furnace body 12 and rotatably driven, and one or plural stages of mounting shelves 16 on which work pieces 8 are mounted are provided in the furnace chamber 15. Hot-air circulation equipments 20A and 20B circulating hot air in the furnace chamber 15 along the peripheral direction when viewed in plan are provided in the furnace body 12. The mounting shelves 16 are fixed to a prop 17 standingly provided on the floor body 14 and are rotated integrally with the floor body 14.
US07980850B2	Self-recuperated, low NOx flat radiant panel heater A method and apparatus for producing radiant heat in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a combustion chamber having a heat radiating wall, which mixture has less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, and igniting the mixture, forming heated partial combustion products. At least a portion of the heat in the heated partial combustion products is transferred to the heat radiating wall. The heated partial combustion products are passed from the combustion chamber into an exhaust gas plenum disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber. A secondary combustion oxidant is introduced into the exhaust gas plenum in an amount sufficient to complete combustion of the partial combustion products, forming exhaust gases. Heat in the exhaust gases is transferred to the primary combustion oxidant disposed in a combustion oxidant plenum disposed adjacent to said exhaust gas plenum.
US07980847B2	Production of consumable shell-shaped articles from a fatty material containing cacao or a chocolate-type substance The invention relates to a device and a method for producing a consumable shell-shaped article from a fatty material, in particular from the material containing cacao or a chocolate-type material by cold moulding with the aid of a honeycomb cell (2) and a coolable upper plunger (4) which can be lowered into the cell (2). According to said invention, the edge (2a) of the cell and/or the edge (4a) of the upper plunger is provided with a deformable sealing element (8, 10) which closes a moulding cavity (6) in a tight manner with respect to the outside when said element is pressed against the edge (4a) of the upper plunger or against the edge (2a) of the cell when the upper plunger (4) is lowered therein. When the upper plunger (4) is introduced into the fluid fatty material at an appropriate temperature in the honeycomb cell (2), a pressure fluid cushion (6a) is produced on the edge of the cell and/or on the edge of the upper plunger.
US07980843B2	Concrete dispensing apparatus for pre-cast concrete forms A concrete dispensing apparatus is used in a manufacturing process for producing pre-cast concrete structures, which are conventionally used to form a foundation for a residential or commercial building. The dispensing apparatus includes a hopper that funnels to a discharge opening extending along the entire transverse length of the dispensing apparatus. A plurality of individually controlled gates cover the entire discharge opening for selectively controlling the length and location of the discharge opening through which concrete is dispensed. The dispensing apparatus also includes a finishing mechanism including a vibratory screed and a rotational finishing roller. The form can be moved relative to the dispensing apparatus or vice versa. A form vibrator induces a vibratory motion into the form to remove air from the dispensed concrete mixture. Operative control is accomplished through an operator control panel operable to control a hydraulic system powering the operative functions of the dispensing apparatus.
US07980838B2	Electric spinning apparatus for mass-production of nano-fiber The present invention relates to an electrospinning apparatus for mass-production of nanofibers, particularly to an electrospinning apparatus with an electric stability and an improved nozzle blocks. The bottom-up electrospinning apparatus for the mass-production of nanofiber comprises at least one nozzle block having a plurality of spinning nozzles arranged in the horizontal and vertical direction; a collector installed over the nozzle blocks in order to correspond to the nozzle blocks and maintain a certain distance in between; a power source to apply voltage difference between the nozzle block and the collector; and a spinning solution container to supply the spinning solution to the nozzle block, wherein the nozzle block and the collector are connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively and among a plurality of spinning nozzles arranged along the horizontal line, a spinning nozzle in the middle and a spinning nozzle in the end have different height.
US07980836B2	Modular multi-rotor compressor and method of manufacture A multi-rotor compressor and method of manufacturing is provided. The compressor includes a housing with a plurality of identical planet rotors. The planet rotors are equally spaced apart at a fixed distance from a centerline. A single sun rotor is provided that is disposed to cooperate with the plurality of identical planet rotors in the compression of gas. The number and radial spacing of the plurality of identical planet rotors about said single sun rotor may be arranged in different configurations to change an output capacity parameter for said compressor.
US07980831B2	Oscillating type compressor An oscillating type piston is connected to an output shaft of an electric motor through a crankshaft. The piston is provided with a lip ring that slidingly contacts a cylinder. The motor is rotated forward and reversely by using a control circuit. Thus, different regions of the piston are subjected to a load during forward rotation of the motor and during reverse rotation thereof. Accordingly, wear of the lip ring can be distributed to different regions thereof.
US07980829B2	Radial type reciprocating compressor and portable tool powering system with flexing connecting rod arrangement A reciprocating compressor or pump features a manifold arranged not only to define a hollow interior for receiving fluid discharged from a plurality of cylinders but also to define a base or frame on which the cylinders are carried. Unique valves formed in part by flexible material reduces the likelihood of fatigue and increases efficiency by retaining less heat relative to conventional reed valves. A compressor or pump mounted at an end of a handle extending parallel to a motor housing likewise extending from the compressor or pump provides an easy to carry portable assembly. A fan mounted between a motor and a compressor pulls air through the compressor inlet to both cool the motor and feed the compressor. A portable tool system powers both pneumatic and electric tools. Connecting rod structures for radial compressors or pumps provide improved strength and easier assembly.
US07980828B1	Microelectromechanical pump utilizing porous silicon A microelectromechanical (MEM) pump is disclosed which includes a porous silicon region sandwiched between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The porous silicon region is formed in a silicon substrate and contains a number of pores extending between the inlet and outlet chambers, with each pore having a cross-section dimension about equal to or smaller than a mean free path of a gas being pumped. A thermal gradient is provided along the length of each pore by a heat source which can be an electrical resistance heater or an integrated circuit (IC). A channel can be formed through the silicon substrate so that inlet and outlet ports can be formed on the same side of the substrate, or so that multiple MEM pumps can be connected in series to form a multi-stage MEM pump. The MEM pump has applications for use in gas-phase MEM chemical analysis systems, and can also be used for passive cooling of ICs.
US07980825B2	Savonius rotor blade construction particularly for a three bladed savonius rotor A Savonius vertical axis wind turbine rotor, that is effective yet relatively easy to manufacture, includes spokes, vanes, and fasteners. Each spoke has a hub having a central opening, three arcuate ribs extending radially outwardly from the hub with inner (concave) and outer (convex) surfaces, and channels defined in at least one of the inner and outer surfaces. The vanes of sheet material generally conform to an inner or outer surface of a rib and have openings aligned with the channels. First fasteners pass through the openings and cooperate with second fasteners in the channels. Two of the spoke pieces may be joined by a bridging piece, and two spoke pieces by a clamp. A Savonius or helical rotor includes a generator, and a drive connecting the generator and rotor. The drive automatically increases the effective gear ratio between the generator and rotor as the speed of rotation increases.
US07980822B2	Multi-peripheral serpentine microcircuits for high aspect ratio blades A cooling arrangement for a pressure side of an airfoil portion of a turbine engine component is provided. The cooling arrangement comprises a pair of cooling circuits embedded within a wall forming the pressure side. The pair of cooling circuits includes a first serpentine cooling circuit and a second circuit offset from the first serpentine cooling circuit.
US07980820B2	Turbine engine blade cooling A blade is provided for a turbine engine that includes an exterior surface. The exterior surface includes a portion having a thermal barrier coating and an uncoated shelf adjacent to the thermal barrier coating without the thermal barrier coating. A cooling hole extends from an internal passageway through the exterior surface to an exit. A scarfed channel is recessed in the exterior surface and interconnected to the cooling hole at the exit. The scarfed channel extends to a blade tip end surface. The scarfed channel protects the cooling fluid exiting the cooling hole from secondary flows surrounding the blade that would otherwise mix with and disperse the cooling fluid. The scarfed channels also increase the surface area exposed to the cooling fluid to increase the heat transfer rate.
US07980819B2	Cast features for a turbine engine airfoil An airfoil for a turbine engine includes a structure having a cooling passage that has a generally radially extending cooling passageway arranged interiorly relative to an exterior surface of the structure. The cooling passageway includes multiple cooling slots extending there from toward the exterior surface and interconnected by a radially extending trench. The trench breaks the exterior surface, and the exterior surface provides the lateral walls of the trench. The airfoil is manufactured by providing a core having multiple generally axially extending tabs and a generally radially extending ligament interconnecting the tabs. The structure is formed about the core to provide the airfoil with its exterior surface. The ligament breaks the exterior surface to form the radially extending trench in the exterior surface of the structure.
US07980818B2	Member having internal cooling passage Provided is a member having an internal cooling passage 7c formed therein and having opposed partition walls 6b, 6c between which a medium flows to cool a parent material, including a first heat transfer rib 25a which extends from almost the center between the opposed partition walls 6b, 6c to one partition wall 6c and slants in a downstream direction of the medium, and a second heat transfer rib 25b which extends from almost the center between the opposed partition walls 6b, 6c to the other partition wall 6b and slants in the downstream direction of the medium, wherein a slit 70a or 70b which passes through between an upstream side of the cooling passage 7c and a downstream side thereof is formed in the first heat transfer rib 70a or the second heat transfer rib 70b.
US07980814B2	Wind turbine tower and a control system and method for altering the eigenfrequency of a wind turbine tower A wind turbine comprising a wind turbine rotor with at least one wind turbine blade, a wind turbine tower, such as a standard tubular steel tower, positioned on a foundation and connected to the wind turbine rotor through a wind turbine nacelle, and a control for establishing oscillation control values of the wind turbine. The wind turbine being capable of altering the load for optimizing the tower eigenfrequency in response to acquired values from the controls. The invention also relates to a control system and method for altering the eigenfrequency of a tower of a wind turbine.
US07980809B1	Vehicle transport apparatus Methods of making and using a vehicle transport apparatus are provided. An exemplary method of making the vehicle transport apparatus includes at least the steps of providing a beam with a kingpin attached on each a proximal and distal end, linking a single and only axle in vertical and horizontal sliding support of the beam, wherein the beam adjusts vertically relative to the axle, and the axle adjusts horizontally relative to the beam, and wherein the beam is unsupported by the single and only axle during at least one operating mode of the beam, attaching a guide post to the axle, securing a vertical slide member to the beam and in sliding contact with the guide post, and interposing a vertical position control apparatus between the vertical slide member and the axle, the vertical position control apparatus controlling the vertical position of the beam relative to the axle.
US07980805B1	Ejector blade system An ejector blade adapted to be combined with an ejector truck or trailer body. In one embodiment, the blade comprises fluidly actuated vibrators for loosening material that has become adhered to the ejector blade. In another embodiment, the blade is heated to help prevent material from being frozen to the blade. In yet another embodiment, the blade comprises a plurality of low friction guides to aid the blade in moving through the receptacle body.
US07980803B2	System for releasing bulk material, and container having such a bulk-material-releasing system A system for the delivery of bulk material, in particular a free-flowing bulk material such as, e.g., plastic granules, comprises a discharge base (7) having recesses (8), with a discharge opening (9) being formed in each of the recesses (8), and a cover plate (11) which is arranged on the outflow side of the discharge base (7) at a distance (h) from the same, with the cover plate (11) having openings (12) which are arranged essentially in the same pattern as the discharge openings (9) of the discharge base (7). The cover plate (11) and the discharge base (7) are movable relative to each other between an opened condition in which the discharge openings (9) of the discharge base (7) and the openings (12) of the cover plate (11) overlap each other at least partially, preferably being congruent, and a closed condition in which the discharge openings (9) of the discharge base (7) exhibit such an axial offset (s) from the openings (12) of the cover plate (11) that no overlap is produced.
US07980800B2	Blind fastener and method of removing it from a workpiece A blind fastener for insertion through an aperture in a workpiece, the fastener including a pin, a sleeve and an abutment member; wherein the abutment member can be removed from the sleeve so that the pin and sleeve can be forced out of the aperture, to remove the fastener therefrom, wherein the sleeve has a radially expanding head, which is received in a recess of the abutment member and wherein, prior to insertion of the fastener into the workpiece aperture, the abutment member is secured to the sleeve by deformation of part of the abutment member adjacent the recess over and into contact with the sleeve head.
US07980794B2	Ring with cutting edge (ring-shaped chamfer tool) A ring with a cutting edge detachably fixed to a drilling tool, and machines the peripheral edge of a hole bored by the drilling tool can be simply attached to the drilling tool. A ring with a cutting edge is constituted by a ring portion, in which an insertion hole allowing a drilling tool to be inserted in the direction of an axis O thereof and having a circular shape in plane view, is formed, the ring portion has a portion on the inner peripheral surface provided with a recess formed radially outward, a circular-arc arm portion, which extends in the peripheral direction from one peripheral end of the inner peripheral surface toward the other peripheral end thereof, in the opening edge of the recess facing the inner peripheral surface and is elastically deformable in the radial direction, is formed integrally in the ring portion, and the circular-arc arm portion is pressed axially inward by a fastening screw threadedly attached to a threaded attachment hole which goes through the ring portion in the radial direction, and is opened to a bottom surface of the recess.
US07980793B2	Concentric clamping for drill spindles Methods and systems for concentric clamping for manufacturing assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a drilling assembly includes a spindle assembly configured to perform a drilling operation at a drilling location on a workpiece, and a clamping assembly having an actuator concentrically disposed about the spindle assembly. A nosepiece is coupled to the actuator and is configured to apply a clamping force concentrically about the drilling location on the workpiece. The actuator may include an inner housing having an outwardly extending flange, and an outer housing disposed about the flange of the inner housing. Pressurization of a first chamber moves the inner housing forwardly and applies the clamping force of the nosepiece against the workpiece, and pressurization of a second chamber moves the inner housing aftwardly and retracts the nosepiece away from the workpiece.
US07980791B1	Earthen containment reinforcement system An earthen containment reinforcement system has a plurality of connected panels containing recycled rubber vehicle tire material forming a retaining or barrier wall. The panels are connected by interlocking joints and include a rodent barrier for deterring rodent burrowing. An erosion shield having a proximal end connected to the top edge of each of a topmost panel of the interconnected panels, and a distal end extending away from the top of the interconnected panels toward a side of the earthen containment that is opposite a side in contact with water, wherein the distal end comprises an upwardly curved toe to prevent erosion at the base of the levee.
US07980789B2	Combination wall with tube pile connectors A combination wall (10) for supporting the ground comprises at least two tubular piles (12) adapted to be rammed at least part way into the ground and a wall element (14) inserted between two respective adjacent tubular piles (12). The wall element (14) is provided with interlocks (22) that are used to engage the wall element (14) with interlock profiles (18) that are provided on the tubular piles (12). The wall element (14), when hung between the tubular piles (12), is designed as a segment of a circle with an at least approximately circle-segment-shaped cross-section.
US07980787B1	Dual pressure tensioner method A method for tensioning for oil and natural gas floating platforms and floating vessels using a plurality of self contained dual pressure cylinders for adjusting simultaneously low and high pressures in low pressure and high pressure channels. The method can be used on a floating structure to dampen the effects of sea waves and wind load between casing from a well and the floating structure.
US07980784B2	Drainage management systems and methods A flow limiting inlet structure is designed to collect water or other fluids in a pool above grade, and to provide improved capture of sediments and surface pollutants such as oils and greases in the pool, while regulating the flow of water or other fluids during discharge into an outlet pipe. In a conventional storm water detention basin a vertical cylindrical discharge structure can be used to regulate the basin water depth and discharge flow rate of storm water out of the detention basin, in conjunction with the use of a specially designed baffle system that prevents the release of any greases or oils floating on the water surface while capturing any floating trash or debris.
US07980783B2	Linear lost motion positioning mechanism A linear lost motion mechanism is located within a tubular handle of a machine, such as a concrete finishing machine. The linear lost motion mechanism includes a pitch block configured to selectively frictionally lock with the tubular handle or a component attached to the tubular handle using a biasing spring. The linear lost motion mechanism can perform a number of functions, such as controlling a blade pitch adjustment system of a concrete finishing machine.
US07980780B2	Quick action turnbuckle An adjuster for use with a sailboat which permits rapid movement of a movable end with respect to an opposite fixed end. A threaded shaft extends through the adjuster and a rotating barrel in fixed to a nut engaging the shaft. A lock is positioned about a lower body of the adjuster and releasably engages the barrel. Engagement of the lock and the barrel permits barrel to be turned to change the length between the fixed and movable ends. Releasing engagement of the lock and the barrel permits the barrel to rotate freely about the shaft and permit rapid movement of the movable end with respect to the fixed end.
US07980779B2	Adjustable tab divider Embodiments of the invention relate to dividers with tabs adjustable along at least two edges of the binder. One embodiment is directed to a divider for use in a binder. The divider comprises a panel, the panel comprising a binding edge and a plurality of non-binding edges, and a tab. The panel comprises at least one binding feature adjacent the binding edge and at least one tab mating feature adjacent at least first and second edges of the plurality of non-binding edges. The tab is configured to mate with the at least one tab mating feature. The at least one tab mating feature is configured such that the tab is positionable in at least two longitudinal positions along the first non-binding edge and in at least two longitudinal positions along the second non-binding edge.
