最新美国发明专利第2011-08-16期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US07998541B2	Benzochromene derivatives for use in liquid crystal media and as therapeutic active substances The present invention relates to benzochromene derivatives of the formula I where the various parameters have the meaning indicated in the text, and to liquid-crystal media which comprise these compounds, and to the use of the media in electro-optical displays, in particular in TN, OCB, LCOS and/or IPS-LCDs, and to the use of the compounds and physiologically acceptable derivatives thereof as therapeutic active ingredients.
US07998538B2	Electromagnetic control of chemical catalysis The present disclosure relates to methods and systems that provide heat, via at least Photon-Electron resonance, also known as excitation, of at least a particle utilized, at least in part, to initiate and/or drive at least one catalytic chemical reaction. In some implementations, the particles are structures or metallic structures, such as nanostructures. The one or more metallic structures are heated at least as a result of interaction of incident electromagnetic radiation, having particular frequencies and/or frequency ranges, with delocalized surface electrons of the one or more particles. This provides a control of catalytic chemical reactions, via spatial and temporal control of generated heat, on the scale of nanometers as well as a method by which catalytic chemical reaction temperatures are provided.
US07998533B2	Highly corrosion-resistant hot-dip galvanized steel product excellent in surface smoothness and formability and process for producing same The present invention provides a highly corrosion-resistant plated steel sheet that can achieve excellent surface smoothness and formability and, according to the process of the present invention, a hot-dip galvanized steel product excellent in surface smoothness and formability having on the steel product surface a zinc alloy plating layer composed of 4 to 22% by mass of Al, 1 to 5% by mass of Mg, 0.000001 to 0.1% by mass of Ti, 0.000001 to 0.5% by mass of Si and the balance of Zn and unavoidable impurities, the plating layer of the plated steel product having a metal structure in which an [Mg2Si phase], an [Al phase], a [Zn2Mg phase] and a [Zn phase] are present in a mixture in the matrix of an [Al/Zn/Zn2Mg ternary eutectic structure], and the plating layer containing a Ti—Al base intermetallic compound in the [Al phase] and/or the [Zn2Mg phase] and/or the [Zn phase], is produced.
US07998531B2	Aqueous polyolefin dispersions for textile impregnation The present invention provides an article formed by impregnating a fibrous structure with a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof; (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent; and (c) water; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated fibrous structure. The present invention also provides a method of forming a stiffened textile. The method may include the steps of: forming a compound, the compound including an aqueous dispersion having (a) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-based thermoplastic polymer, a propylene-based thermoplastic polymer, and mixtures thereof, (b) at least one polymeric stabilizing agent, and (c) water; impregnating a textile with the compound; and removing at least a portion of the water from the impregnated textile.
US07998530B2	Barrier coating having effective moisture vapor permeability The invention discloses improved water-based compositions that are useful as barrier coatings to regulate the intrusion and extrusion of air and water. Specifically, the water-based compositions, when dried, provide barrier-coatings that have an effective combination of properties including moisture vapor permeability, air permeability resistance, and water resistance. More specifically, the water-based barrier compositions are designed to be environmentally friendly, and user friendly, and provide coated-substrates that are particularly useful for the manufacture of enclosed structures including buildings.
US07998528B2	Method for direct fabrication of nanostructures An all-additive method for direct fabrication of nanometer-scale planar and multilayer structures comprises the steps of acquiring a transferable material with a submillimeter-scale tip, depositing at least a portion of the acquired first transferable material at a predetermined location onto a substrate without a bridging medium, and repeating to create a structure using the transferable material.
US07998524B2	Methods to improve adhesion of polymer coatings over stents Methods are disclosed to improved adhesion of polymer coatings over polymer surfaces of stents which include plasma treatment, applying an adhesion promoting layer, surface treatments with solvents, and mechanical roughening techniques.
US07998523B2	Open-pore biocompatible surface layer for an implant, methods of production and use The invention relates to open-pore biocompatible surface layers for implants, which layers are arranged over virgin surfaces of the implants, wherein pores of the open-pore surface layers are connected to form coherent pore networks and the surface layers have a specific internal surface area of ≧0.06 μm/μm2, preferably ≧0.035 μm/μm2 and especially ≧0.025 μm/μm2, measured by image analysis as a 2D-boundary line per unit of surface area in a metallographic microsection at 100× magnification. The invention further relates to methods of producing such surface layers, to implants coated therewith and to possible uses of the surface layers.
US07998522B2	Dehydrated potato flakes Dehydrated potato flakes prepared from potato slices, slivers and/or nubbins suitable for use in dough compositions used to make fabricated products. The dehydrated flakes are prepared such that the physical properties in the flake are controlled during processing. The resulting flakes can be used to prepare a more cohesive, non-adhesive, machineable dough.
US07998520B2	Fat-and-oil composition, and oil-in-water emulsified product containing the fat-and-oil composition A fat-and-oil composition comprising fats-and-oils A and B, and C and/or E, all being derived from vegetable fats-and-oils, the composition satisfying conditions (a), (b) and (c): A: at least one of lauric fats-and-oils, and fractionated, extremely hardened or transesterified oils of lauric fats-and-oils, B: a liquid oil, C: a transesterified oil of D derived from vegetable fats-and-oils, D: a fat-and-oil wherein the contents of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids having 16 or more carbon atoms in all the constitutive fatty acids being 20%≦ but <75% by mass, and 25%≦ but <70% by mass, respectively, and E: a middle-melting fractionated oil of palm oil and/or palm oil wherein the solid fat content is 50≦ but <100% at 10° C., 20≦ but <90% at 20° C., and <6% at 35° C., the contents of A, B, and C and/or E in all the fat-and-oil ingredients derived from vegetable fats-and-oils being (a) 60%< but ≦98% by mass, (b) 1 to 25% by mass, and (c) 1 to 38% by mass.
US07998519B2	Yogurt-cheese products, and methods of making the same Techniques for making a yogurt-cheese-oil product, comprising steps of: providing a milkfat-oil fluid comprising butterfat and an oil; pasteurizing the milkfat-oil fluid to produce a cheese-oil precursor; combining yogurt with the cheese-oil precursor to produce a combined yogurt-cheese-oil precursor; and homogenizing and acidifying the combined yogurt-cheese-oil precursor; producing a yogurt-cheese-oil product. Yogurt-cheese-oil products: comprising between about 10% by weight and about 80% by weight of total butterfat; comprising between about 2% by weight and about 52.5% by weight of an oil; comprising between about 10% by weight and about 50% by weight of yogurt; and yielding less than about 1% syneresis by weight after 15 hours at about 74° F. to about 75° F.
US07998516B2	Method and apparatus for producing baked products A baking mold consists of a first exterior element having at least one first baking cavity, a second exterior element having at least one second baking cavity, and an intermediate supportive element having at least one operational channel. The intermediate supportive element is disposed between the first and second exterior elements in such a manner that the first and second baking cavities and the operational channel form a continuous baking chamber adapted to accommodate a baked product.
US07998513B1	Ascorbate monitoring and control system Method and system embodiments of the present invention control the ascorbate concentration in produce treatments and particularly are exemplified in fresh cut fruit and vegetable treatments via measured refractivity and/or electrical conductivity of, and/or calcium ions present in, the treatment solution.
US07998510B2	Low dose colonic cleansing system A method of colonic cleansing that includes administering orally a first dose and a second dose of a liquid osmotic colonic evacuant composition. The second dose includes an amount of the liquid osmotic colonic evacuant composition that is 55% to 95% of the amount of the first dose.
US07998507B2	Nanoparticulate compositions of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitors Nanoparticulate compositions comprising at least one poorly soluble MAP kinase inhibitor and at least one surface stabilizer are described. The nanoparticulate compositions have an average particle size of less than about 2000 nm. The invention also describes methods of making and using such compositions.
US07998506B2	Nicotinic acid compositions for treating hyperlipidemia and related methods therefor An orally administered antihyperlipidemia composition according to the present invention includes from about 250 to about 3000 parts by weight of nicotinic acid, and from about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. Also, a method of treating hyperlipidemia in a hyperlipidemic having a substantially periodic physiological loss of consciousness, includes the steps of forming a composition having an effective antihyperlipidemic amount of nicotinic acid and a time release sustaining amount of a swelling agent. The method also includes the step of orally administering the composition to the hyperlipidemic once per day “nocturnally,” that is in the evening or at night.
US07998504B2	Deposition products, composite materials and processes for the production thereof A composite material comprising a substrate and a deposition product and the use of a deposition product for providing an antimicrobial effect. The substrate of the composite material is a medical device. Further, in each of the composite material and the use, the deposition product consists essentially of at least one oxidized silver species and wherein the deposition product is comprised of a compound having the formula Ag7O8X, where X is an anion.
US07998500B2	Nutritional supplement for women A composition for the nutritional supplementation of women and a method of administering a composition designed for the nutritional supplementation of women is described. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, such a composition comprises vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, copper, magnesium, zinc, and iron. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of administering a composition designed for the nutritional supplementation of women comprises the step of administering a composition comprising vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D3, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacin, copper, magnesium, zinc, and iron.
US07998499B2	Calcium-containing bone implants This invention relates to a method for preparing a porous bone implant containing a calcium-based mineral. The method includes immersing a porous matrix in an acidic solution containing a calcium-based mineral; removing the matrix from the solution; and exposing the matrix to an alkali to neutralize the acidic solution, thereby causing precipitation of the calcium-based mineral to obtain a porous bone implant containing a calcium-based mineral.
US07998497B2	Nasolacrimal drainage system implants for drug therapy Implant devices, systems and methods for insertion into a punctum of a patient optionally comprises a drug core and a sheath body disposed over the drug core. The drug core includes a therapeutic agent deliverable into the eye, and the sheath defines at least one exposed surface of the drug core. The exposed surface(s) of the drug core may contact a tear or tear film fluid and release the therapeutic agent at therapeutic levels over a sustained period when the implant is implanted for use. The implant may include a retention element to retain the drug core and sheath body near the punctum, optionally comprising a shape memory alloy that can resiliently expand. An occlusive element may be attached to the retention element to at least partially occlude tear flow through the canalicular lumen.
US07998494B2	Perfuming or flavoring microcapsules comprising a fireproofing agent Perfuming or flavoring microcapsules that include a fireproofing agent in addition to a perfuming or flavoring ingredient and a carrier material, so that the microcapsules can reduce the occurrence or an explosion of reduced violence when suspended in hot air during their preparation. Also, methods of making these microcapsules and their use in perfumed, food, beverage or pharmaceutical products.
US07998493B2	Cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical compositions which are used to reduce bags and circles under the eyes The invention relates to novel cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical compositions for topical use which are used to prevent the symptoms of cutaneous slackening and, more specifically, to treat the visible signs of ageing and fatigue, such as bags and circles under the eyes. The inventive compositions comprise, in a cosmetically-acceptable medium, a combination of at least two, and preferably three, components selected from: a) hesperidin or the derivatives thereof; b) A.C.E. enzyme inhibitor dipeptides; and c) oligopeptides R2-(AA)n-Pro-Arg, wherein (AA)n is a peptide chain, (AA) is any amino acid or any derivative of any amino acid, n is included between 1 and 3, and R2═H or an alkoyl chain having a carbon length of between C2 and C22.
US07998492B2	Methods and products related to treatment and prevention of hepatitis C virus infection The invention provides methods for identifying and treating subjects having hepatitis C infections. In some instances, the subjects are those that are non-responsive to non-CpG therapy. Preferably, the subjects are treated with C class CpG immunostimulatory nucleic acids having a semi-soft backbone.
US07998483B2	Lage-1 tumor associated nucleic acids The invention describes the LAGE-1 tumor associated gene, including fragments, allelic variants and splice variants thereof. Also included are polypeptides and fragments thereof encoded by such genes, and antibodies relating thereto. Methods and products also are provided for diagnosing and treating conditions characterized by expression of a LAGE-1 gene product.
US07998482B2	Methods and reagents for the analysis and purification of polysaccharides The disclosure provides fusion proteins comprising a carbohydrate recognition domain of an innate immunity receptor and a heterologous polypeptide. The fusion proteins of the disclosure may be used, for example, to fingerprint polysaccharide compositions and to purify polysaccharide compositions. Polysaccharide compositions include those isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). The methods and reagents of the disclosure may also be used to identify innate immunity receptors and cell types that bind to polysaccharide compositions (including polysaccharide compositions associated with pathogens), whereupon modulators of the identified receptors can then be obtained. The fusion proteins also may be used to inhibit the interaction between a polysaccharide composition and an innate immunity receptor on a cell surface. The methods and reagents of the disclosure are used in one example to determine that the DLVR1 innate immunity receptor on macrophages interacts with Dengue virus (DV), and that DLVR1 is responsible for DV-mediated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages. The disclosure also provides DVLR1 antibodies that prevent the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by DV-infected macrophages.
US07998479B2	Substance specific to human PD-1 The present invention relates to a substance specific to human PD-1 comprising a part that recognizes human PD-1, a part that recognizes a membrane protein in cell membrane of human PD-1-expressing cells, and linkers. Since the substance specific to human PD-1 selectively can recognize human PD-1 and a membrane protein on cell membrane of human PD-1-expressing cells and can transmit inhibitory signal of human PD-1, it is useful for therapy and/or prevention of diseases caused by immunopathy.
US07998475B2	Dilution of genetic traits Undesirable genetic traits, such as resistance to toxin, can be inhibited or reversed by introducing sexually compatible individuals substantially homozygous for the sensitive allele, such as the wild type, into the target population.
US07998474B2	Methods for treating an inflammatory disease of the bowel The invention relates to an assay to select a candidate drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease due to cytokine production. The assay comprises: a) exposing said candidate drug to intestinal cells; and b) analysing the effect of the said candidate drug selected from the group consisting of the variation of nuclear export or import of transcription factors from the NF-κB family the disruption of transcriptional activity of transcription factors from the NF-κB family, the differential histone acetylation of p65 (RelA); the variation of the amount of PPARγ/RelA complexes in the cytosol of the cells; and a combination thereof. The invention further relates to methods for the treatment of inflammatory cytokine production associated diseases and to the use of a therapeutically effective dose of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron or a component thereof.
US07998472B2	CD34 stem cell-related methods and compositions This invention provides novel stem cell-based methods for treating a number of conditions. These methods employ CD34− stem cells, and have a tremendous advantage in that they do not require myeloablation in the subject being treated. The CD34− stem cells used in the instant methods can be genetically modified or not, depending on the disorder treated.
US07998471B2	Mycobacteria expressing HIV-1 and malaria antigens Provided are recombinant mycobacteria expressing an HIV-1 antigen and a malarial antigen. Also provided are Mycobacterium smegmatis expressing an HIV-1 antigen. Further provided are vaccines capable of inducing an immune response in a mammal against HIV-1 and the malarial pathogen. Additionally provided are methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal against HIV-1 and a malarial pathogen. Also provided are methods of inducing an immune response in a mammal against HIV-1. The methods comprise infecting the mammal with any of the above-described mycobacteria.
US07998469B2	Protease resistant interferon beta mutants Compositions of modified cytokines and uses thereof generated using processes and systems for the high throughput directed evolution of peptides and proteins, particularly cytokines that act in complex biological settings, are provided. Also provided are modified cytokines formulated for oral delivery and uses thereof to treat diseases and conditions mediated by cytokines.
US07998466B2	Biocompatible tissue sealants and adhesives The disclosure relates to compositions for medical/surgical synthetic adhesives and sealants. Adhesive compositions include a functionalized triol and functionalized diol, while sealant compositions further include a multifunctionalized polyol and at least one amine cross linker.
US07998465B2	Heat-swelling cosmetic composition Disclosed herein is a cosmetic composition comprising at least one heat-expandable compound. Further disclosed herein a cosmetic treatment process, comprising applying to a support to be treated the composition and a packaging and application assembly.
US07998464B2	Process for the photoprotective treatment of artificially dyed keratin fibers by application of a liquid water/steam mixture The present disclosure relates to a process for treating keratin fibers artificially dyed by direct dyeing or by oxidation dyeing, such as human hair, which comprises the application to the keratin fibers of a composition not containing any oxidation dye or any oxidizing agent and comprising at least one protective agent with a log P of less than or equal to 6, and then the application to the fibers of a liquid water/steam mixture at a temperature of at least 35° C. The present disclosure also relates to the use of the process for protecting keratin fibers artificially dyed by direct dyeing or by oxidation dyeing, such as human hair, against the action of atmospheric agents, such as against the action of light.
US07998463B2	Targeted delivery of lidocaine and other local anesthetics and a method for treatment of cough, asthma and tussive attacks An anti-tussive nebulized solution for targeted delivery of lidocaine into conducting and central airways. A method for treatment of cough and tussive attacks or episodes using said lidocaine solution. A nebulized lidocaine solution administered in daily dose from about 10 mg to 80 mg of lidocaine dissolved in a saline and nebulized into an aerosol having a mass median aerodynamic diameter 3 μm to 10 μm and a geometric standard deviation less than 1.7 using an electronic nebulizer.
US07998458B2	Nanoparticles for protein drug delivery The invention discloses the nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and at least one anti-hemophilic factor or bioactive agent characterized with a positive surface charge and their enhanced permeability in oral drug delivery.
US07998455B2	Process for hydrogen gas production from carbohydrate feedstocks A method for producing hydrogen from a plant source is disclosed. The method includes contacting a crude carbohydrate material obtained from the plant source with water and a catalyst at a temperature and pressure sufficient to decompose at least a portion of the crude carbohydrate material to form a vapor mixture of gases including hydrogen, and separating hydrogen from other gases present in the vapor mixture.
US07998454B2	Method of producing magnesium-based hydrides and apparatus for producing magnesium-based hydrides A first heat treatment is carried out in which a material powder comprising magnesium is kept in the atmosphere of hydrogen gas and the temperature and pressure in the atmosphere of hydrogen gas are maintained in the temperature-pressure region in which single Mg and H2 coexist in a thermodynamically stable state, whereby the coating on the surface of the material powder is removed. Next, a second heat treatment is carried out in which the temperature and pressure in the atmosphere of hydrogen gas are changed and maintained in the temperature-pressure region in which MgH2 exists in a thermodynamically stable state. Hence, Mg from which the coating is removed reacts promptly with H2, and MgH2 is produced at high yield. Magnesium-based hydrides containing high purity MgH2 can thus be obtained by supplying energy less than that required for the related art that requires an activation treatment.
US07998453B2	Suspensions of titanium (IV) oxide particles and process for their production The disclosure pertains to a process for making a suspension of finely divided titanium (IV) oxide particles, comprising: vigorously mixing (a) a volume of a first component comprising a major proportion of an alcohol, a minor proportion of a titanium alkoxide and a minor proportion of a titanium alkoxide activator selected from the group consisting of water and a first aqueous base, and (b) a volume of a second component selected from the group consisting of water and a second aqueous base, at least one of the first component or the second component having a base therein, the second component being substantially free of alcohol, to form a mixture comprising a suspension of finely divided titanium (IV) oxide particles, the mixture having a water to titanium molar ratio ranging from about 40 to about 1 to about 5000 to about 1, wherein the proportion of the titanium alkoxide, the proportion of the activator, the mixing vigor, and a ratio of the volume of the first component to the volume of the second component are effective for the suspension of the finely divided particles to form in the mixture. The suspensions can be dried to recover a powder. Typically the particles are nanoparticles.
US07998450B2	Continuous methods and apparatus of functionalizing carbon nanotube The present invention relates to a continuous method and apparatus of functionalizing a carbon nanotube, and more specifically, to a continuous method of functionalizing a carbon nanotube under subcritical water or supercritical water conditions without additional functionalizing processes, comprising: a) continuously feeding the carbon nanotube solution and an oxidizer under a pressure of 50 to 400 atm, respectively or together, and then preheating the mixture of said carbon nanotube solution and said oxidizer; b) functionalizing the carbon nanotube in the preheated said mixture under the subcritical water or the supercritical water condition of 50 to 400 atm; c) cooling down the functionalized product into 0 to 100° C. and depressurizing the functionalized product into 1 to 10 atm; and d) recovering the cooled down and depressurized product.
US07998448B2	Amorphous silica and its manufacturing method A production method of amorphous silica comprises a step of preparing organic waste containing silicon oxide as a starting material, a step of immersing the organic waste in a carboxylic acid aqueous solution having a hydroxyl group, a step of washing the organic waste in water, and a step of heating the organic waste in the air atmosphere.
US07998443B2	Small pore molecular sieve supported copper catalysts durable against lean/rich aging for the reduction of nitrogen oxides A method of using a catalyst comprises exposing a catalyst to at least one reactant in a chemical process. The catalyst comprises copper and a small pore molecular sieve having a maximum ring size of eight tetrahedral atoms. The chemical process undergoes at least one period of exposure to a reducing atmosphere. The catalyst has an initial activity and the catalyst has a final activity after the at least one period of exposure to the reducing atmosphere. The final activity is within 30% of the initial activity at a temperature between 200 and 500° C.
US07998440B2	Reclaiming of lead in form of high purity lead compound from recovered electrode paste slime of dismissed lead batteries and/or of lead minerals An outstandingly low environmental impact wet process recovers the lead content of an electrode slime and/or of lead minerals in the valuable form of high purity lead oxide or compound convertible to highly pure lead oxide by heat treatment in oven at relatively low temperature, perfectly suited for making active electrode pastes of new batteries or other uses. The process basically comprises the following treatments: a) suspending the impure lead containing material in an aqueous bath containing at least a lead oxide dissolving acid; b) reducing any insoluble lead dioxide to lead oxide by introducing in the suspension either hydrogen peroxide, a sulphite or sulphurous anhydride; c) converting all dissolved lead oxide to lead sulphate in the aqueous bath; d) obtaining a solution of lead sulphate obtained in an aqueous solution containing an acetate salt; e) precipitating and separating a purified lead compound in the form of either carbonate/oxycarbonate or of oxide/or hydroxide by adding to said acetate salt solution a carbonate salt or a hydroxide of the same cation of said acetate salt, respectively. Exemplary flow sheets according to several alternative embodiments and related processing plant diagrams are disclosed.
US07998439B2	Method for separating and recycling uranium and fluorine form solution A separation and recycling method for recycling uranium and fluoride from a waste liquid sequentially and separately is disclosed. The method comprises a uranium-recycling process and a fluoride-recycling process. In the uranium-recycling process, an alkali metal compound or monovalent cation and a coagulant aid are added into the waste liquid to promote the precipitation of uranium. In the fluoride-recycling process, an alkaline earth metal compound, a strong acid and a coagulant aid are added into the uranium-removed waste liquid to precipitate fluoride. By means of the method of the present invention, the uranium and fluoride contents of the uranium-removed and fluoride-removed waste liquid are compliant with the effluent standards of the environmental laws.
US07998438B2	Zone reactor incorporating reversible hydrogen halide capture and release An improved process and a zone reactor for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into higher hydrocarbons is provided. A first zone in the reactor contains both a material capable of releasing hydrogen halide (HX) and a carbon-carbon coupling catalyst; a second zone is initially empty or contains a halogenation and/or oxyhalogenation catalyst; and a third zone contains both a carbon-carbon coupling catalyst and a material capable of capturing HX. Air or oxygen is introduced into the first zone, a feedstock is introduced into the second zone, and products are produced in the third zone. HX produced during the reaction is reversibly captured and released in zones 1 and 3.
US07998435B2	High density plate filler A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate having a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. The filling apparatus can comprise an output layer having a plurality of capillaries, wherein a first grouping of the capillaries is separated from a second grouping by a hydrophobic feature. Each of the plurality of capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet. A funnel assembly can comprise a funnel member sized to receive the assay. The funnel member can comprise an outlet for delivering a fluid bead of the assay along a top surface of the output layer and in fluid communication with each of the plurality of capillaries such that a portion of the fluid bead can be drawn within at least some of the plurality of capillaries in response to capillary force. The funnel assembly and the output layer can be moveable relative to each other between a first position and a second position to draw the fluid bead across the top surface.
US07998433B2	Valve unit and apparatus having the same A valve unit and an apparatus having the same include a plug which includes a phase change material in a solid state at a room temperature and a plurality of fine heat-dissipating particles dispersed in the phase change material. The fine heat-dissipating particles dispersed in the phase change material dissipate heat by absorbing an electromagnetic wave energy generated by electromagnetic wave radiation from the outside and block fluid flow in a path formed by a channel. As an external energy source irradiates an electromagnetic wave on the plug, the plurality of fine heat-dissipating particles dissipate heat and the phase change material becomes molten, thus opening the path to allow the fluid to flow.
US07998431B2	Environmentally sensitive nanostructured surfaces An apparatus comprising a substrate having a surface with a volume-tunable-material on the surface and fluid-support-structures over the surface and partially embedded in the volume-tunable-material. Each of said fluid-support-structures has at least one dimension of about 1 millimeter or less, and the fluid-support-structures are moveable in response to a volume transition of the volume-tunable-material.
US07998429B2	Catalyst containment design for radial flow reactors An apparatus is presented for contacting a bed of particulate material with a cross flowing fluid, which maintains the bed of particulate material within a retention volume. The apparatus includes partitions for retaining particles, with openings disposed within the partitions. The openings are covered by louvers that extend above the edges of the openings to prevent solid particles from spilling through inlet openings, and the design prevents the loss of particles through the openings during cooldown of the apparatus.
US07998428B2	Apparatus for producing trichlorosilane An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane, including: a reaction vessel in which a supply gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is supplied to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride; a heating mechanism that heats the interior of the reaction vessel; a storage container that stores the reaction vessel and the heating mechanism; a gas supply internal cylinder that supplies the supply gas in the reaction vessel; a gas discharge external cylinder that is substantially concentrically disposed outside the gas supply internal cylinder, forming a discharge passageway of the reaction product gas between an outer circumferential surface of the gas supply internal cylinder and an inner circumferential surface of the gas discharge external cylinder; and a cooling cylinder that supports the gas discharge external cylinder disposed inside thereof and includes a refrigerant passageway formed therein for circulating a refrigerant.
US07998425B2	Filter comprising a plurality of honeycomb elements joined together in an offset assembly The invention relates to a structure for filtering particle-laden gases, comprising an assembly of elements of the honeycomb type linked by a joint or seal, each element incorporating a set of adjacent ducts or channels 20 of mutually parallel axes and separated by porous walls, which ducts are closed off by plugs at one or other of their ends so as to define entry chambers that open onto a gas intake face and exit chambers opening onto a gas discharge face 25, in such a way that the gas to be filtered passes through the porous walls, said structure being characterized in that its geometrical centre, in a cross section of the structure perpendicular to its main axis, does not correspond to a symmetry element of an element or of a group of elements 30 in the assembly.
US07998424B2	Exhaust system comprising zoned oxidation catalyst An exhaust system for a lean-burn internal combustion engine comprises a catalyst for oxidising carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons comprising a flow-through substrate monolith comprising a first platinum group metal (PGM) zone containing at least one PGM supported on a surface area-increasing washcoat component, a second PGM zone containing at least one PGM supported on a surface area-increasing washcoat component, a third PGM zone containing at least one PGM supported on a surface area-increasing washcoat component wherein both the PGM loading in the first PGM zone and the PGM loading in the third PGM zone is greater than the PGM loading in the second PGM zone and wherein the first PGM zone comprises a washcoat loading that is less than a washcoat loading of the third PGM zone.
US07998422B2	Exhaust gas treatment device A device for treatment of exhaust gases includes a housing, a fragile structure resiliently mounted within the housing, and a non-intumescent mounting mat disposed in a gap between the housing and the fragile structure. The mounting mat includes a plurality of inorganic fibers that have undergone a surface treatment to increase the holding force performance of the mounting mat. Also disclosed are methods of making a mounting mat for an exhaust gas treatment device and for making an exhaust gas treatment device incorporating the mounting mat.
US07998420B2	Method and device for producing vacuum in the production of polyesters and copolyesters The invention relates to a method and a device for producing vacuum in the production of polyesters and copolyesters; unrectified vapors from at least one esterification or transesterification stage is preferably used as a driving medium in gas jet pumps for producing the vacuum in one or more polycondensation stages.
US07998419B2	Ion generator and air conditioner In order to efficiently kill airborne fungi in a room, an ion generator includes an ion generator, a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature, and a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity. The ion generator is controlled based on a temperature detection result detected by the temperature sensor and a humidity detection result detected by the humidity sensor. As ions are generated in accordance with the temperature and humidity, airborne fungi can efficiently be killed.
US07998418B1	Evaporator and concentrator in reactor and loading system An evaporator and concentrator in a reactor and loading system concentrates ions such as fluoride ions in some embodiments, and evaporates micro- to milliliter volumes of liquid solutions including intermediate and final product in other embodiments. It efficiently re-dissolves the evaporated solution generating a product, which is transferred to an external system as desired. The external system may be a micro-fluidic reactor system and/or loading system. The evaporator/concentrator has an input port for introducing liquids and solids. A capillary tube introduces gas, such as nitrogen gas, into a volume of solution contained within a v-vial, which produces an evaporating micro bubbler. A concentric tube, surrounding the capillary tube in some embodiments, introduces gas into the empty volume above the solution inside the v-vial, which is referred to as a vapor sweep. The vapor sweep assists in removing the evaporated solution from the v-vial through a vacuum tube.
US07998411B2	Modified siphons for improving metering precision The present invention provides centrifugal rotors for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid to a chamber in the rotor. In particular the rotors comprise siphons for delivering a premeasured volume of liquid between a first and a second chamber in the rotor. The siphons of the invention are designed such that the inlet of the siphon on the first chamber is radially outward of the siphon outlet on the second chamber. The first chamber is emptied to a level equivalent to the radial position of the siphon outlet.