US07980778B2	Liquid applicator A liquid applicator includes a liquid pressing mechanism 6 for pressurizing an application liquid 4 inside a main body 2 so as to supply the application liquid to an applying member 10 at the front end by the pressing of liquid pressing mechanism 6, wherein the applying member 10 is made of an elastic material, has a valve structure 8 which is formed with a communication path 24 for communication between the inside and outside of main body 2 and can close the communication path 24 by elasticity in the normal condition and open the communication path 24 by elastic deformation of the communication path when the application liquid is pressurized by liquid pressing mechanism 6, and, an ejection opening 24a of communication path 24 of valve structure 8 is arranged to front onto the applying portion 10a of the applying member 10.
US07980772B2	Shutter device and image pickup apparatus Disclosed herein is an image pickup apparatus including: an image sensor; and a shutter device, wherein said shutter device includes a trailing curtain, a first driving member, a second driving member, first urging force applying means, and a charging member.
US07980767B2	Optical fiber connection system An optical fiber connection system detects when proper connection is made between a fiber-optic cable and a bulkhead. A conductive strip on the fiber-optic cable contacts a first and second conductor on the bulkhead upon proper positioning of the bulkhead relative to the fiber-optic cable. The system includes indicators for displaying which of a plurality of termination points is properly terminated. In addition, the system includes alternative embodiments for turning off an energy source feeding the fiber-optic cable, in the event the fiber-optic cable becomes disconnected from the bulkhead.
US07980766B2	Rolling bearing unit The rolling bearing unit includes an outer ring, an inner shaft disposed radially inward of the outer ring and having an inner ring fitting part on the outer peripheral surface on the one axial direction side, an inner ring fitted on the inner ring fitting part and having the shaft end on the one axial direction side crimped on the end face of the one axial direction side thereof, the inner ring having a step portion on the one axial direction side of the shoulder portion, and the step portion having an inclined surface shape the diameter of which expands in the other axial direction.
US07980763B2	Motion guide device A motion guide device having a novel scoop section structure whose scoop section is not likely to break even if a movement member is moved at high speed. A scoop section (22) of a movement block (12) scoops balls (13) that roll in a ball rolling groove (11a) of a raceway rail (11) and introduces them into no-load ball return paths (17, 20). The scoop section (22) is formed in a Gothic arch groove shape in which the scoop section (22) is in two-point contact with a ball (13). In a cross-section orthogonal to the advance direction of the balls (13), an angle (contact angle α) formed by a line L1 that connects a point P at which the scoop section (22) and a ball (13) are in contact and the center C of the ball (13) and a line L2 that connects the center of the ball (13) and a bottom (22a) of the Gothic arch groove-shaped scoop section (22) exceeds 30 degrees and is not more than an angle γ formed by a line L3 that connects the center C of the ball (13) rolling in the ball rolling groove (11a) of the raceway rail (11) and an edge (35) of the ball rolling groove (11a) of the raceway rail (11) and the line L2 that connects the center C of the ball (13) and the bottom of the ball rolling groove (11a).
US07980756B2	Timepiece provided with a device for controlling functions and/or time indications This timepiece is provided with a device for the adjustment of functions and time indications comprising a selection control (L) for each time indication which has to be adjusted and a control (T) for adjustment of the said selected time indications. At least the selection control (L) or the indication which has to be adjusted is kinematically linked with a selection cam (C1) comprising a profile corresponding to two states 0, 1, corresponding to a non-selection state and a selection state respectively, the control device comprising means (L1, L2, L3) for connecting the adjustment control (T) to each of the selected time indications.
US07980753B2	Systems and methods for managing fluids in a processing environment using a liquid ring pump and reclamation system Methods and systems for chemical management. In one embodiment, a blender is coupled to a processing system and configured to supply an appropriate solution or solutions to the system. Solutions provided by the blender are then reclaimed from the system and subsequently reintroduced for reuse. The blender may be operated to control the concentrations of various constituents in the solution prior to the solution being reintroduced to the system for reuse. Some chemicals introduced to the system may be temperature controlled. A back end vacuum pump subsystem separates gases from liquids as part of a waste management system.
US07980752B2	Apparatus for ultrasonic stirring of liquids in small volumes Ultrasound-assisted contactless stirring of liquids in a resonator cell by microparticles is achieved by repeated creating and destruction of nodal patterns associated with standing waves of various resonance frequencies causing continuous movements of microparticles inside the cell. Swept-frequency sonication technique includes using constant or variable rate of frequency change as well as a stepwise change of frequency of the transducer within a predefined range. Other useful provisions include initial detection of the set of resonance frequencies and periodic refreshing of that set. Control systems are described including means to automatically detect the resonance frequencies and maintain the operation of the transducer thereon. Advantageous designs of the apparatus are described for use in microstirring, mixing of liquids using magnetic microbeads, microbubbles, microtiter plates, microarray plates, etc.
US07980750B2	Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same A backlight assembly includes a lamp assembly, a receiving container and a panel guiding frame. The lamp assembly includes a light source to generate light and a lamp cover to reflect the light. The receiving container includes a bottom and a sidewall. The sidewall includes a first sidewall portion facing the lamp cover and separated from the lamp cover by a first interval and a second sidewall portion separated from the lamp cover by a second interval narrower than the first interval. The panel guiding frame includes a first frame portion facing an end of the bottom and a second frame portion extended from the first frame portion along a side face of the second sidewall and having an opening corresponding to the first sidewall portion. Thus, the backlight assembly may have a reduced non-effective display area.
US07980749B2	Backlight module with integrated base and method of manufacturing thereof A backlight module, a base used therein, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The backlight module includes a base and a slice-shaped circuit. The base has a back plate including a plate portion and a mezzanine portion. The mezzanine portion is parallelly offset from the plate portion, and the initial position of the mezzanine portion becomes an opening on the plate portion. Because the mezzanine portion is parallelly offset from the plate portion, a containing space is formed between an inner side of the mezzanine portion and the plane of the plate portion. A side of the mezzanine portion and a side of the plate portion corresponding to the opening together form a first slit. The slice-shaped circuit is inserted into the containing space through the first slit and stays between the plate portion and the mezzanine portion.
US07980744B2	Formed lighting fixture having a fibrous layer An improved formed lighting fixture having a frame, a light source, a cover layer coupled to the frame, and a fibrous layer coupled to the cover layer, in which the frame is formed by gathering a plurality of rods and profiled in a specific contour, the light source is configured to provide light from inside the frame and out through the cover layer onto the fibrous layer. The fibrous layer is configured to provide decorative and functional aspects to the lighting fixture, including, in some embodiments, a contoured or fur-like appearance, or where the fibrous layer has light-diffusive properties, a dazzling glow effect when light from the light source is diffused.
US07980740B2	Illuminating caster An illuminating caster includes an at least translucent tire, a rim for supporting the wheel, a hub including slits defined therein, spokes extending to the rim from the hub, illuminating elements located in the vicinity of the tire and a generator. The generator includes a ring disposed in the hub, rods each extending to a related one of the illuminating elements from the ring through a related one of the slits, a circuit board disposed in the ring and connected to the illuminating elements, an annular shell disposed in the ring, a coil disposed in the annular shell and connected to the circuit board, a permanent magnet disposed in but separated from the coil and a lining provided between the permanent magnet and an axle.
US07980736B2	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 mounting assembly, wherein both the mounting assembly and the cover structure are formed of conductive material, thereby effectively dissipating the heat generated by the LED illumination assembly. The illumination assembly is connected to a source and electric energy by a conductor assembly comprising one or more conductive material connectors mechanically interconnecting components of the light fixture into an assembled orientation. A non-conductive insulation assembly isolates each of the one or more conductive connectors from the mounting assembly to avoid electrical contact there between.
US07980730B2	Metal mesh, arrangement of a metal mesh and method for illumination An improved metal mesh with lights and an arrangement of such a mesh on a building are proposed. A light carrier receptacle is integrated in a mesh and thereby allow a light carrier to be removed from the mesh and reinserted without disintegrating the light carrier receptacle. Alternatively, a light carrier receptacle is attached to a mesh or other hanging, to which the light carrier is then attached. Clips can be preferably used.
US07980728B2	Solid state lighting using light transmissive solid in or forming optical integrating volume An exemplary general lighting fixture includes an assembly forming an optical integrating volume for receiving and optically integrating light from one or more solid state light emitters and for emitting integrated light. The assembly includes a reflector having a diffusely reflective interior surface defining a substantial portion of a perimeter of the integrating volume. A light transmissive solid fills at least a substantial portion of the optical integrating volume. A light emitter interface region of the solid, for each solid state light emitter, closely conforms to the light emitting region of the respective emitter. A surface of the transmissive solid conforms closely to and is in proximity with the interior surface of the reflector. The transmissive solid also provides a light emission surface, at least a portion of which forms a transmissive optical passage for emission of integrated light, from the volume, in a direction facilitating a general lighting application.
US07980726B2	Control device for controlling the color of light emitted from a light source The invention relates to a control device (1) for controlling the color of light (L) emitted from a light source (2). The control device comprises color variation means (24) for varying the color of said light emitted from said light source and one or more light-emitting elements (26) arranged to indicate an available color variation range for the color of said light emitted from said light source upon operation of said color variation means. The control device 1 further comprises control means (23) capable of controlling at least one color of the light emitted by said light-emitting elements in dependence on said available color variation range for said light emitted by said light source.
US07980725B2	Solar energy street lamp structure with air passageway A solar energy street lamp structure with an air passageway is provided. The solar energy street lamp structure includes a lamp support, a photovoltaic panel, a lighting unit, and a power module. The photovoltaic panel and the lighting unit are coupled with the street lamp, respectively. The power module stores power generated by the photovoltaic panel and provides the stored power to the lighting unit. Moreover, the air passageway is formed between a first body and a second body of the lamp support to enable air circulation. Thus, heat generated by the photovoltaic panel and the lighting unit in operation can be dissipated by air circulating through the air passageway. The solar energy street lamp structure with the air passageway is capable of effective heat dissipation and therefore has an extended service life.
US07980724B2	Lamp guide frame, connecting module having the same, backlight assembly having the lamp guide frame and method of manufacturing the backlight assembly A lamp guide frame includes a frame body, a plurality of openings and a plurality of lamp socket receiving portions. The frame body guides end portions of a plurality of lamps. The openings extend in a width direction of the frame body. The openings are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the frame body. Each of the lamp socket receiving portions protrudes from a lower face of the frame body partially around an associated opening to form a receiving space receiving a lamp socket inserted into the opening. The lamp socket receiving portions are open in the width direction of the frame body. The frame body and the plurality of lamps socket receiving portions collectively define a single and continuous member. The associated opening and the receiving space of the lamp socket collectively define a continuous opening.
US07980723B2	Luminaire The elongate luminaire for creating colored illumination has a plane of symmetry S in which lamp holders (6,7) are present to accommodate lamps of different colors. A first and a second opposite concave reflector (1,2) have elongate flat facets (11,12,13,14; 21,22,23,24). A third reflector (5) bridging the first and the second reflector (1,2) is present opposite a light-emission window (4). The luminaire is capable of providing evenly colored illumination without the need for a diffuser.
US07980721B2	Under cabinet light fixture An under cabinet light fixture has a housing with outer surface portions thereof adapted to be positioned closely adjacent, spaced-apart from, and substantially parallel to a substantially planar support surface. The housing has a bottom access panel pivotally connected to it, with first and second panel portions so that the bottom access panel pivots between a closed operating condition and an open access condition. A reflector and lamp sockets are connected to the housing and the reflector is positioned to reflect and radiate light toward and through the second panel portion of the bottom access panel to provide enhanced visibility of light radiating from the support surface when the light fixture is in the operating position.
US07980718B2	Illuminating device, display device having it, and television receiver A thin, lightweight illuminating device, in the form of a backlight unit, is capable of securing even brightness and improving light use efficiency. The backlight unit includes a light source including a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on a mounting surface of a board, a diffusion plate which has a light introduction surface that faces the mounting surface of the board at a predetermined distance therefrom and diffuses the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes, and a reflection sheet that is adhered to the mounting surface of the board. A light emission direction of the plurality of light emitting diodes is parallel or substantially parallel to the light introduction surface of the diffusion plate.
US07980717B2	Light source assembly and liquid crystal display having the same Provided is a light source assembly that may facilitate the coupling and the replacement of light source units, and may thus reduce the manufacturing time, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) having the same. The light source assembly includes a light source unit, a circuit board, and a supporting plate. The light source unit includes at least one light source chip, a first terminal connected to the light source chip, and a housing accommodating the light source chip therein and having at least one fixing protrusion on one side thereof. The circuit board includes a second terminal that is connected to the first terminal and transmits a driving voltage. The light source unit is mounted on the second terminal. The supporting plate is disposed on the circuit board and includes an opening into which the light source unit is inserted. At least a portion of the housing is fixed to the circuit board through the opening.
US07980714B2	Display device A display device including a display panel which displays an image and a backlight unit which illuminates a light to the display panel, include the backlight unit with a fixing member fixed on a device casing; a flexible printed circuit substrate which is fixed on the fixing member; and a spacer which is fixed on the flexible printed circuit substrate, wherein the flexible printed circuit substrate in an end part of the display panel is sandwiched between the fixing member and the spacer.
US07980712B2	Light-transmissive film, method for manufacturing the same, and display apparatus A light-transmissive film for use in display devices is provided. The light-transmissive film includes a plurality of first protrusions formed on one surface and extending in a predetermined direction of the one surface, and a plurality of second protrusions formed on an opposite surface to the one surface, extending in one direction of the opposite surface, arranged parallel to the one direction, and arranged parallel to a direction intersecting the one direction. At least one of the first and second protrusions has a refractive index anisotropy in a plane.
US07980710B2	Retroreflective article A retroreflective article including a retroreflective element layer having an array of a large number of total internal reflective cube corner retroreflective elements, an optical property-adjusting layer partially provided on the back side of the retroreflective element layer, and an air layer on the back side of the optical property-adjusting layer. The retroreflective article exhibits optical properties suited for an intended use, such as a reflector of traffic or commercial signs, such as traffic signs, regulating signs, informative signs, and construction signs, or visible, laser or infrared light reflective sensors, by the presence of the optical property-adjusting layer with an adjusted hue or an adjusted area ratio. The retroreflective article can easily be produced at low cost and high efficiency by utilizing an existing retroreflective article.
US07980709B2	Optical projector with a partition element defining two accommodating spaces An optical projector includes a casing, a partition element, an optical projection module and a main board. The casing includes a main body, a first cover and a second cover. The partition element is disposed at the main body, and the first cover is detachably disposed on the main body. The first cover, the partition element and the main body together define a first accommodating space. The second cover is detachably disposed on the main body. The second cover, the partition element and the main body together define a second accommodating space. The optical projection module is disposed in the first accommodating space and the main board is disposed in the second accommodating space.
US07980708B2	Document presentation device including a movable part A document presentation device comprising an imaging unit that takes images of documents and a display unit that displays the images of documents taken by the imaging unit.
US07980707B2	Audience scanning laser display projector and associated methods An apparatus and method for an audience scanning laser display projector includes a laser projector capable of generating a laser beam output having a predetermined beam path, scan area and beam wavelength. A beam position sensor is associated with said laser projector. A camera capable of capturing an image of the audience using light of a wavelength other than the beam wavelength, is disposed relative to said laser projector so that the captured image includes the area scanned by the laser beam. A processor is operably connected with said laser projector, said beam position sensor and said camera, said processor generating a table corresponding to the camera image of the audience, and containing software capable of identifying location of faces in the audience image and comparing face locations with beam position so as to signal said laser projector to attenuate the beam when scanning over a face location.
US07980704B2	Audiovisual system including wall-integrated audiovisual capabilities There is a need for being able to excellently audiovisually receive contents without disordering a room atmosphere. An audiovisual room 1 is provided with one wall including an inner wall 2 and an outer wall 3. Part or all of the inner wall 2 forms a rear-projection screen 6C or a diaphragm (speaker unit) 6A. Equipment such as a projector 10 and an amplifier is placed in a space between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The space is large enough for a person to enter. Accordingly, a serviceperson etc. can enter the space to easily do works such as maintaining the equipment. The equipment such as the projector is not placed in the audiovisual room 1, making it possible to audiovisually receive contents without disordering a room atmosphere.
US07980702B2	Image display device An image display device of the present invention comprises projectors, a reflecting mirror, a screen, an image signal processor which performs a distortion correction, and a base for supporting the projectors, the reflecting mirror, and the screen. The projectors, reflecting mirror, and screen are assembled in one to constitute a single moving unit, and the image display device further comprises a lifting device capable of moving the moving unit in a vertical direction with respect to the base.
US07980696B1	Ophthalmic photographing apparatus An ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes: an interference optical system including a splitter that splits light, emitted from a measurement light source, into measurement light and reference light, and synthesizing the measurement light reflected on an eye with the reference light to guide the synthesized light to a detector; a driving part that moves an optical member arranged in the optical path to adjust an optical-path difference between the measurement light and the reference light; an image obtaining part that obtains a tomographic image of a fundus or an anterior segment based on a light receiving signal output from the detector; and a driving control unit that controls driving of the driving part to locate the optical member in a predetermined position corresponding to either a photographing mode for photographing the tomographic image of the fundus or a photographing mode for photographing the tomographic image of the anterior segment.
US07980690B2	Combined lens and spectacles provided with at least one such combined lens The invention relates to a combined lens comprising two lens elements lying behind one another along the optical axis of the lens and means for displacing at least one lens element relative to the other lens element in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens.The invention also relates to spectacles provided with at least one combined lens according to the invention.The object of the invention is therefore to provide a less complex combined eye glass according to the above preamble, with which it is possible to adjust the lens elements relative to one another with a mechanism that can be easily operated. According to the invention the displacement means comprise at least one cam element that can interact with at least one of the lens elements. This way a structure is realised that is not only simple and sound, but that also enables a simple adjustment by the wearer of the combined lens.
US07980678B2	Ink jet recording head An ink jet recording head includes a substrate including a discharge port forming member provided with discharge ports for discharging ink, and a flow path forming member for forming an ink flow path communicating with the discharge ports, wherein at least one of the flow path forming member and the discharge port forming member contains a material having fluorine atoms, a supply path used to supply ink to a supply hole, a support member supporting the substrate, a supply path forming member for forming a part of the supply path, and a rubber member provided between the support member and the supply path forming member and forming a part of the supply path. The supply path forming member or the rubber member contains a material containing bivalent metal, and the rubber member contains a compound providing counter ions to the bivalent metal.
US07980677B2	Ink jet recording head An ink jet recording head includes recording element substrates each including at least one nozzle array and heat generating resistors, a common liquid chamber having introducing and discharging ports, and a supporting member mounting the recording element substrates and in which a plurality of individual liquid chambers for supplying the ink to respective recording element substrates and a plurality of ink inlet ports for supplying the ink from the common liquid chamber to respective individual liquid chambers are formed. The individual liquid chambers are arranged in a direction of flow of the ink from the ink introducing port toward the discharging port. At least in a most upstream individual liquid chamber with respect to the direction, a center line of an associated inlet port with respect to the direction is located downstream of a center line of the upstream individual liquid chamber with respect to the direction.
US07980676B2	Liquid ejection head including member supporting liquid ejection substrate A liquid ejection head is constituted by a liquid ejection substrate comprising a liquid supply port for supplying liquid, an ejection outlet for ejecting the liquid supplied from the liquid supply port, and ejection energy generating devices for generating energy for ejecting the liquid; and a supporting member having a supporting surface for supporting the liquid ejection substrate and a liquid supply hole for supplying liquid to the liquid ejection substrate, the liquid supply hole communicating with the liquid supply port of the liquid ejection substrate to form a communicating portion, a periphery of which is sealed by a sealant. The liquid supply hole of the supporting member has an opening larger than that of the liquid supply port of the liquid ejection substrate. The support member has an inner wall portion including an edge line portion defined by the liquid supply hole on a side where the liquid ejection substrate is to be disposed. The inner wall portion is covered with the sealant.
US07980675B2	Ink jet head An ink jet head includes a substrate having an ink supply port, an ejection outlet for ejecting ink supplied through the supply port, and a flow path portion which provides fluid communication between the supply port and the ejection outlet. The flow path portion includes a near portion which is near to the substrate and a remote portion which is remote from the substrate, and a width of the near portion is different from a width of the remote portion in a sectional plane perpendicular to a direction of flow of the ink, and a stepped portion is provided between the near portion and the remote portion.
US07980672B2	Inkjet printing apparatus and printing method To achieve high-quality printing by controlling an ink-traveling direction by an electrostatic force so that the ink can be accurately applied on a printing medium, the ink ejected to areas outside edges of the printing medium is prevented from being attracted to the end portions in margin-less printing. This configuration includes: a platen, made of a conductive material, positioned immediately below the printing medium; an absorber positioned at a side of the edge; and a mesh conductive member disposed on the absorber. A first voltage is applied to the platen, causing polarization in the printing medium, and a second voltage higher than the first voltage is applied to the conductive member. Thereby, ink ejected outside the edges in the margin-less printing, travels straight-forwardly toward the conductive member without being attracted to the end portions, and is absorbed into the absorber via the conductive member.
US07980671B2	Electrostatic actuator and method of making the electrostatic actuator The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is positioned in proximity to the first electrode so as to provide a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is capable of being deflected toward the second electrode. A dielectric structure comprising a dielectric landing post is positioned in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric structure extending over a greater surface of the gap than the landing post. The landing post protrudes out into the gap so as to limit the minimum contact spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US07980667B2	Nozzle arrangement with pivotal wall coupled to thermal expansion actuator A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel; a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel, the nozzle chamber including an ink ejection port defined through a roof of the nozzle chamber, and a pivotal wall formed as part of one sidewall of the nozzle chamber; a paddle attached to the pivotal wall in a cantilevered manner, and extending into the nozzle chamber; a pair of anchors extending from the substrate assembly, a first anchor of the pair connected to a positive electrical contact and a second anchor of the pair connected to a negative electrical contact; and a thermal expansion actuator forming a bridge between the pair of anchors and the pivotal wall, the thermal expansion actuator having two arms each respectively attached to each of the pair of anchors, the thermal expansion actuator further having a bridge portion bridging the two arm. The thermal expansion actuator is configure to expand upon application of a current supplied through the pair of anchors.
US07980666B2	Method of forming thermal bend actuator with connector posts connected to drive circuitry A method of forming a thermal bend actuator in an inkjet nozzle assembly. The method includes: depositing sidewalls and a roof layer to define a nozzle chamber; defining first and second vias in one sidewall to reveal first and second electrodes; filling the vias with a conductive material using electroless plating to provide first and second connector posts; depositing an active beam material onto the roof layer; etching the active beam material to define a planar active beam member comprising a bent or serpentine beam element; and etching the roof layer to define the thermal bend actuator.
US07980664B2	Inkjet printhead incorporating multiple heater elements for weighted ink drop ejection A pagewidth printhead includes a printhead controller; a wafer substrate defining a plurality of inlets; and a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements on the wafer substrate and under control of the controller. Each nozzle arrangement includes side walls disposed on the wafer substrate with a roof portion attached to said side walls to define a printing fluid chamber in fluid communication with one inlet, the roof portion defining an ejection port; and at least two heater elements suspended between the side walls in the fluid chamber for forming a vapour bubble in response to electrical actuation energy being applied thereto, whereby a pressure increase in the chamber is effected and fluid in the fluid chamber ejected therefrom via the ejection port. The controller is configured to actuate the at least two heater elements individually to facilitate ejection of weighted ink drop volumes from the nozzle arrangement. A size of a first of the at least two heater elements is different to a size of a second of the at least two heater elements.
US07980662B2	Ink jet print head A reliable ink jet print head enables small ink droplets to be ejected at a high frequency while preventing possible satellites and mist. A bubbling chamber, in which an energy generating element is disposed, communicates, via an ejection port portion, with an ejection port provided opposite the energy generating element. The ejection port portion is formed such that flow resistance to ink is lower in an area of the ejection port portion which is positioned inward from a center of the ejection port in an ink supply direction of ink flowing along the ink supply channel, than in an area of the ejection port portion which is positioned outward from the center of the ejection port.
US07980660B2	Ink jet printer and method of cleaning platen An ink jet printer feeds a sheet of recording medium onto a platen, and record an image by ejecting droplets of ink from a print head attached to the platen. The ink jet printer has a media deforming section for deforming a part of the recording medium into a downward projection. The media deforming section includes a wedge above a recording media feeding path, and a wedge receiver below the feeding path to fit with the wedge. The wedge and the wedge receiver are joined together to press the recording medium from above and below, and form the downward projection. While the recording medium passes the platen, the downward projection wipes off ink stain on ribs of the platen.
US07980659B2	Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes a liquid droplet ejecting head that includes nozzles that eject liquid droplets in accordance with image information, a nozzle surface thereof being inclined so as to correspond to a peripheral surface of a rotating member; and a wiping member that wipes and cleans the nozzle surface that has been moistened by liquid that has been exuded from the nozzles of the liquid droplet ejecting head, and whose wiping direction is a direction from a downstream side to an upstream side of a direction in which the liquid that has been exuded from the nozzles flows along the nozzle surface due to the force of gravity.
US07980653B2	Ejection inspecting device, printing device, and ejection inspecting method An ejection inspecting device which inspects an ejection state of an ejection head, including nozzles ejecting fluid, includes fluid receiving areas corresponding to the ejection head so as to receive the fluid ejected from the nozzles. A potential difference generating unit generates predetermined potential differences between the ejection head and the fluid receiving areas. Electrical variation detecting units detect electrical variations of the fluid receiving areas. A control unit drives the ejection head to eject the fluid to the fluid receiving areas from the nozzles in a state in which the predetermined potential differences are generated between the ejection head and the fluid receiving areas by the potential difference generating unit. The ejection inspecting device also inspects the nozzles to determine whether the fluid is ejected from the nozzles on the basis of the detection results of the electrical variation detecting units in the fluid receiving areas.
US07980650B2	System and method for calibrating a printing system to compensate for sensor artifact using non-complementary illuminations of test patterns on an image substrate A system removes a light sensor artifact from a light sensor in a printer that is used to obtain reflectance measurements from test patterns printed on an image substrate. The system includes a print head for ejecting a plurality of pixels having a first single color in a test pattern onto an image substrate, a light source for illuminating the test pattern on the image substrate with a light, a light sensor for measuring reflectance of the first portion of the test pattern with reference to a light having a color that is non-complementary to the first single color of the test pattern, measuring reflectance of the first portion of the test pattern with reference to a light that is complementary to the first single color of the test pattern, and measuring reflectance of the second portion of the test pattern with reference to the complementary light, the second portion including an area that overlaps the first portion of the test pattern, and a sensor controller configured to scale the reflectance of the first portion measured with reference to the non-complementary light to minimize a difference between the reflectance of the first portion measured with reference to the complementary light and the reflectance of the second portion measured with reference to the complementary light in the overlapped area.
US07980648B2	Print engine controller utilizing on and off chip memory for dot data formatting A print engine controller for a pagewidth printhead includes contone and bi-level decompression circuitry for decompressing a contone layer of compressed page data and a bi-level layer of compressed page data, respectively; halftoner and compositor circuitry for halftoning the decompressed contone layer to associated bi-level versions and compositing the decompressed bi-level layer over the halftoned contone layers; printhead interface circuitry for receiving the halftoned and composited data, and to generate therefrom print data suitable for printing by the printhead; and line loader and formatter circuitry for receiving dot data from the halftoner and compositor circuitry, loading dot data for a given print line into buffer storages, and formatting the dots of the given print line into an order required by the printhead interface circuitry. The line loader and formatter circuitry loads the dot data into a combination of on integrated circuit and external storage buffers.
US07980646B2	Recording apparatus and recording method for recording apparatus A recording apparatus that performs a recording on a recording medium comprising: the recording operation a transport unit, a recording unit, a feed starting unit that starts feeding of the recording medium by the recording unit that has moved to a position on a moving path of the recording unit outside a recordable area, a determination unit that determines whether the moving direction of the recording unit for the last line of the first copy is toward the position where a recording operation for a plurality of copies of the same data is performed, the moving unit is controlled such that the moving direction of the recording unit for a first line of the second copy is opposite to the moving direction for a first line of the first copy when the moving direction for the last line of the first copy is determined not to be toward the predetermined position.
US07980644B2	Damper and home-bar door apparatus for refrigerator using the same A home-bar door apparatus includes a home-bar door that selectively opens or closes an opening formed in a home-bar frame and has rotational shafts protruding at both sides of a lower portion thereof and a catching step formed along a lower end thereof, dampers that are installed on a rear face of the home-bar frame and control an opening/closing speed of the home-bar door by receiving the rotational shafts of the home-bar door therein so that the rotational shafts of the home-bar door can be relatively rotated, and a stop rib that is formed laterally along a lower end of a groove formed around a periphery of the opening and has stopping steps formed at positions corresponding to both ends of a catching step of the home-bar door so that the catching step can be caught by the stopping steps.
US07980634B2	Rotational vehicle restraint system A rotational vehicle restraint system includes an anchoring component configured to be attached to a vehicle seat assembly; a rotatable component attached to the anchoring component and configured to rotate relative to the anchoring component about an axis of rotation; and a harness connected to the rotatable component and configured to fit about a passenger. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is configured to restrain a passenger fitted with the harness in both an upright sitting position and a lying down position. When installed in a vehicle, the rotational vehicle restraint system is also optionally configured to enable the passenger fitted with the harness to change from a first lying down position facing forward in the vehicle seat assembly to a second lying down position facing backward in the vehicle seat assembly.
US07980632B2	Armrest for chair An armrest for a chair includes a lower bushing, an upper bushing, and a resilient ring shaped part received in the lower bushing. An engaging portion is formed on an end of the lower bushing, and a side surface of the lower bushing defines a toothed rack hole, a plurality of teeth are formed at two opposite sides of the toothed rack hole. The upper bushing nests the lower bushing therein and defines a through hole corresponding to the toothed rack hole. A supporting is formed on an end of the upper bushing differing from the end of the upper bushing adjacent to the engaging portion. A button opposite to the through hole in the upper bushing is formed on the resilient ring shaped part and protrudes to an outer of the upper bushing from the toothed rack hole and the through hole. An H shaped latching portion is formed on the button and engages with the teeth of the lower bushing.
US07980631B2	Ergonomic armrest Disclosed is an adjustable armrest that can readily raised, or lowered, and optionally rotated in a horizontal plane. In one embodiment, the present armrest is released from its use position be raising the front portion of the armrest. The armrest is moved into the desired position and then the front portion is lowered to secure the armrest in the desired position.
US07980629B2	Straddle-type seat A recreational vehicle such as a snowmobile, personal watercraft, or all-terrain vehicle has a removable straddle-type seat that includes a base having a flexible portion that includes an aperture. The base is used in conjunction with a fuel tank or vehicle frame having a protrusion protruding therefrom. The flexible portion is flexed to allow the aperture therein to pass over the protrusion on the fuel tank or vehicle frame such that removal of the seat is quick, easy and requires no tools.
US07980623B2	Wind-stop device for a two-seater convertible A wind-stop device for a two-seater convertible comprises a panel provided with means for its removable anchorage behind the backrests of the seats of the automobile, between two roll-hoops anchored to the structure of the automobile, behind the seats. The anchorage means comprise at least one pair of lateral tabs projecting from the panel and designed to be received within guide slits made in the inner sides of the two roll-hoops and at least one blocking tongue projecting at the bottom from the panel and designed to co-operate with a receiving and blocking device in the form of a buckle for safety belts, rigidly connected to the structure of the motor vehicle and having a receiving seat open upwards, set at the top of a wall at the back of the two seats with a release button adjacent to the seat.
US07980620B2	Hardtop folding roof for an open motor vehicle A hardtop folding roof for an open motor vehicle includes an upper roof part and a rear roof part having a rear window. The roof parts can be transferred from a closed position into a storage position via respective lateral link mechanisms. Each link mechanism includes two main links. A first main link is assigned to an associated roof pillar of the rear roof part, and a second main link is coupled at least indirectly to the upper roof part at a distance in front of the associated first main link. A rear window holder of the rear window can be moved relative to the roof pillars during the transfer of the folding roof, and the second main links of each link mechanism are assigned to the rear window holder of the rear window.
US07980619B1	Flexible tarp bow with spring member An improved tarpaulin bow for use primarily on a vehicle trailer in which the bow is selectively movable in a downward direction. The bow is preferably arched and attached to the sidewalls of a typical open-bed trailer. The arched shape enables the trailer to assume a greater load capacity and a multiplicity of the bows support a tarpaulin which protects the contents of the trailer. The bow comprises two sections connected by spring elements. Downward pressure on either section extends the spring elements allowing the bow to move downward without breaking. Once the downward pressure is removed, the spring elements compress and return the bow to its original position and shape.
US07980613B2	Rear garnish clip A garnish for a vehicle has an inner surface with at least one planar projection extending therefrom. The projection has at least one opening disposed therein. The opening has two side edges, at least one of which is beveled.
US07980612B2	Clamping assembly A clamping assembly for use in gripping an object. The clamping assembly includes a pair of opposed jaws, with each jaw having a pivot end pivotally attached to a frame structure, a clamp end opposite the pivot end, and a socket located between the clamp end and the pivot end. The clamping assembly further includes first and second balls rotatably mounted in the sockets of the opposed jaws, and a gear assembly connected to both of the first and second balls that includes a primary gear mechanically associated with a power source. Rotation of the primary gear by the power source results in actuation of the clamping assembly.
US07980611B2	Substrate holding apparatus, substrate transferring robot equipped with the same, and semiconductor production apparatus A substrate holding apparatus includes a base plate with a two-pronged portion, a holding plate arranged above the base plate, a driving portion provided therebetween, a holding portion formed by a tip end of the two-pronged portion and a tip end of the holding plate, and a guide portion provided at the tip end of the two-pronged portion for guiding a part of the substrate. The driving portion includes an urging means for always urging a basal end side of the holding plate upward, an electric magnetic portion for drawing the holding plate toward the base plate, and a bearing portion arranged at on the tip end side of the base plate. The guide portion has a guide groove which comes into contact with a part of a periphery of the substrate.
US07980609B2	Remote pick-up devices An improvement to elongate tools for engaging objects from remote distances includes a connection between the rod on which the engagement elements are provided and the handle of the that allows for the orientation of the rod with respect to the handle to occupy at least two pre-selected fixed positions which are angular positions approximately 90 degrees from one another.