US07998409B2	Specimen-transport module for multi-instrument clinical workcell A specimen-transport module adapted for use with each of a plurality of specimen-processing instruments of a multi-instrument clinical workcell. Such module is adapted to transport individual racks of specimen-containers relative to a specimen-aspiration probe of an associated instrument in a workcell, as well as to transfer selected racks of specimen-containers to an adjacent and identical specimen-transport module associated with another clinical instrument of the workcell. Since the same transport system is used to both present specimens for aspiration and to transfer specimens between instruments, there is no need for two independent conveyances as is characteristic of the prior art. Preferably, the specimen-transport module includes a magnetic X/Y transport system that operates beneath a rack-supporting surface to advance racks in mutually perpendicular directions across a supporting surface via magnetic forces.
US07998407B2	Measurement system for measuring substance concentrations in liquid media A system and method for measuring substance concentrations is provided. The system has a test strip container for receiving a test strip(s). The container has a sealing device, a counter device that counts a number of opening processes of the sealing device, a data carrier that stores batch-specific data of the test strip(s), a data transmission device for wireless transmission of the data and of the number. An analysis module has a device for measuring substance concentrations by the test strip(s), and a data-receiving device for wireless reception of the data from the data transmission device and of the number. The method records the number and stores the number on the data carrier; sends data and the number by wireless transmission to the analysis module, and determines a substance concentration by the test strip(s). Also or instead, the counter device counts a time duration of the opening processes.
US07998406B2	Multiple enzyme cleaner for surgical instruments and endoscopes The liquid composition is based on surfactants and enzymes, and is particularly useful for manual cleaning of instruments. In manual and ultrasonic application the composition in use concentration shows low foaming and gives a cleaning solution which is not cloudy at least at a temperature in the range from 16° C. to 40° C. In addition, the composition has good cleaning efficacy over a broad temperature range (20 to 55° C.) and shows good material compatibility.
US07998405B2	Protecting the eyes of contact lens wearers The eyes of a contact lens wearer are protected from the effects of a liquid disinfecting solution by providing a contact lens container having a catalyst therein and a container of the disinfecting solution of unusual design. The openings of the contact lens container and the solution container are configured so only the contact lens container is able to receive solution from the solution container. This prevents the user from directly removing disinfecting solution from the solution container and thereby prevents the user from directly applying the disinfecting solution to the eye.
US07998400B2	Gas supply system for a metallurgical furnace and method for operating this system A gas supply system for a side blowing and/or bottom blowing metallurgical furnace with at least one tuyere which is mounted in the side wall and/or in the bottom of the furnace, wherein gas is conveyed through a line of the gas supply system to the tuyere and through the tuyere to the interior of the metallurgical furnace and emerges there in the form of bubbles. The gas supply system has an inflow restrictor which is assigned to the tuyere or is positioned upstream of the tuyere and reduces or interrupts the gas supply to the interior of the furnace at equal intervals of time.
US07998398B2	Slag removal system for a burn table A pivoting door assembly for a downdraft cutting table assembly includes a door for covering a vent of the downdraft cutting table assembly, and an arm assembly coupled to the door. The downdraft cutting table assembly may include a cutting table for supporting a workpiece, a cutting torch assembly for positioning a cutting torch for cutting the workpiece, an exhaust duct for exhausting fumes, and a vent opening into the exhaust duct. The downdraft cutting table assembly may also include a slag removal system. The arm assembly is actuated by the cutting torch assembly as the cutting torch assembly positions the cutting torch over the cutting table. Actuation of the arm assembly by the cutting torch assembly causes the arm assembly to pivot the door open for allowing fumes from the cutting torch to be drawn into the exhaust duct.
US07998394B1	Method for making a flexible fishing lure that traps air A method for making an integrally molded flexible fishing lure, comprising: creating a mold of a lure design, having a head integral with an egg sack, a body integral with the egg sack, and a tapered tail integral with the body. The head, body and tail have a smooth surfaces with a plurality of concentric ridges. At least two air trapping cavities are disposed in the body for trapping and retaining air during lure movement. A polymer comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, urethane, elastomer, or combinations thereof, is poured into the mold, the mold is cured, and the integrally molded flexible fishing lure is removed from the mold forming a lure with air trapping cavities.
US07998392B2	Method for manufacturing and attachment of wing fairings A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a fairing on an aircraft. In one advantageous embodiment, a composite fairing is installed on the aircraft. A composite sheet having a form of the composite fairing is formed. A plurality of cured composite tiles is created from the composite sheet, wherein spaces are present between the plurality of composite tiles. The plurality of composite tiles is cured to form the composite fairing. The composite fairing is attached to a surface of the aircraft. The spaces between the plurality of composite tiles are filled with a flexible filler.
US07998388B2	Rotary process for forming uniform material A thin, uniform membrane comprising polymeric fibrils or a combination of fibrils and particles, wherein the fibrils have randomly convoluted cross-sections, and a process for making the membrane are disclosed. The membrane may be on the surface of a substrate as part of a composite sheet, or as a stand-alone structure.
US07998382B2	Method of forming a core component The present invention is directed to a method of forming a molded core component. A mat formed from cellulosic fiber and resin is provided. The mat is consolidated in a first press until the resin is substantially fully cured, and then removed from the first press. The consolidated mat is then placed in a second press having a mold cavity shaped to form at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The consolidated mat is reformed in the second press to form a molded core component having at least one depression in at least one of the major surfaces. The molded core component has a variable density, preferably of between about 10 lbs/ft3 and 80 lbs/ft3.
US07998380B2	Method of fabricating a tissue engineering scaffold A method of fabricating a highly porous structure is provided. The method includes the step of compounding a biodegradable polymer, a water-soluble polymer and a porogen to form a composite blend. A foaming agent is dissolved into the composite blend and the composite blend is injected into a mold so as to form the structure. Thereafter, the structure is removed from the mold and leached in a fluid.
US07998379B2	Process for the production of porous moulded articles containing alginate The invention relates to a process for the production of alginate-containing porous or sponge-like moulded articles, and to the moulded articles obtainable thereby and their use.
US07998371B2	Conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices: Mg-containing additive Described herein are a silicon semiconductor device and a conductive silver paste for use in the front side of a solar cell device.
US07998370B2	Conductive paste as well as conductive coating and conductive film prepared from same The task of the present invention is to offer a conductive paste that can be molded into a conductive coating or film that can maintain flexibility and ductility even while possessing a thickness of 50 μm˜125 μm. The conductive paste of the present invention includes a conductive particulate, a metal capture agent and a polyimide precursor solution. The metal capture agent can be selected as at least one from among either pyrimidinethiol compounds, triazinethiol compounds and imidazole compounds with a mercapto group. Moreover, the conductive particulate is preferably a core particle that is covered with a metal shell. In addition, a polyamic acid solution is preferred as the polyimide precursor solution.
US07998369B2	Polyvinylidene fluoride composites and methods for preparing same An electrically conductive composite comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer or copolymer and carbon nanotubes is provided. Preferably, carbon nanotubes may be present in the range of about 0.5-20% by weight of the composite.The composites are prepared by dissolving the polymer in a first solvent to form a polymer solution and then adding the carbon nanotubes into the solution. The solution is mixed using an energy source such as a sonicator or a Waring blender. A precipitating component is added to precipitate out a composite comprising the polymer and the nanotubes. The composite is isolated by filtering the solution and drying the composite.
US07998362B2	Piezoelectric substance, piezoelectric element, liquid discharge head using piezoelectric element, liquid discharge apparatus, and production method of piezoelectric element A main component of a piezoelectric substance is PZT which has a perovskite type structure expressed as Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3, in which x expresses an element ratio Zr/(Zr+Ti) of Zr and Ti in the formula, an element ratio Pb/(Zr+Ti) of Pb, Zr and Ti of the piezoelectric substance is 1.05 or more, an element ratio Zr/(Zr+Ti) of Zr and Ti is 0.2 to 0.8 inclusive, and a Curie temperature Tc of the piezoelectric substance and a Curie temperature Tc0 in bulk at an element ratio of Zr and Ti of the piezoelectric substance satisfy a relation of Tc>Tc0+50° C.
US07998358B2	Peak-based endpointing for chemical mechanical polishing A polishing system receives one or more target parameters for a selected peak in a spectrum of light, polishes a substrate, measures a current spectrum of light reflected from the substrate while the substrate is being polished, identifies the selected peak in the current spectrum, measures one or more current parameters of the selected peak in the current spectrum, compares the current parameters of the selected peak to the target parameters, and ceases to polish the substrate when the current parameters and the target parameters have a pre defined relationship.
US07998353B2	Filter candle comprising an elongated mesh pack A filter candle 100 as subject of the present invention comprises: an elongated mesh pack 200 for filtering a fluid, comprising an end fitting 206 securely fixed to a filter medium 205. Further, a hollow core tube 300 is provided having a fluid permeable wall 310, the core tube being positioned within the axial opening of the mesh pack. The core tube 300 has an end flange 340 fixed to the outer end surface 312, which end flange is suitable for engaging the end fitting 206 on the mesh pack. A ring-shaped seal 500 is provided between and making contact with the outer end surface of the core tube, the end fitting and the end flange. The seal is a porous ring-shaped structure comprising a multitude of pores, which pores have an average pore size being equal or less than the filter rating of the filter medium.
US07998352B2	Method and device for cleanup and deposit removal from internal hot water system surfaces Disclosed is a method of inhibiting and/or removing deposits from internal surfaces in a hot water system. The method includes controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to alter the dynamic between deposit constituents and the bulk water of the system to inhibit deposition or initiate deposit removal. The method is equally effective for a system undergoing a wet layup sequence or in an online operational system. The invention further includes a multi-component deposit inhibition and/or removal device, including a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter that work in unison to alter the system dynamics to inhibit or remove deposits.
US07998347B2	Suction filter for automatic transmission fluid An assembly for filtering contaminants from automatic transmission fluid includes a housing including a first inlet and a second inlet, through which fluid enters the housing, and an outlet, through which fluid exits the housing; a first media filter located within the housing in a first fluid flow path between the first inlet and the outlet; and a second media filter located within the housing in a second fluid flow path between the second inlet and the outlet.
US07998346B2	Additive dispersing filter and method of making A method for dispersing an additive from an additive cartridge disposed in a housing of an oil filter is provided herein, the method includes using stagnation pressure to disperse the additive from the additive cartridge; and regulating a flow rate of the additive from the additive cartridge by restricting an inlet opening of an outlet tube of the additive cartridge. Also provide herein is an additive cartridge for dispersing an additive within a filter housing, the additive cartridge having a housing defining a receiving area for receipt of the additive; a fluid inlet path through a wall of the housing, the fluid inlet path providing a means for increasing a pressure within the receiving area, the fluid inlet path having an inlet opening disposed adjacent to an outer wall portion of the housing; and a fluid outlet path through the wall of the housing, the fluid outlet path providing a means for dispersing the additive from the receiving area when the pressure within the receiving area exceeds a predetermined value, the fluid outlet path having an outlet opening disposed adjacent to the outer wall portion of the housing, the outlet opening being covered by a shroud configured to deflect fluid flowing in a first direction away from the outlet opening and the inlet opening of the fluid inlet path is positioned to receive fluid flowing in the first direction; and fluid flow of the additive through the fluid outlet path is controlled by varying an inlet opening of the fluid outlet path.
US07998344B2	Methods and apparatuses for filtering water from oil and gas wells The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering contaminated water from an oil or gas well.
US07998341B2	Process for treating hydrocarbon feeds with electrolytic hydrogen A process for treating hydrocarbon feeds includes the steps of providing a hydrocarbon feed containing sulfur and/or metalloporphyrins; providing a cell having two compartments and a membrane separating the compartments; flowing a hydrogen source through one compartment; flowing the hydrocarbon feed through the other compartment; applying a current across the hydrogen source compartment whereby hydrogen diffuses through the membrane from the hydrogen source to the hydrocarbon feed, whereby the hydrogen reacts with sulfur and/or metalloporphyrins to form H2S and convert such metalloporphyrins into dissolved metals and a free metal porphyrin, and produce a treated hydrocarbon.
US07998340B2	Process to prepare a blended brightstock The invention relates to a bright stock base oil blend comprising of a paraffinic base oil component having a viscosity at 100° C. of from 8 to 25 mm^/sec and a residual and de-asphalted oil component, and the use of said blend as part of a gear oil or a cylinder oil formulation, and other uses.
US07998337B2	Biosensor electrode mediators for regeneration of cofactors The present invention is based on the discovery of NAD+ and NADP+ mediator compounds that do not bind irreversibly to thiol groups in the active sites of intracellular dehydrogenase enzymes. Such mediator compounds avoid a common mode of enzyme inhibition. The mediators can therefore increase the stability and reliability of the electrical response in amperometric electrodes constructed from NAD- or NADP-dependent enzymes.
US07998336B2	Biosensor A biosensor comprises a space part for sucking and housing a sample formed of two upper and lower plates, the two plates being stuck together by an adhesive layer, the space part for sucking and housing the sample being constituted so as to be partially opened in the peripheral part and partially closed by the adhesive layer, and has a working electrode having at least glucose oxidase immobilized thereon and a counter electrode on the same plane of the plate.
US07998330B2	Direct nanoscale patterning of metals using polymer electrolytes Disclosed herein are electrochemical fabrication platforms for making structures, arrays of structures and functional devices having selected nanosized and/or microsized physical dimensions, shapes and spatial orientations. Methods, systems and system components use an electrochemical stamping tool such as solid state polymeric electrolytes for generating patterns of relief and/or recessed features exhibiting excellent reproducibility, pattern fidelity and resolution on surfaces of solid state ionic conductors and in metal. Electrochemical stamping tools are capable high throughput patterning of large substrate areas, are compatible with commercially attractive manufacturing pathways to access a range of functional systems and devices including nano- and micro-electromechanical systems, sensors, energy storage devices, metal masks for printing, interconnects, and integrated electronic circuits.
US07998328B2	Method and apparatus for separating particles by dielectrophoresis Methods and apparatus for the micro-scale, dielectrophoretic separation of particles are provided. Fluid suspensions of particles are sorted and separated by dielectrophoretic separation chambers that have at least two consecutive, electrically coupled planar electrodes separated by a gap in a fluid flow channel. The gap distance as well as applied potential can be used to control the dielectrophoretic forces generated. Using consecutive, electrically coupled electrodes rather than electrically coupled opposing electrodes facilitates higher flow volumes and rates. The methods and apparatus can be used, for example, to sort living, damaged, diseased, and/or dead cells and functionalized or ligand-bound polymer beads for subsequent identification and/or analysis.
US07998321B1	Galvanic anode for reinforced concrete applications An improved sacrificial galvanic anode assembly for cathodic protection of a steel reinforced concrete structure. A galvanic cathodic protection device uses a multi-layered embedded sacrificial anode such as zinc covered with a flexible layer of paste to provide a continuous electrolyte to keep it active. The formulated paste is inert to cement embedment material and is pre-coated on the anode body prior to encapsulation. An integrated conductive contact band extends from within the coated anode to attachment to a reinforcement bar for establishing electrical conductively therewith in the concrete structure transferring galvanic corrosion to the anode.
US07998320B2	Coated article with high visible transmission and low emissivity A coated article that can be used in applications such as insulating glass (IG) units, so that resulting IG units can achieve high visible transmission of at least 70% (e.g., when using clear glass substrates from 1.0 to 3.5 mm thick), combined with at least one of: (a) SHGC no greater than about 0.45, more preferably no greater than about 0.40; (b) SC no greater than about 0.49, more preferably no greater than about 0.46; (c) chemical and/or mechanical durability; (d) neutral transmissive color such that transmissive a* is from −5.0 to 0 (more preferably from −3.5 to −1.5), and transmissive b* is from −2.0 to 4.0 (more preferably from 1.0 to 3.0); and (e) neutral reflective color from the exterior of the IG unit (i.e., Rg/Rout) such that reflective a* is from −3.0 to 2.0 (more preferably from −2.0 to 0.5), and reflective b* is from −5.0 to 1.0 (more preferably from −4.0 to −1.0). In certain example non-limiting embodiments, coated articles herein comprise: substrate/TiOx/ZnOx/Ag/NiCrOx/SnOx/ZnOx/Ag/NiCrOx/SnOx/SixNy.
US07998317B2	Glycerol (medical grade) preparation method using a by-product of a bio-diesel process A glycerol preparation method for preparation of medical grade glycerol from a by-product of a bio-diesel process includes a first stage phosphoric acid chemical reaction process and a posterior by-product centrifugal separation process to have the phosphoric acid chemical reaction by-product be separated into free fatty acid, potassium phosphoric acid, and a crude glycerol and methanol mixture. The crude glycerol and methanol mixture is further processed through a first step of thin film evaporation process where methanol is reclaimed, a second step of thin film evaporation process where the mixture is dehydrated, a third step of molecular distillation process where an industrial grade glycerol of purity over 95% is extracted, and a fourth step of molecular distillation process where a medical grade glycerol of purity in exceed of 99.75% that meets USP/BP standards is extracted.
US07998316B2	Flat push coke wet quenching apparatus and process A method and apparatus for quenching metallurgical coke made in a coking oven. The method includes pushing a unitary slab of incandescent coke onto a substantially planar receiving surface of an enclosed quenching car so that substantially all of the coke from the coking oven is pushed as a unitary slab onto the receiving surface of the quenching car. The slab of incandescent coke is quenched in an enclosed environment within the quenching car with a plurality of water quench nozzles while submerging at least a portion of the slab of incandescent coke by raising a water level in the quenching car. Subsequent to quenching the coke, the planar receiving surface is tilted to an angle sufficient to slide the quenched coke off of the planar receiving surface and onto a product collection conveyer and sufficient to drain water from the quenched coke.
US07998314B2	Method for the production of paper, cardboard and card A method for the production of paper, cardboard and card by adding a microparticle system consisting of a polymer retention agent having a molar mass Mw of at least 2 million and a fine-part inorganic component in order to form a paper material having a material density of a 20 g/l maximum and by dewatering the paper material, wherein the paper material undergoes at least one shearing step prior to or after addition of the retention agent and wherein the retention agent is introduced in a dosed manner into the paper material in at least two places and the fine inorganic component is dosed prior to or after addition of the retention agent or between two dosing points for the retention agent.
US07998309B2	One-step method for the production of nanofluids A one step method and system for producing nanofluids by a nanoparticle-source evaporation and deposition of the evaporant into a base fluid. The base fluid such oil or ethylene glycol is placed in a rotating cylindrical drum having an adjustable heater-boat-evaporator and heat exchanger-cooler apparatus. As the drum rotates, a thin liquid layer is formed on the inside surface of the drum. An insulated heater-boat-evaporator having an evaporant material (nanoparticle-source) placed within its boat evaporator is adjustably positioned near a portion of the rotating thin liquid layer, the evaporant material being heated thereby evaporating a portion of the evaporant material and forming nanoparticles, the nanoparticles absorbed by the liquid film to form nanofluid.
US07998305B2	Electrical interconnect using locally conductive adhesive An anisotropic electrically conducting interconnect is disclosed in which an adhesive comprising particles having a breakable coating of at least one electrically nonconductive material is compressed between a first contact and a second contact. Compression to two contacts breaks the breakable coating exposing an electrically conducting material which makes contact with the first and second contacts. The electrically conducting material may be a metal conductor or a two-part reactive conductive resin/catalyst system. Also disclosed are processes for making such electrical interconnects and adhesives for use in making electrical interconnect.
US07998304B2	Methods of configuring a proximity head that provides uniform fluid flow relative to a wafer Methods configure a proximity head for conditioning fluid flow relative to a proximity head in processing of a surface of a wafer by a meniscus. The methods configure the head in one piece while maintaining head rigidity even as the head is lengthened for cleaning of large diameter wafers. The one-piece head configuring separates main fluid flows from separate flows of fluid relative to the wafer surface, with the separation being by a high resistance fluid flow configuration, resulting in substantially uniform fluid flows across increased lengths of the head in a unit for either fluid supply or return.
US07998294B2	Label manufacturing method and label manufacturing system In a label manufacturing method, at least a part of a heat sensitive adhesive sheet is heated to develop adhesive properties by using a thermal head having heating elements and by using a transporting unit that transport the heat sheet to pass through a position contacting with the heating elements. Image data is generated on an image area of the sheet and an image editing process is performed so as to divide the image area into at least two types of parts that are set as heated and non-heated parts, respectively. An edited image obtained as a result of the image editing process is input as a heating pattern. The thermal head and the transporting unit are driven based on the input heating pattern and the heating elements are selectively operated in timed synchronization with the transportation of the sheet. In the image data generating step, the image area is displayed on a display as a binary image including a colored part and a non-colored part. The image editing process arbitrarily adjusts shapes, sizes, and positions of the colored part and the non-colored part, and sets one of the colored and non-colored parts as the heated part and the other of the colored and non-colored parts as the non-heated part.
US07998285B2	Abrasion-resistant steel plate The invention concerns a method for making an abrasion resistant steel plate having a chemical composition comprising: 0.1%≦C<0.23%; 0%≦Si≦2%; 0%≦Al≦2%; 0.5%≦Si+Al≦2%; 0%≦Mn≦2.5%; 0%≦Ni≦5%; 0%≦Cr≦5%; 0%≦Mo≦1%; 0%≦W≦2%; 0.05%≦Mo+W/2≦1%; 0%≦Cu≦1.5%; 0%≦B≦0.02%; 0%≦Ti≦0.67%; 0%≦Zr≦1.34%; 0.05%1.8, with K=1 if B≧0.0005% and K=0 if B<0.0005%. After austenitization, the method consists in: cooling at a speed >0.5° C./s between a temperature between AC3 and T=800−270×C*−90×Mn−37×Ni−70×Cr−83×(Mo+W/2) and about T−50° C.; then cooling at a speed 0.1
US07998280B2	Method of controlling dishwasher and dishwasher A dishwasher and a method of controlling a dishwasher are provided. Using this method of controlling a dishwasher, it is possible to quickly and precisely determine, during the washing of dishes, whether nozzles are clogged with impurities. It is also possible to easily address the problems associated with clogged nozzles by terminating the operation of a washing pump for a predefined amount of time, and then resuming the operation of the washing pump to clear obstructions from the nozzles.
US07998279B2	Liquid detergent composition comprising an amphiphilic graft polymer A method of cleaning dishware with a liquid detergent composition having an amphiphilic graft polymer, to provide improved grease cleaning and sudsing.
US07998276B1	Pipeline remediation method with wire rope pig A method of remediating deposits within a pipeline by a pig within the pipeline which sealingly engages the internal diameter of the pipeline, holding back on the movement of the pig with a wire rope, pumping down the pipeline, providing a first passageway through the pig for pumping through flow restrictions on the pig to increase the velocity of the flow to enhance the effectiveness of the remediation, providing a second passageway through the pig with less flow restriction than the first passageway for flow through the pig during retrieval, and providing a selector valve for alternately directing flow through the pig to the first passageway and to the second passageway each time the flow is stopped and restarted.
US07998275B2	Method for cleaning a circumferential surface of a cylinder of a printing press A method for cleaning a circumferential surface of a cylinder of a printing press provides for improved cleaning to be achieved during a short time. In order to clean the circumferential surface, a cleaning fluid is first applied to the circumferential surface. In order then to remove contaminants, the contaminants a broken up mechanically after the cleaning fluid is applied and before a cleaning apparatus acting on the circumferential surface is set into operation.
US07998270B2	Cement clinker and process for producing the same A cement clinker which necessitates no considerable change in the main chemical components and mineral components of cement, is free from preheater coating problems and adverse influences on cement properties, and is effective in reducing the heat quantity required for burning; and a process for producing the cement clinker. In the process for cement clinker production a substance having a melting point higher than the temperature of a liquid phase of the cement clinker and serving as crystal nuclei for C3S is incorporated include a fine powder of refractory brick, particles of an ordinary Portland cement clinker, a fine powder of a high-early-strength Portland cement clinker, a high-early-strength Portland cement, and a fine powder of quicklime. Due to this, alite generation is accelerated even at a low temperature. As a result, high-quality clinker can be produced through burning using a small unit heat quantity and no decrease in cement quality results. The process contributes to a reduction in preheater coating amount and prolongation of the life of the refractory bricks.
US07998267B2	Additives for cement A belite-calcium sulphoaluminate-ferrite (BCSAF) cement composition including: a BCSAF clinker which clinker has the following mineralogical composition, based on the total weight of the clinker: 5 to 25%, preferably 10 to 20%, of a calcium aluminoferrite phase having the general formula C2AxF(1−X), wherein X is from 0.2 to 0.8; 15 to 35% of a calcium sulphoaluminate phase; 40 to 75% of belite (C2S); from 0.01 to 10% in total of one or more minor phases selected from calcium sulphates, alkali metal sulphates, perovskite, calcium aluminates, gehlenite, free lime and periclase and/or a vitreous phase; and an alkanolamine.
US07998266B2	Colored metallic pigment, process for producing the same, and coating composition and cosmetic preparation containing said colored metallic pigment This invention provides a colored metallic pigment, which can develop a variety of colors and varied interference colors while maintaining good lightfastness, weatherfastness and hiding power, a process for producing the same, a coating composition containing the colored metallic pigment and capable of providing a coating film having excellent finished appearance, and a cosmetic preparation containing the colored metallic pigment, having excellent hiding power, and capable of providing sharp hue. The colored metallic pigment comprises at least a metallic pigment, an amorphous silicon oxide film layer provided on the surface of the metallic pigment, a metal layer provided on the surface of the amorphous silicon oxide film layer, and metallic particles provided on the surface of the metal layer. The metallic particles are provided so as to directly cover a part of the surface of the metal layer. In the colored metallic pigment, the metal layer preferably comprises at least one metal selected from Sn, Pd, Pt and Au. The metallic particle preferably comprises at least one metal selected from Cu, Ni and Ag.
US07998255B2	Electrostatic phase change generating apparatus An electrostatic phase change generating apparatus is described. The apparatus causes a change of state to occur in an input gas, for example, ambient air. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus removes moisture from air, and may be used to generate water from air, dehumidify air, cool air, and the like. The ability to generate water from air has global importance as the need for clean water increases each year. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses high voltage but low current allowing for very energy efficient operations. The electrostatic phase change generating apparatus uses a phase change vessel containing a liquid, a bubbler immersed in the liquid for conveying a gas, and a high voltage source to bias the liquid with respect to an upper electrode.
US07998254B2	Membrane module A helically wound hollow membrane module having a core with a plurality of helically wound layers of semi-permeable hollow fibers wound on the core. The fiber wind angle with respect to any one layer of fibers may be essentially constant along the axial length of the module, except in one or both end or tubesheet regions, where the wind angle may be increased, in at least some of the layers relative to the essentially constant wind angle, to produce an area of decreasing diameter.
US07998253B2	Airflow reducing and redirecting arrangement for industrial baghouse An air filtering unit for a factory includes: an entry duct; a flow expander section fluidly connected with the entry duct, the flow expander section including a flow distribution unit and a flow velocity reduction unit; a filter unit fluidly connected with the flow expander section, the filter unit having a plurality of filter bags, the filter bags being suspended from a tube sheet; and an exit duct fluidly connected with the filter unit. The flow distribution unit includes a series of flow distribution members positioned along a flow path, the flow distribution unit located and configured to substantially equally distribute an airstream along the length of the flow axis into a plurality of divided substreams. The flow velocity reduction unit includes a plurality of flow reduction members, each of the flow reduction members positioned and configured to confront at least one of the divided substreams and reduce the flow velocity thereof.
US07998243B2	Method of producing steel with high manganese and low carbon content A method of producing steel (1) with a high manganese and low carbon content on the basis of liquid pig iron (2) or liquid steel (3) and slag-forming constituents (4) with the object of preventing existing drawbacks of process route in vessels other than, e.g., electrical arc furnaces (18). With steel produced with a high manganese and low carbon content, in a process, the carbon component is reduced to about 0.7-0.8% by a combined blowing of oxygen (7) through top lances (8) and underbath nozzles (9) after feeding of liquid ferro-manganese (50 and liquid steel (3a) in a FeMn-refining converter (6a), wherein a component of a cold end product from premelt is added as cooling means (10), and wherein the carbon component is reduced to about 0.05-0.1% C by a continuous blowing of oxygen (7) through the underbath nozzles.
US07998241B2	Method for recovering rhodium The present invention provides a method for recovering rhodium sponge in high yield from ammonium hexachloro rhodate solution. The method comprises adding formic acid to ammonium hexachloro rhodate solution to reduce the rhodate, recovering reduced rhodium as rhodium black, and calcining the rhodium black under hydrogen atmosphere without water-washing to obtain rhodium sponge.
US07998227B2	Method for utilizing gas reserves with low methane concentrations for fueling gas turbines The invention is directed to a method of fueling gas turbines from natural gas reserves with relatively low methane concentrations. The invention permits the use of such reserves to be used to fuel gas turbines to generate electric power. The method of the invention includes providing a natural gas comprising not more than about 40 percent methane on a volume basis and mixing the methane of the natural gas with hydrogen gas to provide a hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend which has sufficient hydrogen to provide flame stability during burning. Thereafter, if required, the hydrogen enhanced methane/hydrogen gas blend is dehydrated to remove a sufficient amount of water to provide a flame stable hydrogen enhanced dehydrated methane/hydrogen gas blend. The hydrogen enhanced natural gas blend is used to fuel gas turbine generators.
US07998225B2	Methods of purifying biodiesel fuels The invention provides methods of synthesizing and purifying methyl esters and specifically biodiesel fuels. The methods include acid-catalyzed transesterification of a triglyceride source followed by formation of an acidic emulsion that is subjected to an electric field to break the emulsion and recover the purified methyl esters. After recovery, the purified methyl esters may be used as a highly purified and stable biodiesel fuel without further treatment. The electric field may be efficiently applied to the acidic emulsion in an electrochemical reactor such as an electrocoagulation chamber.
US07998224B2	Removal of a sheet from a production apparatus A melt of a material is cooled and a sheet of the material is formed in the melt. This sheet is transported, cut into at least one segment, and cooled in a cooling chamber. The material may be Si, Si and Ge, Ga, or GaN. The cooling is configured to prevent stress or strain to the segment. In one instance, the cooling chamber has gas cooling.
US07998222B2	Cosmetic compositions comprising a polymer and a colorant A cosmetic composition suitable for use on mammalian skin, hair, and nails. These compositions contain a polymer and a colorant. The polymer of the composition mitigates staining caused by the colorant, and the polymer and colorant are opposite in charge. The present invention is also directed to methods of mitigating skin staining through using the cosmetic compositions.
US07998221B2	Foot prosthesis with resilient multi-axial ankle The present foot prosthesis includes various structural features that provide the foot with advantageous rollover properties. In certain embodiments, the foot guides rollover toward the medial side. For example, an asymmetrical upper element and a correspondingly shaped resilient ankle member support more of the wearer's weight on the lateral side as the foot rolls over. In another embodiment, stiffeners added to the resilient ankle member increase the stiffness on the lateral side relative to the medial side. In certain other embodiments, the foot provides progressively increasing support from mid stance through toe off. For example, a gap between the resilient ankle member and the lower element closes during the later portion of the wearer's gait. The closing gap increases a contact area between the resilient ankle member and the lower element, providing progressively increasing support. In another embodiment, the foot includes a gap between a lower front edge of an attachment adapter and the upper element. The gap may be filled with a resilient material.
US07998219B2	Hydroxyapatite with controllable size and morphology A ceramic powder of non-agglomerated non-aggregated phase-pure hydroxyapatite having a controllable morphology. Also presented is a film of phasepure crystalline hydroxyapatite grains having a controllable morphology. Methods for preparing the same are also provided.
US07998218B1	Modular orthopedic implant A modular implant system operable to implant into a selected portion of the anatomy. The modular implant system may include an adaptor to allow for interconnection of disparate connection portions to allow for connecting a plurality of connection types. Expanding the modularity of an implant system by allowing interconnection of a plurality of modular implant systems.
US07998214B2	Universal interference cleat A vertebral implant comprises a tubular body sized to fit between two vertebral endplates and a pair of ring-shaped cleat assemblies. Each cleat assembly comprises an outer end wall, an inner end wall, and a side wall which defines a hollow bore. One or more spikes extend from each outer end wall, and each hollow bore is sized to fit over an end of the tubular body and slidably pass from the end along at least a portion of the length of the tubular body.
US07998212B2	Transforaminal hybrid implant An implant configured for placement through a transforaminal surgical approach made of at least two different materials. The implant may include materials with varying radiolucency and mechanical properties. Such a hybrid implant may offer controlled radiographic visibility and optimized structural properties for implant placement, including placement for use in spinal arthrodesis.
US07998211B2	Intervertebral disk prosthesis provided with anchor means An intervertebral disk prosthesis is provided. The prosthesis comprises: a first plate for engaging a first vertebral body, said first plate comprising a first slot formed through the first plate; a second plate for engaging a second vertebral body, said second plate comprising a second slot formed through the second plate; a first anchor member, said first anchor member positioned and slidable through the first slot and having a sharp edge for penetrating into the first vertebral body; and a second anchor member, said second anchor member positioned and slidable through the second slot and having a sharp edge for penetrating into the second vertebral body. The first plate and the second plate engage with one another by way of complimentary concave and convex spherical cap portions to provide relative movement between the first plate and the second plate.
US07998209B2	Interbody fusion grafts and instrumentation This invention relates to implants formed from donor bone for use in lumbar interbody fusion procedures and instruments for performing such procedures. The implants are formed to include a concave surface formed from a portion of the medullary canal of a long bone. The concave surface defines a recess in the implant that serves as a depot for osteogenic material. Specific instruments for inserting the implants prepared according to this invention and for preparing the intervertebral space to receive the implants are also provided.
US07998200B2	Voice prosthesis device A voice prosthesis device includes a barrel defining a passageway, a tracheal flange adjacent a tracheal end of the barrel and an esophageal flange adjacent an esophageal end of the barrel. The passageway includes a first stop extending inwardly from a sidewall of the passageway between the tracheal and esophageal ends and a plurality of second stops extending inwardly from the sidewall of the passageway between the first stop and the esophageal end of the passageway. A valve mechanism is located between the first and second stops and permits flow through the passageway from the tracheal end and impedes flow through the passageway from the esophageal end.
US07998199B2	Method of anchoring an accommodating intraocular lens assembly A method of anchoring an accommodating intraocular lens assembly in the posterior chamber of an eye includes the steps of, (1) introducing the first haptic portion, which includes a first anchor portion projecting therefrom, into the posterior chamber of the eye until the first anchor portion is anchored in the scleral wall at a desired location; and (2) moving the second haptic portion, which comprises a second anchor portion projecting therefrom, until the second anchor portion is anchored in the scleral wall on the opposite side of the lens from the first anchor portion and the lens structure is in contact with the collapsed natural lens, whereby the collapsed natural lens capsule will be prestressed and deform the lens body relative to and substantially independently of the haptics element in relation to the force the capsular unit applies directly or indirectly to the lens body along the optical axis.
US07998197B2	Off-axis anti-reflective intraocular lenses Exemplary embodiments provide a coated intraocular lens that has a lens body with a first refractive index and an anti-reflective coating. The coating covers at least a portion of the lens body and has a second index of refraction that is less than the first index of refraction of the lens body. The anti-reflective coating reduces the intensity of reflections produced from off axis light incident on the lens body by at least a factor of 2.5 times and enhancing light transmission.
US07998195B2	Device with engineered surface architecture coating for controlled drug release In one embodiment of the present invention a coating topology, or engineered surface architecture that may be referred to as a microdroplet deposited engineered surface architecture is provided. A plurality of drops are placed on the stent with the purpose, of building up individual units of coating material on the outer stent surface. This architecture results in a coating that uses less material, i.e., polymer, solvent, medicine, while at the same time providing for better, and determinable, drug kinetics, approaching 100% delivery and better mechanical operation of the coating binding to the stent.
US07998194B2	Mechanism for securing to a corporeal lumen and method of manufacturing An improved hood provides for the attaching of endoluminal prosthesis within corporeal lumens. The hook is integrally formed with framing structure and is preset into an outward bend, but is resiliently flexible so as to form a substantially straight profile when compressed. The hook is capable of impinging upon the corporeal lumen and thereby securing the prosthesis. The hook may be configured for intraluminal delivery and deployment. A novel method of manufacturing said hook is also provided.
US07998193B2	Stent with variable features to optimize support and method of making such stent An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions or ostial regions. The stent can include an end region which is fabricated to have a greater radial strength than the remaining axial length of the stent. Such a stent is particularly suited for use in ostial regions, which require greater support near the end of the stent. The stent alternatively can include sections adjacent the end of the stent with greater bending flexibility than the remaining axial length of the stent. Such a stent is particularly suited for use in curved arteries. The stent can also be constructed with an end that has greater radial strength and sections adjacent the end with greater bending flexibility. Such a stent prevents flaring of the stent end during insertion.
US07998188B2	Compliant blood vessel graft Stents and methods of using stents are provided. Stents of the invention provide external support structure for a blood vessel segment disposed within, wherein the stents are capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. The stent may be formed of a knitted or braided mesh formed so as to provide the needed compliance properties. A venous graft with the stent and a vein segment disposed within is provided, wherein graft is capable of mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. Methods of selecting stents for downsizing and methods of using the stents of the invention in downsizing and smoothening are provided. Methods of replacing a section of an artery with a venous graft including a stent of the invention are provided. Methods of reducing intimal hyperplasia in implanted vein segment in a venous graft using stents of the invention are provided.
US07998183B2	Heat generating body A heat generating body wherein three or more plural sectional exothermic parts are provided at intervals via a sectioned part which is a heat seal part. The sectional exothermic parts have a heat generating composition capable of causing heat generation upon contact with oxygen in air and are at least constituted of three kinds of a low temperature sectional exothermic part, a middle temperature sectional exothermic part and a high temperature sectional exothermic part. A maximum temperature of the high temperature sectional exothermic part is higher than a maximum temperature of the low temperature sectional exothermic part. A maximum temperature of the middle temperature sectional exothermic part is between a maximum temperature of the high temperature sectional exothermic part and a maximum temperature of the low temperature sectional exothermic part. The middle temperature sectional exothermic part is constituted of plural sectional exothermic parts having a different maximum temperature.
US07998182B2	Selective organ cooling apparatus An endovascular heat transfer device which can have a smooth exterior surface, or a surface with ridges and grooves. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, with each having such a surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. The flexible joints can be bellows or flexible tubes. An inner lumen is disposed within the heat transfer segments. The inner lumen is capable of transporting a pressurized working fluid to a distal end of the heat transfer element.
US07998181B2	System and method utilizing guided fluorescence for high intensity applications A fluorescence concentrator system that provides for high brightness light source. The system can include a host doped with fluorescent material, which is optically pumped by an adjacent illumination source. The fluorescence concentrator captures a portion of the isotropically emitted fluorescent light and guides it to an output surface. The fluorescent energy emerging the output surface provides a high brightness light source suitable for a number of applications. For example, the fluorescence concentrator system can be used as the light source in a medical apparatus suitable for various aesthetic procedures. Further aspects of the fluorescent concentrator system can include providing for controlling the illumination source to output pumping energy suitable for high energy applications.
US07998180B2	Radiolucent bone plate systems and methods of use Apparatus, systems and methods for making, using, implanting, and visualizing portions of a medical implant are provided. One such implant includes a bone plate at least partially of a radiolucent material having at least one aperture, and a fastener at least partially of a radiolucent material to extend through the aperture. The fastener has a distal end and a proximal end, with at least a portion of the proximal end is of a radiopaque material. A fastener lock is included to engage the fastener proximal end to maintain the fastener position relative to the bone plate. At least a portion of the fastener lock is of a radiopaque material. In this manner, at least a portion of the implant is adapted to be visible on a radiographic image.
US07998179B2	Flexible bone plates and methods for dynamic spinal stabilization A plating system and method include a bone plate with at least a first vertebral engaging portion and a second vertebral engaging portion connected by flexible intermediate portions to permit translation of the vertebrae to which the bone plate is attached. The bone plate may further include a guide assembly extending between the vertebral engaging portions that permits at least uni-directional translation while enhancing resistance of the bone plate to bending forces.
US07998176B2	Method and apparatus for spinal stabilization A method and apparatus of limiting at least one degree of movement between a superior vertebral body, an inferior vertebral body, and an intermediate vertebral body that is disposed between the superior and inferior vertebral bodies of a patient. The method can comprise: advancing a distal end of a stabilization device into a pedicle of the intermediate vertebral body; positioning a proximal portion of the stabilization device such that the proximal portion limits at least one degree of movement between the superior vertebral body and the intermediate vertebral body by contacting a surface of the superior vertebral body; and advancing a distal end of a fixation device into a facet of the intermediate vertebral body and into a facet or pedicle of the inferior vertebral body for stabilizing the intermediate vertebral body and the inferior vertebral body.
US07998175B2	Systems and methods for posterior dynamic stabilization of the spine Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.
US07998174B2	Percutaneous spinal implants and methods An apparatus includes an elongate member having a portion configured to be deformed from a first configuration to a second configuration. In one variation, the apparatus includes an outer body, defining an interior region, and an inner body. A portion of the outer body is configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes. The inner body is disposed within the interior region of the outer body. A distal end portion of the inner body is coupled to a distal end portion of the outer body. A proximal end portion of the inner body configured to removably receive a tool to move the outer body between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
US07998171B2	Apparatus and method for anchoring sutures A suture anchor having a conical surface and a bore in which an end of an insertion tool is inserted. The insertion end of the insertion tool is made of material having elastic properties. The bore and base of the suture anchor are angled with respect to the central axis of the suture anchor and preferably are parallel to each other. During insertion, the suture anchor is reoriented to fit into the hole, thereby bending the elastic end of the insertion tool. When the suture anchor is within cancellous bone tissue, the elastic properties of the insertion tool deploys the suture anchor to an orientation in which the suture anchor cannot fit through the bone hole, thereby firmly anchoring the suture anchor in the human bone.
US07998169B2	Access and closure device and method Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make a steep and controlled access path into a vascular lumen is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US07998167B2	End effector and method of manufacture An end effector for use in an endoscopic device including a cup, and a hinge extension formed separately from the cup and connected to the cup. The hinge extension has a pivot for pivotally connecting the end effector to an identical second end effector.
US07998164B2	Intravascular filter with centering member Devices and methods for centering an intravascular filter within a blood vessel are disclosed. A filter system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an intravascular filter, a filter sheath adapted to contain the intravascular filter, and a centering member adapted to assume a preset shape when deployed within a blood vessel. The centering member may comprise an elongated wire having a hoop section adapted to radially expand against the inner wall of the blood vessel when deployed. In some embodiments, multiple centering members can be employed to facilitate centering of both the intravascular filter and the filter sheath within the blood vessel, if desired.
US07998163B2	Expandable retrieval device A device for retrieving an intravascular device from a body lumen is disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a braided member coupled to an elongated shaft member. The braided member may include a number of filaments defining a radially expandable inner lumen configured to receive and encapsulate the intravascular device therein. An elastomeric jacket disposed about at least a portion of the braided member may encase the filaments.
US07998162B2	System and method for embolic protection A balloon catheter system distinguishing a proximal balloon catheter system and a distal balloon catheter is provided. The proximal balloon catheter system has a first and a second catheter. These two catheters are positioned side-by-side over at least part of the longitudinal area of their outer surfaces, and they are detachably connected to each other. A first inflatable member is attached to the first catheter near the distal end of the first catheter. The distal balloon catheter distinguishes a catheter part with a distal end and a proximal end, and an exchange rod attached near the proximal end of the catheter part. The catheter part has a second inflatable member encircling the outer surface of the catheter part. The balloon catheter system can be used for example in methods of isolating a segment of a vessel, generating reversal fluid flow and creating an in-vivo shunt with a balloon catheter.
US07998158B2	Surgical saw blade having at least one pair of opposed teeth shaped as right triangles A cutting saw blade for use with an oscillatory power tool used in surgical bone cutting procedures including a blade having a distal end provided with teeth whose tips are located on a tangent line perpendicular to the long axis of the blade. The teeth are configured substantially as right triangles with their hypotenuses facing either towards the center of the blade or away from the center of the blade. A central tooth can be optionally provided. The surgical saw blade may have a distal end having at least one pair of teeth configured to be adjacent to each other and each of the pair of teeth is configured as a right triangle each having a hypotenuse which is oriented at least one of towards and away from the centrally positioned long axis.
US07998153B2	Homeostatic tissue apparatus A device for supporting a tissue, the device has a shaft having a longitudinal axis and at least two atraumatic clamps coupled to the shaft. Each atraumatic clamp may have at least two oppositely polarized magnets. An atraumatic clamp may also have a mounting structure for the magnets. In at least one embodiment, the atraumatic clamps are mounted along the shaft so that when the shaft is positioned relative to a tissue having a length, the clamps may clamp the tissue so that the length of tissue positioned between the clamps is maintained substantially constant.
US07998149B2	Suturing device, system, and method Improved medical suturing devices, systems, and methods may hold a suture needle at a fixed location relative to a handle of the device, allowing the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the handle of the suturing device to insert the needle through tissues in a manner analogous to use of a standard needle gripper. Cycling the handle from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position may alternate the device between gripping the needle with a first clamp (for example, along a proximal portion of the needle) to gripping the needle with a second clamp (for example, along a distal portion of the needle) and optionally back to gripping with the first clamp, with the needle often staying at a substantially fixed location relative to the suturing device body. Related single-clamp needle grasping devices can be bent plastically by a surgeon, and/or have bodies that are grasped by a hand while a portion of the hand actuates a handle.
US07998146B2	Apparatus and method for hip cup extraction A hip cup extraction apparatus (101) comprising a shaft (402), a handle (404), a semicircular cutting blade (406), a spring loaded latching member (408), and a head (100) for removing a hip cup (405) from a pelvic bone (401). The head (100) includes a semispherical section (102) terminating in a substantially planar surface (104), a hip cup extraction apparatus aperture (106), a retaining sleeve (108), and a three sided void (110). The head (100) may be configured for selective attachment to the hip cup extraction apparatus (101). The hip cup extraction apparatus (101) is inserted into the hip cup extraction apparatus aperture (106), and an optional spring loaded latching member (408) retains the head (100) in place. As the head (100) is being attached to the hip cup extraction apparatus (101), the semicircular cutting blade (406) may pass through the three sided void (110). Once the head (100) is attached to the hip cup extraction apparatus (101), the head (100) is inserted into the hip cup (405). Force may then be applied to the hip cup extraction apparatus (101) in order to drive the semicircular cutting blade (406) into the pelvic bone (401). The hip cup extraction apparatus (101) may then be rotated or pivoted such that the semicircular cutting blade (406) passes completely around the hip cup (405).
US07998144B2	Surgical instrument and osteosynthesis device A surgical instrument for holding and inserting a connection member of an osteosynthesis device into a retainer of a bone anchorage element comprises a distal end, a proximal end and a first connection portion at a distal end. The first connection portion comprises a connection member receptacle for receiving at least a portion of the connection member. The instrument further comprises a locking mechanism which is transferable from a release position, in which the instrument is releasable from the connection member, to a connection position, in which the instrument can be connected to the connection member. Moreover, an osteosynthesis device comprising at least two bone anchorage elements and at least a connection member is proposed, which further comprises a surgical instrument for holding and inserting the connection member into at least one retainer of the bone anchorage elements.
US07998141B2	Irrigated catheter and method, in particular for ablation and like techniques The invention relates to a variety of catheters provided with an elongate body with an electrically conductive first end. Wherein through said elongate body at least one conductive wire extends which is connected to an electrode. The electrode is coupled to said first end and an irrigation means (e.g. a channel, duct, tube, etc.) for feeding an irrigation fluid through said elongate body, where said irrigation means is provided, in, on, near, through, or adjacent said first end with at least one outlet opening, while said irrigation means is at least partially thermally insulated from said first end. Optionally a temperature sensor couples to the first end.
US07998140B2	Fluid-assisted medical devices, systems and methods Surgical devices for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device has a handle, a shaft extending from the handle having a distal end, and an electrode tip having an electrode surface with at least a portion of the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft. In one embodiment, preferably the portion of the electrode tip extending distally beyond the distal end of the shaft comprises a cone shaped portion. The device also has a fluid passage being connectable to a fluid source and at least one fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with the fluid passage.
US07998136B2	Medical radiation device with a tapered fused waveguide A radiation emitting apparatus is disclosed that emits a substantially homogenous beam of radiation from an irregularly shaped output end. As described herein, a radiation emitting apparatus includes a bundled fiber guide coupled to an energy distribution tuner. The bundled fiber guide is coupled to the energy distribution tuner to receive a substantially uniform distribution of high power energy. The bundled fiber guide is configured to distribute the energy to emit a substantially uniform distribution of lower power energy toward a target surface, such as a body surface. The bundled fiber guide may include a plurality of fused optic fibers, a plurality of beam splitting mirror elements, or tapered waveguides.
US07998134B2	Medical connector A luer connector including a rigid housing having a first end and a second end. The housing further including a rigid tubular male portion at the first end, a rigid tubular female portion at the second end, and a longitudinal opening therethrough. The male portion is configured to be engageable with a female connector. The female portion is configured to be engageable with a male connector and to prevent the disengagement of the male connector from the female portion. In some embodiments, the female portion is configured to maintain a fixed rotational position when the male connector is being threaded therewith, but to rotate with the male connector once the male connector has become fully engaged with the female portion so as to prevent the male connector from becoming unthreaded from the female portion.
US07998128B2	Active delivery and flow redirection: novel devices and method of delivery of materials to patients A medical device for delivering material through tissue into a defined area of a patient may comprise: a material delivery element through which the material may flow out of a delivery end; the delivery end having an opening that can be inserted through a surface of the tissue; and a sealing system proximal to the delivery end that can extend away from the material delivery element along the surface of the tissue and apply pressure to the tissue after the material delivery element has been inserted through the surface of the tissue. A physical barrier may be provided on the material delivery device to reduce back flow loss of delivered material.
US07998125B2	Hypobaric chamber treatment system A reduced pressure treatment appliance is provided for enclosing and providing reduced pressure treatment to an object or a portion of an object. In some embodiments, the reduced pressure treatment appliance may be used to treat wounds and other conditions, such as lymphedema, varicose veins, venous insufficiency and stasis, and other infirmities. In other embodiments, the appliance may be used to provide reduced pressure (or vacuum) treatment for non-medical purposes. In some embodiments, the appliance comprises a flexible chamber and a collapsible frame that may be collapsed while the appliance is not in use. In yet other embodiments, the appliance also includes a vacuum system to supply reduced pressure to the volume within the chamber, a pressurized fluid system to inflate the collapsible frame, a drainage system to remove fluids from the appliance, and a treatment port and a forced entry treatment system to introduce fluids and other treatment instrumentalities into the volume within the chamber. In still other embodiments, the chamber is designed for use with distal extremital portions of a body. In further embodiments, the appliance also comprises a semi-permeable liner positioned between the chamber and the portion of a body to be treated. Finally, methods are provided for using various embodiments of the appliance.
US07998124B2	Catheter tube and catheter comprising the tube The present invention relates to provide a catheter tube having excellent insertability into the body, excellent operability and an excellent anti-thrombogenic property, and also provide a catheter having the tube. For the purpose, a catheter tube of the present invention comprises a mixture of an isobutylene block copolymer and a thermoplastic polyurethane resin, wherein the isobutylene block copolymer is composed of a polymer block mainly comprising isobutylene and a polymer block mainly comprising a monomeric component other than isobutylene; and a catheter using the tube.
US07998123B2	Intrajugular catheter A catheter for insertion into a vascular system of a patient and for directing fluid flow includes a catheter body having a longitudinal axis and longitudinally spaced proximal and distal catheter ends with an intermediate catheter portion defined therebetween. An intermediate catheter outlet in the catheter body is located in the intermediate catheter portion and is spaced longitudinally from the proximal and distal catheter ends. A first lumen is defined within the catheter body and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal first lumen ends with a reversing bend located therebetween, the first lumen providing fluid communication between the proximal catheter end and the intermediate catheter outlet. The reversing bend is located longitudinally between the intermediate catheter outlet and the distal catheter end. The reversing bend directs fluid flow to turn approximately 180° as the fluid flows through the first lumen. A method of using the catheter is also described.
US07998122B2	Luer receiver and method for fluid transfer An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion. In an exemplary embodiment, the luer receiving septum is provided at a port of a stop cock.
US07998119B2	System and method for delivering fluid into flexible biological barrier A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles inserted into the biological barrier is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles project from a relief surface which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region is brought into contact with the biological barrier and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary between a stretched portion and a non-stretched portion of the barrier. Typically concurrently with this motion, the microneedles penetrate into the flexible biological barrier such that, at the end of the motion, the microneedles extend into the flexible biological barrier from the boundary region in a direction towards the non-stretched portion. Fluid is then injected through the bores of the hollow microneedles towards non-stretched portion.
US07998118B2	Piston seal for single incision surgery A surgical portal apparatus for use during a minimally invasive procedure includes a housing and a portal member extending distally from the housing. The housing and portal member combination defines a longitudinal axis. The portal member is sized to be positioned within tissue and has an opening at the distal end. The apparatus also has a pliable seal and a plurality of concentrically arranged piston members, disposed within the housing. The pistons are engageable with the pliable seal and are adapted for moving relative to the housing to control the diameter of a passage through the inner portion of the seal in response to the insertion of a surgical object.
US07998113B2	Medical device having prefilled balloon A medical device including an element defining a central lumen and a secondary lumen. The device includes a prefilled balloon having an interior surface operatively communicates with the secondary lumen. The device includes a securement balloon having an interior surface communicating with the secondary lumen. The securement balloon, secondary lumen, and prefilled balloon define a closed fluid system. The securement balloon is stronger than the prefilled balloon so fluid in the closed fluid system inflates the prefilled balloon before inflating the securement balloon. The device includes a transfer sleeve movable from a first position spaced from the prefilled balloon to a second position positioned around the prefilled balloon to urge fluid from the prefilled balloon into the securement balloon. When the transfer sleeve is in the first position, the securement balloon is substantially collapsed. When the transfer sleeve is in the second position, the securement balloon is inflated.
US07998112B2	Deflectable catheter assembly and method of making same A deflectable catheter assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a catheter shaft having a catheter proximal section and a catheter distal section, and at least one lumen extending therethrough. The catheter distal section is more flexible than the catheter proximal section. A tendon is disposed within a first lumen of said catheter shaft. The first lumen is approximately centrally located within the catheter shaft at the catheter proximal section. The first lumen is located off-center of the catheter shaft at the catheter distal section. The tendon is able to deflect the catheter distal section when being pulled on. A catheter handle is coupled to the catheter shaft at the catheter proximal section, the catheter handle includes a control mechanism to control the tendon.
US07998110B2	Medical device for delivering drug and/or performing physical therapy Current methods of delivering drug usually require a certain degree of human intervention. For example, a doctor, a paramedic or a patient is required to inject insulin manually when the blood sugar level becomes low. This invention provides a medical device for use with a patient for performing at least one of the functions of delivering drug and performing physical therapy to the patient. The device of this invention includes a sensor for measuring at least one parameter from the patient, an analyzer for analyzing the parameter to determine appropriate function to be carried out on the patient by said medical device, and at least one actuator to perform at least one of the functions of delivering drug and performing physical therapy.
US07998109B2	Re-certification system for a flow control apparatus A flow control apparatus includes a flow control apparatus adapted to load a re-certification feeding set. The apparatus further includes a software subsystem in communication with the flow control apparatus having a re-certification procedure that determines whether a user has performed manual tests on the apparatus to verify that at least one component of the apparatus is functioning within a predetermined operational range. The subsystem disables automatic testing if it determines that manual testing has not been performed and executes a reiterative process prompting the user to conduct manual testing if the subsystem determines that manual testing has been performed.
US07998105B2	Method of treating coronary arteries with perivascular delivery of therapeutic agents A method of treating the intraluminal disease in a coronary artery by injecting therapeutic agents perivascularly into the myocardium near the site of disease.
US07998103B2	Device for implantation of retrograde ventriculo-sinus shunt A shunt system for implantation of retrograde ventriculo-sinus shunts to establish a water tight connection that drains excess cerebrospinal fluid from hydrocephalic brain ventricles and delivers it, against the direction of blood flow, in a dural sinus comprising a valveless shunting catheter and a styforator. Retrograde ventriculo-sinus shunts mimic natural drainage of cerebrospinal fluid; they utilize natural forces to regulate the intraventricular pressure and to maintain it more than the sinus pressure, to prevent regurgitation of blood in the shunting catheter as a result of changes in posture or intra-thoracic pressure, to maintain a steady flow of cerebrospinal fluid to the venous circulation at a rate equal to and dependent upon the rate of it's formation, to discourage stagnation and clotting of blood at the venous end of the connection and to prevent siphonage in the erect posture.
US07998101B2	Devices and methods for body fluid flow control in extracorporeal fluid treatment Disclosed are devices and methods for the control of body fluid flow in the extracorporeal treatment of body fluid. Body fluid flow through on of a body fluid flow circuit 10, 50, 60 100, or 250 is controlled by alternatingly applying vacuum pressure and positive pressure to the circuit through a pumping chamber 30, 51, 66, 102, or 200 coordinated with flow control valves 40, 42, 44, 62, 114, 116, 118, and 120 to effect a net downstream flow of body fluid through the circuit.
US07998098B2	Massaging apparatus A massaging apparatus includes a control unit for controlling first to third drive units so as to drive movement of a second guiding rail unit along a first guiding rail unit in a transverse direction, movement of a mounting seat on the second guiding rail unit in a longitudinal direction, and movement of a post on the mounting seat in a vertical direction such that a massage member mounted on a bottom end of the post is moved to contact a user's body that lies on a bed body at a desired acupuncture point. Thereafter, the control unit further controls the third drive unit so as to drive further downward movement of the post corresponding to a desired massage pressure, and controls the first and second drive units so as to drive movement of the massage member around the desired acupuncture point of the user's body.
US07998094B1	System and method of microscopic imaging and soft tissue tension measurements An apparatus and method for examining fiber tension, fiber stress, sarcomere length, etc. in muscle fibers and tension and stress in ligament or tendon tissues as well as brain or nerve fibers by applying a lifting force to lift the fiber or tissue a lifting distance, measuring the lifting force and distance and calculating the axial tension on the fiber bundle or tissue. The apparatus and method also make it possible to illuminate and view the fiber bundle or tissue to examine and characterize visually observable properties.
US07998086B2	Tissue extraction and maceration device Devices and methods are provided for extracting and macerating tissue, and optionally for depositing the tissue onto a tissue scaffold. The device generally includes an outer tube having a substantially open distal end that is adapted to be placed on and preferably to form a seal with a tissue surface, and a shaft rotatably disposed within the outer tube and movable between a first, proximal position in which the shaft is fully disposed within the outer tube, and a second, distal position in which a portion of a distal end of the shaft extends through the opening in the distal end of the outer tube. The device also includes a tissue harvesting tip formed on the distal end of the shaft that is effective to excise a tissue sample when the shaft is moved to the distal position, and a cutting member that is coupled to the shaft at a position proximal to the tissue harvesting tip. The cutting member is effective to macerate a tissue sample excised by the tissue harvesting tip.