US07980607B2	Impact absorbing member An impact absorbing member comprises a first main body and a second main body. The first main body comprises a first partial tube wall and first flange members. The second main body comprises a second partial tube wall and second flange members. The first flange members are joined with the respective second flange members in a discontinuous manner along the axial direction of the tube. In at least one segment where the first flange members and the second flange members are not joined in the axial direction of the tube, spaces are formed between ends part of a first partial tube wall side of the first flange members and end parts of a second partial tube wall side of the second flange members.
US07980606B2	Vehicle bumper structure In a vehicle bumper structure, an optical fiber sensor (32) is provided in a vehicle width direction on the front surface of a front-bumper reinforcement (30). A front-bumper absorber (28) is provided in front of the optical fiber sensor (32), the front-bumper absorber (28) formed of a soft absorber (54) and a hard absorber (56). The hard absorber is disposed at the bumper center region where the thickness of the bumper is increased. Accordingly, the thickness of the soft absorber (54) becomes substantially uniform in the vehicle width direction, so that a substantially uniform load is inputted to the optical fiber sensor (32) regardless of the collision position of the bumper with an object. As a result, variations in the output of the load-sensing unit are reduced.
US07980599B2	Identification system for pneumatic couplers A coupler and plug system for air line uses which identifies properly mating components by the colors of the components. The coupler of the system includes a sleeve which is made in a chosen color. The plug of the system is made in the same color as the sleeve of the coupler. The plug and coupler sleeve may be anodized aluminum dyed in the same color. By choosing a plug which is of a matching color to the sleeve of a coupler, the user will choose a plug which properly mates with the coupler.
US07980597B2	External protection for expandable threaded tubular connections A female element of a threaded tubular connection that is fitted to undergo diametrical expansion in a plastic deformation region. The female element is disposed at one end of a tubular component and includes on its external periphery a mechanism that absorbs scratch energy of a scratching body that may come into external contact with the female element and a mechanism that retains the scratch energy absorption mechanism. The retaining mechanism is configured to prevent release of debris from the scratch energy absorption mechanism during expansion of the threaded tubular connection.
US07980592B2	Bi-lobular air bag A bi-lobular air bag (14) has first and second lobes (232 and 234) defined at least partially by a central recess (230). The air bag (14) includes a central panel (210) formed in an endless loop and including a longitudinal slit (276) that at least partially defines an opening (270) in the central panel. First and second side panels (212 and 214) have peripheries (290) interconnected with respective edge portions (250 and 252) of the central panel (210). A recess panel (216) has a periphery (286) interconnected with portions of the center panel on opposite sides of the longitudinal slit (276). The recess panel (216) is folded and has overlying portions interconnected to form a pleat (306) that helps define the first and second lobes (232 and 234) of the air bag (14).
US07980589B2	Inflatable bolster This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation. A bolster is also provided having portions which inflate at differing rates.
US07980586B2	Front passenger seat airbag apparatus A front passenger seat airbag apparatus 12 includes an airbag 15, a case 25 supporting the airbag 15, and an airbag cover 50 covering the airbag 15. The case 25 includes a tubular inner wall portion 29. A plurality of claw portions 37 are arranged along a vehicle widthwise direction on the upper edge of a front inner wall 31 and a rear inner wall 32 of the tubular inner wall portion 29. The airbag cover 50 includes a tubular outer wall portion 53 having a plurality of engaging holes 57. The tubular outer wall portion 53 is engaged with the case 25 by inserting and engaging the claw portions 37 in the engaging holes 57. The front inner wall 31 and the rear inner wall 32 each include connected portions 66, to each of which a claw portion 37 is connected, and non-connected portions 65, to which no claw portion 37 is connected, along the arrangement direction of the claw portions 37. Two non-connected portions 65 are located on both sides of each connected portion 66. At least one of the non-connected portions 65 has cutout portions 61, 62 that extend from the upper end of the corresponding inner wall to a position lower than the tips 37A of the claw portions 37.
US07980584B2	Portable commode, shower and bath wheelchair apparatus A portable commode, shower, and bath wheelchair apparatus comprising a first support frame, a second support frame, a mechanical interface interconnecting the first support frame to the second support frame thereby forming a first contiguous support rail and a second contiguous support rail. A seat assembly is slidingly attached to both the first contiguous support rail and to the second contiguous support rail.
US07980583B2	Footbed for gliding board binding A method and apparatus for providing a gliding board binding, such as a snowboard binding. The binding may include an adjustment indicator that allows for determination of a longitudinal position of the base relative to a gliding board, heel-to-toe position of the base relative to a gliding board and/or an angular position of the base relative to a gliding board when the base is secured to the gliding board. The adjustment indicator may be included with a footbed that is removable from a binding base, e.g., that includes a foot engagement member to secure a rider's foot to the binding and board. A removable footbed may include a toe portion that is adjustable in position relative to a heel portion of the footbed. A gliding board may include a channel for mounting a binding that is arranged in the board core so that no portion of the board core is located on top or bottom sides of the channel, and instead so the top and bottom reinforcement layers are located above and below the channel.
US07980577B2	Suspension assembly A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame brackets attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm pivotally mounted on each end of the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm. The length of the air spring support arm and the distances between the pivot axis of the support arm and the axii of the spindle and torsion axle are chosen so that the surface of the air spring is always out of contact with the mounting bracket and has a portion inboard between the axis of the spindle and axis of the torsion axle.
US07980574B2	Torque rod bracket assembly There is provided a torque rod bracket assembly for an axle assembly of a motor vehicle. The torque rod bracket assembly has a torque rod mounting bracket engaging plates with a plate connector. The torque rod mounting bracket has a base, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. A receiver wall located between the first sidewall and the second sidewall has a centrally located recess. Slots are located in the receiver wall between the recess and the sidewalls. Axle mounts mount the torque rod bracket assembly to the axle housing of the axle assembly.
US07980572B2	Mobility device for amputee and leg-injured persons An amputee mobility device includes a wheeled frame, and seat with webbed pocket for receiving an amputated leg. The seat is adjustable height adjustable, as is the pocket for customizing to individuals. Adjustable handles allow amputees to move themselves, or allow a helper to push like a wheelchair. In one form, the frame includes front and rear articulated subframes. In another form, the wheeled frame forms an elongated rigid frame, with two fixed-axle wheels and two rear-located steerable wheels and one front-located steerable wheel. In another form, the frame includes two fixed-axle wheels and two steerable wheels arranged to function somewhat like a wheeled walking cane. Optional features include outriggers for leg protection, a foldable frame for compact storage and shipment, bicycle-like lockable hand brakes, a seat without aperture for supporting a lower leg extending horizontally, storage shelves, and cup holders.
US07980552B2	Paper feed cassette A paper feed cassette capable of inhibiting a paper from being warped in a direction substantially perpendicular to a paper feed direction while minimizing increase in the number of component and inhibiting the paper from being plastically deformed into a curved shape is obtained. The paper feed cassette includes a cassette body storing the paper, a first lift member for lifting up the paper so as to bring the paper into contact with a paper feed roller in printing, and a second lift member for lifting up the paper so as to produce bending caused by droop of the rear in the paper feed direction of the paper due to the paper's own weight in printing.
US07980550B2	Paper output mechanism for paper feeding apparatus A paper output mechanism for an automatic document feeder, including: a seat; a connecting shaft, passed through the seat; and a paper feeding roller, placed around the connecting shaft, and including: a shaft portion; a roller portion, placed around the shaft portion; and adapted to convey a document, and an elastic element, placed around the shaft portion, and one end thereof being connected to the seat.
US07980549B2	Document feeder and image forming device A document feeder configured to feed a document in a first direction includes a tray configured to load a document or a set of documents on a loading surface thereof, first and second contact portions disposed to contact the document on the loading surface, and a detecting unit configured detect whether a document is loaded on the loading surface, the detecting unit including an actuator provided between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the actuator projecting upward from the loading surface and being configured to be moved down due to contact with the document on the loading surface.
US07980548B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking thereon a sheet, a sheet feeding portion for axially supporting a sheet feeding roller, and a spring portion actable on the sheet feeding portion. The spring portion acts on the sheet feeding portion so that the sheet feeding roller is pressed against the sheet with a pressing force when a sheet stacking amount is large and so that the pressing force is decreased by canceling moment created by a weight of the sheet feeding portion when the sheet stacking amount is small.
US07980545B2	Sheet insertion control unit/method An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit to form an image on a sheet, includes a sheet inserting unit configured to insert one or more of a first insertion sheet and a second insertion sheet at one or more predetermined insertion positions in a plurality of sheets, in a case where the plurality of sheets are output by the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus also includes a control unit configured to control the sheet inserting unit to prevent the sheet inserting unit from inserting both the first insertion sheet and the second insertion sheet at the same predetermined insertion position in the plurality of sheets.
US07980541B2	Splitting device A device for distributing successive products of a product flow, particularly the successive folding products produced by a cross cutting device by dividing a material web, to two branch flows, with a wedge arrangement which is arranged in a stationary manner in the transporting plane of the product flow and which engages between two cam rollers which flank it and which are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center working plane. The device is characterized in that the wedge arrangement engages between two guide plates which flank it and which, together with the wedge arrangement, define a path fork. The guide plates have slots through which they are alternately penetrated by cams of the respective adjacent cam roller which are associated with the slots, so that the penetrating cams and the guide plate which is not penetrated form a feed for a belt guide associated with a branch flow.
US07980539B2	Fixture for automatically positioning workpiece An exemplary fixture includes a holder, a moving transfer unit, a clamping arm, and a driving unit. The moving transfer unit is located on the holder, and includes a pushing block. The pushing block has a urging element on an upper surface thereof. The clamping arm includes a pivot axis and a slanted surface. The urging element of the pushing block interacts with the slanted surface to rotate the clamping arm along the pivot axis. The driving unit is connected to the pushing block for moving the pushing block of the moving transfer unit.
US07980536B2	Mount for vibratory elements The invention is a mounting system for a vibrational element. The vibrational element has a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and an axial displacement node. The mounting system includes an isolation member which has an isolation surface, an isolating body, and an engaging portion. The engaging portion is immovably secured to the isolation member and extends radially inward from the isolation body at a point radially opposite the isolation surface. The engaging portion is disposed so as to engage the outer surface of the vibrational element. Radial displacements of the vibration element are substantially decoupled from the isolation surface through the engaging portion.
US07980529B2	Vacuum gate valve having a limb element A vacuum gate valve includes a closure disk for gas-tight closing of an opening. A connecting rod with which the closure disk is coupled is linearly adjustable by means of a linear drive unit and the closure disk is thus displaceable between a position uncovering the opening and an intermediate position pushed over the opening. At least two limbs are pivotably mounted at one limb end on the back of the closure disk via a first joint and at the other limb end on a support via a second joint to press the closure disk into the closed position. The limbs, the back and the support form an articulated parallelogram. Each of the limbs forms, with the respective first and second joints, a common integral part which includes a resilient material, the first joint and the second joint being formed by a flexible section on the limb.
US07980527B2	Fastening spider and method of fastening A fastening spider (1) and a method of fastening a wear-resistant lining element (2) to a support surface (3), over which wear-resistant lining element (2) material in the form of pieces or particles is intended to move. The fastening spider (1) comprises a mounting portion (5) for mounting positioning and clamping to the support surface (3) and at least one leg (8a-8b) projecting from the mounting portion (5) and having an underside for holding the wear-resistant lining element (2) to the support surface (3). The underside of the leg has an outer portion (10) and an inner portion (11), the inner portion (11) being positioned closer to the mounting portion (5) than the outer portion (10). The outer portion (10) is, at least in the mounting positioning of the mounting portion, positioned closer to the support surface (3) than the inner portion (11).
US07980524B2	Suspension trauma relief device A suspension trauma relief device includes a member extending from a ring to which the safety harness and lanyard are attached. The member provides a support for the wearer so that the wearer can take his/her weight off of the safety harness, and particularly the leg straps on the safety harness, to allow blood circulation and prevent suspension trauma. Preferably the member includes at least one foot support allowing at least one of the wearer's feet to be placed in the foot support to take the wearer's weight off the safety harness and avoid any constriction of the straps of the safety harness on the person's blood flow.
US07980523B2	Suspended platform for water heaters A method and apparatus are provided for suspending an appliance from a plurality of support members which depend from overhead beams and structures of a building. A lower frame has a base with side walls extending from the base and joined to form a fluid tight container. The base has sufficient strength to support the appliance thereon when the lower frame is suspended from the support members and all the weight of the appliance is carried by the base. At least three connectors are provided, each fastened to at least one of the side walls and base. Each connector removably fastens to a different one of the support members. An upper frame can be fastened to the depending support members to further stabilize the frame. Straps can encircle the appliance to stabilize the appliance on the frame.
US07980521B2	Medical device safety support with infinite positioning A medical device safety support apparatus features a clamp member configured to be attached to an IV pole, a bed rail, or other support structure. A medical device support member extends from the clamp member and is configured to support a cooperatively configured medical device. The medical device support member may include a socket which receives a post that extends from the medical device, and a lockdown member having a set-screw portion and a handle is provided to secure the post within the socket. The post has a circumferential channel in which the set-screw portion seats, thereby allowing the post to be retained within the socket when the lockdown member is loosened so as to prevent the medical device from being removed from the support member.
US07980517B2	Neutral field tray system A neutral field tray includes an attachment portion for removably attaching the tray to a mayo stand, a base coupled to the attachment portion, two sidewalls extending upward from opposite sides of the base, a distal endwall extending upward from a distal end of the base, a cover extending between the sidewalls above the base adjacent the distal endwall, and support for positioning a single instrument above the base with a distal end of the instrument underneath the cover and a proximal end of the instrument elevated relative to the distal end of the instrument. A method is also provided for using the neutral field tray.
US07980516B2	Ultra-low friction air pump for creating oscillatory or pulsed jets An air pump positioned within a hollow space in an aerodynamic structure for controlling the flow over an aerodynamic surface thereof, includes a movable member linearly displaced by a very low friction piston mechanism and a compression chamber open to the exterior of the aerodynamic surface through an orifice. Reciprocal displacement of the very low friction movable member changes the volume of the compression chamber to alternately expel fluid (e.g., air) from and pull fluid into the compression chamber through the orifice. The movable member includes a piston oscillating within a piston housing each having an ultra-low friction coating for improved thermal performance and reduced maintenance. Fluid intake to the compression chamber may be increased through the use of a one-way valve located either in the aerodynamic surface, or in the piston. Multiple flapper valves may surround the orifice in the aerodynamic surface for increased fluid control.
US07980515B2	Aircraft wing modification and related methods A transferable modified leading edge for a wing is detachably mountable to a parent wing. The parent wing may use a NACA 23000-series airfoil. A modified wing tip may be used in conjunction with the modified leading edge. The modified leading edge can be mounted to a parent wing in a way that does not damage the parent wing. The modified leading edge and wing tip can provide increased lift.
US07980513B2	Water-wastewater module for aircraft Currently, the wastewater collection tank and the freshwater tanks comprise separate containers which are each mounted individually in the pressurized area of the cabin on the structure. In the present application a water-wastewater module is described which has two tanks for disposing of feces and wastewater and a water generation unit in the form of the fuel-cell module as integral components. The module and the fuselage may advantageously be manufactured separately from one another and first have to be combined during the final mounting of the aircraft.
US07980510B2	Small unmanned aircraft A small unmanned airplane includes; a main wing having a camber airfoil whose under surface is approximately flat, narrowing in the shape of taper to a blade tip, leading edge of which holds sweepback angle, of flying wing type which has an aerodynamic surface of tailless wing type and is low aspect ratio; movable flaps extending approximately extreme breadth in trailing edge part of both left and right sides of the main wing, having a dihedral angle at least in level flight; vertical stabilizers placed at blade tips of left and right of the main wing; and two propellers installed on the top surface of the main wing. This can materialize miniaturization and weight saving of a small unmanned airplane for individual carrying capability and for suitability for such as lift-off by hand throw.
US07980503B2	Webbing take-up device To obtain a webbing take-up device that can not only transmit to a take-up shaft only rotation from a motor by a clutch but is also simple and compact.A clutch of this webbing take-up device has a simply configuration where sliders 144 of a clutch body portion 114 are caused by frictional force to be retained in a case, whereby the sliders 144 and lock bars 154 are caused to relatively move and the lock bars 154 are caused by this relative movement to move to positions where they engage with or disengage from a ratchet 134. Consequently, the overall configuration of a clutch 100 can be made significantly compact (thinned) in comparison to a configuration that causes a pawl to move using an inertial disk that is large and has weight as in a conventional clutch. Thus, the overall configuration of a webbing take-up device 10 can be made compact.
US07980502B2	Cutting tool for comminuting devices The invention refers to a cutting tool for comminution devices, comprising a knife (2) or knife edge which can be fastened to a comminution cylinder or a toothed body (1).The invention is characterized in that the knife (2) can be arranged non-positive and positive interlocking at the comminution cylinder or the toothed body (1).