US07998085B2	Incentive spirometry devices by the employment of verbal simulated humanlike voices and using a capacitive sensing component for determining patient use and measurement obtained from such use An apparatus used in the medical industry, in order to increase transpulmonary pressure and respiratory volumes, to improve inspiratory muscle performance and re-establish the normal pulmonary hyperinflation, through the employment of electronic technology, providing audible, simulated, verbal, human sounding words, that assist, guide and prompt, increasing patient usage. In one embodiment, the Incentive Spirometer uses a capacitive sensing circuit for sensing movement of the float within the tube wall and for obtaining a measurement or reading of the patient's performance with the Incentive Spirometer.
US07998082B2	Thermo-dilution cardiac output measurement simulator The present invention includes machine-enabled methods of, and devices and systems for, simulating thermo-dilution cardiac output measurements based on ambient room temperature measurements via the injectate temperature sensor.
US07998081B2	Computer assisted cardiogram diagnostic system and the method thereof A computer assisted cardiogram diagnostic system, comprises a diagnosing unit, for obtaining a plurality of preliminary diagnostic results according to the cardiogram signals; and an amending unit, for judging the plurality of preliminary diagnostic results, and amending the plurality of preliminary diagnostic results using conflict eliminating rules, in order to obtain amended diagnostic results.
US07998077B2	Device for rotating a transducer of an ultrasonic probe Embodiments of the present invention may provide a device for rotating a transducer of an ultrasonic probe, which has a simple manufacturing process and a small size. The device may comprise: a drive motor; a pulley rotatably driven by the drive motor; wire-ropes wound around the pulley; a rotatable transducer having a plurality of ultrasonic elements; and buffer springs connecting one ends of the wire-ropes and the transducer, the buffer springs being attached to the transducer.
US07998074B2	Image plane stabilization for medical imaging A medical imaging system automatically acquires two-dimensional images representing a user-defined region of interest despite motion. The plane of acquisition is updated or altered adaptively as a function of detected motion. The user-designated region of interest is then continually scanned due to the alteration in scan plane position. A multi-dimensional array is used to stabilize imaging of a region of interest in a three-dimensional volume. The user defines a region of interest for two-dimensional imaging. Motion is then detected. The position of a scan plane used to generate a subsequent two-dimensional image is then oriented as a function of the detected motion within the three-dimensional volume. By repeating the motion determination and adaptive alteration of the scan plane position, real time imaging of a same region of interest is provided while minimizing the region of interest fading into or out of the sequence of images.
US07998072B2	Probe based digitizing or compression system and method for medical ultrasound Methods, systems and probes communicate signals from a transducer for imaging or connection with an imaging system. Beamforming-related electronics are positioned in the connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. For example, analog-to-digital converters are positioned in the connector housing. Power is provided through connection with the ultrasound imaging system. Fans or other heat-dissipating structures are also positioned within the connector housing. Other beamformer electronics, such as delays and sums, are positioned in the imaging system, partly in the connector housing or entirely in the connector housing. Since the analog-to-digital converters are provided in the connector housing, partial digital beam forming may be provided in the transducer probe assembly. The length of the transducer cables is held constant to avoid interference and transmission line effects due to line-length variation. The number of cables and other interconnections from the transducer array to the analog-to-digital converters is unconstrained by the number of connectors or channels provided by the imaging system. Data compression provided by the electronics of the transducer probe assembly provides independence of the number of system channels from transducer channels.
US07998070B2	Quantifying neurospinal function An aspect disclosed herein involves methods and systems for determining a neurospinal functional index (NSFI) provide a single index quantifying a plurality of neurospinal functions, for example, algometry, range of motion, electromyography, thermography, and heart rate variability. Embodiments of the NSFI are useful in providing an objective index of a patient's neurospinal function, for example, in chiropractic assessments.
US07998068B2	Instrument access device An instrument access device (500) comprises a distal O-ring (11) for insertion into a wound interior, a proximal member for location externally of a wound opening and a sleeve (12) extending in two layers between the distal O-ring (11) and the proximal member. The proximal member comprises an inner proximal ring member (25) and an outer proximal ring member (24) between which the sleeve (12) is led. A seal housing (300) is mounted to the inner proximal ring member (25). A gelatinous elastomeric seal (302) with a pinhole opening (303) therethrough is received in the housing (300). An instrument may be extended through the seal (302) to access the wound interior through the retracted wound opening in a sealed manner.
US07998067B2	In-vivo image capturing apparatus An in-vivo image capturing apparatus including a capsule casing, a gravity sensor, and an image selector. The capsule casing is insertable into a body of a subject and it includes an imaging optical system which can obtain images in the both end directions. The gravity sensor detects a gravity direction of the capsule casing within the body of the subject. The image selector selects one of the both end directions as an imaging direction of the imaging optical system, according to the detected result of the gravity direction by the gravity sensor.
US07998061B2	Atraumatic arthroscopic instrument sheath and method A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument.
US07998060B2	Lumen-traveling delivery device Lumen-traveling devices capable of controlled material release and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, as well as additional components such as a sensor, a material release portion, and/or control circuitry. In some embodiments, a sensor may be used to detect a local condition, and a material may be released from the device in response.
US07998059B2	Endoscopic imaging apparatus and capsule-type endoscope An endoscopic imaging includes an image sensor having a polygonal outline; a lens for focusing an image onto the image sensor; a lens support member abutting on the image sensor, and supporting the lens; and an abutting portion formed while extending from a lower edge portion of the lens support member, the abutting portion abutting on at least two sides of an outline of the image sensor to position the lens support member so that the lens is positioned at a predetermined position of the image sensor.
US07998057B2	Erogenic stimulator with expandable bulbous end The stimulator includes a first resilient cylindrical (phallic-shaped) end and a second, shorter resilient cylindrical end with an expandable-deflatable bulb disposed therein. A truncated U-shaped stimulator is formed by a base connecting the ends. One embodiment permits manual bulb contraction and resilient material expansion with air or fluid ejection/admission. Another embodiment inflates the bulb manually with pressurized air/fluid (orally) with a one-way valve and user controlled valve release, or inflates the bulb with a pump. An external or on-board pump maybe used. The on-board internal pump has a depressible wall pump bladder on the stimulator. The inflatable-deflatable bulb maybe connected to the base via a reduced diameter neck. A method controllably inflates and deflates the bulb and changes its cross-sectional dimensions under user controls.
US07998055B2	Male urethral prosthesis with tensioning member The present invention provides a urethral prosthesis including a first and a second arm that join to form a junction, and a stem that is also joined to the junction. The junction is adapted to exert sufficient pressure on a portion of a patient's urethra to prevent unintentional voiding of the patient's bladder. However, upon exerting a tension force on the stem, the pressure exerted by the junction is reduced such that the patient's bladder may be intentionally voided.
US07998054B2	Implantable heart assist system and method of applying same An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment provides a vascular graft that has a first end that is sized and configured to couple to a non-primary blood vessel and a second end that is fluidly coupled to a pump to conduct blood between the pump and the non-primary blood vessel. An outflow conduit is also provided that has a first end sized and configured to be positioned within the same or different blood vessel, whether primary or non-primary, through the vascular graft. The outflow conduit is fluidly coupled to the pump to conduct blood between the pump and the patient. The vascular graft may be connected to the blood vessel subcutaneously to permit application of the extracardiac pumping system in a minimally-invasive procedure.
US07998053B2	Transcranial magnetic stimulation induction coil device and method of manufacture A transcranial magnetic stimulation induction coil device (“TMS coil device”) is manufactured to contain coil windings of a predetermined size and shape and fixedly positioned at a predetermined location within and orientation in relation to a casing of the TMS coil device. In one embodiment, the coil windings are encased in a casting at a predetermined location within and orientation in relation to the casting, and the casting is fixedly positioned at a predetermined location within and orientation in relation to the casing. The size and shape of the coil windings and the casing within, and the location and orientation of the coil windings in relation to each other and the casing of, the TMS coil device are known with a high level of precision, such that navigated brain stimulation can be performed with the TMS coil device with a high degree of accuracy. In another embodiment, the TMS coil device defines a space interposed between the coil windings and the casing and containing a gas which absorbs heat energy generated at the coil windings, thereby reducing the rate of transfer of heat energy from the coil windings to the casing during operation of the TMS coil device.
US07998052B2	Rotor defining a fluid separation chamber of varying volume A rotor having variable volumes adapted for collecting and centrifuging biological fluids including an impermeable flexible body having a cylindrical shape with stretchable vertical walls and semi pliant base and a rigid circular member seamlessly joined to the top of the flexible body.
US07998051B2	Centrifugal separator with sealing device In a centrifugal separator comprising a first and second separator part having a centrifuge rotor and rotates during operation relative to the first separator part. A space connecting the first and second separator parts houses a rotating liquid body during operation. A mechanical sealing device is provided at the space and includes a first sealing element on the first separator part having a first contact surface, and a second sealing element on the second separator part having a second contact surface. The liquid body on the first sealing element or the second sealing element and displaces the same axially so that the first and second contact surfaces are pressed against each other. A pre-tensioning element exerts force on the sealing element which acts to displace the first contact away from the second contact surfaces so that a gap is formed, forming a throttling.
US07998047B2	Carton with reinforced handle A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton has panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton. The panels comprise a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton includes a handle in the closed end of the carton for grasping and carrying the carton. At least one end flap of the at least two end flaps comprises a main panel for closing the closed end of the carton and an extension panel foldably attached to the main panel. The extension panel is positioned above the handle to reinforce the carton.
US07998044B2	Combined push pad and fixed handle accessory for use with elliptical cross training exercise machine An accessory device for use with an elliptical cross training machine comprises two like-configured attachments, each of with generally comprises a handle attachment bracket, a substantially horizontal stabilizer bar, a combined palm push pad/handle attachment bracket, a fixed handle, and a push palm pad. The fixed handle and the palm pad are fully and rotatably movable around and about the stabilizer bar. Each is also longitudinally movable along the stabilizer bar to provide inward and outward movement of the fixed handle and the push palm pad relative to the original handle positions of the elliptical cross trainer to which they are attached. The accessory device allows the user to have a combined platform to push from, in a form that is similar to doing a push up from the floor, as well as a fixed point handle that presents to the user at a more natural shoulder angle.
US07998041B1	Rubber band musculoskeletal exercise device A shell harness comprises particular harness slots for an attachment and a detachment of rubber bands. The rubber bands are covered with a protection sleeve that traps the band and slows it down in an event of a break. The rubber bands are connected to foot straps with stirrups that also comprise a vinyl hose. A hollow, cylindrical hand grip is comprised at an end of the rubber bands too after they are interlaced through the harness.
US07998039B1	Abdominal exercise device An abdominal exercise device comprising a seat back pivotally attached to a base that includes a foot plate, wherein a spring or other resistive element is attached between the seat back and the base, which is capable of simultaneously exercising a plurality of muscle groups while standing, in a hands-free manner. While the user is standing on the foot plate, abdominal and other muscles are exercised when the user presses in a backward direction against the seat back, and then releases the pressure on the seat back such that the seat back returns to an upright or near upright position. The exercise device includes the capability of tension adjustment on the seat back, such that more or less force can be applied to cause the seat back to move in a backward direction.
US07998038B2	Exercise apparatus using weight and pneumatic resistances An exercise apparatus is disclosed that comprises a frame, at least one user interface movably coupled to the frame, a pneumatic resistance device, and a weight stack coupled to the frame. The weight stack is arranged between and in series with the at least one user interface and pneumatic resistance device and is coupled to the at least one user interface by a first force transfer mechanism and to the pneumatic resistance device by a second force transfer mechanism.
US07998037B2	Adjustable resistance training apparatus An adjustable resistance training apparatus that is provided with one or more elongated elastomeric members that are supported by a carrier. The adjustable resistance training apparatus also includes a slide that is configured to be moved along a guided path in response to a force exerted by a user's body. The slide includes an engagement member that is configured to permit selective engagement to the second end of one or more of the elastomeric members, once positioned by the carrier, to cause the selected elastomeric member or members to be stretched along a second plane in response to movement of the slide along the guided path. The adjustable resistance training apparatus can be coupled to isotonic weights in the form of a selectable weight stack that moves along a second guided path in response to a force exerted by a user's body or used with plate loaded devices. The combination of resistance tubes and weights results in progressive resistance regardless of the speed of movement of the weight stack.
US07998036B2	Functional training exercise apparatus and methods Exercise apparatus and methods having adjustable frame members are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exercise assembly includes a load, a support assembly, and a force transferring assembly. The support assembly includes a pair of outwardly extending frame members coupled to an upwardly projecting portion by a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly enables controllable adjustment of a height of the frame members. The force-transferring assembly includes first and second portions coupled to and extending at least partially along each of the outwardly extending frame members. During an exercise, a training force applied to the first and second portions induces an associated force on the load. The coupling assembly may permit an angle between the outwardly extending frame members to vary freely during an exercise, or may allow a user to controllably adjust and fix the angle during the exercise.
US07998034B1	Runner arm training apparatus The runner arm training apparatus provides feedback to a user and help for a user in establishing a correct upper arm to lower arm, or elbow, angle. Typically, this angle is about 90 degrees. However, the apparatus may also be used to aid in preventing a 90-degree elbow bend, for perhaps a different athletic or rehabilitating pursuit.
US07998033B1	Locking mechanism for a bicycle trainer A bicycle trainer frame adapted for use with a bicycle includes a frame member having spaced apart ends. A coupler is disposed in at least one of the ends, the coupler having engaging cam elements to cause linear movement of a rod. A lever is connected to one of the cam elements wherein the cam surfaces are configured to cause linear movement for rotation of lever less than one revolution such that the rod moves from a first position to a second position, the first position being spaced apart from a component of the bicycle to allow removal of the bicycle from the frame, and the second position being sufficient to secure the bicycle to the frame.
US07998032B2	Bicycle trainer A bicycle trainer is adapted for use with a bicycle. The trainer includes a base and a frame having spaced apart ends adapted to engage and support the bicycle. A pivoting assembly is joined to the frame of a central portion of the frame and to the base. The pivoting assembly allows movement between the frame and the base and includes a biasing mechanism that resists tilting of the frame relative to the base. The frame is supported only by the pivoting assembly.
US07998025B2	Method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle A method for operating a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having in the force flow direction and in the following order an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission and an axle gearset, or an internal combustion engine, a clutch, an electric motor, a transmission input shaft, a transmission and an axle gearset. The electric motor is used for pre-lubricating and warming the transmission such that, with the vehicle clutch disengaged, the lubricant pump of the transmission is driven by the electric motor so bearings are supplied with lubricant before the engine is started, and the heat, produced by splashing the lubricant, additionally warms the transmission.
US07998012B2	Axle assembly method A torque transmitting component that includes a hollow adjuster that is employed to preload and/or position a bearing that supports a differential assembly relative to a housing. One of the housing and the adjuster includes a first engagement feature and the other one of the housing and the adjuster includes a second engagement feature. A retaining member is press-fit to the first engagement feature and is non-rotatably coupled to the second engagement feature to inhibit rotation of the adjuster relative to the housing. A method is also provided.
US07998007B2	Phasing of chains, sprockets, and gears to provide enhanced noise vibration and harshness reduction A method for reducing NVH in a vehicle having the steps of providing at least one repeating event, replicating at least one component, and delaying at least one equivalent part. The repeating event is a complete cycle, such that the repeating event ends when the cycle begins to repeat itself. The component is replicated at least one time so that at least one equivalent part is formed. The equivalent part is delayed with respect to the component by angularly positioning the equivalent part with respect to the component in a predetermined way, such that at least one harmonic in the NVH-spectra is reduced during the component's repeating event and the equivalent part's repeating event in operation.
US07998000B2	Golf club head A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may generally include a strike face, a top portion, a bottom portion, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a hosel having a central axis located in a first imaginary vertical plane. A discrete, at least partially curvilinear stiffening element, having generally vertical side surfaces, may be coupled to at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion to improve the dynamic-excitation response of the club head. Preferably, the stiffening element is oriented such that an imaginary horizontal line intersects at least one of the vertical surfaces at at least two points. Additionally, the stiffening element may have at least two inflection points located along a non-linear path characterized by the vertical projection of one of the side surfaces onto at least one of the bottom portion and the top portion of the club head.
US07997999B2	Multi-piece golf club head with improved inertia A multi-piece iron-type golf club head with a substantial weight member is disclosed and claimed. The golf club head includes a plurality of body members. A first body member includes a face, a rear surface, and a hosel. A viscoelastic material is attached to the rear surface, and a second body member is attached to the viscoelastic material. The second body member, which may be a weight member, has a substantially larger mass than in known golf clubs. The viscoelastic member may form a substantial part of the club head. The club head may also have a recess located in a top portion thereof between the heel and the toe and extending toward the sole. A low-density insert may be positioned within the recess.
US07997997B2	Interchangeable shaft system A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US07997996B2	Swing training device and system Described is a swing training device comprising a first foot plate, a second of foot plate, a connector connecting the first foot plate to the second foot plate, a first foot pad pivotably mounted on the first foot plate, and a second foot pad pivotably mounted on the second foot plate. The swing training device may be useful for teaching balance and developing core muscles used while swinging a sporting device.
US07997992B2	Golf ball aligning device A golf ball aligning device (GBAD) (10) that is disclosed as a golf visor (12) and as a golf cap (80). Both the visor (12) and the cap (80) feature a bill (40) that has a front square edge (44), an upper surface (50) and a lower surface (52). To the lower surface (52) and adjacent to the front square edge (44) of the bill (40) is applied a dark non-glare finish (60). Alternatively, to the square front edge (44) of the bill (40) can be attached by means of a living hinge (58) a square movable tab (48) also having a dark non-glare finish (60). The dark non-glare finish (60) when viewed by a golfer, aids in aligning a straight ball trajectory along a golf course. The GBAD (10) can also be designed to include a bill adjusting assembly (114) that interfaces with the right and left head bands (26),(32) and the respective right and left hand bands (26, 32).
US07997991B2	Costume suit of large size animal A costume suit modeled after a large size animal having a head and mouth section, a neck section, a torso section, a foot section, a tail section, a skeletal part as a whole, and an outer skin part covering the whole is provided. The torso section is communicated with the foot section forming an internal hollow, just enough for an adult to fit at standing position. The hollow includes a frame pack fixed and installed to the skeletal part of the costume suit, in a position of an approximate equilibrium point of the costume suit. In the hollow, a means for manipulating a movement of the head and mouth section and the neck section, and a means for manipulating opening and closing of a mouth of the head and mouth section are equipped. Moreover, the skeletal part of the tail section is composed of a flexible tabular member placed in an internal hollow of the tail section, imitating a skeleton of a tail, and a plurality of foam blocks fixed and placed on the tabular member at certain intervals.
US07997989B2	Balanced driveshaft assembly and method A balanced driveshaft assembly that includes a driveshaft and a composite weight. The driveshaft has a shaft member and a pair of cardan joints that are coupled to the opposite ends of the shaft member. The shaft member is formed of a first material. The composite weight is fixed to the shaft member, and includes an insert and a body. The insert is formed of a second material that is denser than the first material and is encapsulated in the body. The body is formed of the first material. A composite weight and a method for forming a balanced driveshaft assembly are also provided.
US07997985B2	Interactive inter-channel game An interactive multi-channel game method is described. The method includes providing a first representation of a game element associated with a first channel of a multi-channel system, replacing the first representation with a second representation of the game element associated with a second channel of the multi-channel system, providing a clue associated with the second channel, and receiving a user input representing a user's response to the clue. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US07997982B2	Lottery game having an independent raffle prize A lottery game with a capped jackpot prize and increasing raffle prize is provided. The lottery game is set with an initial jackpot prize. If there is no jackpot winner for the lottery game for a drawing, the jackpot is increased until the jackpot is at least equal to a predefined value. For each subsequent drawing, a raffle prize is set and a raffle number is printed on each lottery ticket. The raffle prize is not distributed until a jackpot winner is determined.
US07997979B2	Chip-based gaming Chip-Based Gaming includes methods for playing electronic games of chance or skill that provide players with a greater number of options and greater wagering flexibility than previous methods have afforded them. In the present Chip-Based gaming model, players may select virtual betting chips from an onscreen palette and apply those chips to various wagering opportunities throughout a game. Using this model, players are able to make individual bets on each of a slot machine's paylines or wager on making specific hands in Video Poker. Players are also able to buy and/or wager on symbol “nudges” and to buy symbol “re-spins” within a multi-line slot machine, options which provide the player with a much richer, more flexible gaming experience than he or she had heretofore enjoyed.
US07997978B2	Flexible loyalty points programs A disclosed a gaming machine includes an input mechanism with a non-physical contact data interface. The non-physical contact data interface may be capable of reading loyalty program data from a loyalty program instrument without contact between the loyalty program instrument and the non-physical contact data interface. The input mechanism with the non-physical contact data interface may be one of a bill validator, a bar-code reader and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader. The loyalty program instrument may be a substrate including at least one of a 1-D bar-code printed on the substrate, a 2-D bar-code printed on the substrate, a symbol printed on the substrate, alpha-numeric character printed on the substrate, a RFID tag embedded in the substrate, a RFID tag printed on the substrate and combinations thereof. The loyalty program instrument may be used to store an index to a record in a database or a portable data file.
US07997977B2	Card gaming machine and card game playing method A card gaming machine determines a dealer's hand and a player's hand for each terminal and specifies a remaining card group. The player's hand and the dealer's hand are compared for winning/losing judgment, and a prize based on the judgment result is awarded. If a side bet is made, a bonus judgment process is carried out for a bonus target card group consisting of a first card group selected and determined from a remaining card group and a second card group selected and determined from the player's hand irrespective winning/losing judgment result, and a bonus payout based on the judgment result is awarded.
US07997976B2	Slot machine having special symbol and control method thereof According to a slot machine of the present invention, synthetic symbol images each including a first symbol image and a second symbol image are rearranged to a display. The first symbol image is associated with a predetermined prize. In a case where the first symbol images included in the rearranged synthetic symbols or a combination thereof constitute the predetermined prize, special first symbol images are displayed in place of the synthetic symbols including the first symbol images constituting the predetermined prize. The special first symbol images correspond to the first images constituting the predetermined prize.
US07997969B1	System and method for implementing a game for financial data extraction A system and method of implementing a financial data extraction process including receiving information associated with a user, providing the user a game to play, the game being associated with a financial service environment, acquiring one or more responses from the user during game play, and determining one or more characteristics associated with the user based on the one or more responses acquired from the user during game play.
US07997967B2	Agricultural combine grain cleaning sieve with adjustable spacing system A sieve for a grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine, including a system providing enhanced adjustability of spacing, including capacities for quickly and easily varying a number of rows of sieve fingers, spacing between the rows, and angular orientation of the fingers, such that better sieve performance, and cleaning action above the sieve, can be achieved for a particular grain or seed size and other conditions, particularly very large sizes and very small sizes.
US07997961B1	Tool for elevating a sander A tool for elevating a sander includes a shaft having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end includes an internally-threaded portion for coupling with the externally-threaded end of a conventional painter's pole, or an accompanying extension pole. Pivotally fastened to the upper end of the shaft is any one of a plurality of removable, interchangeable retaining rings each having a discrete circumference for encircling a power sander. Therefore, a worker can easily manipulate the sander within an elevated area without using a ladder or scaffolding.
US07997959B2	Pneumatic tool having a rotor with a wear-resistant vane slot This invention relates generally to an improved rotor for a pneumatic abrading or polishing tool, such as an orbital abrading or polishing tool, and more particularly to such a rotor having a wear-resistant vane slot. A power abrading or polishing tool, such as a pneumatic orbital abrading or polishing tool, includes a motor having a rotor that transmits a rotational force to a carrier part having an abrading or polishing head attached thereto. The rotor is contained in a motor housing which includes an inlet passage and one or more exhaust passages. Compressed air or other suitable gas enters the motor housing through the inlet passage and causes the rotor to rotate within the motor housing. As the rotor rotates, vanes slide in and out of slots in the rotor, creating sealed chambers or compartments between adjacent vanes. As the compressed gas expands within these compartments, it pushes on the vanes, causing the rotor to rotate and the vanes to slide in and out of their vane slots. The rotor includes a metal clip lining the inside surface of the vane slots to prevent wear on the slots due to the repeated movement of the vanes in and out of the slots.
US07997954B2	Centerless grinding method To provide a centerless grinding method which facilitates a tooling change and enables automation. A blade 11 is disposed slidable along a first straight line 101, i.e., Y axis, a grinding wheel 7 is disposed slidable along a second straight line 102, i.e., X axis, and a regulating wheel 9 is disposed slidable along a third straight line 103 intersecting with the second straight line at an angle θ2. At a tooling change, then, the blade is moved in a negative direction of the Y axis with an increase in diameter of a workpiece, the grinding wheel is moved in a negative direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece, and the regulating wheel is moved in a positive direction of the Y axis and also in a positive direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece. With this, angles α and β, which a contact angular position reference line S makes with line segments OB and OR, are made always constant.
US07997953B2	Precision machining method A precision machining method enabling grinding with high accuracy is provided. The method includes a first step of producing an intermediate ground workpiece by roughly grinding a workpiece (a) with a diamond grinding wheel (b), and a second step of producing a final ground workpiece by grinding the intermediate ground workpiece with a grinding wheel for CMG. In the first step, feed of the rotator (6b) and the base (3) is controlled in multiple stages with different feed speeds according to control based on the amount of movement, and in the second step, movement of the rotator (6b) and the base (3) is controlled with a constant pressure or in multiple stages having different constant pressures.
US07997948B2	Hybrid water sport apparatus An apparatus includes an upper portion, a sole and a fin. The upper portion is configured to at least partially cover a foot. The sole is coupled to the upper portion and defines a cavity. The fin has a first portion and a second portion. The fin is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the fin is substantially within the cavity defined by the sole, and the first portion of the fin at least partially overlaps the second portion of the fin. When in the second configuration, the fin extends substantially outside the cavity defined by the sole.
US07997947B2	Deep water hydrocarbon transfer system System of a hydrocarbon transfer buoy and a vessel, the buoy having a length of at least 50 m and a length-to-width ratio of at least 10:1, and including a submerged buoyancy member having a length of at least 30 m and being situated at a depth of at least 10 m below water level, another support frame protecting above water level being connected to the top of the buoyancy member and carrying a support deck and a mooring buoy connector for attaching to a mooring arm connector of the vessel, which mooring arm connector is situated on an arm projecting outboard from the vessel's hull, the buoy being anchored to the sea bed via anchor lines which extend at an angle to a vertical direction, at least one hydrocarbon riser being attached to the buoy. The buoyancy member being connected to the sea bed via at least one substantially vertical taut tendon. The riser has a length of at least 500 m, and includes a steel riser part attached to the buoy, the riser extending up to the mooring buoy connector and being closable by a valve, the riser at its end including a connecting member for releasably attaching to a duct on the mooring arm connector.
US07997945B2	Fastening device for connecting web The invention relates to a device (10.1) for connecting a web (25), comprising a pair of limbs (11, 12), the first two limb ends (13) being fixed to a support (30) while the remaining two limb ends (14) spring back and produce spring ends (14) for the purpose of connecting a web (25). In order to obtain a simpler and reliable connection, it is proposed that the two spring ends of the pair of limbs (11, 12) are connected to each other by means of a loop (20), the inside of the loop (24) serving to accommodate the web (25). When the web is connected, the loop (20) encompasses the cross section of the web and maintains it between its spring ends (14).
US07997944B1	Bonding device A bonding device for providing an electrical ground to a plurality of remote devices from a main junction box with a main ground cable. The bonding device includes an elongated electrically conductive housing having a through passage for receiving therethrough the main ground cable. The electrically conductive housing further includes a plurality of passage holes that each extend substantially transverse to the elongated through passage, and with each of the passage holes for receiving a ground wire associated with one of the remote devices. Fasteners retain the ground wire in each corresponding passage hole.
US07997940B2	Electrical connector assembly for an airbag ignitor An electrical connector assembly for an airbag ignitor including a) a socket member having a mating aperture, an internal side wall portion having a locking slot, and a bottom wall portion having at least one pin contact extending therefrom; and b) a plug member adapted for mating with the socket member by insertion in the mating aperture and including a plug body and a plug nose, the plug nose including (i) at least one socket contact aperture for receiving a socket contact corresponding to a respective pin contact, and (ii) a resilient locking device adapted for engaging in the locking slot and locking the plug member in the socket member, wherein the plug member includes an annular gasket seal around the plug nose and under the plug body to seal the aperture between the socket member and the plug member when they mate.
US07997934B2	Connector with insert for reduced crosstalk A differential pair connector has a housing floor, an array of differential pairs passing through the housing floor, and a conductive grid integrated into the housing floor for reducing crosstalk between the differential pairs. The conductive grid can have various structures, such as conductive inserts, plated regions and/or a conductive housing floor surrounding non-conductive inserts protecting the differential pins. Although any suitable means can be used to fasten the conductive grid into the housing floor, the grid is preferably press fitted into the top of the housing floor.
US07997931B2	Waterproof electrical connector and system In one possible embodiment, a waterproof connector is provided having a unitary compressible housing comprised of a waterproof material encasing a finger board. The finger board is constructed to receive interconnect wires and corresponding electrical contact pins, which are secured to the finger board. The housing has a well portion within the housing, the electrical contact pins extend through the waterproof material from the finger board into the well. Partition portions within the well extend between the electrical contact pins. A sealing lip portion is around the well on a mating side. The housing also has a compressible backing portion behind the finger board. The unitary compressible housing may be constructed to be seated in a structural housing, which may be a recess or the like in a structural member or component of an apparatus.
US07997929B2	Phone plug connector device A phone plug connector device having a preassembled phone plug and connector, wherein the phone plug includes a conductive tip and a stem, wherein the connector connects the phone plug to a coaxial cable, wherein the coaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by a first dielectric, the first dielectric being surrounded by a first conductive sheath, and the first conductive sheath surrounded by a protective outer jacket, wherein the connector connects the coaxial cable to the phone plug mechanically and electrically by compression.
US07997923B1	Cable organizer for a connector assembly A connector assembly includes a housing, a grommet, and a cable organizer. The housing includes an interior chamber. The grommet is disposed in the interior chamber of the housing and extends between a forward end and an opposite exit end. The grommet includes openings extending through the grommet with insulated conductors extending through the openings and joined with contacts such that the contacts project from the forward end. The cable organizer is disposed proximate to the grommet and includes channels extending through the cable organizer with the cables extending through the channels. The cable organizer limits bending by the cables at the exit end of the grommet.
US07997916B2	Resilient plug, fluid proof construction and connector A rubber plug (40) is provided with a stable sealing property while reducing frictional resistance when the rubber plug (40) is inserted into a cavity. In a cross section including axis lines of the rubber plug (40), a cavity (11) and a wire (30), areas of outer lips (44A, 44B) not resiliently deformed radially outward of a virtual line (12L) corresponding to the inner circumferential surface of the cavity (11) are specified as outer virtual deforming portions (45A, 45B), areas of inner lips (46A, 46B and 46C) not resiliently deformed radially inward of a virtual line (31L) corresponding to the outer circumferential surface of the wire (30) are specified as inner virtual deforming portions (47A, 47B, and 47C) and at least parts of the inner virtual deforming portions (47A, 47B and 47C) correspond to only parts of the outer virtual deforming portions (45A, 45B).
US07997914B2	Push-to-insert, push-to-eject and pull-to-extract card connector An assembly for a receptacle for an electrical connector plug, including a chassis for inserting an electrical connector plug therein, two slideable grooved latches mounted on two opposite side surfaces of the chassis, that slide along the two opposite sides under applied force, two springs fastened to respective ones of the two slideable latches, mounted on the two opposite side surfaces of the chassis, a bar mounted between the two slideable latches, and a receptacle for the connector plug, mounted on the bar and including a plurality of contact pins for electrical contact with the connector plug, wherein (i) when the connector plug is pushed into the receptacle, the two slideable latches are pushed away from respective ones of the two springs, causing the two springs to stretch and to exert tensions thereon, and (ii) when the connector plug is pushed a second time, the two slideable latches are released, causing the connector plug to be partially ejected from the receptacle.
US07997912B2	Three-dimensional connector for a coordinate input device A three-dimensional connector, which is used by a coordinate input device of a touch pad, has a flat conductor cable with an end being connected to the touch pad and another end forming a soldered conductive contact head perpendicular to the flat conductor cable to pass through a support to shorten a length of said conductor cable and enhance electro-conductibility of the connector.
US07997911B2	Portable electronic device A portable electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a motion assembly, a connector, and an ejector. The second body has a hollow portion, and the first body is movable disposed on the second body to cover the hollow portion. The motion assembly is disposed between the first body and the second body, so that the first body is able to move relatively to the second body. The connector is movably disposed in the hollow portion. The ejector is disposed between the connector and the second body. When the first body moves relatively to the second body to expose the hollow portion of the second body, the ejector is capable of driving the connector to move out of the hollow portion.
US07997910B2	Connectors for electrically active grid The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.
US07997909B2	Cable assembly wth EMI protection A cable assembly (1) comprises an insulative housing (2) having a body portion with a front surface and a pair of upper and lower tongue portions (212, 222) respectively extending forwardly form a top and bottom sides of the front surface of the body portion; the body portion defines a receiving room therein. A printed circuit board (3) is disposed in the receiving room of the body portion of the housing and defines a mating portion (31) extending forwardly from the front surface of the housing and disposed between the upper and lower tongue portions, a terminating portion (32) opposite to the mating portion and a connecting portion (33) connected with the mating portion and the terminating portion. The connecting portion and the terminating portion are received in the receiving room. A cable (4) is terminated to the terminating portion of the printed circuit board and extending out of the housing. And, a shielding member (5) received in the receiving room and surrounding the printed circuit board (3).
US07997903B2	Medical training apparatus A medical training apparatus comprises a frame defining a work space simulating a body cavity and having an access opening to allow introduction of a medical instrument to the working space from externally of the working space. A sensor platform is rotationally mounted in the working space for rotating the platform to select angular positions for performing a series of simulated medical procedures. A plurality of modules are mounted around a perimeter of the platform. Each module comprises a different model upon which an associated medical procedure can be performed with a medical instrument. A plurality of sensors are each operatively associated with one of the modules for sensing progress of the associated medical procedure. A control unit is coupled to the sensors for monitoring progress of the medical procedures and providing an indication of status of the medical procedures.
US07997899B2	Dental, dental-medical or dental-technical handpiece with electric motor In a dental, dental-medical or dental-technical handpiece, having an elongate grip sleeve there are provided at the rearward end of the grip sleeve coupling elements for the connection of the handpiece to a supply hose to be connected with a dental supply arrangement, and there are provided at the forward end of the grip sleeve a head section with a tool receiver for mounting a tool to be put into rotation. The handpiece further has an electric motor for driving a tool held by the tool receiver, which motor is completely integrated into the grip sleeve such that grip sleeve and motor form a unit.
US07997898B2	Illuminated orthodontic retainer A standard orthodontic retainer is modified on its surface opposite the palate and facing the patient's tongue with a light, a small battery to provide power for the light means, and a frame beneath the light that allows a template to be removably slid into the frame. The template consists of a design such as a heart, a letter of the alphabet, a symbol, or other design that, when the light is activated, shines the pattern onto the top of the tongue of the user. The template can be made so that the design displayed on the user's tongue is of any desired color or color combination. Alternatively, the color of the displayed design may be created by the color of the light or by an additional template consisting of an optical filter providing the desired color.
US07997897B2	Method of discharging gas from continuous oven and gas discharge structure A to-be-burned object including a metal Si component or SiC or Si3N4 can be burned in such a manner that vaporized SiO can be safely exhausted without causing SiO attached to a wall of a furnace or an inner face of an exhaust duct. An exhaust method of a continuous furnace for continuously burning a to-be-burned object containing a metal Si component or highly-fire-resistant SiC or Si3N4 includes steps of 1) exhausting in-furnace gas including SiO vaporized during a burning process. An exhaust duct 2 used for this exhaust is provided at an upper part of a side wall 12 of the furnace having a higher temperature (1300 degrees C. or more) than a concentration temperature of SiO vaporized during a burning process. 2) oxidizing the exhausted SiO at the outside of the furnace to detoxify SiO. The in-furnace gas exhausted by the exhaust duct 2 is guided to an exhaust pipe 3 connected to an outlet of the exhaust duct 2 at the outside of the furnace. This exhaust pipe 3 includes oxygen supply holes 31a and 31b. By sending oxygen supplied from an appropriate oxygen supply source into the exhaust pipe 3, SiO guided to the exhaust pipe 3 reacts with oxygen and is detoxified.
US07997896B2	Premix burner with staged liquid fuel supply and also method for operating a premix burner A premix burner with staged liquid fuel supply is described having at least two partial cone shells which on the radial side form the boundary of a swirl chamber which axialwards conically widens, which partial cone shells are arranged in a partially overlapping manner, the center axes of the partial cone shells of which extend with offset effect in relation to each another, and the mutually overlapping partial cone shell sections of which enclose in each case an air inlet slot which extends tangentially to the swirl chamber, with a burner lance which projects axialwards into the swirl chamber, which lance provides means for feed of liquid fuel into the swirl chamber, and also with further means for feed of liquid fuel which are provided in the region of the air inlet slots. As such, additional means for feed of liquid fuel along at least one air inlet slot are formed and arranged in such a way that the liquid fuel delivery, which is conditioned by the further means, takes place in the form of a fuel spray which propagates perpendicularly to the tangential longitudinal extent of the air inlet slot, and also a fuel spray which propagates perpendicularly to an air flow which is directed through the air inlet slot.
US07997891B2	Molding processes and tool therefor A molding process and apparatus suitable for use in molding processes, including rapid prototyping processes and short run production processes. The molding process and apparatus entail the use of a reconfigurable screen tool having a housing defining a manifold cavity and a plurality of substantially parallel pins, each having a head protruding from the housing and a shank protruding into the housing. The heads of the pins define a screen surface through which air is able to flow, for example, through gaps between adjacent heads or through internal passages within the pins. The process further includes axially moving the pins to configure the screen surface, preventing further axial movement of the pins relative to each other, and then drawing a vacuum within the manifold cavity and creating a vacuum at the screen surface.
US07997890B2	Device and method for lithography Apparatus and method for transferring a pattern from a template (10) having a structured surface to a substrate (12) carrying a surface layer of a radiation polymerisable fluid (14). The apparatus comprises a first main part (101) and a second main part (102) having opposing surfaces (104;105), means for adjusting a spacing (115) between said main parts, support means (106) for supporting said template and substrate in mutual parallel engagement in said spacing with said structured surface facing said surface layer, a radiation source (110) devised to emit radiation into said spacing. A cavity (115) has a first wall comprising a flexible membrane (113) devised to engage said template or substrate, and means (114;116) are provided for applying an adjustable overpressure to a medium present in said cavity, whereby an even distribution of force is obtained over the whole of the contact surface between the substrate and the template. The apparatus further includes a heater device having a surface facing said spacing, for heating either fluid layer (14).
US07997888B2	Die for forming honeycomb structure and manufacturing method of die for forming honeycomb structure A die for forming a honeycomb structure is provided with back pores through which a forming material is introduced and slits through which the forming material is extruded into a lattice-like shape, and the die comprises a first plate-like member made of a super hard alloy containing tungsten carbide and a bonding agent and provided with the back pores extending in a thickness direction; and a second plate-like member bonded to the first plate-like member, made of the super hard alloy containing tungsten carbide and the bonding agent, and provided with the slits connected to the back pores, wherein the bonding agent is dispersed in a lesser amount in a bonded part between the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member than in the other part.
US07997883B2	Scroll compressor with scroll deflection compensation A scroll compressor may incorporate controlled bending of a scroll member to compensate for axial deformations that can occur between the scroll members. The controlled bending may be through the use of fluid pressure in a sealed chamber that communicates with a surface of the scroll member opposite the intermeshing wraps. Fluid passageways can extend through the scroll member between the sealed chamber and the intermeshing wraps. The controlled bending can increase the uniformity of the contact between the scroll members and improve the efficiency of the compressing operation.
US07997881B2	Combined prime valve and electrical pressure control for paint spray pumps A combined prime valve and electrical pressure control apparatus including a prime valve actuator, an electrical pressure control actuator, and a control housing containing the actuators, with each coupled to a single shaft having a cam assembly for selectively actuating the control apparatus to one of a prime mode and a spray mode and the electrical pressure control is operable within a range of pressure settings by movement of the shaft while the control apparatus remains in the spray mode. The actuators are oriented diametrically opposite and offset along an axis of the single shaft with respect to each other, and contact the cam assembly and respectively contact a lever for a prime valve and a pressure switch carrier. A setscrew in the carrier provides adjustment of the pressure at which the switch is actuated.
US07997878B2	Dense phase powder pump with single ended flow and purge A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.
US07997873B2	High efficiency last stage bucket for steam turbine A turbine bucket including a bucket airfoil having an airfoil shape is provided. The airfoil shape has a nominal profile according to the tables set forth in the specification. The X and Y coordinate are smoothly joined by an arc of radius R defining airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The airfoil profile results in improved efficiency and airfoil loading capability.
US07997870B2	Turbine rotor for electrical power generation An electrical generation device includes a turbine rotor for electrical power generation, preferably underwater, from moving fluid, preferably water currents or the wind. The turbine rotor includes turbine blades that include flexible portions, preferably mounted at the edges of stiff portions of the turbine blades.
US07997869B2	Fan assembly having protective motor housing that accommodates cyclic movement A fan includes a frame and a motor having (i) a motor structure that is movable in relation to the frame in a path of movement, and (ii) an output shaft that is rotatable in relation to the motor structure. The fan further includes at least one fan blade coupled to the output shaft so that rotation of the output shaft causes rotation of the at least one fan blade. Also, the fan includes a first housing portion defining a first cavity and a second housing portion defining a second cavity. The second housing portion is movable in relation to the first housing portion. One of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is fixed in relation to the frame. The other of the first housing portion and the second housing portion is fixed in relation to the motor structure. The first cavity of the first housing portion and the second cavity of the second housing portion collectively define a space in which the motor structure is positioned. The first housing portion is at least partially positioned within the second cavity of the second housing portion during movement of the motor structure in relation to the frame in the path of movement.
US07997866B2	Gas turbine airfoil with leading edge cooling A gas turbine airfoil (1) includes a pressure sidewall (15) and a suction sidewall (16), extending from a root to a tip and from a leading edge region to a trailing edge and having at least one cooling passage between the pressure sidewall (15) and the suction sidewall (16) for cooling air to pass through and cool the airfoil from within. One or several of the cooling passages (3) extend along the leading edge of the airfoil (1) and several film cooling holes (1,2) extend from the internal cooling passages (3) along the leading edge region to the outer surface of the leading edge region. The film cooling holes (1,2) each have a shape that is diffused in a radial outward direction of the leading edge of the airfoil (1) at least over a part of the length of the film cooling hole (1,2). Improved cooling in the leading edge region can be achieved because the cooling holes (1, 2) have a principal axis (17), and the shape is asymmetrically diffused in that it is diffused in the radial outward direction from the principal axis (17) along a forward inclination axis (20), and it is additionally diffused in a second lateral direction from the principal axis (17) along a lateral inclination axis (21).
US07997860B2	Welded nozzle assembly for a steam turbine and related assembly fixtures A nozzle blade comprising radially inner and outer walls with an airfoil portion extending therebetween; the inner and outer walls formed with alignment features on respective oppositely-facing surfaces aligned with a longitudinal center axis through the nozzle blade.
US07997857B2	Particle vibration damper Numerous cavities exist in a turbocharger for reasons of construction. If such cavities are filled with particles, inexpensive particle vibration dampers can be realized. Moreover, advantages with regard to additional containment security result in the case of possible bursting of the compressor wheel, and also with regard to noise suppression.
US07997856B2	Stator heat shield A stator heat shield (6) for a gas turbine (1) includes an outside (11) which in the installed state faces a hot gas path (9) of the gas turbine (1), and an inside (12) facing away from the outside (11). A plurality of ribs (13) are formed on the inside (12) and extend axially in the installed state with regard to an axis of rotation (8) of a rotor (3) of the gas turbine (1) and, in the circumferential direction, are spaced a distance apart from one another. At least one baffle plate (14) is arranged on the inside (12) and is in contact with the ribs (13). At least one groove (16) is designed in an end face (15) bordering the stator heat shield (6) in the circumferential direction, into which at least one sealing element (18) can be inserted. A plurality of bores (19) are included, each opening at a distance from the groove (16) in the direction of the outside (11) at the inside (12) at one end and on the end face (15) at the other end and arranged a distance apart from one another in the axial direction.
US07997853B2	Rotary pressure transfer device with improved flow A rotary pressure transfer device utilizes a multi-channel, generally cylindrical rotor (15) that revolves with its flat end faces juxtaposed with flat end surfaces of a pair of flanking end covers (19, 21) in which inlet and outlet passageways are provided. The design is such that there are only oblique ramps (65) in the passageways on the high pressure side which create directional flow of liquid to cause rotor revolution in the desired direction. Passageways (27a, 27b) on the low pressure side may be shaped so that there is essentially axial or longitudinal flow entry and discharge of liquid between the channels and the passageways, or passageways (71) may be constructed to create directional flow that slightly retards rotor revolution in such desired direction.
US07997852B1	Side loader garbage truck An improved side loading garbage truck that includes an improved packing method that utilizes a packing blade that doubles as the hopper cover, that includes its hydraulic cylinders outside the body of the truck, does not have any potential leak points inside the body and includes all grease points outside the body providing easier access to the cylinders, blade and grease points for maintenance and installation. The other improvement is the use of multi-point contact rollers thereby reducing wear and tear and extending the life of the side loader arm.
US07997851B2	Apparatus and method for a multi-level load lock chamber, transfer chamber, and robot suitable for interfacing with same A new apparatus for processing substrates is disclosed. A multi-level load lock chamber having four environmentally isolated chambers interfaces with a transfer chamber that has a robotic assembly. The robotic assembly has two arms that each can move horizontally as the robotic assembly rotates about its axis. The arms can reach into the isolated chambers of the load lock to receive substrates from the bottom isolated chambers, transport the substrates to process chambers, and then place the substrates in the upper chambers. The isolated chambers in the load lock chamber may have a pivotably attached lid that may be opened to access the inside of the isolated chambers.
US07997850B2	Small vehicle loading and transport deck for pickup trucks A small vehicle loading and transport deck for pickup trucks which includes a box-like frame which is positioned within the bed of the truck and which has a deck movably mounted thereon which is movable from an inclined and rearwardly extending loading/unloading position to a transport position wherein the deck is positioned on the top of the frame. The box-like frame provides a storage area beneath the deck so that articles or objects may be stored therein. A winch is provided for moving the deck between its loading/unloading position and its transport position and vice versa. The winch may also be used to load a disabled vehicle onto the platform.
US07997846B2	Drywall panel lifter A drywall panel lifter having two stanchions into which jacks are vertically set, wherein each jack has an extending portion capable of rising past the tops of the first and second stanchion respectively; a set of bars hinged to the jacks; a cross-piece assembly connecting the bars, having a crank is operatively connected to the screw gear that operates the jacks; and panel holding grippers mounted on the extending portion of the jacks.
US07997843B2	Fastener for securing together two panels A fastener comprises an adjustable insert that disposed in a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert. An engagement member disposed within the bore is moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle.
US07997842B2	Threaded connection An improved threaded connection, in which a first part having a female thread is threadably engageable with a second part having a male thread. The first and second parts have different strengths in at least the area of the thread turns, and the thread turns have cross-sectional areas that differs from the cross-sectional areas of gaps between the thread turns.
US07997839B1	Attachable tie-down loop for a truck and method of use thereof A tie-down attachment device and system for use in pickup trucks featuring a plurality of clamps that slide along the upper edge of the pickup truck bed rail used to hold bed caps in place without having to drill into the pickup truck bed is herein disclosed. The device comprises a clamping means that is secured by tightening a bolt with a strong grip or by wrench or pliers. The device further comprises a large eye bolt to which a strap, a rope, or other securing means can be connected and thus securing a load. The clamping device can be left in place on the bed rail or removed and stored when not in use.
US07997833B2	Insert clamping wedge and insert-detachable type cutter An insert clamping wedge for clamp-fixing a cutting insert, seated in an insert attachment seat formed in a cutter body, to a recessed portion formed in the insert attachment seat is provided, the insert clamping wedge including: a wedge body, wherein the insert clamping wedge is pressed into the cutter body, wherein the wedge body includes a clamp surface which comes into close contact with the cutting insert and a wedge surface of which a gap between itself and the clamp surface becomes smaller in a press-insertion direction of the wedge body, and wherein the section perpendicular to the press-insertion direction of the wedge body from the wedge surface to the clamp surface being formed in a bell shape.
US07997831B2	Multilayer hydrodynamic sheath flow structure A microfabricated sheath flow structure for producing a sheath flow includes a primary sheath flow channel for conveying a sheath fluid, a sample inlet for injecting a sample into the sheath fluid in the primary sheath flow channel, a primary focusing region for focusing the sample within the sheath fluid and a secondary focusing region for providing additional focusing of the sample within the sheath fluid. The secondary focusing region may be formed by a flow channel intersecting the primary sheath flow channel to inject additional sheath fluid into the primary sheath flow channel from a selected direction. A sheath flow system may comprise a plurality of sheath flow structures operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.
US07997828B2	Retaining wall Retaining wall device, comprising at least one first retaining wall member (5) and a support (3, 4) for it, wherein the first retaining wall member and the support have first and second longitudinal edges, respectively, extending in longitudinal direction of the retaining wall, which longitudinal edges have been formed for connection to each other by a tilting or rotary motion about one or several axes that are parallel to the longitudinal edges, wherein the longitudinal edge that is opposite the first longitudinal edge (8) of the first retaining wall member is designed corresponding to the second longitudinal edge, wherein the first and second longitudinal edges can be provided with stop surfaces for limiting the tilting motion to mutual abutment of the first and second longitudinal edges in a retaining position of the first retaining wall member.
US07997825B2	Apparatus and method for disabling a ground engaging traction device of a land vehicle An apparatus and a method for disabling a ground engaging traction device of a land vehicle includes at least one penetrator configured to breach the traction device, an articulated strap configured to move between a retracted arrangement and an extended arrangement, an inflatable bladder configured to deploy the articulated strip to the extended arrangement, and a retractor configured to retract the articulated strip to the retracted arrangement. The articulated strip includes a plurality of plates coupled to the penetrators and a plurality of joints, wherein individual joint couples individual adjacent plates.
US07997823B2	Injection-molded plastic nestable shell for concrete parking bumpers A parking bumper shell that can be easily filled with a heavy form-filling material (such as concrete) to form a parking bumper is provided. The parking bumper shell may be injection molded from durable, brightly-colored, UV- and weather-resistant plastic. Undercuts, such as in the form of a plurality of undercut wings or z-puller pins, may be disposed on the interior of the parking bumper shell's top and side walls to aid in holding the parking bumper shell and the heavy filling material together. The parking bumper shell may also include internally projecting hollow extensions that are adapted to receive anchoring posts. While the parking bumper shell is being filled, it may be placed in a rigid frame which helps the shell to keep its shape during filling. The parking bumper shells are light-weight, nestable, and do not require internal steel rebar reinforcement, thereby greatly reducing transportation costs.
US07997822B2	Spreadable food metered dispenser system A dispensing system for spreadable foodstuffs and spreadable non-food substances allowing for dispensing of metered amounts of foodstuffs or non-food substances and spreading without the need for additional utensils not part of the packaging is disclosed. The system is composed of a disposable cartridge containing a spreadable product and a reusable dispenser that acts to dispense product from the disposable cartridge. The dispenser may rapidly switch between different disposable cartridges.
US07997820B2	Multi-applicator package with single handle An immersion-type multi-applicator system, comprising a single container and a single handle. The container has two or more adjacent openings and each opening is capable of receiving its own applicator. Also provided is a selection mechanism that articulates the handle with exactly one applicator. The selection mechanism may be a rotary cam system, a rotary magnetic selector system, a sliding cam system, etc.
US07997817B2	Portable terminal with keypad lifting mechanism A keypad lifting mechanism includes a first board, a second board and a third board. The second board is positioned between the first board and the third board. The first board has a plurality of wedges. The third board has a plurality of protrusions. The second board has a plurality of resisting members. When the second board is pushed away the first board and the third board, the second board is raised relative to the first board by engagement of the wedges and the resisting member, and the third board is raised relative to the second board by engagement of the resisting members and the protrusions.
US07997816B2	Portable terminal with keypad lifting mechanism A keypad lifting mechanism includes a first board, a guiding piece, a second board and a third board. The guiding piece defines a guiding hole. The guiding hole includes a transverse end portion. The second board includes at least one protrusion. A guiding post is formed on the second board for engaging in the guiding hole of the guiding piece. The third board includes at least one slope corresponding to the at least one protrusion. When the guiding piece is pushed away from the third board, the guiding post slides along the guiding hole of the guiding piece. The second board moves with the guiding piece when the guiding post reaching the transverse end portion of the guiding hole. The third board is raised by the at least one slope sliding up along the at least one protrusion of the second board.
US07997815B2	Printer A printer includes a feeding device that feeds a tape-like print medium along a length direction of the print medium and a printing device that prints a character on the print medium. The printer further includes a storage device that stores original data including unit data, line feed data, and line height data. The printer also includes a tape width detecting device that detects a tape width. Further, the printer includes a maximum number of lines calculating device that calculates a maximum number of lines that can be accommodated within the tape width when the height of the line is unchanged, and a print data generating device that generates print data corresponding to the maximum number of lines from the original data, and a printing control device that controls the printing device based on the print data.
US07997813B2	Coating and developing system with a direct carrying device in a processing block, coating and developing method and storage medium A coating and developing system includes processing blocks of the same construction each built by stacking up a plurality of unit blocks including a film forming unit block and a developing unit block in layers. The processing blocks are arranged longitudinally between a carrier block and an interface block. The number of processing blocks like the processing blocks arranged between the carrier block and the interface block is adjusted to adjust the throughput of the coating and developing system. Thus, a coating and developing system capable of achieving a desired throughput can be easily designed and manufactured.
US07997811B2	Camera module A camera module including a lens system with at least one lens is capable of capturing a still image and a moving picture. The camera module includes a housing containing the lens system with an opening on a surface thereof facing an object of the lens system. An aperture diaphragm can be selectively positioned between the object and the lens system for a still image and/or a moving picture.
US07997808B1	Device for reduction of angular distortion in photograpy A camera mount, comprising a camera mounting portion, wherein a camera can be removably coupled to the camera mounting portion, such that a photographic plane of the camera is parallel to a photographic plane of the camera mounting portion; a rail portion, wherein the rail portion extends from the camera mounting portion substantially perpendicular to the photographic plane of the camera mounting portion; and a frame, wherein the frame is adapted to receive one or more reference scales such that a photographic plane of the one or more reference scales is parallel to a photographic plane of the camera mounting portion, and wherein the frame is coupled to the rail portion such that a photographic plane of the frame is parallel to a photographic plane of the camera mounting portion elements.
US07997804B2	Rolling bearing apparatus A rolling bearing apparatus includes inner and outer rings in which a preload applying unit applies a preload to the outer ring. If a fluid pressure in a fluid supply passage is higher than a first set pressure, then fluid is supplied to a pressure chamber via a check valve, and if a pressure becomes lower than the first set pressure, then fluid is supplied from a hydraulic pump to the pressure chamber via the check valve. If the pressure becomes higher than a second set pressure, then the fluid is discharged from the pressure chamber via a relief valve, and if the pressure within the pressure chamber becomes higher than a third set pressure, which is higher than the first set pressure but is lower than the second set pressure, then the supply of fluid is stopped. Thus, the pressure within the pressure chamber is maintained between the first and second set pressures.
US07997800B2	Linear motion guide unit with mounting plate A mounting plate is used to install any optional accoutrements or attachment on a linear motion guide unit. The mounting plate is made of a molded product which is inexpensive in production cost and easier in its accurate conjunction with a slider to get the attachment bringing out the best in function. The mounting plate is made to have surfaces opposite to each other, one of which is a first mounting surface inward coming into mating with the one end surface of the slider and another is a second mounting surface outward coming into mating with the attachment. The mounting plate is made of a molded product. The mounting plate is made of an injected mold product of synthetic resin which is composed of a major part of synthetic resin and a metal core centrally embedded in the major part.
US07997799B2	Image acquisition and processing chain for dual-energy radiography using a portable flat panel detector A mobile dual-energy X-ray imaging system is presented. The mobile dual-energy X-ray imaging system is a digital X-ray system that is designed both to acquire original image data and to process the image data to produce an image for viewing. The system has an X-ray source and a portable flat-panel digital X-ray detector. The system is operable to produce a high energy image and low energy image, which may be decomposed to produce a soft tissue image and a bone image for further analysis of the desired anatomy. The system is disposed on a carrier to facilitate transport. The imaging system has an alignment system for facilitating alignment of the flat-panel digital detector with the X-ray source. The imaging system also comprises an anti-scatter grid and an anti-scatter grid registration system for removing artifacts of the anti-scatter grid from images.
US07997798B2	Multi-purpose docking apparatus of digital X-ray detector Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a docking detector receptacle includes apparatus to cool a portable digital X-ray detector. In addition, systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations communication authorization is established between a portable digital X-ray detector and a docking detector receptacle, and communication is performed between the portable digital X-ray detector and the docking detector receptacle using the authorization. In addition, systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a portable digital X-ray detector includes a panel, isolation at least three isolation foam layers, a motherboard and a carbon fiber layer.
US07997797B2	Computed tomography rotor rigidified by a metal matrix material A computed tomography apparatus according to the invention ha a rotor that is produced at least in segments from a composite material with metal matrix reinforced with particles. Composite materials with a polymer matrix reinforced with particles have high specific strength properties and rigidity properties with simultaneously low material usage, such that high rotation speeds of the rotor can be achieved without negatively affecting the image quality in generated tomographical images.
US07997795B2	Temperature sensors and methods of manufacture thereof Temperature sensors and methods of manufacturing thereof, having an intermediate stop disposed along a set of wires, the intermediate stop is secured to the set of wires such that an insulator can be properly positioned around proximal end portions of the set of wires during assembly of the temperature sensor.
US07997794B2	Temperature sensor circuit A temperature sensor circuit whose output voltage has high precision is provided. The temperature sensor circuit includes a Darlington circuit having bipolar transistors, a constant current circuit, and a current control circuit. Emitter currents of the bipolar transistors are made equal to one another by the constant current circuit. Base currents corresponding to the emitter currents of the respective bipolar transistors are sunk by the current control circuit.
US07997792B2	Optical fiber temperature sensor The present invention relates to an optical fiber temperature sensor capable of reducing an error in a temperature measurement. The sensor comprises an optical fiber, an optical frequency difference adjusting section, a light source system, a spectrum measuring section, a temperature calculating section, and a correcting section. The light source system outputs, into different ends of the optical fiber, probe light and pumping light of which each center frequency is set corresponding to an instruction from the optical frequency difference indicating section respectively. The temperature calculating section calculates a temperature of an object based on BGS in a first domain measured by the spectrum measuring section. On the other hand, the correcting section outputs a correction instruction to the light source system so that BGS center frequency of a second domain may be in agreement with a reference value thereof.