US07980501B2	Bucket type jaw crusher A bucket type jaw crusher comprises a hydraulic motor connected to one end of an eccentric main shaft, a flywheel connected to the other end of the eccentric main shaft, and a counterweight for balance adjustment fitted at an intermediate section of the eccentric main shaft between the hydraulic motor and the flywheel. A movable jaw teeth side load receiving section of a toggle plate is placed at an upper position than a bucket side load receiving section of the toggle plate, and while movable jaw teeth are reciprocated by rotation of the eccentric shaft, an object to be crushed is pressed against stationary jaw teeth by the movable jaw teeth via rocking motion of the toggle plate.
US07980500B2	Apparatus for cutting up biological sample material An apparatus for cutting up biological sample material, including a sample container, a rotary drive device separate from the sample container, and a shaft rotatably arranged in the sample container, wherein the shaft has a laterally projecting cutting device in the region of a working end and has a coupling piece in the region of a coupling end, said coupling piece being accessible from outside and being designed for coupling engagement with a coupling counterpart of the rotary drive device, wherein the shaft (14) is arranged with lateral guidance and in an axially displaceable manner in the sample container (10), the coupling piece (19) and the coupling counterpart (21) are designed for producing coupling engagement which is positive-locking in the direction of rotation (23) and permits an axial displacement, and the cutting device (16) is designed in a propeller shape in such a way that, during rotation of the shaft (14) in the working direction, it exerts a propulsive force on the latter in the direction of the coupling end (18).
US07980496B2	Method for detecting the amount of grains within a grinding device A method for detecting an amount of grains within a container of a rotating grinding member is described, said method comprising the steps of: supplying (FORP1) a first driving torque to the rotating grinding member during a first interval (T1) of a grinding cycle (CM); —having (CTM1OO) a first value indicative of a period of rotation of said member at the first driving torque; supplying (RP2) the rotating grinding member, during a second interval (T2) of said cycle, with a second driving torque lower than the first driving torque; —measuring (CTM50) a second value indicative of the relative period of rotation of said member at the second driving torque, processing (CDTR, CNFR) the first and second values in order to generate information (ALR) indicative of the amount of grains being within the container.
US07980489B2	Multiple configuration shower device A multiple configuration shower device includes at least one handle (2) connected to a flexible duct for supplying water and at least one water dispensing element (5). The dispensing element (5) is provided with a plurality of water ejection faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), each provided with respective nozzles (U), and comprising at least one connector (6), provided between the handle (2) and the dispensing element (5), which is adapted to allow the manual rotation of the dispensing element (5) about at least one axis which is substantially perpendicular to the handle (2), so as to arrange selectively at least one of the ejection faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) substantially in the direction of the user.
US07980488B2	Sprinkler with geared viscous hesitator and related method A rotary sprinkler includes: a shaft having a cam, the cam having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting cam lobes; a rotatable water distribution plate adapted to be impinged upon by a stream emitted from a nozzle causing at least the water distribution plate to rotate; a hesitator assembly including a stationary housing having a sealed chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid, with at least the cam and the cam lobes located within the chamber; a rotor ring located within the chamber in substantially surrounding relationship to the cam, the rotor ring loosely located within the chamber for rotation and translation, the rotor ring provided with at least two hesitator lobes projecting radially inwardly and movable laterally into and out of a path of rotation of the cam lobes, and a first plurality of radially outwardly projecting teeth selectively engageable with a second greater plurality of teeth provided on an inner wall of the housing; and wherein rotation of water distribution plate is slowed during intervals when one of the cam lobes engages and pushes past a respective one of the hesitator lobes, the cam lobe exerting both rotation and translation forces on the rotor ring, with one of the first plurality of teeth on the rotor engaging one of the second plurality of teeth on the housing wall.
US07980487B2	Texture sprayer A texture spray pump unit (100) having a tank (140) with an outlet for providing texture material to a pump (120), for delivery to a texture spray gun. The spray pump unit (100) also has an air source (180) for providing power to the pump (120) and air to deliver the texture material from the gun. A frame supports the tank (140), air source (180) and pump (120). The tank (140) is removable from the frame, and has a self closing valve to block leakage from the tank (140) when removed from the frame. The valve may have a pair of helper springs urging the valve closed. Mating portions on the frame and tank (140) guide engagement of a tank outlet with a pump inlet tube.
US07980486B2	Multi-layer film coverings for volatizing dispensers Disclosed are dispensers for volatile materials. There is a container in the form of a well having an internal cavity, a volatile chemical positioned in the cavity, and a multi-layer covering enclosing the cavity. The covering has a lower section that is gas permeable, and an upper section removably bound to the lower section that is not. Embodiments include when (a) the lower section has a top layer that is a blend of high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene; the upper section has a bottom layer that has a mixture of polypropylene and a propylene/ethylene copolymer; and/or the lower section has an upper layer that has low density polyethylene but the lower section does not contain ultra low density polyethylene. These features help prevent premature leakage at the bond between the upper section and lower section.
US07980482B2	Thermostatic expansion valve having a restricted flow passage for noise attenuation A thermostatic expansion valve includes a valve body having an evaporator inlet port, an evaporator outlet port, a suction line port, and a liquid line port. A sensor chamber formed within the valve body is disposed between the evaporator outlet port and the suction line port. A valve is disposed within the valve body controls a flow of refrigerant from the liquid line port to the evaporator inlet port. A diaphragm separates a charge chamber and a pressure chamber where a pressure differential between a charge chamber and a pressure chamber controls the positioning of the valve. A restriction flow passage located to provide fluid communication between the sensor chamber and the pressure chamber is configured to limit a flow rate from the pressure chamber to sensor chamber, thereby slowing the opening of the valve resulting in a reduction of noise generated following an initial startup of a compressor.
US07980480B2	Method of imaging a coding pattern having registration symbols A method of imaging a coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern; (b) sampling and decoding a plurality of registration symbols contained in said imaged portion; (c) determining an orientation and a translation from the decoded registration symbols; and (d) using the orientation and the translation to sample and decode tag data.
US07980478B2	Document reading apparatus and image forming apparatus having wireless IC tag reader A document reading apparatus includes an integral display portion integrally provided with an area sensor portion and a wireless IC tag reader, and a main CPU for detecting by the area sensor portion reflection light from an object placed on a screen of the integral display portion and detecting by the wireless IC tag reader that a wireless IC tag comes close to the screen. When it is determined that the object is a document based on an area of reflection light from the object, the main CPU switches to a document reading mode for reading the document on the screen by the area sensor portion, and when it is detected that a wireless IC tag comes close to the screen, the main CPU switches to a wireless IC tag reading mode for reading electronic money information of the wireless IC tag by the wireless IC tag reader.
US07980475B2	Cake topper transaction product A transaction product for use as a cake topper includes a body portion, an auxiliary portion and a machine readable account identifier. The body portion defines a support member and a flange extending from the support member. The flange is configured for placement into a frosting layer on a cake. The body portion defines a first part of a character. The auxiliary portion is formed separately from the body portion and defines a second part of the character. The auxiliary portion defines a lip configured for placement into the frosting layer on the cake. The account identifier is coupled to at least one of the body portion and the auxiliary portion and links the transaction product to an account or record for tracking a value associated with the transaction product. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of encouraging use of such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.
US07980472B2	Data converter and its converting method A data converter and its converting method having both the functions of barcode technology and RFID technology, and conforming with related regulations of international civil aviation are disclosed. The data converter includes a barcode reading module, a processing module, and a reading module. The converting method includes the following steps: (1) Reading an external barcode data SBC by the barcode reading module; (2) Reading the external barcode data SBC read by the barcode reading module by the barcode reading module from a memory; (3) Reading the date data (preset data SP) from the RTC (Real Time Clock) by the processing module; (4) Reading the data arrangement format defined within the firmware by the processing module; (5) Combining the external barcode data SBC and the preset data SP in accordance with the arranged format by the processing module; (6) Writing the combined data into a register memory by the processing module; (7) Starting the RFID module by the processing module; (8) Reading the combined data from the register memory by the processing module and writing into the RFID medium memory through the RFID module.
US07980470B2	Adaptive power management in imaging systems An imaging system for, and a method of, electro-optically reading targets, utilize an energizable illuminator for illuminating an illuminated target with illumination light, a solid-state, energizable imager having an array of image sensors for capturing return light from the illuminated target over a field of view, and for generating electrical signals indicative of the captured return light, and a controller for energizing the illuminator and the imager to process the electrical signals into data indicative of the illuminated target. A power reducer is operatively connected to the controller, for adaptively reducing electrical power consumption of the illuminator and/or the controller based on system usage.
US07980468B2	Processing method and apparatus for recording media having printed magnetic ink characters In a method of processing recording media on which magnetic ink characters are printed, the media is transported at a first speed in an upright position along a transportation path from a supply unit to a discharge unit. The magnetic characters are read and output signals representative of the reading generated. The output signals are analyzed, including comparing the output signals with previously stored signal patterns of magnetic ink characters to determine if the magnetic characters can be recognized or not. The transporting of the recording media is paused, or slowed to a second speed substantially lower than the first speed, for a period of time during the analyzing of the output signals. A processing apparatus includes components for carrying out the operations of such method.
US07980467B2	Authentication method for pharmaceutical products having symmetrically coded packaging A method for authenticating a pharmaceutical product, the pharmaceutical product being associated with packaging having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the pharmaceutical product and at least part of a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The method includes, using a sensing device to sense at least one coded data portion. A processor then determines the identity at least one determined signature part, and uses these to authenticate the pharmaceutical product. The coded data is arranged in accordance with a n-fold rotationally symmetric layout. The layout encodes data comprising a sequence of an integer multiple m of n-symbols. Each encoded symbol is distributed at n-locations about a center of rotational symmetry such that decoding the symbols produces n-representations of the data each comprising a different cyclic shift of the data.
US07980464B1	Bank card fraud protection system Systems and methods are provided for protecting against bank card fraud and related crimes by providing a distress/fraud trigger at bank card machines, such as automated teller machines and point-of-sale terminals. The trigger initiates certain heightened-security processes designed to stop the crime, control damage, and help apprehend the criminal. For example, in one embodiment, the trigger involves the cardholder inputting a “panic” personal identification code into the bank card machine. The panic personal identification code indicates to a party involved in the bank card transaction that a fraudulent transaction may be taking place. The heightened-security processes may include, for example, displaying that the bank card machine is out-of-order, dispensing money with a GPS tracking device, requesting additional identification steps, instituting delay tactics, notifying on-site personnel, or forwarding audio or video information from the bank card machine to a bank's command center in real time or near real time.
US07980462B1	Automated transaction machine with card reader that can read unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe An automated transaction machine includes a card reader that can read a unique magnetic characteristic of a magnetic stripe on a card. The machine can then send data reflective of the read characteristic to a remote card validator. The card validator can compare the received data to referenced magnetic characteristic data corresponding to cards authorized for use with the machine. The machine can also communicate with a transaction host computer to carry out a financial transaction. As a result of the magnetic data comparison, an invalid card can be discovered and a fraudulent transaction prevented. Communication between the card validator and machine is independent from communication between the transaction host and machine.
US07980461B1	Card activated automated banking machine system and method A card activated automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38) and deposit accepting opening (40). A stack of notes (84) input to the machine are separated one by one from the stack through the action of at least one picking member (158, 352) and at least one stripper member (64, 162, 354). Note holding cassettes include sensors operative to detect near full and near empty conditions. At least one processor in the machine is operative to control the addition and/or removal of notes from each cassette so as to avoid overfilling or depleting the cassettes which may result in machine malfunctions.
US07980460B1	Check accepting and cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method An automated banking machine operates using data included on user cards. The machine accepts checks and dispenses cash to users. The automated banking machine operates to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks and to determine the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks.
US07980459B2	Presence system and method for presence management A presence server stores a presence that is identified by presence IDs “a1” and “a2”, as the presence of a user “A”. User “A” can pass a card that they hold through a card reader at a timing of their choosing. The card reader reads in data from the card and transmits a renewal request to the presence server. The renewal request includes a renewer ID, an object ID, category information and the presence. When the presence server receives the renewal request, it specifies the presence ID “a1” of user “A” to be the presence that is to be renewed, based on the category information, and moreover, rewrites the presence of the presence ID “a1” to a presence “meeting room A” that is included in the renewal request. Thus, the card reader can renew the presence designated by the “category information”. As for the presence that is renewed, it is notified to a watcher of the presence “a1” from the presence server.
US07980458B2	Electronic wallet device and communication method There is provided an electronic wallet device including a holding section to hold a plurality of non-contact type IC cards, an external communication antenna to perform non-contact communication with an external unit, a card communication antenna to perform non-contact communication with the IC cards held in the holding section, a card selecting section to select at least one IC card by narrowing down candidates for an IC card to be used for communication with the external unit from the plurality of IC cards based on a plurality of different card selection criteria, and a communication control section to connect the selected IC card with the external unit via the external communication antenna and the card communication antenna so that the selected non-contact type IC card and the external unit communicate with each other.
US07980453B2	Apparatus and method for handles integrated with product containers The present invention is a handled container for retail products. The handled container defines an upper opening wherein a first upper panel and a second upper panel together cover a substantial portion of the upper opening. The second upper panel is provided with a pair of substantially parallel cuts extending across the second upper panel to define a handle in the second upper panel. A first upper panel is shaped such that it provides access to the handle when the first upper panel is positioned above the second upper panel and both are in the closed position to substantially seal the handled container.
US07980452B2	Covered container for enclosing a food product or the like The present invention provides a container configured to selectively enclose a food product or the like, including: a tray including a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom that collectively define a compartment configured to hold a food product or the like, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each include an enlarged flap; and a tapered cover including a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a back wall, and a tapered top, wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall, the back wall, and the top are substantially coextensive with the tray, and wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each include an enlarged flap that is configured and positioned to interlock with the corresponding enlarged flap of the first side wall and the second side wall of the tray.
US07980448B2	Method of forming bonded body and bonded body A method of forming a bonded body comprised of a first base member, a second base member, and a first bonding film and a second bonding film provided between the first base member and the second base member is provided. The first bonding film and the second bonding film are constituted of copper and an organic component, and an amount of copper contained in each of the first bonding film and the second bonding film is 80 atom % or higher but lower than 90 atom % at an atomic ratio. The method is comprised of: forming the first bonding film on the first base member by using a chemical vapor-film formation method; forming the second bonding film on the second base member by using a chemical vapor-film formation method; bringing the first bonding film formed on the first base member into contact with the second bonding film formed on the second base member so that the first bonding film faces the second bonding film; and applying a compressive force to the first base member and the second base member so that the first bonding film and the second bonding film are bonded together to thereby obtain the bonded body. Two base members can be firmly and efficiently bonded together with high dimensional accuracy at a low temperature, and the two base members can be efficiently separated (peeled off) to each other after use of the bonded body. Further, a bonded body is also provided.
US07980447B2	Jet stack brazing in a diffusion furnace A method and apparatus for batch brazing jet stacks in a diffusion furnace. The method may include inserting fusible parts into slots of quartz boats and transporting the quartz boats into an interior of a reaction chamber of a diffusion furnace. An operator may seal the interior of the reaction chamber and an atmosphere of the interior of the reaction chamber may be adjusted according to a brazing recipe. A preheated furnace heating element may be moved toward the reaction chamber to increase a temperature and the fusible parts may be brazed according to the brazing recipe. The furnace heating element may then be moved away from the reaction chamber, the chamber unsealed, and the brazed parts removed.
US07980445B2	Fill head for full-field solder coverage with a rotatable member A system, apparatus, and method, are provided to deposit conductive bonding material into cavities in a mold. A fill head is placed in substantial contact with a mold that includes cavities. The fill head includes a sealing member that substantially encompasses an entire area to be filled with conductive bonding material. The conductive bonding material is forced out of the fill head toward the mold. The conductive bonding material is provided into at least one cavity of the cavities contemporaneous with the at least one cavity being in proximity to the fill head.
US07980443B2	End effectors for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument In various embodiments, an anvil of a disposable loading unit including a first member having staple pockets for deforming staples, a first cover plate secured to the first member, and a second cover plate secured to at least one of the first member and the first cover plate, wherein the first and second cover plates can be configured to support the first member. In at least one embodiment, an anvil can include a first member inserted into a second member, where at least one of the first and second members can be deformed to retain one to the other. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a disposable loading unit comprising a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve can be configured to be slid relative to the staple cartridge and the anvil to hold the anvil in a closed position.
US07980441B2	Setting tool A setting tool for driving fastening elements in a constructional component, includes a muzzle (14), a bolt guide (15) located in the muzzle (14), a magazine (20) for fastening elements (50) and releasably mountable on the tool housing (11) and having a connection section (21) provided at an end of the magazine (20) adjacent to the muzzle (14) and with which the magazine (20) is secured to the muzzle (14), and a connection device for releasably mounting the magazine on the tool housing (11) and including a hinge bearing formed as a plug-in coupling and provided with a first support element arranged on the connection section (21) of the magazine (20) and a second support element arranged on the muzzle (14), with the hinge bearing (17) having a pivot axis (S) provided on a side of the magazine (20) remote from the housing (11), outside of the magazine (20) and outside of the muzzle (14) and extending at a right angle to a plane (E) defined by the bolt guide (15) and the magazine (20).