US07997789B2	Clock for displaying collectibles A clock for displaying collectibles and method of displaying collectibles within the clock is disclosed. The clock is a customizable device comprising a core having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a thickness portion connecting the first and the second surfaces. The clock further includes a first structure removably attached to the first surface of the core and a clock movement received in an opening in the core. Also provided is a plurality of recesses, each of the recesses having a depth and configured and dimensioned to receive a collectible. In at least some embodiments, the recesses are provided in the core while in at least some other embodiments, the recesses are provided in the first structure of the clock. The collectibles are additionally secured in position within the clock by way of one or more adaptors.
US07997788B2	Submersible mixing propeller An aerating propeller for attaching to the end of a drive shaft includes blades having a chamber to receive a flow of fluids from a conduit in a drive shaft. A trailing face of the blade includes a first opening into the chamber to permit the flow of fluids in the chamber to exit the propeller and a tip of the blade includes a second opening extending into the chamber to permit the flow of fluids in the chamber to exit the propeller. The first opening of the first blade is aligned generally in the same plane with the leading face of the second blade which follows the first blade when the propeller is rotated.
US07997786B2	Heating and cooling cup A heating and cooling cup includes a cup body, a stirring device, a heating and cooling chip, and a heat sink module. A heat conductive block is disposed under the cup body, the heat conductive block abuts against the heating and cooling chip, the stirring device has a stirring rod disposed in the cup body, and a bottom surface of the heating and cooling chip abuts against a heat conductive block of the heat sink module. A temperature of the cup body is changed through the heating and cooling chip, for cooling or heating liquid food in the cup body, and the liquid food is forced to generate convection through the stirring rod for accelerating a temperature variation process.
US07997785B2	Linear tube night light with changeable light patterns A linear tube night light with changeable light patterns includes a light source selected from the group consisting of at leas one LED, strobe light, neon light, gradation light, black light, LED inside tube, high voltage discharge light, arc light, fluorescent light, EL wire, EL twisted light, EL panel light, and/or EL strips, with changeable light patterns being effected by automatic or manual control means to obtain light patterns such as chasing, random, fade in and fade out, pair flashing, scan, flashing, steady on, gradation neon effects, lighted length changing, color changing, sequential flashing, and any other combinations of conventional market available functions. The linear tube night light with changeable patterns further may incorporate a light sensor, sound sensor, or timer to get the predetermined light effects and duration.
US07997784B2	Light guide apparatus of backlight module A light guide apparatus of a backlight module is provided. The light guide apparatus includes a light guide plate and a plurality of LEDs serving as light sources disposed at one lateral side of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a circuit configured thereon, and the light sources are welded on the circuit of the light guide plate.
US07997783B2	Front light unit with prisms structure and display apparatus having the same The front light unit includes a light source and a light guide plate that guides light emitted from the light source. The light guide plate includes a rear surface through which the guided light is emitted and a front surface facing the rear surface, and a plurality of prism shape structures which are provided in one unit with the light guide plate and emits light totally reflected from the front surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the prism shape structures are formed of a transparent elastic material.
US07997781B2	Energy efficient illumination for a light source in the form of a surface An apparatus and method for coupling light into a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a linear light source including a light diffuser. The apparatus also has a sheet having a first edge with the linear light source placed along the first edge. The linear light source diffuses light such that the light emanates in a predetermined pattern along the first edge of the sheet.
US07997780B2	Lighting device A lighting device includes a housing, a plurality of LEDs arranged on a base of the housing, and a first optical plate positioned above the LEDs. The first optical plate includes a light input surface, a light output surface opposite to the light input surface, and a plurality of elongated arcuate protrusions formed on the light output surface. The elongated arcuate protrusions are substantially parallel to one another. The lighting device may be used as a backlight module.
US07997774B2	Light system having magnetically attachable lighting elements A lighting element (1) comprises at least one light (3), means (13) for delivering electricity to the or each light, a pair of spaced apart plates (2,2′), at least one magnet (4,4′) located between the said plates and biasing means (8) for biasing the said plates apart, wherein a magnet (4) is attached to one of the pair of plates. In use the lighting element forms part of a lighting system in which the element is located between spaced apart transparent sheets (10), e.g. panes of glass.
US07997770B1	LED tube reusable end cap A replacement for the standard fluorescent lamp tube has a plurality of LED devices mounted on a circuit board. The enclosure within which the circuit board is held has a clear or frosted lens mounted on a heat sink. The lens and heat sink each are arcuately shaped and together form a circular tube. A power converter is mounted below the circuit board and transfers its heat to the heat sink. A pair of pins mounted on the power converter extend beyond one end of the tube. An end cap has means for snapping onto and off the end of the tube and has clearance holes for the pins to protrude through and extend beyond so as to be fitting into mechanical and electrical contact with a standard lamp mounting fixture.
US07997769B2	LED reflector An LED reflector lamp has a control circuit, at least two LED light sources controlled by the control circuit, at least two light source panels coupled to respective at least two LED light sources, and at least one heat-conducting plate thermally connected to the at last two light source panels. The LED lamp reflector has a reflective cup having a reflective inner surface, a reflective opening formed by an edge of the reflective inner surface, and a slot formed on a bottom of the reflective cup, wherein the at least one heat-conductive plate is inserted through the slot into an interior of the reflective cup such that the LED light sources are parallel to a centrally vertical axis of the reflective cup. A heat sink is described that has a cavity in its interior, the cavity being dimensioned and shaped to be coupled to the reflective cup and plate.
US07997765B2	Underwater lamp A submersible light assembly comprises at least one light source and a watertight housing having a base, at least one sidewall and a transparent envelop enclosing a portion of the light source. The base incorporates two concave indentations set substantially orthogonal to each other to substantially conform to the profile of the surface profile pilework of the type associated with a jetty, such that the light assembly can be placed against the pilework in any one of four configurations.
US07997763B2	Multi-heat sink LED device A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device that includes a housing and a heat sink assembly received within the housing. The heat sink assembly includes at least a first heat sink member and at least a second heat sink member. A printed circuit board having at least one LED provided thereon is mounted to both the first heat sink member and the second heat sink member. At least one biasing member biases an outer side of the first heat sink member and an outer side of the second heat sink member into contact with an inner side of the housing. Heat from the at least one LED is transferred through the heat sink assembly to the housing, where it is dissipated into the air.
US07997756B2	Emergency switch for a tail cap flashlight Improvements in an emergency switch for an end cap flashlight that allows conducting power to the light source by applying side or rotational force on the end caps of the flashlight. The cap is designed to give faster and more convenient access to light in an emergency, or when needed. The end cap connects to the inner conductor with a castled shape that allows the conductors to be moved in or out alignment to allow or prevent contact. The gasket or washer provides insulation and spacing of the conductors. Side forces on the end cap overcome the spacing of the washer to make electrical contact. The end cap may also support a glass breaking device. The glass breaker is a hardened tip on the end of the cap.
US07997754B2	Solar component and devices containing the same Solar component and devices containing the same are disclosed. The solar component includes coupling an upper member, a lower member, and at least two side members to form a cavity for housing a plurality of solar cells. Adjacent solar cells may have unused spaces thereby allowing apertures to be formed therethrough the upper member and the lower member. The apertures are capable of allowing air flow through the cavity thereby leading to reduced wind resistance of the solar component.
US07997753B2	Dual mode portable lighting system The present invention is a portable lighting system comprised of a light head with visible white light and infrared light sources mounted on the center post of a quadpod. The quadpod has four adjustable, telescoping legs which are affixed to the center post using a collar mechanism. The collar mechanism allows the quadpod legs to be pivoted to a parallel position for storage. A power unit, which includes a battery, power supply and remote control receiver encased within a weather resistant housing, is located near the opposite end of the center post. A power cable connects the light head and the power unit. The portable lighting system is capable of being operating wirelessly using a handheld remote. The portable lighting system may be constructed from fiberglass, aluminum, a composite material or any other material or combination of materials.
US07997751B2	Pressure-actuated light device with holding portion A pressure-actuated light device (1) with a holding portion (2) that allows a user to hold the pressure-actuated light device in a user's hand. The pressure-actuated light device comprises a housing (3) which houses a light emitting diode (“LED”) (6) having a cathode (11) and an anode (10) extending from it. The cathode has one end permanently connected to the LED and a second end in constant contact with a negative terminal (8) of a battery (7). The anode has one end permanently connected to the LED and a second end separated from a positive terminal (9) of the battery by a spacer (12) which prevents the anode from making contact with the positive terminal while the device is not in use. When pressure is applied to a button (4) on the housing, the button presses the anode against the positive terminal thereby creating an electrical circuit which activates the LED. The holding portion may take alternative forms, including a fin (13), clip (14), ring (15) or elastomeric loop (16).
US07997745B2	Lighting device and lighting method A lighting device, comprising a first group of solid state light emitters and a first group of lumiphors, wherein at least some of the first group of solid state light emitters are contained in a first group of packages, each of which also comprises at least one of the first group of lumiphors. If all of the first group of solid state light emitters which are contained in the first group of packages are illuminated and/or if current is supplied to a power line, (1) a combined illumination from the first group of packages would, in the absence of any additional light, have color coordinates on a 1976 CIE Chromaticity Diagram which define a first point, and (2) at least 20% of the packages would emit light having color coordinates spaced from the first point. Also, methods of lighting.
US07997744B2	Electrically conductive protection layer and a microelectromechanical device using the same A deformable hinge for use in microelectromechanical devices comprises a protection layer that is electrically conductive. The protection layer is on top of another hinge layer; and is more resistive than the hinge layer to the etchant used in during patterning and/or release processes during fabrication of the microelectromechanical device. As a result, the hinge layer can be protected from being damaged during the fabrication process.
US07997743B2	Optical film and manufacturing method therefor, antiglare film, optical layer-attached polarizer, and dispaly apparatus An optical film is provided and includes a base member and an optical layer on the base member. The optical layer has a surface asperity formed by applying a coating material containing microparticles and resin on the base member, distributing the microparticles densely in some parts and sparsely in other parts by convections that occur in the coating material, and curing the coating material. The average diameter of the microparticles is 2.4 μm or more and 8 μm or less. The average thickness of the optical layer is 6.4 μm or more and 18 μm or less. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra of a roughness profile of the optical layer surface is 0.03 μm or more and 0.15 μm or less and the root-mean-square slope RΔq is 0.01 or more and 0.03 or less. The difference in refractive index between the resin and the microparticles is 0 or more and 0.015 or less.
US07997738B2	Color wheel fabrication A pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) is used to attach a plurality of wedge-shaped glass filter segments on a first side to a hub during the color ring build portion of the color wheel fabrication process. A strong adhesive, such as epoxy, is then used to adhere a second side of the filter segments directly to a turning surface of a motor, completing the color wheel fabrication. The epoxy is cured if necessary. The pressure sensitive adhesive can temporarily align the plurality of color filter segments in an alignment. The adhesive between the filter segments and the turning surface can then permanently bond the color filter segments in the alignment.
US07997736B2	Projection type video display apparatus A projector comprises: a cooling fan for sucking ambient air through a filter; switching means for switching the operational mode of the cooling fan between a lowland mode and a highland mode; and control means adapted to obtain current fan voltage to determine the normal rpm value for that current fan voltage in reference to a highland voltage-rpm characteristic when the switching means is in the highland mode, obtain current fan rpm, and enables alarming means to issue a filter clogging alarm in the event that the current fan rpm is larger than the normal rpm value plus a predetermined value. Thus, filter clogging can be detected with precision in highlands.
US07997734B2	Image display controller for display shelf An image display controller for a display shelf generates image data for a projector image which is projected by a projector arranged in the display shelf to be displayed on a transmission-type screen of the display shelf. The image display controller includes a monitor, an input device, a data communicator, a memory, and a controller. The controller obtains an editing background image from the memory and displays the editing background image on the monitor, and generates contents of a display image. Moreover, the controller sets a position of the generated display image in a desired position of a display area of the editing background image in response to an instruction inputted via the input device, and generates the projector image by combining the generated display image into the editing background image at the set position.
US07997731B2	Systems and methods for prediction of objective visual acuity based on wavefront measurements Methods, devices, and systems for predicting an optical acuity measure of an optical system of an eye. An optical acuity measure can be predicted by determining a point spread function based on a wavefront measurement of an eye, convolving a resolution target with the point spread function to produce an image, and predicting the optical acuity measure of the optical system of the eye based on the image.
US07997721B1	Safety eyewear device with hearing protection A safety eyewear device featuring a pair of safety glasses including two ear extensions; and two earplug components each featuring an arm with an earplug, earplug components are attached to each extension of the safety glasses via an attachment means. The attachment means may include (i) an arm aperture disposed on the arm and one or more extension apertures disposed in the extensions, the extension apertures are adapted to be aligned with the arm aperture and a screw is threaded through the arm aperture and extension aperture to secure the earplug component to the extension; and (ii) an arm aperture disposed in the end of the arm and a slot disposed in the first end of the arm below the arm aperture, the slot is adapted to snugly slide around the respective extension, wherein a screw is threaded through the arm aperture to secure the arm to the extension.
US07997719B2	Multi-nozzle liquid droplet ejecting head, a writing instrument comprising such a head, and a method of ejecting liquid droplets from same A liquid droplet ejecting head designed to be mounted in a liquid ejecting instrument that includes ejection nozzles through which droplets are to be ejected from the head, and actuating chambers, each actuating chamber having at least one inlet to be in fluidic connection with a liquid reservoir for providing liquid to the actuating chamber. The ejecting head also includes at least one actuating unit suitable for creating a pulse wave in the liquid contained when activated by energy received from a control device and at least one outlet portion in fluidic connection with at least one ejection nozzle.
US07997713B2	Thermal ink-jet including polymer encapsulated pigment The present invention is drawn to thermal ink-jet inks including a polymer encapsulated pigment, and systems and methods that use the same. Such polymer encapsulated pigments are the result of polymerization at the surface of the pigment using a plurality of monomers, where about 6 wt % to about 15 wt % of the monomers are acidic.
US07997712B2	Phase change inks containing colorant compounds Phase change inks comprising a carrier and a colorant composition including a basic dye component and an acid dye component providing an internal salt composition wherein at least one of the basic dye component, the acid dye component, or both the basic dye component and the acid dye component comprises a waxy moiety.
US07997711B2	Supply units having an associated electronically-readable memory device A machine, such as a phase change or solid ink printing apparatus, has at least one multiple supply unit in the form of an ink stick disposed therein. The ink stick has an electronically-readable memory device associated therewith, and the memory device has stored therein electronic data related to the ink stick and readable by the machine. The memory device may be attached to the ink stick and removed before the ink stick is used for printing in the machine. In another aspect, the memory device is attached to a container for the ink stick. The container may be a cartridge for use in the machine, or a container for packaging the ink stick. The machine may include a coupler configured to read electronic data from the memory device while the memory device is positioned external to the printing apparatus, thus allowing the machine to verify the suitability of the ink stick before it is installed in the machine.
US07997709B2	Drop on demand print head with fluid stagnation point at nozzle opening A drop on demand ink jet print head has a chamber with a plurality of liquid passages into and out of said chamber, such that liquid is continuously moved into the chamber to a stagnation point adjacent to the nozzle opening, whereat the fluid comes substantially to rest, and out of the chamber from the stagnation point such that vector sum of liquid flow derived forces within the liquid channels is neutral. An actuator associated with the chamber is adapted to selectively increase the pressure of the liquid at the stagnation point to thereby eject a liquid drop from the nozzle opening. Continuous fluid flow internal to the system decreases the time to refill the fire chamber directly behind the nozzle opening after droplet ejection. This in turn dramatically increases the response time of the system.
US07997708B2	Ink-cartridge for printers and ink refilling method An ink cartridge for printers and ink filling method that can expand the space where the ink is filled, and maintain pressure inside the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes a body formed in a predetermined shape and having a filling hold on one surface, a filling chamber where ink is filled inside the body, a discharging chamber connected to the filling chamber, an ink discharging port connected to the discharging chamber through an ink transferring channel, an air chamber connected to the filling chamber to supply air through an air transferring channel, an air suction valve in the air chamber, an air inducing channel that induces exterior air into the air suction valve, a blocking film attached to one surface of the body, a cover installed on another surface of the body, a pressure regulating part on one surface of outer body, which communicates with the filling chamber.
US07997699B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus The present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a carriage that reciprocates in a main scanning direction; a liquid ejecting head mounted on the carriage, having a plurality of head-liquid-supplying ports and a plurality of nozzles; and a sub-tank member mounted on the carriage, having a plurality of liquid-storing-room openings that are respectively communicated with the plurality of head-liquid-supplying ports of the liquid ejecting head. The sub-tank member is formed as a single integral member. Each of the plurality of liquid-storing-room openings is closed by an elastic partition having a predetermined area in order to form a liquid storing room. The plurality of liquid-storing-room openings are respectively communicated with a plurality of liquid-communication ways provided in the sub-tank member. The plurality of liquid-communication ways are respectively communicated with a plurality of sub-tank-liquid-supplying ports provided at an outside of the sub-tank member.
US07997687B2	Printhead nozzle arrangement having interleaved heater elements A printhead nozzle arrangement is provided having a wafer defining a chamber for holding ejection fluid, an ejection port supported by a plurality of bridge members which extend from the ejection port to sides of the chamber, and a plurality of heater elements interleaved between the bridge members for causing ejection of fluid held in the chamber through the ejection port.
US07997682B2	Mobile telecommunications device having printhead A mobile telecommunications device is provided having a printhead for printing on print media, a capper moveable between a capped position in which the printhead is capped and an uncapped position in which the printhead is uncapped, and a mechanism for maintaining the capper in the uncapped position. The mechanism has actuation arms configured to grip and retain the print media suspended from the device once printing is complete until removal of the print media from the device by a user.
US07997677B2	Convertible printer A convertible printer usable with either a flexible media or rigid media is disclosed.
US07997674B2	Liquid drop ejection apparatus A light detection device includes laser sources arranged at both ends in the scanning direction and at one end in the paper feed direction for emitting laser beams intersecting with each other, and light receiving elements arranged at both ends in the scanning direction and at the other end in the paper feed direction for receiving the laser beams emitted from the laser sources. An ink-jet head is adapted to be capable of reciprocating in the scanning direction, and a plurality of nozzle ejection ports are formed between the laser sources and the light-receiving elements in terms of paper feed direction. When ink drops ejected from a nozzle are overlapped with the laser beams, the laser beams are interrupted by the ink drops, and hence the light-receiving elements do not receive the laser beams any longer. The detection of these light beams may be used to determine an amount of deviation in liquid drops ejected from the nozzles, and corrective measures may be taken.
US07997671B2	Capacitive load driving circuit and method, liquid droplet ejection device, and piezoelectric speaker driving device There is provided a capacitive load driving circuit which applies a driving signal to a capacitive load. The driving circuit includes: an operational amplifier outputting a difference signal between signals from an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal, and setting a loop gain; a pulse width modulator pulse-width-modulating the difference signal outputted by the operational amplifier, and outputting resultant digital signal; a digital voltage amplifier amplifying a voltage of the digital signal; a first filter smoothing a digital signal from the digital voltage amplifier, and supplying a smoothed signal to the capacitive load as the driving signal; an impedance converting circuit converting an impedance of an output signal of the first filter; and a first feedback circuit feeding-back the driving signal, which is outputted from the first filter, to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier via the impedance converting circuit.
US07997670B2	Liquid-ejection apparatus A liquid-ejection apparatus, including: a head configured to eject a liquid from a plurality of liquid-ejection openings; a main tank configured to accommodate the liquid supplied to the head; a liquid-supply pump configured to supply the liquid in the main tank to the head; a sub-tank in which are formed (a) a connection opening for connecting the sub-tank to the head and (b) an air-discharge opening for communicating the sub-tank with ambient air; a first channel extending from the liquid-supply pump to the sub-tank via the head and the connection opening; a second channel extending from the sub-tank to the liquid-supply pump; a third channel extending from the air-discharge opening of the sub-tank to the ambient air; an air-discharge valve provided in the third channel so as to be openable and closable; and a controller configured to control the air-discharge valve such that the air-discharge valve is temporarily opened in a liquid introducing operation in which the liquid is introduced from the main tank to the liquid-supply pump and an air discharging operation in which air separated from the liquid in the sub-tank by causing the liquid to be flowed through the first channel by driving of the liquid-supply pump is discharged through the third channel, and such that the air-discharge valve is closed in times other than the liquid introducing operation and the air discharging operation.
US07997668B2	Refrigerator and assembling method thereof Provided are a refrigerator and an assembling method thereof that enable a storage member provided in a drawer-type storage space to be securely withdrawn and inserted, that improve the external appearance of a storage member when withdrawn and inserted, and that allow easier assembly and installation of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body provided with a storage space, a storage member in the main body and capable of being withdrawn and inserted, an extendable rail member between the storage member and the main body to guide withdrawal and insertion of the storage member, and a cover member at one side of the rail member to cover the rail member. Thus, external appearance is improved, as is assembling convenience.
US07997665B2	Brake control apparatus A brake control apparatus includes a brake unit. The brake unit includes: a first port set hydraulically connected to a master cylinder via a first fluid line set; a second port set hydraulically connected to a wheel cylinder set via a second fluid line set; a first fluid passage hydraulically connecting the first port set to the second port set; a first switching valve arranged to vary a state of fluid communication through the first fluid passage; a fluid pressure source arranged to produce a fluid pressure supplied to the second port set; a fluid accommodating section adapted to accommodate a variable amount of brake fluid; a branch fluid passage hydraulically connecting the first port set to the fluid accommodating section; and a second switching valve arranged to vary a state of fluid communication through the branch fluid passage.
US07997663B2	Overmask element for vehicle wheels A wheel cover suitable for being mounted on vehicle wheels having an outer surface adapted for facing away from a wheel of a vehicle and an inner surface adapted for facing towards the wheel when mounting the wheel cover. Central fasteners and peripheral fasteners extend from the inner surface towards the wheel of the vehicle. The central fasteners are arranged at bolts of the wheel. Both the central fasteners and the peripheral fasteners are shaped so as to make an exclusively snap-type mounting of the wheel cover on elements of the wheel. A ridge projects from the inner surface of the wheel cover to make abutment with the head of the bolt at the same time the rib or tooth abuts onto the sloped section of the bolt head to stop the insertion movement.
US07997660B2	Hybrid retainer sleeve for tool inserted into block A sleeve utilizing two methods of retention—a friction fit and a rear retention feature—is disclosed. The sleeve includes a circumferentially compressible portion that provides a friction fit when inserted into a bore and includes a projected portion around an end circumference that is used to mate with the rear of a tool block and urges the sleeve (and the tool) rearward. The disclosure also relates to a tool and block assembly, a method of retaining a tool in a holder and a mining machine incorporating the sleeve.
US07997659B2	Rotary cutter for tunnel boring machine A rotary cutter for a tunnel boring machine or similar machine has a cutter ring mounted to a hub. The hub is mounted on a shaft. A sleeve bearing system is positioned between the hub and the shaft for supporting the hub on the shaft and allowing relative rotation. A duo-cone seal assembly is positioned between the hub and the shaft to seal out contaminants from the sleeve bearing system. An oil gallery with lubricating oil for lubricating the sleeve bearing system is provided in the shaft.
US07997657B2	Belt buckle attachment assembly An assembly to attach a belt buckle (12) to a vehicle, especially to a vehicle body part (16), has an attachment fitting (14) which is fixed in place directly at the belt buckle (12), is made in one piece, and is movable together with the belt buckle (12), the attachment fitting (14) being adapted to assume an initial position, an attachment member (22) and a spring member (28) which urges the attachment fitting (14) that is movable relative to the vehicle into the initial position. The attachment member (22) fixes the attachment fitting (14) in place directly at the vehicle body part (16).
US07997654B2	Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle A recliner seat assembly for a passenger vehicle. The recliner seat assembly includes a fixed supporting portion for supporting the assembly off a floor of the vehicle, a reclinable seat portion having a seat-pan and a back-rest, and a seat connecting device adapted for connecting the seat portion to the supporting portion. The connecting device includes a seat reclining mechanism adapted for allowing and controlling translational movement of the seat portion relative to the supporting portion between a first upright position and a second fully reclined position. The connecting device further includes a selectively operable, bi-directional motor adapted for driving the seat portion between the first and second positions. The seat reclining mechanism includes a guiding device for reclining the back-rest progressively rearwardly relative to the supporting portion as the seat portion is moved from the first upright position to the second fully reclined position.
US07997652B2	Tilt control mechanism for a chair A tilt control mechanism for an office chair includes a spring assembly therein which controls the tilt tension on the back assembly. The tilt control mechanism includes a control plate mounted to the control shaft on which the uprights are mounted, wherein the control plate rotates in combination with the uprights. This control plate is located within the control body and cooperates with a front stop assembly and a back stop assembly to vary the limits of forward and rearward tilting of the seat and back assemblies. Also, the tilt control mechanism includes a pneumatic actuator assembly having fixed and rotatable cam blocks. The rotatable cam block rotates relative to the fixed block such that the rotatable cam block is driven downwardly to depress the control valve of the pneumatic cylinder and thereby vary the height of the seat assembly.
US07997651B2	Knockdown chair having reinforced side supports An improved knockdown chair having opposing substantially C shaped support arms, substantially L shaped tubular seating arrangement, sock type seating portion cover, front reinforcing member, and bottom reinforcing member, wherein each of the opposing substantially C shaped support arms are of laminate construction and have an upper arcuate arm support, front arcuate portion, and substantially straight bottom, the substantially L shaped tubular seating arrangement having a tubular seat back and tubular sitting portion telescopically interconnected one to the other, and wherein each of the opposing substantially C shaped support arms is opposingly removably fastened to the substantially L shaped tubular seating arrangement, the improvement comprising combination with each of the opposing substantially C shaped support arms of a substantially S shaped reinforcing member of laminate construction removably fastened to the upper arcuate arm support and the substantially straight bottom for reinforcing each of the opposing substantially C shaped support arms.
US07997647B2	Safety seat A chair includes a chair base and seat frame extending upwardly from the chair base. The chair includes an interlock assembly, and an infant chair repeatably moveable between stowed and deployed positions with the chair base. The interlock assembly restricts and allows the ability of the infant chair to move between the stowed and deployed positions. The interlock assembly restricts the ability of the chair base to rotate in response to the infant chair being in the deployed position.
US07997646B2	Self-fastening headrest cover A removable headrest cover for a seat is described having improved features for securing and attaching the cover to a headrest. The improved features include integrated elastic elements that serve to secure the cover to a headrest, eliminating the need for engaging receptacles on the seat. The positioning and placement of attachment points for the elastic provide versatility to the headrest cover that allows it to be used with many different seat configurations. Methods for efficiently manufacturing and packaging the cover are also described.
US07997645B2	Holding assembly for a seat of a bicycle A holding assembly for a seat of a bicycle has a securing base and an engaging block. The securing base has a connecting segment, an engaging segment, a securing hole and a securing bolt. The connecting segment has a connecting device connected with the seat of the bicycle. The engaging segment is formed on and protrudes from the bottom of the connecting segment and has an engaging recess having an inclined top surface. The securing bolt is slidably and rotatably mounted in the securing hole, extends into the engaging recess and has a threaded portion. The engaging block is moveably mounted in the engaging recess and has an inclined top surface abutting with the inclined top surface of the engaging recess and a threaded portion engaging the threaded portion on the securing bolt.
US07997640B1	Aerodynamic flex fender The presented application is a system to improve the aerodynamic shape of a moving vehicle by covering and closing the wheel well openings. The covers described open and close as necessary to accommodate steering wheel movements. The improved aerodynamics reduces turbulence and improves vehicle-operating efficiency.
US07997636B2	Device and method for actuating an openable vehicle roof system The invention relates to the actuation of an openable roof system, for example of a cabriolet canopy system, in which a synchronized adjusting phase (Ts) is provided during the adjustment (tθ to t3) for opening and/or closing the vehicle roof system, in which synchronized adjusting phase (Ts) a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator are hydraulically coupled for the synchronized movement (s1, s2) of two components of the vehicle roof system. In order to increase operational reliability, in particular to reduce the risk of undesired collisions of the components, the invention provides monitoring of the synchronized movement (s1, s2) of the two components during the synchronized adjusting phase (Ts), and in the event of a deviation of the synchronized movement (s1, s2) from a predefined nominal synchronized movement being detected, correction of the synchronized movement by at least partially suspending the hydraulic coupling of the two hydraulic actuators.
US07997633B2	Lifter tool Elevating a handle of the lifter tool creates a clamping force between a bottom support plate and a top clamping plate operatively attached to the handle, allowing a worker to transfer, simultaneously, a number of stacked pavers, or similar block-like objects, quickly, efficiently and safely. A push-off plate facilitates unloading of the pavers from the tool.
US07997631B2	Double-sided lock device and electronic device using same A lock device includes a first mounting unit, an operating member, a first and second actuating member, a magnet member and a latch member. The first mounting unit includes a main portion and two flanges bent from the first main portion. Each flange defines a notch. The operating member is configured for moving relative to the first mounting unit in a direction. The first and second actuating members are configured for respectively moving toward and proximate to one notch. The latch member is configured for being pivotable between a locking position and an unlocking position. In the locking position, the latch member is attracted by the magnet member and protrudes into one notch with engaging one flange. When the operating member moves in the direction, the latch member is pushed away from the first mounting member by means of one actuating member.
US07997627B2	Threaded joint for steel pipes A threaded joint for steel pipes comprises a pin (1) and a box (2). The pin has male thread (11), a sealing surface (13), and a shoulder surface (14) located on the end face of the pin. Correspondingly, the box has female thread (21), a sealing surface (23), and a shoulder surface (24) which can mate or contact with the corresponding portions of the pin. The shoulder surface (14) of the pin (1) is provided at an end face of the pin. The sealing surface (13) of the pin (1) is located on a pipe end side near the male thread (11). A a nose portion (15) is provided on the pin (1) between the sealing surface (13) and the shoulder surface (14), the nose portion (15) being not in contact with a corresponding portion of the box (2).
US07997625B2	Security device A security device having one or more printed or transferred first areas, each first area having one or more first colors; and one or more printed or transferred second areas, each second area having one or more second colors. At least one of the first an second areas has a discontinuous pattern, and the first area or areas surrounds the second area or areas, each first area being distinguishable from the second area or areas. The first area(s) and/or second area(s) define an image. A camouflage pattern is provided over the image and at least an adjacent region surrounding the image, the camouflage pattern having a color and pattern such that in combination with the first and second areas, it renders the image substantially invisible when viewed under reflected light but visible when viewed in transmission.
US07997624B2	More stimulating riding vehicles A non-motorized Riding Vehicle for transport of a rider on a surface. The Riding Vehicle includes a shoe body or platform for supporting at least one foot of the rider during the transport and at least one Riding Element under the shoe body or platform that rotates on an axle to facilitate the transport while supporting the rider. The at least one Riding Element includes stimulating elements for creating a periodic vibration during the transport that makes the transport on the surface less smooth than the transport would be if the at least one Riding Element did not include the stimulating elements. Also, a kit and method for converting the Riding Vehicle to a Riding Vehicle with a more or less (intense) vibratory ride.
US07997619B2	Track frame for work machine A track frame in which stress concentration caused by a work load is avoided and that has increased strength. These are achieved by reducing the weigh of connection legs and providing sufficient welding length for joint surfaces for joining the connection legs. The track frame has a front and rear pair of left/right connection legs (61, 71) joined to a center frame (30) and side frames (7) to connect the center and side frames (30, 7). Each of the connection legs (61, 71) has a body part (62, 72) formed in a tubular shape, a center joint part (63, 73) formed at one opening edge of the body part (62, 72) and joined to the center frame (30), and a side joint part (64, 74) formed at the other opening edge of the body part (62, 72) and joined to a side frame (7). The center joining parts (63, 73) are flush with or projected from the upper surface of the center frame (30).
US07997614B2	Airbag device Intended is to always provide effective impact reduction by releasing gas at a timing of pushing into airbag.An airbag (10) has a vent hole (18) in one side end portion. One end of a third base fabric (20) is sewn to the airbag (10) through a first sewn portion (23) that closes the vent hole (18), and the other end of the third base fabric 20 is sewn to the other side end portion of the airbag (10) through a second sewn portion (24). The first sewn portion (23) has weaker binding force by sewing than the second sewn portion (24) so that the first sewn portion (23) is separated to open the vent hole (18) when tension force is applied from the third base fabric (20) to the first and second sewn portions (23) and (24).
US07997609B2	Airbag packet An airbag packet includes an airbag that is vacuum packed in a film. The airbag is folded into a deep drawn lower film that is sealed at sealing points to an upper film. The sealing points are sealed at various strengths so that when the airbag is deployed the upper film remains connected to the lower film at one or more sealing points.
US07997606B1	Trailer hitch adapter and motorcycle carrier A trailer hitch adapter that elevates the height of a trailer hitch to lower the rear edge of a trailer, thus allowing a safer entry by a motorcycle into the trailer.
US07997603B2	Bicycle components mounting methods and apparatus Methods and apparatus may permit the mounting of bicycle components (16) such as seats, handlebars, and the like, to bicycles. A bicycle component mount (3) may be isolated from the structure of a bicycle. Forces generated at various points on the bicycle's structure may be substantially impeded or eliminated from transmission through an isolated bicycle component mount (3). Multidimensional motion of a bicycle component mount (3) may include rotational, translational, and rototranslational motion with progressive elastomeric resistance in multiple directions. A bicycle component mount (3) may exhibit movement about its own center of mass (12). Motions of a rider on a bicycle may be biomechanically compensated for by a bicycle component mount (3) to facilitate rider comfort, promote efficient transfer of rider motion to the operation of a bicycle, and decrease wear on bicycle components (16).
US07997602B2	Rack-mounted storage case for a motorcycle A motorcycle including a frame, an engine mounted to the frame, two wheels mounted for rotation to the frame with at least one of the wheels operably coupled to the engine, a rack coupled to the frame, and a storage case. The storage case including a body and a latch. The body defining a cavity and an opening that provides access to the cavity, and the body including a base that has a recess shaped to receive a portion of the rack. The latch is movably coupled to the base and is movable between an open position that provides access to the recess, and a closed position that inhibits access to the recess. The storage case is movable between an attached position where the portion of the rack is positioned within the recess and the latch is in the closed position, and a detached position where the latch is in the open position and the portion of the rack is positioned outside of the recess.
US07997600B2	Apparatus comprising a suspension system and method for adjusting a suspension system An apparatus having a suspension system with a first part which is acted upon by a mass, a second part, and also an air spring arranged between this first part and this second part. At least one supplementary volume device for air is provided, the volume of which can be varied in a controlled manner, and also a first control device for adjusting the volume of the supplementary volume device.
US07997591B2	Chassis with retractable wheels There is a chassis with retractable wheels, wherein the chassis includes a housing. The chassis may also include a chassis sled slidably disposed within the housing. In addition, the chassis may include a pair of lever arms, each said lever arm being disposed in the lower portion of the housing. Furthermore, the chassis includes a pair of mounting wheels, a fender configured to cover the wheels openings in a retracted position, and a web joining the fender to the wheel lever, and having a second end. The chassis with retractable wheels includes a chassis sled, wherein the chassis sled includes an isosceles trapezoid configuration. The chassis sled also includes a pair of receiving members pivotly attached to the first end of the pair of lever arms. The chassis further includes a separation panel attached to the housing configured to conceal the mechanical components of the chassis with retractable wheels.
US07997588B2	Cylinder apparatus and stabilizer apparatus using the same There is provided with a cylinder apparatus comprising: a cylinder; a piston; a piston rod, one end of which is connected to the piston and the other end of which is extended outside; an external cylinder provided at an outer periphery of the cylinder so as to form a reservoir in which to seal the hydraulic liquid and gas therebetween; a base valve dividing the second chamber and the reservoir; a first check valve provided with the piston so as to allow flow of the hydraulic liquid only from the second chamber side to the first chamber side; a second check valve provided with the base valve so as to allow flow of the hydraulic liquid only from the reservoir side to the second chamber side; a flow passage connecting the first chamber with the reservoir; and an opening and closing valve opening and closing the flow passage.
US07997587B2	Drill chuck A chuck with a generally cylindrical body having a tail section configured to receive a drive shaft of a driver and a nose section having an axial bore formed therein. A plurality of jaws is movably disposed with respect to the body. A nut is rotatably mounted about the body and operatively engages the jaws. A sleeve is non-rotatably coupled to the nut. A shield cap is rotatably secured about the nose section of the body. The chuck also includes a first ring and a second ring that rotates relative to the nut over a limited arc. One of the first ring and the second ring defines a ratchet and the other defines at least one deflectable tab that is biased toward and engages the ratchet.
US07997585B2	Cylinder head gasket The invention relates to a metallic cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine having a cylinder block with adjacent combustion chambers and a cylinder head connected to the said block by bolts, having at least one sheet metal layer of resilient metal, which is provided with a plurality of combustion chamber openings corresponding to the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine, and also fluid and bolt passage openings, where, around each combustion chamber opening, at a distance from the latter, leaving a straight sheet metal section in the opening edge area, a bead is provided, whose spring travel is limited by a stopper extending concentrically with respect to the bead the stopper being profiled in terms of height and/or width in accordance with reductions in compression pressure to be expected in specific areas on account of reduced component stiffness of cylinder block and cylinder head in the clamped state of the cylinder head gasket, where, when profiling the stopper height and/or width, the increase in the compression pressure as a result of thermal expansions to be expected because of the operating temperature of the internal combustion engine is additionally taken into account in such a way that the profiling is designed substantially in accordance with a mid-range between an increase in compression pressure resulting from thermal expansions and a decrease in compression pressure resulting from component stiffnesses.
US07997580B2	Variably bound secondary game method The present invention provides new player excitement during the play of a game of chance by providing a controlled random event during the execution of a secondary or bonus round. When bonus game play is invoked during play of the primary game, an amount to be issued during secondary game play is generated. This amount is not awarded directly; instead a plurality of possible winnings is available, each equal to or less than the amount to be issued. A random event separate from the primary game is used to pick one of the plurality of possible winnings which is awarded to a player. The separate random event may be a mechanical event or an electronic event. The difference between the amount given to a player and the original amount to be issued may be used to generate further bonus game play, or may be used to fund a progressive.
US07997573B2	Process for forming stacks of printed products, especially books, magazines, newspapers and brochures, and system for implementing the process To form stacks of printed products such as books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, etc., a plurality of printed sheets is delivered by a conveying section and assembled thereon into preliminary products, which are then formed into stacks, where the process for collating the printed sheets into preliminary products is controlled as a function of the size of the stack of printed products to be formed. A device for implementing the process includes a collating device for forming preliminary products and an indirectly downstream stacking device connected to a control unit.
US07997571B2	Sheet finisher, image forming apparatus using the same, and sheet finishing method A sheet finisher of the invention includes a saddle stitch unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle in which printed sheets are bundled, a fold unit configured to fold the center stitched by the saddle stitch unit and to form a fold line, a fold reinforcing unit that includes a reinforce roller, moves the reinforce roller along a direction of the fold line while applying pressure by the reinforce roller to the fold line of the sheet bundle transported from the fold unit, and reinforces the fold line, and a control unit configured to transport the sheet bundle from the fold unit to the fold reinforcing unit and to control to stop the fold line of the sheet bundle at a position of the reinforce roller, and the control unit changes, according to a thickness of the sheet bundle, a transport distance from a specified position in the fold reinforcing unit to the position where the sheet bundle is stopped.
US07997569B2	Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method There is provided a technique in which a retracting operation of a bundle of sheets from a stapler after a staple process can be stably performed irrespective of the number of sheets constituting the bundle of sheets or the transport resistance. When the bundle of sheets subjected to the staple process is moved by a stacker in a direction of retracting from the stapler, an alignment roller is caused to come in contact with the bundle of sheets held by the stacker and to assist the movement of the bundle of sheet.
US07997567B2	Stage apparatus A stage apparatus, includes a holding member configured to hold a subject; an elevation supporting member configured to support the holding member so that the holding member can go up and down; a rotation supporting member configured to support the elevation supporting member so that the elevation supporting member can be rotated with respect to a Z axis; and a Z axis driving part configured to elevate the holding member in a Z axial direction; wherein the Z axis driving part is located on the rotation supporting member and makes the holding member go up and down relative to the rotation supporting member.
US07997561B2	Device for applying cooling mist to individuals without water accumulation An apparatus and method of use are disclosed for cooling one or more exercising or resting individuals with a water mist while automatically preventing the undesirable accumulation of excess water. In some embodiments, a sensor detects accumulated water on or near an individual, while other embodiments use measured climate parameters to predict water accumulation. The apparatus can be free standing, fixed to the walls or ceiling, or attached to an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus is controlled according to the passing of time and/or one or more measured physiological parameters measured by sensors directed toward or attached to an individual, or embedded in an object on which an individual is resting or exercising. In some embodiments dry air is also applied either simultaneously or alternately with the mist to enhance cooling and further discourage water accumulation.
US07997559B2	Method and apparatus for replacing old underground conduits In a method and an apparatus for replacing old underground conduits (4), the old conduit (4) is first laid bare with the aid of a ground drilling device (8) with an overdrilling head and then, in turn, a new conduit (5) is drawn in with the aid of the drill rods (7) and at the same time—in a uniform operating step—the old conduit is pulled out of the ground.
US07997547B1	Roll-up sign mounting bracket A bracket for mounting an article, such as a roll-up fabric sign, on a mast, includes a body and a clamp on the body for securing the bracket at a desired location on the mast. A receptacle on the body is provided for receiving a portion of the article. The bracket body may be secured in first and second different orientations on the mast at the desired location, the first operational orientation being one in which the receptacle is positioned forwardly of a forward surface of the mast, for receiving the article portion, and the second non-operational orientation being one in which substantially no portions of the bracket body are positioned forwardly of the mast forward surface.
US07997544B2	Movable hand/wrist support for use with a computer mouse A movable hand/wrist support for use with a computer mouse is comprised of a flat and constant thickness sheet of material with an aperture there through. Aperture can be configured to be used with a mouse of any size or shape. Aperture may be configured to entirely surround a mouse so that it rests loosely within the aperture or it may be sized merely to allow the optical communication device of a mouse affixed to a top surface of movable support to communicate with an underlying surface. An secondary layer on which a mouse can rest loosely or be affixed can be affixed to a bottom surface of the sheet of material. Movable support may also include a forearm protector. Various layers may be affixed onto the sheet of material to provide additional comfort and support to the user. The hand/wrist support may be provided as a kit.
US07997542B2	Strap having freely rotatably mounted clip A strap with rotatably mounted clip fabricated in a single molding operation. The strap includes a strap retention member and a plurality of teeth. The rotatable clip includes a clip member, a pedestal and a head. The pedestal is retained in a pedestal opening formed through the strap. In fabrication, a top mold insert is slid into a top of first and second mold halves and a bottom mold insert is slid into a bottom of the first and second mold halves. Plastic is then injected into the first and second mold halves to independently and separately form the strap and the clip in a single molding process, wherein the inserts provide a space between the pedestal opening and the pedestal to allow the clip to rotate relative to the strap.
US07997538B2	Aerodynamic fan control effector A fan control effector for an aircraft comprises at least one blade configured to be pivotably deployable in a radially outward direction from a retracted position to a deployed position such that the blade extends out of the aircraft. The fan control effector may be mounted in a symmetrical arrangement about a longitudinal axis on opposing wings of the aircraft. Furthermore, the fan control effector may comprise any number of blades for independent deployment outwardly from the wing. The blades are configured to be angularly deployable along a direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The blades may be configured to be deployable sequentially from the wing starting with an initial deployment of an aft-most one of the blades.
US07997537B2	Conformal airlock assembly and method A conformal airlock assembly for ingress and egress through a door from a high pressure environment to a low pressure environment. The airlock assembly includes a flexible, gas impermeable membrane that cooperates with a support wall in an airtight manner to form an interior pocket over the door on one side of the wall. A gas displacement system, in flow communication with the interior pocket, is selectively operable to flow air out of the interior pocket, collapsing the membrane toward a collapsed condition. An actuation system coupled to the flexible membrane is operable to displace the flexible membrane, in the collapsed condition, away from the one side of the support wall. Such displacement of the airtight membrane creates a low pressure space in the pocket that is selected to be sufficiently proximate that of the low pressure environment. Hence, the door may be opened to permit ingress and egress therethrough without a large pressure differential.
US07997523B1	Turntable (with attachments) for the dispensing of electrical wire, cable or other linear goods that are supplied on reels or in coils, depending on the attachment used A dispenser for spools, reels or coils of electrical wire or cable, or other linear products, such as rope, twine, string, fishing line, etc. It comprises a turntable, a central inner spindle, and various attachments. The attachments can be placed on the floor, and then selected attachments can be fitted to the inner spindle. Attachments are selected based on the size of the spool, reel or coil of wire or cable. The attachments include a small pipe spindle for use with smaller spools, a large pipe spindle for use with larger spools or reels, and a coil clamp assembly use with for coils. The wire or cable can pay out in all horizontal directions from the invention. If more wire or cable is pulled out than is needed, the excess can be rewound and will return to the dispenser with the aid of a sloped outer edge of the turntable.
US07997520B2	Cable spool with height adjustment capability and method of performing the same A spool and method of adjusting the same are disclosed. The spool is configured to provide a retainer for cable. The may include an upper flange, a lower flange, a plurality of access slots, a center portion, and a plurality of support legs. The support legs are configured to support the spool at a first distance above a securing surface, the support legs being adjustable to provide at least one additional distance that is different from the first distance.
US07997512B2	Rotor nozzle The invention relates to a rotor nozzle, in particular for high-pressure cleaning devices, having a nozzle housing which has an inlet opening for liquid at its axially one end and an outlet opening for liquid at the other end as well as having a rotor which is arranged in a swirl chamber of the nozzle housing, whose front end facing the outlet opening is supported at a bearing, which can at least be partly flowed through by the liquid, which can be set into rotation around a longitudinal axis by liquid flowing into the swirl chamber and which is inclined toward the longitudinal axis at least in the rotating state; wherein the rotor has an inlet region for the liquid via which the liquid can move out of the swirl chamber into the rotor to allow a rotor flow of the liquid from the inlet region up to the front end of the rotor and out of the outlet opening; wherein the rotor nozzle is capable of a switchover procedure between a stationary state in which the rotor is held tight between the bearing and an abutment and a rotational state in which the rotor is out of engagement with the abutment; and wherein the switchover procedure is triggerable by the rotor flow building up on the start-up of the rotor nozzle and/or by pressure relationships and/or flow relationships being adopted at and/or in the rotor.
US07997511B2	Portable texture-spraying apparatus for uniformly dispersing a viscous material This invention is related to a portable texture-spraying apparatus for uniformly dispersing a viscous material. This apparatus broadly includes a tank assembly having a body with an inner wall that defines a sealed cavity, and a piston assembly slidably disposed within the sealed cavity. The piston assembly divides the sealed cavity into an air-side chamber and a material-side chamber by providing an airtight seal therebetween. Additionally an air-control assembly is provided that broadly includes a pressure-control mechanism configured for receiving compressed air and routing a controlled pneumatic pressure to a directional valve configured for adjusting between a dispensing mode and a loading mode. In dispensing mode, the directional valve routes the controlled pneumatic pressure to the air-side chamber biasing the piston assembly toward the material-side chamber. In loading mode, the directional valve releases the air-side chamber to the atmosphere allowing for filling the material-side chamber with viscous material.
US07997508B2	Spill-proof aerator for low volatile compound solutions A spill-proof aerator is disclosed that is adapted to flamelessly diffuse a liquid solution into the atmosphere. The device comprises a liquid solution having less than 20% volatile organic compounds housed in a vessel with at least one wall, wherein an opening is disposed in the wall. The device further includes a wick assembly including at least a wick of porous material capable of being disposed in the opening of the vessel for at least partial submergence in the liquid solution. The wick is further disposed for drawing up the liquid solution thorough capillary action. The wick assembly is reusable and adapted to removably seal the opening in the vessel.
US07997507B2	Supporting device for supporting a flat panel display device and flat panel display device assembly A supporting device for supporting a flat panel display device includes a base, a sliding member, a supporting member, and a holding member. The base defines a pair of guiding grooves extending along a lengthwise direction of the base. The sliding member includes a first pedestal and a second pedestal. The first pedestal and the second pedestal are slidably received in the guiding grooves. The supporting member is hinged to the sliding member, and configured for supporting the flat panel display device. The holding member is slidably engaged with the base, and defines a holding cavity for receiving the supporting member.
US07997491B2	Thin film transistor liquid crystal display barcodes A color-based content encoding system is provided that includes providing a color-containing image from an electronic device display including a fixed pixel grid, wherein the color-containing image includes a plurality of color pixels on the fixed pixel grid, each of the color pixels having sub-pixels correlating to encoded binary data; reading the color-containing image with a scanner; and decoding the encoded binary data. In one embodiment, the plurality of sub-pixels includes three sub-pixels, wherein each sub-pixel of the three sub-pixels corresponds to a binary data value of “1” or “0”.
US07997490B2	Handheld scanner for coded surfaces A swipe scanner for scanning a graphic image printed on a surface. The surface has a position-coding pattern imposed with the graphic image. The swipe scanner comprises: (a) a first image sensor positioned for imaging portions of the surface during a swipe of the surface, each imaged portion containing part of the position-coding pattern; (b) a second image sensor for capturing, during the swipe, portions of the graphic image; and (c) a processor. The processor is configured for: determining absolute positions of the swipe scanner using the parts of the position-coding pattern; and (d) using the absolute positions to assemble the captured portions of the graphic image into a scanned graphic image.
US07997488B2	Magnetic card reader system There is provided a magnetic card reader system in which a magnetic head and a computer can determine mutual validity and unauthorized duplication of the magnetic card can be prevented. In a magnetic card reader system 10, a computer 13 and a microprocessor perform authentication of each other and determine that a mutual authentication result obtained based on mutual authentication is valid, then the microprocessor encrypts a digital signal and transmits the encrypted digital signal to the computer 13, and the computer 13 decodes the encrypted digital signal.
US07997487B2	Automatic price display control by emulation of electronic cash register price lookup A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally, either in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR) or remotely at a master computer. The product price data is stored in the form of a price look-up (PLU) table. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR, local or master computers to and ECR emulation hub to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display, which will be located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers such as those made by manufacturers of the product. The ECR emulation hub acts like an ECR, thereby requiring no special software or hardware modifications to existing pricing display systems that already support ECRs.
US07997484B2	Rich content management and display for use in remote field assets A field asset such as a vending machine includes a coin acceptor, a bill validator, and a card reader all operatively connected to a shared bus. A rich content display device displays color graphics and an extended function adapter (EFA) coupled to the shared bus includes a rich content agent (RCA) to manage rich content displayed on the display. The RCA may include a content management agent (CMA) coupled to a rich content player that executes rich content file for display on the display device. The EFA may include a cashless agent to generate procedural state information. The CMA detects the procedural state information and controls the presentation of rich content on the display device based at least in part on the detected procedural state information. The EFA may include an analytic agent to determine a substantive state of the vending machine including an inventory state and an environmental state.
US07997483B2	System for presenting and processing a plurality of financial transaction cards A method of providing and processing a plurality of stored-value cards includes providing a stored-value card assembly including the plurality of stored-value cards in a housing. The plurality of stored-value cards includes a first stored-value card and a last stored-value card. Each of the plurality of stored-value cards is associated with a different account identifier linking each one of the plurality of stored-value cards to a different financial record or account. The different account identifiers collectively define a series of account identifiers. The method further includes scanning the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card using a point-of-sale terminal, and scanning the different account identifier associated with the last stored-value card using the point-of-sale terminal. The housing indicates which of the different account identifier associated with the first stored-value card and the last stored-value card should be scanned first. Other card assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US07997482B2	Access to a remote machine from a local machine via smart card A method and apparatus for accessing a remote machine from a local machine via a smart card. In one embodiment, the presence of the smart card coupled to the local machine is detected. A card reader reads the credentials from the smart card and communicates them to a remote access client application of the local machine. The remote access client application transmits the credentials to the remote machine. The remote machine sends a query for login information to the local machine upon valid credentials. The local machine transmits the login information to the remote machine and is granted permission to access the remote machine upon valid login information.
US07997477B2	System and method for biometric authorization for check cashing A system and method for a biometric-based identity verification for authorizing a check cashing transaction between a consumer and a merchant using a biometric identification device and at least one consumer biometric identifier scan. Said consumer registers with said system at least one biometric identifier and personal identity-verifying data both used to authenticate the identity of the consumer without the use of a man-made identity token during a check cashing transaction. During said transaction, said consumer enters at least one digital scan of at least one of their registered biometrics and said system authenticates said consumer's identity through comparing said digital scan with at least one digital scan stored in at least one system database. Upon positive identification of said consumer, said transaction is approved.
US07997474B2	System and method for configuring a medical device In one embodiment a medical device comprising an interface, a portable component and a controller is provided. The interface is configured for receiving identification data of a user, the portable component is configured for storing configuration data and the controller is configured for retrieving the configuration data based on the identification data and for configuring the medical device based on the configuration data.
US07997472B2	Friction stir welding using an adhesive, copper, tin and zinc interlayer When a friction stir weld tool penetrates the interface of two workpieces of dissimilar metal alloy materials, the resultant weld of the different alloy materials may produce a weak weld joint. Such weak joints are often experienced, for example, when attempting to form spot welds or other friction stir welds between a magnesium alloy sheet or strip and an aluminum alloy sheet or strip. It is discovered that suitable coating compositions including an adhesive placed at the interface of assembled workpieces can alter the composition of the friction stir weld material and strengthen the resulting bond. In the example of friction stir welds between magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy workpieces, it is found that combinations of an adhesive with copper, tin, zinc, and/or other powders can strengthen the magnesium-containing and aluminum-containing friction stir weld material.
US07997469B2	Staple drive assembly A staple drive assembly includes an actuation sled and at least one staple pusher. The staple drive assembly is adapted to fit within a staple cartridge having a plurality of staples and a corresponding number of retention slots. The at least one staple pusher includes at least one pusher plate for releasably engaging a backspan of a staple. The staple pusher may include a plurality of pusher plates that may be laterally and longitudinally spaced apart. An actuation member has at least one angled camming surface for engaging a complimentary angled surface of the at least one staple pusher. Camming engagement between the actuation member and the at least one staple pusher causes vertical movement of the at least one staple pusher. Lateral and longitudinal offset of the actuation member camming surfaces and the corresponding staple pusher following surfaces improves stability and control of the staple pusher during firing.
US07997465B2	Baby swaddler A baby holder including a cushioned support having pairs of curved channel or indent undersides at substantially right angles to one another to allow resting of the support on the upper legs of a seated parent with the baby facing the parent's chest or sideways, and with its head supported by the cushion and its legs extended along the cushion.
US07997464B2	Bootyhook sporting goods hanger A bootie hanger including an upstanding stem formed at its upper extremity with a hook, a grid work carried from the bottom of the stem and formed with a pair of bootie posts projecting upwardly directly from the opposite side of the stem and formed by elongated ankle sections projecting upwardly and outwardly at 45° to the vertical and respective foot sections angling upwardly and inwardly perpendicular to the respective ankle sections.
US07997463B2	Nozzle, adhesive dispenser, and method of dispensing adhesive A nozzle, which is for in at least one embodiment a hot glue gun, has a resilient cap that is positioned within the nozzle's conduit. The resilient cap has at least one slit that serves as a check valve. The invention solves the problem of resilient caps in hot glue guns becoming unseated and wedging in the tapering section of the glue gun nozzle conduit by adding a collar inside the conduit that prevents the base section of the resilient cap from wedging in deeper into the nozzle's conduit, which would otherwise make the valve fail.
US07997462B2	Bung hole and tap assembly for small containers provided with at least one positioning and holding means The invention relates to a bung hole and tag assembly for small flexible containers, in particular for food liquids substantially consisting of a bung hole (2) of a container and a liquid dispensing tab comprising a body (1) for mounting in the bung hole (2) and dispensing a liquid. The inventive assembly is characterized in that it is provided with at least one means (3) for positioning and holding the bung hole (2) on the container and in a machine for producing containers or the similar and/or in a machine for filling and indexing the body (1) for mounting the tab in said bung hole (2). Said invention is particularly usable for producing small flexible containers, in particular for food liquids and for the dispensing tabs for said containers.
US07997455B2	Head of a fluid dispensing device, provided with elastic return means The invention relates to a fluid dispensing device with an elastic return or a biasing component that is outside the pumping chamber. When the trigger to the pump is activated the elastic return twists forming a torsion return force. The arrangement improves reliability of the pump device significantly.
US07997454B2	Metering dispensing system with improved valving to prevent accidental dispensing of liquid therefrom A liquid dispensing device includes a storage container and dome pump mechanism attached thereto for metered dispensing. A one-way valve is employed to pull liquid from the storage container into the dome for metering. An exit passageway serves as an output valve. Each time the dome pump housing is depressed, a substantially equal volume of fluid is dispensed from the container. To prevent accidental dispensing, the one-way valve in the dome pump remains normally open and unsealed to allow backflow of liquid back into the storage container pouch when pressure is placed on the dome. The user squeezes the dome and base plate together to seal the one-way valve to urge liquid out through the exit port for actual dispensing. Also, interior pouch force creates backflow through the exit port back into the containment chamber to further prevent leakage.
US07997453B1	Fluid pumping dispenser A fluid-pumping-dispenser that is composed of a pump-tube of tubular shape, and provided on one end of a plug to close and open an outlet from a container. The other side of the pump-tube is mounted on either a housing with a valve-rod, or a front-valve with an adapter will prevent the fluid from returning back to the pump-tube. To provide the power an actuator is provided that will pinch the pump-tube, and will the help of the valves described will pump fluids from a container through the pump-tube and to the outside by the nozzle on the housing. To complete the assembly a container is provided with a piston to store the fluid.
US07997451B2	Fluid product dispensing member and a dispenser provided therewith A fluid dispenser member for associating with a fluid reservoir (3). The member has a body (1), a fastener ring (2) for holding the body in stationary manner relative to the reservoir (3), a covering hoop (6) that is engaged in stationary manner around the fastener ring (2), an actuator rod (15) that is axially movable down and up in the body (1), and a pusher (4) that is mounted on the actuator rod (15). The pusher is provided with a dispenser orifice (44). The dispenser member is provided with a blocking mechanism (49, 5, 62) that is secured to the hoop so as to prevent the pusher from turning on the actuator rod relative to the body, and consequently relative to the reservoir, such that the pusher is movable only axially. The blocking mechanism includes at least one longitudinal axial guide (55).
US07997448B1	Universal beverage dispenser A multiple beverage dispensing method and apparatus for selectively dispensing a beverage which is stored in a concentrated form and optionally for dispensing water without a concentrate added thereto.