US07980439B2	Nailing machine According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nailing machine including: a housing; an ejection section in the housing; an activation lever provided in the ejection section to be movable inside a traveling course; a magazine holding nails; a feeder urging the nails to feed the nails; and an engagement member engaged with the feeder so that, when an amount of remaining nails becomes to a predetermined number, the engagement member is moved toward a first direction to protrude into the traveling course; wherein one of the activation lever and the engagement member includes a slope portion so that the engagement member is further moved toward the first direction through the sliding contact therebetween.
US07980434B2	Inside wrap around garment hanger The present invention relates generally to molded plastic garment hangers. Garment hangers of this type may be simply constructed as molded plastic structures incorporating a hook adapted to be suspended from a suitable support, such as a garment display rack or the like. The garment hanger has a plurality of elongated body members extending in opposite directions from the hook so as to facilitate a garment to be suspended therefrom. The opposite or distal ends of the elongated body members typically have vertical members attached thereto, and a first set of garment clips formed on the vertical members to enable the attachment of various kinds of garments thereto. The vertical members also have a second set of garment clips formed on the opposite side of the vertical member to permit the garment straps to be secured.
US07980429B2	Method and apparatus for dispensing paste-like substances The present invention discloses a container having a cavity for dispensing a paste and a cavity for another material. In one aspect, a first cavity for a comestible paste resides in an area between a hollow piston and a top section having a dispenser. The top section and piston optionally have corresponding male and female threads in their respective cylindrical sections. The paste can be dispensed by slidably advancing the piston towards the dispenser. In an optional embodiment, the threads can then be engaged to rotatably advance the piston towards the dispenser to dispense additional paste. A comestible seasoning or other material can be disposed in the hollow piston.
US07980428B2	Viscous material dispensing apparatus with brake A dispensing gun for viscous material including a stock supporting a push rod which is advanceable along a keep in which a cartridge of a material can be mounted. The rod is advanced by means of a catch plate and a locking plate prevents the rod retreating with the catch plate. The locking plate is carried by the rod between a first and a second position so that it acts as a lost motion brake once force is removed from the trigger in one configuration of the dispensing gun, taking the dispensing force off the cartridge to prevent leaking when the trigger is not depressed. In an alternative configuration, the lost motion is reduced, for example to zero, to allow a continuous dispensing action by maintaining the pressure in the cartridge using a pumping action of the trigger.
US07980420B2	Card dispensing apparatus A card dispensing apparatus having a compact configuration has a housing to support a stack of cards on a fixed base. Openings in the base member can permit surfaces from a conveying member to extend into the housing and contact a surface of the lowest card. The conveyer member can move horizontal to a release point and retract beneath the base member to return to an initial position. A movement unit provides a cyclic looping movement of the conveyer member into and out of the housing for transporting cards. A feed unit positioned at the dispensing point of the cards can grasp and release the cards from the card dispensing apparatus.
US07980417B2	Theft resistant product merchandiser A product merchandiser stores a plurality of products, dispenses products one at a time and produces a sound when a product is dispensed. The product merchandiser may include a housing, a track, a door and a structure that produces sound. The housing has a proximal opening. The track may be disposed within the housing and directs products towards the proximal opening of the housing. The door is disposed near the proximal opening of the housing. The door pivotally connects to the housing and is movable from a first position to at least a second position. When the door is in its first position, a product is held at least partially within the housing. When the door is in its second position, a product is removable from the housing. The sound-producing structure produces a sound when the door is moved between its first position and its second position.
US07980415B2	Apparatus for replacing gripping member on wire bucket handle An apparatus includes an elongate member having opposed ends, and identical first and second grip units. The first grip unit is joined to the second grip unit to form a gripping member that circumscribes a section of the elongate member between the opposed ends of the elongate member. Clip tabs are formed in the first and second grip units, respectively, which extend past the elongate member and snap into corresponding openings in the respective first and second grip units in response to movement of the first grip unit in a direction toward the second grip unit and that is normal with respect to the second grip unit and to the elongate member.
US07980414B2	Produce packaging system enabling improved drainage for hydrocooling A produce packaging system incorporates a container having ample top ventilation enabling efficient ingress of cooling water into container to cool produce contained inside. The container also having a sloped bottom for draining water toward a bottom vent and out of the container during hydrocooling. The system also includes a cooling box configured for holding the containers in an upright orientation enabling inflow of cooling water into the containers and out of the box.
US07980411B2	Apparatus for securing a bag within a container with scented retaining element An apparatus for securing a trash bag in a container is disclosed, where the apparatus has a removable and replaceable scented bag retaining element which extends outwardly from the main body of the apparatus. The main body has a pair of spaced channel arms that receive, guide and support the retaining element in proper position against the main body, and the replaceable scented retaining element has a releasable locking tab which is received by and locks within a slot in the main body of the apparatus. A central membrane of the retaining element has a number of slits that form a number of flexible flaps which deform when pressed to received and retain the trash bag. The main body is adhesively mountable to the outer surface of the container.
US07980409B2	Console lid dual latch differentiation Disclosed herein are a vehicle console and a latching system for a vehicle console with dual latch differentiation. The latching system comprises at least one lid pivotally attached to the console to move between a closed position and an open position relative to the opening. First and second latches are mounted to the lid. The first latch is configured to detach the lid from the first coupling to permit the lid to move to the open position while still attached to the secondary compartment, thereby exposing the primary compartment. The second latch is configured to detach the lid from both the first coupling and second coupling to permit the lid to move to the open position, detached from the secondary compartment. The first and second latches each comprise a hand engageable contact surface and the contact surface of one of the first and second latches comprises a tactile differentiator.
US07980408B2	Disposable container system and method with reusable hood assembly A kit for medical waste disposal comprising a plurality of containers; a hood assembly configured to substantially cover an open end of a respective one said containers, the hood assembly defining a passage through which medical waste can be passed to the open end of said container; and a plurality of lids, separate from the hood assembly, each configured to be placed over an open end of a respective container and to substantially close the open end of said container when said container is at least partially filled with medical waste; each of said containers being configured for separation from the hood assembly for disposal.
US07980406B2	Container assembly A container assembly includes a first container, a second container, and a connecting unit. The first container has an opening and a rim that defines the opening. The second container has a wall formed with a slit unit. The connecting unit includes an upper hook section hooked removably onto the rim of the first container, a lower hook section extended removably through the slit unit for hooking the wall of the second container onto the lower hook section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the upper hook section and the lower hook section.
US07980405B2	Individually detachable container pack The individually detachable drink pack includes a plurality of beverage containers aligned in a substantially linear fashion. A tab is disposed about the periphery of the cap and/or base of each container and extends to the next container, attaching to the next container's base or cap to another tab. In this manner, the containers are attached end to end, or may be branched to start a side chain of containers, also linked end to end. Each tab is relatively thin and flexible, having sufficient strength to normally keep the containers connected, yet being frangible such that the tab may be broken by being bent or torn, thus allowing consecutive beverage containers to be separated and the contents thereof consumed.
US07980404B2	Multi-functional base for a plastic, wide-mouth, blow-molded container A container can have a body with an integrally formed base attached to the body. The base includes a concave annular wall extending from the container sidewall to a standing surface, and an inner wall extending from the standing surface to a substantially flat inner annular wall. The inner annular wall is recessed in the base and is substantially perpendicular to the container sidewall. The inner annular wall includes a centrally located dimple. The dimple includes a plurality of spaced apart and radially extending indented ribs. One or more of the ribs extend radially into a brace that tapers to meet the inner annular wall.
US07980403B2	Container closure with internal threading system A plug-type closure for use with internally threaded containers. The container includes a container body and a neck defining an internal thread. The closure includes a cap body having an annular wall extending outwardly from the cap body, configured to shroud the neck of the container. The closure further includes a generally cylindrical plug body operatively attached to and extending outwardly from the cap body. The plug body includes a thread that engages with the corresponding internal thread of the container neck to provide a leak-resistant seal.
US07980402B2	Radio remote control device for a working machine The invention relates to a radio remote control unit for an operating device, comprising a radio transmitter for transmitting control command signals for the operating device and a radio reception unit assigned to the operating device for receiving control command signals of the radio transmitter and for converting the control command signals into control signals for controlling the operating functions of the operating device, characterized in that the radio transmitter has a sensor unit for detecting at least one irregular force induction state and/or an irregular movement state and/or at least one irregular positional state of the radio transmitter and is equipped to change its radio transmission performance in a specific manner on detection of the irregular state, and the radio reception unit is equipped to trigger an emergency control signal on detecting the specific change in the radio transmission performance of the radio transmitter to influence the operating functions of the operating device in a predetermined manner.
US07980401B1	Shelving system A shelving system includes an upper wall that has a bottom surface. A panel has a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. The panel has four corners. A plurality of tethers each has a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends is attached to the bottom surface and each of the second ends is attached to the panel. The corners each have one of the second ends positioned adjacent thereto when the tethers are suspended from the upper wall. The tethers suspend the panel from the upper wall a distance equal to at least 8 inches. A plurality of couplers releasably couple the panel to the upper wall in a stored position spaced from the upper wall a distance of less than 4 inches.
US07980399B2	Modular display rack A modular display rack and, more specifically, a display rack having a plurality of cylindrical bins oriented horizontally and stacked vertically. The cylindrical bins consist of a transparent half-pipe bottom with vertical dividers attached to two circular end caps. The circular end caps provide a hinge for a rotatable door and snap-to-fit features that allow the stacking of the bins vertically.
US07980397B2	Glass plate packaging pallet and glass plate package body A glass plate packaging pallet includes a pallet base formed by integrating a base part and a backside part rising from a rear side of the base part, and a mount body formed by integrating a pedestal part and a backrest part, the pedestal part being placed above the base part and supporting from below a plurality of glass plates disposed so as to be stacked with an upright posture, the backrest part being placed in front of the backside part and supporting the glass plates resting thereagainst, and is configured such that a rear surface of the backrest part and a front surface of the backside part are fixed together so as to face each other along the same plane, and that the pedestal part is positioned in a non-connected state with respect to the base part.
US07980394B2	Sheets processing apparatus and sheets processing method A sheet processing apparatus including a table to be loaded a first and a second banknote group partitioned by a header card recording the bar code number in the piling direction of the banknotes, a take-in portion to take in the banknotes of the first and second banknote groups loaded on the table and the header card, a discrimination portion to count the banknotes taken in by the take-in portion and discriminate the kind thereof, a plurality of stackers to sort and stack the banknotes discriminated by the discrimination portion on the basis of the kink thereof, and a sensor to detect the header card taken in by the take-in portion. The sheet processing apparatus additionally includes a controller to control so as to stop the taking-in of the second banknote group on the basis of detection of the header card by the sensor and after a lapse of a predetermined time, to start the taking-in of the second banknote group.
US07980390B2	Card structures for enhanced stacking strength A display card (200) including a front layer (230) and a back layer (210), wherein at least a portion of the front layer (230) is connected to at least a portion of the back layer (210), a blister (220) supported by at least one of the front layer (230) and the back layer (210), and at least one support tube (240) defined by the front layer (230) and the back layer (210), wherein the support tube is formed by folding the front layer (230) relative to the back layer (210).
US07980379B2	Conveyance device A conveyance device has two endless arrangements of tread steps, step plates or pallets driven in a transportation direction by a drive. Adjacent to a first longitudinal side of the first arrangement is a first balustrade with a handrail, and adjacent a second longitudinal side of the first arrangement is a second balustrade and handrail. The second arrangement is located parallel and next to the first arrangement and is also driven by the drive. The second balustrade is configured as a center balustrade between the two arrangements to be used by persons on both arrangements. A third balustrade and handrail is adjacent a second side of the second arrangement.
US07980374B2	Flow accumulator and clutch control system for automatic transmissions The present invention provides a flow accumulator and a clutch control system for an automatic transmission. The flow accumulator includes a dual area piston disposed in a complementary dual diameter cylinder. The small end of the piston is pressurized by fluid from a spool valve which supplies and exhausts fluid to the clutch. The large end of the piston displaces fluid into the clutch when the small end is pressurized. A flow restricting orifice is disposed in parallel with the flow accumulator between the spool valve and the clutch and a pair of check valves control fluid flow into and out of the larger diameter cylinder.
US07980370B2	Lockup device and hydraulic torque transmission device provided with the same A lockup device 7 of a torque converter 1 is formed of a piston 75, a clutch plate 80, and a damper mechanism 9. The clutch plate 80 has a first passage P1 connecting an inner space S3 on the radially inner side to a space S1 formed axially between the front cover 11 and the clutch plate 80, and a second passage P2 connecting the inner space S3 formed on the radially inner side to a space S2 formed axially between the piston and the clutch plate 80.
US07980368B2	Damping force variable shock absorber A damping force variable shock absorber is provided, which is configured to prevent a ring disc of a damping force variable valve from being excessively bent without increasing the thickness of the ring disc. The damping force variable shock absorber includes a damping force variable valve controlled in a pilot control manner by operating a solenoid. The damping force variable valve includes a disc valve and a pilot chamber provided in a housing to vary damping force. The disc valve includes a main disc, a pilot disc-S provided adjacent to the main disc in the rear thereof, and a ring disc having an outer periphery supported on a supporting portion of the housing. A spacer disc is inserted between the main disc and the pilot disc-S, the spacer disc having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of an arc-shaped slot of the ring disc.
US07980366B2	Hydraulically actuated multi-piston disc brake A hydraulically actuated disc brake has at least two hydraulic brake pistons acting upon a brake lining, arranged in a brake housing. The hydraulic disc brake includes a hydraulic synchronization device for reducing oblique wear of the brake lining. The hydraulic synchronization device is interposed between an input pressure line for brake actuation and the brake piston.
US07980364B2	Battery forklift drive unit The invention is aimed at providing a battery forklift drive unit which makes a large space unnecessary for disposing brakes in the vicinities of drive units, thereby to achieve making the vicinities of drive units compact in a battery forklift. To this end, a second gear disposed in a drive case of the drive unit is formed inside with a space in which a wet type brake section is disposed and the wet type brake section comprises an inner disk whose entire inner periphery is attached to the second gear, an outer disk which lies opposite to the inner disk and whose entire outer periphery is attached to a side of the drive case, and a pressure plate for pressing together the inner and outer disks lying opposite to each other.
US07980363B2	Elevator safety arrangement having safety spaces An elevator safety arrangement and a method for implementing safety spaces in an elevator has a mechanical safety device which can be set to a working position to ensure a sufficient safety space in the elevator shaft and an electric safety system for identifying the operating state of the mechanical safety device. An electric safety controller comprises means for measuring the total resistance of a series circuit. The method includes reading the number of landing doors open by means of detectors fitted in conjunction with the landing doors, reading the number of elevator car doors open by means of detectors fitted in conjunction with the elevator car doors, and reading the position of a mechanical safety device by means of detectors fitted in conjunction with the mechanical safety device. If it is established that number of landing doors open is greater than the number of elevator car doors open, then setting the safety system into a ‘person in shaft’ state and preventing operation of the elevator. If it is established during the ‘person in shaft’ state of the safety system that the number of landing doors open is equal to the number of elevator car doors open and that the mechanical safety device has been set to a working position, then allowing maintenance operation.
US07980358B2	Lightweight, sound-insulating lining for a body part of a motor vehicle, and method for the production thereof The invention relates to a lightweight sound insulating lining (1) for a body component of a motor vehicle, in particular in the form of a lightweight front wall lining, comprising a sound absorbing layer, a sound insulating layer which is directly connected to the sound absorbing layer and substantially air tight, as well as an adjoining foam layer (1.3), wherein the sound absorbing layer (1.1) is made of a porous absorber, preferably a fiber fleece or a foam, which has an air permeability in the range of 150 to 2000 liters/m2s at a test pressure of 100 Pa. The sound insulating layer (1.2) is formed by an integral skin layer of the foam layer (1.3) with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, and is integrally joined to the porous absorber by back-foaming the porous absorber substantially without foam penetration therethrough. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a lining is disclosed.
US07980355B2	Acoustic diaphragm, and method of fabricating acoustic diaphragm There is provided an acoustic diaphragm used for a loudspeaker, having an injection-molded edge molded using a thermoplastic elastomer, in which the edge is formed using a workable polyolefinic elastomer, as a material, containing a soft segment having rubber particles of 1 μm to 10 μm in diameter uniformly dispersed therein, and a hard segment composed of an olefinic resin, and the edge is formed into a shape allowing the resin to be aligned as being not causative of anisotropy in the physical characteristics of the edge, as a result of thin-wall molding by the injection molding.
US07980351B2	Hydraulic transaxle A transaxle (1), having a hydraulic drive unit (20) and a pair of left and right wheel support units (2L and 2R), is suspended from a vehicle frame so as to be turnable around a turning-center axis oriented in a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle. The hydraulic drive unit (20) comprises: a pair of left and right hydraulic motors (23L and 23R) having respective left and right horizontal motor shafts (23b); a center section (22) formed therein with an oil passage for hydraulically connecting at least one of the hydraulic motors to a hydraulic pump, the center section having motor attachment surfaces onto which the hydraulic motors are attached; and a pair of left and right axle casings (2L and 2R) containing the respective hydraulic motors and supporting the respective motor shafts. The pair of wheel support units (30L and 30R), supporting respective left and right travel wheels (1L and 1R), are joined to respective outer ends of the left and right axle casings, and drivingly connected to the respective motor shafts (23b).
US07980347B2	Motorcycles having frame with aperture passing flexible drive member and methods A motorcycle includes a frame and a flexible drive member. The frame is provided with an aperture. An engine is attached to the frame and is configured to selectively rotate a drive sprocket. A driven sprocket is attached to a rear wheel. A flexible drive member operably couples the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket and, in doing so, passes through the aperture in the frame. Methods of manufacturing a motorcycle are also provided.
US07980343B2	Motor-type power device Due to a centrifugal force in a vehicle width direction due to turning of an automobile, oil in an electric motor housing chamber housing an electric motor and oil in a transmission housing chamber housing a reduction gear and a differential gear flows to-and-fro via oil communication passages that penetrate a partitioning wall. An opening on the transmission housing chamber side of the oil communication passages is spaced from the partitioning wall. Hence, when oil moves from the transmission housing chamber side to the electric motor housing chamber side, it is possible to prevent the oil quantity on the electric motor housing chamber side from increasing excessively and suppress an increase in resistance to oil stirring by a rotor of the electric motor while retaining a constant oil amount on the transmission housing chamber side to ensure lubricating performance for the reduction gear and the differential gear.
US07980340B2	Hybrid vehicle having power assembly arranged transversely in engine compartment A hybrid vehicle includes two front wheels, two rear wheels, an internal combustion engine, a first motor/generator, and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator may be rotatably coupled to the internal combustion engine, and the second motor/generator may be rotatably coupled to at least one wheel of the hybrid vehicle. The first motor/generator, the second motor/generator and a gear transmission are housed within the engine compartment and are located between two front wheels and arranged in a substantially linear manner. The first motor/generator, the second motor/generator, and the gear transmission are located substantially above a centerline of the front wheels of the vehicle.
US07980339B2	Power transmission system of hydraulically driven working vehicle A power transmission system of a hydraulically driven working vehicle comprises: a prime mover supported by a vehicle frame, the prime mover including a prime mover output shaft projecting in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; a pump housing; a hydraulic pump disposed in the pump housing, the hydraulic pump including a pump shaft projecting from the pump housing in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle so as to be drivingly connected to the prime mover output shaft; a first hydraulic motor disposed outside the pump housing so as to be fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump; a transaxle supported by one of front and rear portions of the vehicle frame, the transaxle including a transaxle housing, a pair of axles disposed in the transaxle housing so as to be driven by the hydraulic motor, and a differential gear unit disposed in the transaxle housing so as to be drivingly interposed between the hydraulic motor and the pair of axles; a PTO shaft; and a working power train extracting a part of power transmitted from the prime mover output shaft to the pump shaft and transmitting the extracted power to the PTO shaft.
US07980330B1	Well tubular, retrievable joint strainer and method A debris collector or strainer assembly for a well string tubular coupling wherein one embodiment discloses a conical coil with one end fixed to a hub, a beveled collar surrounding and supporting the hub and secured thereto with shear pins, the conical coil is deformable as necessary to capture irregular shaped objects between its coils, its loops may be closed, spaced apart, fixed or allowed to expand under pressure, and may be retrieved using an overshot fishing tool to engage a rod extending axially through the coil which may be attached at one or both ends of the coil.
US07980328B2	Rotary steerable devices and methods of use The invention provides rotary steerable devices and methods for use of rotary steerable devices. One aspect of the invention provides a rotary steerable device including: a cylinder configured for rotation in a wellbore, the cylinder having a slot and a gauge; and at least one cam received in the slot. The cam is configured for selective actuation between a first position, wherein the cam lies within the gauge of the cylinder, and a second position, wherein the cam is displaced out of the gauge of the cylinder.
US07980327B2	Sub-surface imaging using antenna array for determing optimal oil drilling site The invention provides for systems and methods of enhancing crude oil recovery providing an array of electromagnetic receiver antennae arranged and operated in conjunction with an array of far field electromagnetic transmitter antennae for mapping subsurface features of a reservoir. Mapping is performed according to the relative intensities, frequencies, phase shifts, and/or other reflected signal parameters of the reflections received by the receiver antennae (relative to the transmit signals) associated with a given location or target area within a reservoir. Such mapping aids in determining an optimal location of a production well or the location of an auxiliary well relative to the production well.
US07980325B2	Rotating shaft locking mechanism A locking mechanism for a rotary power tool that includes an elongated locking member that is retained by, and is at opposite first and second end portions within, at least one of a motor housing and a gearbox end casting and being slideable between unlocked and locked positions, the locking member first end portion being accessible by a user to move the locking member to the locked position. The locking member also includes a locking portion intermediate the first and second end portions that is configured to engage the non-circular configured portion of a rotatable armature shaft and prevent rotation thereof when the locking member is in its locked position. A biasing element is also included and configured to bias the locking member toward said unlocked position.
US07980321B2	Anvil for a power tool The present disclosure relates to an anvil, an anvil and socket combination and an anvil attached to a power tool. The anvil structure includes a drive head with an end and a body portion having a channel spaced there between. A friction ring is retained in the channel. Flats are provided on the end and on the sides of the end and the square portion in a coordinating alignment such that the flats generally lie in the same plane. The ring retained in the channel between the end and the portion at least partially extends relative to the flap. A transition cone is provided on the anvil for distributing impact load. Additional, relief grooves are provided on corners of the polygon portion to help further relieve stress in the anvil structure.
US07980320B2	Electric power tool with gear reduction unit An electric power tool includes a motor, a reduction mechanism, a driving unit, a bearing unit, a housing, a speed changing unit, a power switch, and an operation detecting unit which detects a reduction ratio changing operation performed by the speed changing unit to control electric power supplied to the motor. The reduction mechanism transfers the rotating power of the motor, and the driving unit transfers the rotating power of the reduction mechanism to a tip end tool. The bearing unit rotatably supports the driving unit, and the housing accommodates the motor, the reduction mechanism, the driving unit and the bearing unit. The speed changing unit changes a reduction ratio of the reduction mechanism, a power switch for turning on and off a power source of the motor.
US07980319B2	Motor grader A motor grader including lift cylinders is described. Each one of lift cylinders is connected to a lifter bracket through first support means, and each other ends of the lift cylinders is connected to a forward position compared to a rear in portion in a draw bar, through second support means. Each one ends and the other end of the lift cylinders are offset from each other with respect to a front-rear direction of the motor grader as viewed from above the motor grader, thereby disposing the pair of lift cylinders inclined in the front-rear direction of the motor as viewed from a side of the motor grader. With this structure, it is possible to obtain the motor grader in which a height position of each end of the lift cylinders can be substantially equal to a height position of the lifter bracket as viewed from the side of the motor grader, and a visibility hindrance by the pair of lift cylinders can extremely be lowered.
US07980310B2	Backoff sub and method for remotely backing off a target joint A backoff sub includes a housing and a backoff facilitator at least partially within the housing. The backoff sub is a part of the string that is stuck and is capable of adding energy to the string within which the sub is disposed to facilitate backing off of a portion of that sting close to a stuck point of that string. A method is included.
US07980308B2	Perforating gun assembly and method for controlling wellbore fluid dynamics A downhole tool used in the pressure isolation of adjacent subterranean formations. The downhole tool may comprise flow restriction devices along the outer circumference for impeding flow along the length of the tool. The tool may further comprise a perforating gun and an accumulator. Impeding flow along the length of the tool provides a dynamic flow restriction within the wellbore that precludes fluid flowing from one subterranean zone to an adjacent zone.
US07980306B2	Methods, systems and apparatus for coiled tubing testing A method and apparatus for testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within the wellbore. The method and apparatus enables isolation and testing of individual zones without the need to pull production tubing. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It may not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07980304B2	Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale formations.
US07980301B1	Method and apparatus for the dampening of shocks in the borehole of wells The method and apparatus for dampening of sudden shocks in the wells filled by liquid wherein the tubing pump is used in which on upstroke of pumping unit the damper plunger and tubing pump plunger are moving in concordance thereby compressing the liquid contained within the damper chamber and allowing the liquid inside the damper chamber to be discharged into the internal volume of tubing string above damper plunger providing a dampening counterforce inside the damper chamber, i.e. when the damper plunger is displaced upwardly in the elongated damper cylinder, the damper plunger having a diameter smaller than diameter of the tubing pump plunger causes the compression of liquid inside the damper chamber thereby creating a dampening force.
US07980299B1	Horizontal well treating method Method of treating, especially, horizontally deviated wellbores where various treating solutions such as, acids, slurries, proppants, fracturing fluids, flushing fluids, or sealants are transferred into an annulus formed by a casing in the well and a working string. The working string has a seal member providing a sliding seal with the casing, a perforated nipple above the seal, and a check valve above the perforated nipple for preventing back flow through the working string to the surface. The working string has a seal element at the wellhead to avoid treating solutions leaking from the annulus out the wellhead. Treating solution of the desired make-up is pumped into the annulus, through the perforated nipple, down the working string, along the horizontal deviated wellbore, then into the strata or formation through a dispersing tool for the particular treating solution. The method provides a decrease in head loss, and if the working string uses a solid rod of lesser diameter than the remainder of the working string the head loss is further minimized. The apertures in the perforated nipple may be selected according to the requirements of the treating solution being pumped into the formation.
US07980298B2	Wedge device A wedge device for clamping of pipes and tools during petroleum production, this wedge device comprising an annular mounting element arranged for connection to a deck or a rotary table, where a plurality of man wedges, with associated clamps and displaceable with respect to the annular mounting element, encircle the vertical central axis of the wedge device, and where the clamp is located on an auxiliary wedge displaceably or rotatably coupled to the main wedge.
US07980294B2	Liquid cooling system For providing a liquid cooling system for an electronic apparatus having a heat-generating element within a housing thereof, enabling small-sizes thereof and being effective for lowering noises when the apparatus is operated, equipped with a new type of a driving means for a liquid coolant therein, comprises a heat-receiving jacket 100 for transferring heat generated from the heat-generating element to a liquid coolant, to evaporate it, within an inside thereof; a radiator 200 for guiding the evaporated coolant supplied from the heat-receiving jacket into an inside thereof, so as to cool it to be liquefied; and a driving means 300 for applying driving force for circulating the liquid coolant, through repetition of heating and cooling upon a portion of the liquefied liquid coolant supplied from the radiator, while restricting a flow direction of the liquid coolant within an inside thereof into one direction, whereby circulating said liquid coolant within a circulation loop including the heat-receiving jacket, the radiator, and the driving means.
US07980286B2	Device for applying a protruding tab to double-sided adhesive tape, and method of using Herein is disclosed a device and method for attaching a tab to an elongate length of double-sided adhesive tape, the tab protruding beyond a terminal end of the elongate length of tape and being attached to both surfaces of the adhesive tape.
US07980284B2	Vacuum laminator An vacuum laminator for laminating workpieces includes a grasping assembly, an alignment assembly, a pickup head, and a sealed body. The grasping assembly is configured for grasping one workpiece. The alignment assembly is connected to the grasping assembly for adjusting a position of the workpiece on the grasping assembly. The pickup head is configured for picking up another workpiece. The grasping assembly and pickup head are received in the sealed body opposite to each other. The grasping assembly includes two grasping members grasping and releasing the workpiece.
US07980283B2	System and method for using a force model to control process configurations for the encapsulation of a web The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing a treated web. The subject methods and apparatus involve the control of numerous variables, including, without limitation, web tension (both overall web tension as well as the web tension immediately before and after each individual blade), angle of entry of web into each blade, blade angle in relation to horizontal reference point, blade pressure against moving web, angle of exit of web from each blade, web speed, number of blades, the pressure of the leading nip rolls, the pressure of the trailing nip rolls, static control, thickness of each blade, bevel on each blade, oven cure temperature, oven cure dwell time, blade temperature and blade surfaces and edge conditions and blade finish.
US07980281B2	Pneumatic tire with tread having protruding stripe in groove bottom and tire mold for making the tire A groove bottom of a circumferential groove formed in a tread surface is provided with a protruding stripe extending along an extending direction of the circumferential groove. The protruding stripe is provided with a top head portion protruding toward a tire outer circumferential side, and a base portion which is narrower than the top head portion and connects the top head portion and the groove bottom. If a small stone is pinched, the top head portion is inclined around the base portion, and the protruding stripe is deflected as a whole, thereby generating a reaction force on the basis of a deformation restoring force.
US07980277B2	Powder charging device and powder charging method The invention discloses a powder filling device and method which is capable of making stable powder flow rate, preventing powder from being leaked or dispersed during filling operation, and filling the powder in a short time in a new powder filling system filling the powder from a measuring tank to a powder filling container. The powder filling device comprises a measuring tank having a powder discharge port and a filling amount control unit disposed near the powder discharge port, and an auxiliary container having an opening disposed on the underside of the powder discharge port of the measuring tank which faces downward. The powder filling device is characterized in that a powder externally delivered into the measuring tank is discharged from the powder discharge port into the powder filling container disposed on the underside of the auxiliary container while a filling amount of the powder is controlled by the filling amount control unit, and the powder is temporarily dropped to the auxiliary container, and further dropped to the powder filling container so that the powder filling container is filled up with the powder.
US07980275B2	Papermaker's press felt with long machine direction floats in base fabric A papermaker's press felt includes: a base fabric, comprising: a set of top machine direction (MD) yarns; a set of bottom MD yarns; and a set of cross machine direction (CMD) yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns and the bottom MD yarns. The top MD yarns, bottom MD yarns, and CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of repeat units in which each top MD yarn forms a long MD paper side float above certain consecutive ones of the set of CMD yarns. The press felt further comprises at least one batt layer attached to the base fabric. In this configuration, the long paper side floats of the base fabric can provide a desirable balance of properties.
US07980274B2	Rotary dobby, a loom including such a dobby, and a method of controlling such a dobby A dobby includes two controlled latches for coupling a drive element mounted to a main drive shaft of the dobby and an actuator element in rotation. A first resilient element resiliently biases each of the latches towards a configuration in which their respective bearing surfaces are engaged with corresponding surfaces of the actuator element. Control members are provided for moving the latches against the action of the first resilient element and that act directly on the first latch and indirectly on the second latch so as to move the first latch against the first resilient element to thereby disengage its bearing surface with a corresponding surface of the actuator element while the second latch remains in a configuration in which its bearing surface is engaged with another corresponding surface of the actuator element.
US07980273B2	Storm water flow restriction method and apparatus A feature of the present invention is it is adaptable to any pre-existing storm catch basin system. Another feature of the present invention is that it permits empirical analysis and verification of the draw down rate. Another feature is the present invention can be adjusted or modified to increase or decrease the rate of draw down after it has been installed to insure regulatory conditions are precisely met without difficulty. Changes in future regulatory draw down rates can be easily implemented.A flow restriction device has an orifice plate, the orifice plate having a frontal surface area A and at least one opening for the passage of fluid of an area Oa, wherein Oa is less than A. The flow restriction device may also employ a screen debris plate, the screen debris plate having a plurality of spaced openings for the passage of fluid; the sum area of the openings being ΣOsp wherein ΣOsp is greater than Oa.
US07980266B2	Soffit vent A one-way soffit vent has an upstream valve seat and a downstream vented cover having a boss extending in the upstream direction. A valve disk is reciprocally mounted on the boss and biased against the valve seat.
US07980263B2	Tray for a walker The present invention relates to a tray for use with a walker. The tray includes a generally rigid tray base having an essentially rectangular shape with a front long side, a back long side, a first short side and a second short side, and wherein the tray has a length that extends to or past the essentially horizontal support member; a ridge extending along the sides of the tray, wherein the ridge has a height of at least about a ½ inch; a strap having a hook and loop fastener wherein the strap is positioned at or near the back long end; and a first hinge and a second hinge, the first and second hinges are positioned, when the tray is in use, at or near the front leg of the first and second support, respectively. The length of the tray is greater that the distance between the support member of the first support and the support member of the second support; and the width of the tray is less than the length of the support member of the first support or second support. The present invention further includes methods of using the tray, and system and kits that include the tray.
US07980260B2	Dishwasher with driven rotatable spray arm An automatic dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for receiving utensils to be washed and including a rotatable spray arm located within the wash chamber and a liquid recirculation system for selectively supplying liquid to the rotatable spray arm and where the rotatable spray arm is driven with a power unit.
US07980258B1	Apparatus for cleaning the propulsion means of vehicles A method and apparatus for removing debris from the propulsion system of a vehicle such as a battle tank, including a tank in which the vehicle is positioned, means for lifting the vehicle in the tank, and means to wash the vehicle's propulsion system while the vehicle is in raised position.
US07980256B2	Filter system for a household dishwasher This invention relates to a filter system for a household dishwasher comprising a wash space and a liquid circuit that comprises a coarse sieve (33) and one or several fine filters (18, 19). The coarse sieve (33) is movable between at least two positions with the aid of means (29, 31) arranged in the dishwasher. A part of the circulating liquid in the first position (FIG. 3) flows through a collecting part (34) of the coarse sieve (33) whereas the circulating liquid in the second position (FIG. 4) flows outside said collecting part.
US07980250B2	Smokers filter A tobacco smoke filter which has a tar retention of at most 50% and comprises a relatively high draw resistance downstream filtering plug of at most 50% tar retention, a relatively low draw resistance upstream filter plug of at most 22% tar retention spaced longitudinally upstream therefrom, and a filter wrapper engaging around and joining the spaced plugs to define a cavity therebetween.
US07980246B2	Low deadspace airway adapter An airway adapter suitable for use with patients having low tidal volumes, e.g., neonates, which minimizes deadspace in the airway and promotes smooth flow of gases through the adapter. The adapter includes a first portion adapted to couple to a tubular adapter, such as an endotracheal tube adapter, and a second portion adapted to couple to a ventilation tube. A longitudinally compressible member is coupled to the first portion to minimize deadspace in the adapter. A portion of the compressible member resiliently contacts and seals against a tubular adapter upon assembly of the airway adapter therewith.
US07980244B2	Emergency pulmonary resuscitation device An emergency pulmonary resuscitation device is described. The device of the present invention provides emergency breathing for use in techniques such as CPR, and is preferably capable of interaction with an automatic external defibrillator. The device is easy to operate and provides feedback so that it may be used by persons without medical training. The device also works through a simple action, making it possible for it to be inexpensively manufactured and widely disseminated.
US07980243B2	Two-chamber cartridge for propellant-free metering aerosols A cartridge for propellant-free administration of a liquid pharmaceutical composition by inhalation includes: an elongate displacing device including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end for at least partial insertion into a container; a cartridge chamber disposed at the lower end of the displacing device and operable store a pharmaceutical formulation, the cartridge chamber including at least one pierceably sealed opening; and a cannula guide extending from the upper end of the displacing device to the cartridge chamber, wherein insertion of a cannula through the guide pierces the sealed opening and releases the pharmaceutical formulation into a liquid solvent in the container to form the liquid pharmaceutical composition.
US07980238B2	Paintball marker with ability to discharge different sized projectiles A paintball marker for firing a projectile includes a main body. The main body includes a breech and a feed port connected and a feed tube connected thereto. The main body is originally configured for launching a projectile having a first size. The invention includes a conversion kit to enable a marker to launch projectiles that are smaller than what can be originally launched. A breech insert is positioned within the breech, a feed insert is positioned within the feed port and a replacement barrel, with a smaller diameter bore, are provided to reduce the size of the all conduits within the marker for launching a projectile having a second size that smaller than the first size. The feed insert directly engages the breech adapter to prevent the movement of the breech adapter. Also, connection of the barrel secures the breech insert in place.
US07980233B2	Crankcase filtration assembly with additive for treating condensate material A separation assembly is generally described that can chemically treat condensate material in a fluid stream. One particular example of a separation assembly is a crankcase filtration assembly used in engine oil filtration and that includes an additive material disposed within the crankcase filtration assembly. The additive material chemically treats condensate material of blow-by fluids received by the crankcase filtration assembly when a condition is present in the condensate material. For example, the crankcase filtration assembly provides a unique structure with a chemically treated component that can reduce an acidic condition in condensate material received by the crankcase filtration assembly, and even more generally may extend engine oil life.
US07980232B2	Four stroke internal combustion engine A four stroke internal combustion engine has a gas reserving chamber 100 which communicates with an exhaust port 31 and is configured to reserve burned gas discharged from a combustion chamber. The burned gas flows into the gas reserving chamber 100 while an exhaust valve including a valve head 32a and a stem 32b is opened in an expansion stroke. The burned gas reserved in the gas reserving chamber 100 is discharged to the combustion chamber while the exhaust valve is opened in an intake stroke.
US07980229B2	Tank ventilation system and method for tank ventilation A tank ventilation system for a motor vehicle includes a tank (1) for combustible fuels. An activated carbon filter (20) is connected to the tank (1) via a connecting line (7) and adsorbs hydrocarbon vapors of the tank (1) for deaeration. An electrically activatable check valve (30) is in the connecting line. A differential pressure sensor (3) measures the pressure difference between the vapor chamber (21) of the tank (1) and the environment. The connecting line is formed without a vacuum valve. A mechanical vacuum valve (6) is provided for tank aeration with respect to the environment. The check valve is closed if the pressure difference measured by the differential pressure sensor is below a fixed, positive threshold value, and is open if the pressure difference is above the threshold value.
US07980224B2	Two wire intensified common rail fuel system A fuel system includes a plurality of fuel injectors fluidly connected to a common rail. Each of the fuel injectors has at least one body component and includes an intensifier control valve for controlling movement of an intensifier piston, a needle control valve for controlling movement of a needle valve member, and exactly one electrical actuator coupled with the intensifier control valve and the needle control valve via a coupling linkage. The intensifier control valve and the needle control valve each include a valve member that is movable with respect to a valve seat. The electrical actuator includes an intermediate position during which the valve member of one of the intensifier control valve and the needle control valve is in contact with the respective valve seat, and the valve member of the other of the intensifier control valve and the needle control valve is out of contact with the respective valve seat.
US07980221B2	Inverse torque model solution and bounding An engine control system includes a spark bound module that determines a bounded spark value based on a desired spark value, a torque bound module that determines a bounded torque value based on the bounded spark value and a desired torque value, and an inverse torque calculation module that determines a desired engine air value based on the bounded torque value and the square of the bounded spark value. The engine air value may be one of a desired air-per-cylinder value and a desired manifold air pressure value. The bounded spark value and the bounded torque value are determined based on one or more of a plurality of engine actuator positions. Related methods for determining the bounded spark value, the bounded torque value, and the engine air value are also provided.
US07980220B2	Staggered intake valve opening with bifurcated port to eliminate hydrogen intake backfire A method is described for operating a gaseous fueled engine, where gaseous fuel and intake air are delivered to a first intake port of a cylinder of the engine and intake air without gaseous fuel is delivered to a second intake port of the cylinder, the first port separated from the second port. Further, the method includes inducting the fuel and intake air from the first port via a first intake valve, and the intake air from the second port via a second intake valve, into the cylinder, where the first intake valve is opened after the second intake valve.
US07980219B2	Intake controller for internal combustion engine An intake controller includes a casing defining an intake passage that communicates with a combustion chamber of an engine, a valve received in the casing to open/close the passage, a rotational shaft that changes an opening degree of the valve, an actuator having a gear that drives the valve through the shaft, a gear retaining member retaining the gear, a sensor including a magnet that rotates according to rotation of the shaft and a magnetic detection element that detects magnetic flux generated from the magnet, and a sensor retaining member retaining the sensor. The sensor detects the opening degree of the valve based on a change of density of the magnetic flux passing through the element. One of the gear and the gear retaining member, and one of the sensor and the sensor retaining member are separately fixed on the shaft.
US07980217B2	Valve train of an internal combustion engine A valve train of an internal combustion engine with at least one camshaft (1) on which at least one rotatable cam (2) is arranged fixed in the axial direction, wherein a rotationally fixed connection of the at least one cam (2) with the camshaft (3) can be selectively established and released by an associated coupling-like locking device (3). So that the valve train has a compact construction and low production costs and nevertheless low wear in operation, it is provided that the locking device (3) is held within the cam (2) and has a spring-loaded, annular locking collar (12) that can move in the axial direction on the camshaft (1) and, as a counter part to the locking collar (12), locking shoes (11, 11′) coupled with the cam (2), wherein, in a locking position, the locking collar (12) is pressed against the locking shoes (11, 11′) by contacting, ramp-shaped boundary surfaces (19, 20) formed on the locking collar (12) and the locking shoes (11, 11′), so that radial projections (15) arranged on the locking shoes (11, 11′) engage in adjacent, pocket-shaped receptacles (16) of the camshaft (2) by a radial force and, in an unlocked position, the locking collar (12) is released from the locking shoes (11, 11′) by a force acting against the radial force.
US07980215B2	Valve system for internal combustion engine A variable valve system includes a transmission mechanism T which transmits a valve actuating force to an inlet valve 11 and which varies a maximum lift amount of the inlet valve 11 and biasing members 60. A sub-cam 40 oscillatably supported on a holder 30 driven by a control member 70 has a roller 43 contacting the inlet cam 15a, a drive cam portion 46 outputting the valve actuating force, and acting portions A contacting the biasing members 60. The acting portions A are provided in the vicinity of the roller 43 so that biased contact points 45a1, 45b1 are positioned nearer to a cam contact point 43a than an oscillation center line Ls and that an acting line L1 of a biasing force is superposed on the roller 43 as viewed in the direction of the oscillation center line Ls.
US07980214B2	Control device for electrically driven variable valve timing apparatus At time of starting an engine, stop/rotation of an electric motor is sensed based on presence/absence of output pulses of an encoder installed in the motor. Controlling of power supply to the motor is prohibited to maintain an off-state of the motor until start of rotation of the motor is sensed. When the start of the motor is sensed, the controlling of the power supply to the motor is started. At time of stopping the engine, stop/rotation of the motor is sensed based on time intervals of pulses outputted from the encoder. The controlling of the power supply to the motor is enabled until sensing of stopping of rotation of the motor. When the stopping of rotation of the motor is sensed, the controlling of the power supply to the motor is prohibited to stop the power supply to the motor.
US07980209B2	Electromagnetic valve actuator and valve guide having reduced temperature sensitivity An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuator having an armature between upper and lower electromagnets with a stem extending through one electromagnet and guided by a bushing with increased clearance about at least a portion of the inner circumference in at least a middle portion of the bushing to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction in the actuator. A two-piece intake/exhaust valve guide includes a lower half with a stepped outer diameter cooperating with a counter-bored hole in the cylinder head to provide a positive stop. The upper and lower halves of the valve guide have increased clearance relative to the valve stem around at least a portion of the inner circumference to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction. Reducing viscous friction of the actuator and associated valve guide improves system robustness by decreasing the system sensitivity to temperature.
US07980207B2	Multi-link engine A multi-link engine has a piston that moves inside a cylinder. A piston pin connects the piston to an upper link, which is connected to a lower link. A crank pin of a crankshaft supports the lower link thereon. The lower link is pivotally connected to one end of a control link, which is connected at another end to the engine block body by a control shaft. The control shaft is lower than a crank journal of the crankshaft, and disposed on a first side of a plane that is parallel to a cylinder center axis and that contains a center rotational axis of the crank journal. The cylinder center axis is located on a second (i.e., opposite the first side) plane. The control link has a center axis that is parallel to the cylinder center axis when the piston is near top and bottom dead centers.
US07980204B2	Reserve tank A reserve tank includes a tank body for storing coolant, an inflow portion for allowing the coolant to flow into the tank body, a guide portion, and an outflow portion for allowing the coolant to flow out of the tank body. The guide portion is disposed above the inflow portion and below a liquid level of the coolant in the tank body. Furthermore, the guide portion is adapted to guide a flow of the coolant flowing thereinto from the inflow portion and directed upward, substantially in a horizontal direction or downward with respect to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the reserve tank can restrict air from being trapped in coolant.
US07980203B1	Glow in the dark pet strap A pet strap formed of a transparent material, such as plastic or synthetic rubber, with photoluminescent or phosphorescent colored pigment homogeneously dispersed within and incorporated into the elastometric material. The preferred photoluminescent is strontium oxide aluminate or strontium barium aluminate, which emit a yellow-green light. The strap may be disposed to encircle the neck of the pet as a conventional collar with a buckle and strap end retainers. The strap may also be made in various dimensions suitable for pets of all sizes, and may be configured to be trimmed to the desired size. Another embodiment of the pet strap includes a light reversion strip and an underlying or encased fabric reinforcing strip encased within the elastomeric strap adjacent the bottom side of the strap that contacts the pet. The light reversion strip will allow available light to charge the luminescents more proficiently for better performance.
US07980201B2	Pet restraint system A pet restraint system includes a collar having first and second ends and having a first lock configured to restrict separation of the first and second ends. The system includes an elongate leash having a clip at a first end for removable attachment to the collar and having a second lock to restrict removal of the clip from the collar. The system includes a handle coupled to a second end of the leash and having a protrusion movable between release and hold positions. The handle includes a third lock for restricting movement of the protrusion from the hold position. The handle further includes a retracting mechanism coupled to the leash to selectively retract the leash to a plurality of retraction positions.
US07980196B2	Apparatus and method for coating polyimide layer An apparatus for coating a polyimide layer includes a printing table in which a substrate is provided, an inkjet head having an injection surface with nozzles for injecting a polyimide liquid onto the substrate, a polyimide liquid supply tank filled with the polyimide liquid, an ultrasonic cleaner in which a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inkjet head is stored for cleaning the inkjet head with vibrations in the cleaning liquid generated by applying an ultrasonic signal, and a wiper for wiping an injection surface of the inkjet head.
US07980195B2	Transistor production using semiconductor printing fluid A transistor is formed by applying modifier coatings to source and drain contacts and/or to the channel region between those contacts. The modifier coatings are selected to adjust the surface energy pattern in the source/drain/channel region such that semiconductor printing fluid is not drawn away from the channel region. For example, the modifier coatings for the contacts can be selected to have substantially the same surface energy as the modifier coating for the channel region. Semiconductor printing fluid deposited on the channel region therefore settles in place (due to the lack of a surface energy differential) and forms a relatively thick active semiconductor region between the contacts. Alternatively, the modifier coatings can be selected to have lower surface energies than the modifier coating in the channel region, which actually causes semiconductor printing fluid to be drawn towards the channel region.
US07980192B2	Chair mount assembly and related kit for retrofitting a bench-style boat seat or thwart The invention disclosed herein is directed to a chair mount assembly and related kit for retrofitting a bench-style boat seat or thwart. The inventive chair mount assembly kit includes (1) first and second rails; (2) first and second sliders having respective first and second end portions, wherein the first end portion of the first slider section includes a first rail connector and the first end portion of the second slider section includes a second rail connector, and wherein the first rail connector is matingly and slidably engagable to the first rail and the second rail connector is matingly and slidably engagable to the second rail; and (3) an interconnecting base plate adjustably connectable to the second end portions of the first and second sliders and movable together with the first and second sliders back and forth along the first and second rails.
US07980190B2	Deep draft semi-submersible LNG floating production, storage and offloading vessel The present disclosure provides a method, apparatus, and system of a deep-draft semi-submersible hydrocarbon, such as for liquefied natural gas (LNG), floating production and storage vessel that can include a pontoon containing hydrocarbon tanks, fixed ballast at the bottom in a double-bottom portion, and segregated ballasted tanks with variable ballast located generally above the fixed ballast portion that can assist in keeping the pontoon submerged during various storage levels. Multiple vertical columnar supports can penetrate the pontoon from top to bottom and extend above the water surface to support a deck, including various topside structures. An intermediate double-deck on the top of the pontoon can provide access to the tanks, for example, through the vertical columnar supports. The double bottom structure, deck, and vertical columnar supports can provide overall structural integrity.
US07980187B2	Multi configuration distribution system for a drill or the like A distribution system for a drill, having a body defining first and second outlets in communication with a delivery system of the drill. The body includes at least two first and two second containment units. The first containment units are in communication with only a first one of the two outlets, and the second containment units are in communication with only a second one of the two outlets. A separation system in a separate configuration opens a communication between the first containment units and a communication between the second containment units, with the first containment units being separate from the second containment units. The separation system in the mixed configuration closes the communication between the first containment units and the communication between the second containment units. Two different products can thus alternately be distributed separately or together.
US07980181B2	Drag racing roller coaster amusement ride and launch system A drag racing roller coaster amusement ride has at least two sets running rails, each set having at least one running rail and an embark point. At least two carriers (109) are arranged to carry at least one rider on a respective set of running rails with the rider(s) in a substantially prone position. Each carrier is arranged to slidingly engage with the respective set of running rails to enable the carriers to traverse the ride. The ride has an indicator (109) to provide a ride commencement indication. A launch system is configured to provide a powered initial motion to each carrier. Each carrier has a ride activator controllable by a rider of the carrier to trigger the launch system to commence the ride for the carrier following the ride commencement indication. Launch systems are also disclosed.
US07980174B2	Page of a printed product having a plurality of information fields arranged in different print columns, and longitudinal perforation device for producing the page A page of a printed product having a plurality of information fields arranged in different printed columns is provided. At least one perforated line, extending parallel to the height of the page, is generated in the page between at least two printed columns. The at least one perforated line is formed over the entire height of the page. At least one printed column, along with its at least one information field, can be completely separated from the remaining part of the page via a separation process to be performed along a single such perforated line. The perforated line to be used to execute the separation process extends through a pictogram that is situated along both sides of this perforated line. The pictogram visualizes the position of this perforated line. A longitudinal perforation device for a web-fed rotary printing press can be used to produce this page and has at least one perforating blade for generating the perforated line. The longitudinal perforation device is configured as an autonomous module. That module can be used in different places in the same web-fed rotary printing press or at different times in different web-fed rotary printing presses.
US07980173B2	Hydraulic compactor system having flexible hoses with breakaway couplers A hydraulic compactor system includes a portable container adapted to be transported by a truck and having a chamber for receiving a waste material to be compacted. The container has a self-contained compacting ram actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, and a remote hydraulic power supply unit is connected to the hydraulic cylinder by flexible hydraulic hoses. Each of the hoses is provided with a breakaway hydraulic coupling having two sections connected by tension releasable coupling means with the sections having spring biased valves which are open when the sections are coupled together and automatically close when the sections separate due to a predetermined tension force on the hoses. Each breakaway coupling compensates for increases in hydraulic fluid pressure to prevent separation of the coupling sections when the fluid pressure increases to actuate the hydraulic compacting cylinder.

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