US07997445B2	Refillable material transfer system A material transfer system for storing, transferring and dispensing viscous material, such as fluids and liquids, includes a material containment vessel with an upper region incorporating a motive force and a bottom region with a material ingress and egress opening. A diconical or other shaped force transfer device is located in the material containment area. The force transfer device is an energy transducer when the material containment is filled with highly viscous materials, such as adhesives, sealants, mastics or lubricating greases. The force transfer device serves as an integral part of a level indicator for both viscous fluids and lower viscosity liquids. The viscous material itself forms a seal between the interface region of the force transfer device and the inside wall of the fluid vessel. Vertical stabilizing elements may extend outward from the force transfer device.
US07997443B2	Center-pull paper towel dispenser A center-pull dispenser for dispensing paper towels from a continuous roll, wherein each individual towel is separated from an adjoining towel by a plurality of perforations. The dispenser comprises a housing having a housing back and a detachable front cover hingedly connected thereto at the lower periphery of said housing back and front cover for opening and closing the housing, a paper support tray removably connected to a lower portion of the housing back, the tray having a centrally located dispensing nozzle and at least one locking element for releasably locking at least one first hinge element on the lower periphery of the front cover to at least one second hinge element on the lower periphery of the housing back, an opening in the lower periphery of said housing through which the towels are dispensed, and a wall-mounting member for removably mounting the housing back to a wall. In one embodiment, the paper support tray comprises locking arms for releasably locking first hinge elements on the lower periphery of said front cover against second hinge elements on the lower periphery of said housing back. In another embodiment, the dispenser comprises a locking member for releasably locking the front cover to the housing back and the housing back to the wall-mounting member.
US07997440B2	Closure assembly for a container A closure assembly for a container including an internally-threaded annular flange, an externally-threaded closure plug that is received by the annular flange, and an annular gasket positioned between the annular flange and the closure plug for establishing a sealed interface. The container includes a container end panel that is formed over and around a portion of the annular flange and provides an inner axial wall that is positioned between the annular flange and the annular gasket. The clearance between the closing plug and the inner axial wall relative to the size of the annular gasket determines the degree of radial compression of the annular gasket as the plug is threaded into the flange. A radial lip of the plug is designed to contact an upper surface of the container end panel that is formed over the flange as a visual indication when the required tightening torque of the plug within the flange has been reached.
US07997439B2	Flexible bakeware having a multi-piece carrier system A flexible bakeware compound includes a flexible baking container having a basin and a first carrier member disposed in an upper portion of the basin. A second carrier member is also disposed in the upper portion of the basin such that the second carrier member is capable of movement relative to the first carrier member.
US07997438B2	Buffet server with insertable-removable dividers An elongated container tapered inward and rounded on both ends. The recessed interior is segmented by five recessed slots, spaced at three inch intervals. The anti-shifting bar and lock notches creates' the locking system when the buffet server is place in support stand, there by stopping the buffet server from shifting front to back or sliding side to side while cradle in the support stand. The insertable-removable dividers, containers and sectional lids provides for a variety of set up weather mixing or matching keeping your liquid and solids separated if need be. The tabs and sockets, along with push button mechanism allows the buffet server to be taken apart and easily put together again for usage, storage or ease of shipping and handling.
US07997437B2	Body filler plug A plug (10) for sealing holes in a vehicle body comprises a central closure section (12) and engaging section (14) arranged on the rim and provided for receiving portions of the vehicle body. The closure section (12) and the engaging section (14) are made of a plastics material and the plastics material of the engaging section (14) is softer than the plastics material of the closure section (12). The plastics material of the engaging section (14) can be softened by heating such that a tight connection is produced between the engaging section (14) and the portions of the vehicle body that are received by it.
US07997436B2	Reclosable pouring element for liquid foodstuffs contained in composite cardboard/plastic packaging A re-closable pouring element for liquid foods packaged in cardboard/plastic composite packages, comprising a base encircled by a flange and having both an inner thread and an outer thread, an opening element having at least one cutting edge as well as perforations and a screw cap formed as a threaded lid. The opening element has an outer thread and is arranged inside the base. The opening element is formed so that when the screw cap is operated for the first time it cuts an opening in the package material located under the pouring element. At least one window opening is provided as an aperture, each window opening is arranged so that it points to one side after opening for the first time and after re-closing and repeated opening for emptying residues of the composite package points to the opposite side.
US07997432B2	Trunnion transportation system and crane using same A mobile lift crane includes a carbody and at least four crawlers attached to the carbody, each crawler having a crawler frame attached to the carbody by a trunnion having an axis. The crawler frame is attached to the carbody so as to be able to pivot with respect to the carbody about the axis of the trunnion. The crane also includes a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody such that the rotating bed can swing with respect to the crawlers and a boom pivotally mounted on a front portion of the rotating bed. A linear actuator is connected between the crawler frame and the carbody and extends through the trunnion.The linear actuator is part of a self attachment mechanism. The trunnion includes a tubular member with a longitudinal axis, a first end configured for connection to the crane carbody and a second end configured for connection to the crawler frame. At least one of the ends is configured to allow rotational movement of the crawler frame relative to the carbody about the longitudinal axis. The linear actuator is mounted within the hollow central tubular member. The linear actuator is preferably a hydraulic cylinder. A carbody connector is attached to one end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a crawler frame connector is attached to the other end of the hydraulic cylinder.
US07997425B2	Fluted filter medium and process for its manufacture A fluted filter medium (74) comprising a corrugated filter sheet, where each flute (120) has an end closure defined by a regular fold arrangement in the corresponding corrugation. Each regular fold arrangement has at least four folds. A process for manufacturing the fluted filter medium comprising deforming a portion of each corrugation to define at least one foldable tip, and folding the said tip in order to close the corrugation.
US07997421B2	Filtering apparatus and filter element A filtering apparatus includes a pot-type filter housing (10), a filter element (28) accommodated in the housing, a holding mechanism (38) disposed in the filter housing (10) to removably fix the filter element along its longitudinal axis, and a sealing device (60) that seals between a lid (20) of the filter housing (10) and the filter element (28). The holding mechanism (38) is provided with cooperating holding elements embodied on the interior face of the filter housing (10) as well as on the filter element (28). The filtering apparatus dispenses with the need for O-seals that are known in prior art and extend in a radial direction between the filter element and the filter head as a housing lid because the sealing device (60) encompasses at least one sealing edge (62) or sealing surface placed parallel to the longitudinal axis in a radial direction and seals under the effect of the pressure applied it by the holding mechanism (38). The invention further relates to a filter element that is to be used in such filtering apparatus.
US07997420B2	Filter apparatus capable of releasing air A filter apparatus capable of releasing air from a filter body, comprising a filter body held by a holder. The filter body includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The filter body is disposed in the holder so as to rotate around an axis of rotation that passes through the fluid inlet. The holder includes a front panel. The front panel comprises engaging portions, for temporarily engaging the fluid outlet at either an air releasing position or at a filtering position, and a fixing means for fixing the filter body at each position. The filter apparatus further includes means for rotating the filter body.
US07997415B2	Apparatus, method and system for creating, collecting and indexing seed portions from individual seed A method, apparatus, and system for coating, singulating, aligning, ablating, and indexing a number of seeds for testing is described. The apparatus has a carrier designed to hold seeds in a predetermined alignment for ablating a seed sample from a seed portion, the seed portions are indexed to the seed samples. The carrier is then located on the apparatus which delivers the seed samples from the carrier to a collector for laboratory testing.
US07997414B2	Method for separating particles in hydrous slurry and a hindered-bed separator A method for separating particles in hydrous slurry comprises connecting at least one teeter water pipe of a teeter water distributor of a hindered-bed separator in fluid connection with a teeter water discharging mechanism, and discharging teeter water from the at least one teeter water pipe to the teeter water discharging mechanism.
US07997410B2	Disk package and retainer A disk package and retainer for a disk having an open surface therethrough and susceptible to curl includes a first member having a retention surface disposed adjacent a first side of the disk and adjacent the open surface of the disk and having a connecting surface and a second member having a retention surface disposed adjacent a second side of the disk and adjacent the open surface of the disk and having a connecting surface cooperatively connected to the connecting surface of the first member through the open surface such that the distance between the first member and second member can be adjustably maintained in a manner to apply force from opposite sides of the disk in a manner to substantially maintain the disk in a relatively flat condition. A panel is employed between the members adjacent the disk and method employing the members, disk and panel forms a package.
US07997407B2	Side-opening hinge-lid container with audible indication of closure and/or opening A side-opening hinge-lid container includes a body portion and a lid portion, each having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The lid portion is connected to the body portion along a hinge line for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position. A body liner is mounted in the body portion and projects sideways into a space covered by the lid portion in the closed position. An outwardly extending ear is mounted on the liner. An inwardly extending flap is mounted to the lid portion for pivotal movement relative thereto. During pivotal movement of the lid portion between the open and closed positions, the flap engages the ear to produce a sound.
US07997404B2	Conveyor belt with intermodular supported spheres A series of rows of belt modules wherein a first one of the rows may have a plurality of hinge elements along an end of the first row. A second one of the rows may have a plurality of hinge elements along an end of the second row. The plurality of hinge elements of the first row may be interleaved with the plurality of hinge elements of the second row. A pivot rod may extend through the plurality of hinge elements of both the first row and the second row so as to pivotally join the first row to the second row. A sphere may be supported from a first module of the first row and supported from a second module of the first row, so that the sphere resides between the first module and the second module and so that the sphere extends above the modules in order to allow an object, which is to be conveyed by the conveyor belt, to be supported on the sphere. The modules may be moved in a belt travel direction in order to convey the object from a first location to a second location.
US07997397B2	One-way clutch A one-way roller clutch includes an outer ring, and an inner ring mounted inside the outer ring and having an outer cylindrical surface. The outer ring has on its inner periphery a plurality of cam surfaces each defining a wedge-shaped space in cooperation with the cylindrical surface of the inner ring. Rollers are each mounted between one of the cam surfaces and the cylindrical surface. Each roller is biased by a coil spring toward a narrow portion of the corresponding wedge-shaped space. Each coil spring has at its end facing the roller a radially outwardly extending spiral roller abutment portion. The roller abutment portion prevents the end of the coil spring from slipping along and separating from the roller, thus stabilizing the attitude of the coil spring.
US07997393B2	Magnetorheological (MR) rod guide assembly and MR damper having same A magnetorheological (MR) rod guide assembly includes a nonporous MR-rod-guide-assembly housing, annular first and second seals, and a non-annular, porous filter plug. The housing has a through bore. The first and second seals are positioned in the through bore, are adapted to sealingly contact an MR piston rod, and are longitudinally spaced apart defining an inter-seal portion of the through bore. The filter plug is positioned in the housing, has a longitudinal first end in fluid communication with the through bore longitudinally outside the inter-seal bore portion, and has a longitudinal second end in fluid communication with the through bore longitudinally within the inter-seal bore portion.
US07997392B2	Vibration damper A vibration damper, e.g. for damping retraction or extension springing forces on motor vehicles, includes a pressure medium cylinder in which a piston with a piston rod is axially slidably arranged. The piston divides the cylinder into first and second chambers which contain an electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid as a pressure medium. The two chambers are connected with one another through a throttle gap with at least one field generating element arranged adjacent thereto. The length of the throttle gap is divided by a gap intersection point into a first throttle gap section connected with the first chamber, and a second throttle gap section connected with the second chamber. A non-return check valve is arranged in a bypass gap connected parallel to the first throttle gap section between the gap intersection point and the first chamber.
US07997391B2	Anti-lock brake device for use with a brake rotor disc A disc brake assembly includes a rotor with an ABS tone ring insert assembly that functions as a rotation indicator in an anti-lock braking system. The insert is positioned in the hat of a rotor disc in a spaced relationship and is mounted to the mounting flange of the rotor disc. Forming the ring insert separately from the rotor disc also allows different coating materials to be used on the tone ring that may be more heat resistant. The ring insert assembly can be made of powder metal or made as a cast iron cylinder with a toothed cap made of powder metal having a corrosion resistant coating. Cost savings can be realized along with high performance when only a portion of the assembly if made of powder metal and coated.
US07997384B2	Multilayer board for reducing solid-borne sound A multilayer board for reducing solid-borne sound radiation with improved mechanical stability when subjected to a load, comprising a first cover layer, a second cover layer, and at least one core layer, wherein the at least one core layer is arranged between the first and the second cover layer, and wherein the at least one core layer comprises at least one first sloped slot.
US07997382B2	Exhaust device for straddle-type vehicle and straddle-type vehicle An exhaust device for a straddle type vehicle allowing a compact design while still satisfying the sound deadening characteristic requirements is provided. The exhaust device for a straddle type vehicle comprising: an exhaust pipe that is connected to an engine; a silencer that is connected to the exhaust pipe wherein the exhaust pipe is provided with a Helmholtz resonator, and the Helmholtz resonator is filled with a sound absorbing material. The Helmholtz resonator is formed with an opening that communicates with the inside of the exhaust pipe. The opening is formed in a place where the sound pressure in the exhaust pipe is high during the operation of the engine.
US07997381B2	Speaker assembly A pivoting panel-mount speaker assembly comprises a speaker housing. The speaker housing has a perimeter flange portion, an exterior housing wall extending rearwardly from the perimeter flange portion, and an interior curved track extending rearwardly from the perimeter flange portion. The interior curved track has an outward facing convex surface and an inward facing concave surface. The speaker assembly further comprises a speaker unit having a transducer element and a speaker frame supporting the transducer element. The speaker frame has an outward facing surface configured to slidably engage the inward facing concave surface of the housing interior curved track. The speaker assembly further comprises a speaker support member attached to the speaker unit. The speaker support member also has an inward facing surface configured to slidably engage the outward facing convex surface of the housing interior curved track. The speaker assembly further comprises a circuit panel having speaker control circuitry mounted thereon. The circuit panel is mounted to the exterior housing wall at one or more circuit panel attachment points. The speaker unit and the speaker support member are pivotable around a pivot point that is forward of the transducer element.
US07997379B2	Hydraulic steering The invention concerns a hydraulic steering (1) with a steering valve (7) located between a supply connection arrangement (P, T) and a steering motor (2). It is endeavored to improve the safety of such a steering. For this purpose, the steering valve (7) has a hydraulic drive (9, 10) with a pilot valve arrangement (11) supplied by a pressure control valve (5), a stop valve (16) being located between the pressure control valve (5) and the pilot valve arrangement (11).
US07997377B2	Case structure of integrated package module for hybrid vehicle A case structure of an integrated package module for a hybrid vehicle is provided. A front case of the integrated package module is formed of a first front case having a receiving groove on a upper portion thereof and a second front case. The case structure can stably mount and support the integrated package module on a vehicle body in a safer and cost-effective manner.
US07997374B2	Vehicle occupant safety system and method for detecting the position of a vehicle occupant A vehicle occupant safety system has at least one restraint device having at least one adjustable parameter, a vehicle seat having at least one seat sensor detecting the sitting position of a vehicle occupant, a seatbelt system having at least one belt extension sensor detecting the belt extension length, and a control unit determining from the values from the seat sensor and from the belt extension sensor whether a vehicle occupant is in a forward-leaning position. The control unit then specifies the value of the adjustable parameter of the restraint device as a function of a forward-leaning position of the vehicle occupant.
US07997371B2	Airflow power installations A power installation is proposed for conversion of airflow energy into compressed air energy used by a pneumo-motor or/and by an electro-generator associated with a control system. An embodiment of the installation comprises a number of turbine units arranged in box-sections serving as the walls and roof of a truck. The turbine unit includes X-shaped members supporting a shaft with a turbine driven by a resistance airflow appearing during movements of the truck. The rotation of the turbines is conveyed to a pump, charging a tank with compressed air, used for driving the truck. In embodiments the turbines' blades may comprise a load and may revolve in mutually opposite directions. The installation may include an additional compressor, or may include a first muff connecting the pneumatic motor to a power train, an additional fueled engine, and a second muff connecting the fueled engine to the power train.
US07997368B2	Battery case for electric vehicle A battery case for containing therein battery modules includes a tray member, cover member, and seal member. The seal member is applied to a joint part between the tray member and cover member. Insert members made of metal are embedded in the resin of the tray member. Each of the insert members is provided with an embedded bolt a threaded part of which protrudes upward, and embedded nuts. The battery case is provided with first fastening sections and second fastening sections. In the first fastening section, a nut member is screwed onto the embedded bolt from above the cover member. In the second fastening section, a bolt member is screwed into the embedded nut from above the cover members.
US07997362B2	Device for coupling a universal joint shaft with a power take-off shaft of a tractor A device for coupling a universal joint shaft to a power take-off shaft (1) of a tractor has a first coupling mechanism (48) that is non-rotatably arranged on the universal joint shaft. A second coupling mechanism (17) is non-rotatably arranged on the power take-off shaft (1) of the tractor. The first and second coupling mechanisms can be non-rotatably coupled to transmit torque. A coupling shield (7) is provided to couple the coupling mechanism (17, 48). The first coupling mechanism (48) is at least indirectly rotationally supported on the coupling shield (7). A locking mechanism (58, 58′) projects from the coupling shield (7). A bracket (2) is attachable on the rear of the tractor. The bracket (2) has at least one locking device (5, 5′) that is displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking device (5, 5′) is displaced from the unlocked position into the locked position. The locking device (5, 5′) interacts with the locking members (58, 58′) of the coupling shield (7) to pull it towards the bracket (2). The first coupling mechanism (48) is transferred into a coupling position to couple it the second coupling mechanism (17).
US07997361B1	Reverse drive mechanism for wheeled devices A reverse drive mechanism is configured to rotate at least one wheel of a multi-wheeled device in a reverse direction so that the device moves in that reverse direction. One particular application involves a motorcycle conversion assembly in which at least one of the rear wheels of the conversion assembly is driven in the reverse direction so as to back-up the motorcycle.
US07997356B2	Apparatus for rotary mining In various embodiments, a mining device can include a first housing portion and a second housing portion where relative movement between the first and second housing portions can extend and/or retract a cutting member with respect to the mining device. The mining device can further include a cable which can be mounted to the second housing portion where the cutting member is mounted to the cable and can be radially extended with respect to the first and second housing portions when the second housing portion is moved relative to the first housing portion along an axis. As the cutting member is extended, it can contact the sidewalls of a subterranean shaft to loosen material therefrom.
US07997354B2	Expandable reamers for earth-boring applications and methods of using the same Expandable reamer tools include an outer body, a fluid passageway extending through the outer body, and at least one blade configured to slide relative to the outer body between a retracted position and an expanded position in a direction oriented at an acute angle of less than ninety degrees (90°) to a longitudinal axis of the outer body. In some embodiments, the tools may include a moveable inner sleeve member configured to selectively allow hydraulic fluid pressure within the fluid passageway to act directly on the at least one blade. Methods for enlarging a borehole using such expandable reamer tools and methods for removing such expandable reamer tools from a borehole are also disclosed.
US07997352B2	Electric power tool An electric power tool includes a tool body and a battery pack removably mounted to the tool body. The battery pack is used as a power source of the tool body. The electric power tool further includes a lock unit for keeping the battery pack mounted to the tool body and an interrupter switch for interrupting the operation of the tool body when the lock unit does not keep the battery pack mounted to the tool body. Accordingly, the electric power tool is not operable when the battery pack is not completely mounted to the tool body.
US07997344B2	Multi-function indicating tool A crossover tool assembly is run in with a packer and after the packer is set it is released from the packer for independent movement. The assembly is picked up to allow spring loaded dogs to come out so that upon setting down weight the crossover assembly has an outer assembly that is supported on the packer mandrel. The crossover mandrel can then be set down and picked up to operate a j-slot mechanism in the crossover. Relative movement induced by the j-slot with the outer assembly of the crossover supported by the dogs allows a return path within the crossover to be opened or closed independent of any contact with the packer mandrel.
US07997342B2	Subterranean treatment fluids comprising viscoelastic surfactant gels Among many things, in some embodiments, improved viscoelastic surfactant gels that comprise non-aqueous tackifying agents, and their associated methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a non-aqueous tackifying agent, and a viscoelastic surfactant; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
US07997341B2	Downhole fluid filter An apparatus for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising a tool having a sample flow line an inlet disposed with the tool and configured to establish fluid communication between the formation and the sample flow line to draw a fluid sample into the sample flow line, and an active filter positioned in the sample flow line and providing a filter flow route and a bypass flow route in the sample flow line.
US07997340B2	Permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.
US07997339B2	Conveyance device and method of use in gravel pack operations The completion assembly includes a conveyance device to bypass regions within a wellbore that may disrupt the desired distribution of gravel in a gravel pack. A packer is attached to an upper tubular, and generally run into wellbore until properly positioned and set near the lower end of upper section. Packer has an extension/crossover to which other lower completion equipment such as a conveyance device and a screen can attach. Conveyance device 22 may include an inner tubular within an outer tubular forming an annular flow path between the inner and outer tubulars. Conveyance device may include one or more discreet flow tubes placed around a lower tubular.
US07997338B2	Sealing feed through lines for downhole swelling packers A swelling element on a packer has a trough formed on a longitudinal axis. The control line or cable or conduit that needs to run along the string where the packer is mounted is first wrapped in a preferably non-swelling underlayment that can be a loose scroll or have its seam sealed. A swelling cover is placed over the underlayment using a seam that can be longitudinal or spiral to allow rapid deployment. The covering assembly for the control line or conduit is placed in the slot of the swelling element of the packer. The line or cable continues out opposed ends and can be secured to the tubular string with clamps. The control line can also be covered with a swelling material and forced into a groove that runs the length of the packer swelling element.
US07997333B2	Segmented bottom guide for string elevator assembly The present invention is directed to a segmented bottom guide for directing the top of a tubular member into and through a bore in the bottom of a tapered bowl so that the tubular member can be engaged by pipe slips. One embodiment of the segmented bottom guide of the present invention comprises a bottom guide retainer having a plurality of chambers for being disposed intermediate the top of a bell guide and the bottom of the tapered bowl. The bottom guide segments are radially received into, and securable in, the retainer to therein and together form a generally conical frustum generally aligned with and intermediate the top of the bell guide and the opening of the tapered bowl.
US07997332B2	Method and apparatus to remove a downhole drill collar from a well bore A method of severing a drill string or other tubular string that includes lowering a torch into the drill string, positioning the torch at a joint in the drill string, such that the joint may have a pin component engaged with a box component, igniting the torch to produce cutting fluids, and directing the cutting fluids into the joint in a direction that is along a length of the drill string to cut the joint.
US07997331B2	Air-conditioning system An air-conditioning system allows adjustment of the vented air temperature of a rear seat evaporator. An electronic control system judges whether the surface of the rear seat evaporator is frosting up when 1) a target blowing rate of the rear seat blower is lower than a predetermined value, 2) a detected temperature of evaporator vented air is lower than a specified temperature TEa, and 3) a detected temperature of the outside air is lower than a specified temperature TAMa. A target temperature TEO is raised at this time, so that an electric motor of an electric compressor is stopped and refrigerant no longer flows into the rear seat evaporator. The surface temperature of the rear seat evaporator rises so that the rear seat evaporator can be defrosted.
US07997329B2	Tube bundle The invention relates to a cylindrical vessel having a cylindrical shell provided internally with a tube bundle having a number of parallel tubes and axially spaced apart transverse supports for supporting the tubes in the cylindrical vessel, wherein each transverse support is a sheet of expanded metal.
US07997328B2	Air conditioner In an air conditioner, air-supply passages cross air-discharge passages, and heat exchangers are disposed at intersections between the air-supply passages and the air-discharge passages. This increases the effective heat-exchanging areas of the heat exchangers. In addition, the air conditioner is configured such that the air conditioner can be easily installed and repaired even when the air conditioner is rotated to be properly connected with air-supply ducts and air-discharge ducts.
US07997321B2	Automatic bead seater assembly An automatic bead seating assembly to automatically move a bead seating assembly or manifold into contact with a wheel or tire assembly and cause the bead to be seated. The assembly comprises an extendable and retractable seater arm attached at one end to a base, with a bead seater or manifold assembly attached or mounted at the other end. The bead seater or manifold assembly may comprises a reservoir filled with compressed air or other gas, and a hose or pipe for movement of the air or gas from the reservoir to a nozzle of an appropriate size and shape to fit a particular wheel or tire. The seater arm extends forward until the bead seater or manifold assembly comes into contact with the wheel or tire assembly, whereupon air or gas from the manifold reservoir is released, causing the tire bead to be seated. The seater arm then retracts.
US07997319B2	Labeling device A labeling device includes a conveyor belt for taking up a row of labels, and two label dispensers, each for dispensing labels from a dispensing sheet over a dispensing edge onto the conveyor belt. The label dispensers are disposed one behind the other, the dispensing edge of a rear one of the dispensers being shifted, so that the dispensing edges of the two label dispensers are one above the other. The conveyor belt is guided over a belt deflector for changing the course of the belt between two positions as to the dispensing edges, the belt deflector including a tilting lever, over which the conveyor belt is deflected and which can be swiveled between two positions. The conveyor belt is in a first position for taking up labels at the first dispensing edge and in a second position, for taking up labels at the second dispensing edge.
US07997315B2	Wear-adaptable running tread A rubber tread of a tire includes cavities spaced radially inwardly from a running surface of the tread when new. Each cavity includes an incision, and a groove communicating with a radially inner end of the incision when the tread is new. The incision has a radially outer generatrix following an undulating profile having an amplitude of at least 20% of a maximum height of the cavity. A width of the incision is not greater than 2.5 mm, and the groove width is greater than 2.5 mm.
US07997312B2	System and device for positioning a workpiece relative to a router and use thereof A system positions a workpiece with respect to a router bit. The system may include a router for routing out a part of the workpiece, a router table for supporting the workpiece, a router fence arranged and constructed to position the workpiece relative to the router during machining, and a positioning device arranged and constructed to position the router fence relative to the router before machining the workpiece, wherein the router comprises a router collet positioned beneath the router table, the router collet being constructed and arranged to engage a router bit extending through an opening in the router table for machining the piece.
US07997309B2	System and method for measuring trees during processing A system for measuring the length of a tree being processed through a delimber including a log feed roller mechanism for moving the tree, a delimbing head for delimbing the tree that is movable in a forward and reverse direction relative to the log feed roller mechanism, a measuring wheel resiliently mounted on the delimbing head, and a trimsaw movably mounted on the delimbing head. The length of the processed tree extending beyond the delimbing head may be calculated from signals encoded by the log feed roller mechanism and the measuring wheel. Logs may be cut from the tree by the trimsaw. Two photosensors located at known positions may be used to calculate the total length of the tree.
US07997307B2	Fill nozzle positioning apparatus An apparatus for positioning a fill nozzle includes an elongated fill pipe assembly. An annular seal is operatively connected within the fill pipe assembly and defines a center aperture. The annular seal is sized to seal around the fill nozzle. First and second annular restrictions are provided within the fill pipe assembly. The first and second annular restrictions define first and second apertures that are sized to sufficiently restrict lateral movement of the fill nozzle within the fill pipe assembly to maintain sealing contact of the annular seal around the fill nozzle.
US07997299B2	Structure of bubble prevention buffer tank of fuel cell vehicle A structure of a bubble prevention buffer tank of a fuel cell vehicle is provided that comprises at least one mesh and at least one lattice inside the buffer tank so as to remove air bubbles inside the buffer tank by breaking the air bubbles.
US07997298B2	Device for regulation of a concentration for a product in a liquid Device for the regulation of the concentration of a product in a liquid and, most specifically, of an alcohol used in the composition of a varnish contained in a varnishing vat for optical glasses or other substrates. The vat comprises an overflow tray and a sealed alcohol reservoir. The reservoir is installed higher than the overflow tray so that when level of the varnish in the overflow tray drops sufficiently low, an air bubble is created that rises to the alcohol reservoir, thus creating additional pressure in the alcohol reservoir and forcing a drop of alcohol into the overflow tray until the level of the varnish in the overflow tray recovers its normal level above the junction point between the second pipe and the overflow tray.
US07997295B2	Controller, system and method for providing supplementing water A supplementing water supply controller which provides water from a supplementing water supply to an outlet in preference to a main water supply, wherein if there is insufficient supplementing water to meet demand, the main water supply flows through the controller to the outlet, whereas if there is sufficient supplemental water to meet the demand, a supplementing water pump is activated and the pressure of the supplementing water is raised above a threshold level at which it moves an actuator mounted by two diaphragms to block the main water supply, so that the supplementing water can flow to the outlet. The actuator has a larger effective area at its low pressure end than at its high pressure end, so that the supplementing water threshold pressure level for moving the actuator to block the main water supply is less than the main water pressure.
US07997285B2	Effect packaging for a cosmetic, in particular a mascara unit In an effect packaging for a cosmetic, in particular a mascara unit, comprising a reservoir for the cosmetic and a lucent covering surrounding the reservoir, wherein the reservoir and covering are at least partially spaced from one another, it is provided that a centering device cooperating with the bottom of the reservoir is provided at the bottom of the outer covering, and that the reservoir and the outer covering are engageable with one another by the cooperation of a locking groove and a locking bead by an axial relative movement, for achieving an attractive appearance accompanied with a cost-effective producibility.
US07997283B2	Artificial nails including application tabs A preformed artificial nail assembly comprising an artificial nail sized to correspond to at least a portion of said natural nail, and an application tab extending from the distal end of the artificial nail, the application tab having a neck portion and a body portion, said neck portion being disposed between the body portion and the distal end of the artificial nail, the body portion being disposed at an angle to the artificial nail such that the body may be readily grasped by the user to facilitate placement of the artificial nail on the natural nail. An embodiment includes an application tab that twists from its connection to the nail to the tab body.
US07997282B2	Cigarette filter with beaded carbon A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.
US07997281B2	Reduction of carbon monoxide and nitric oxide in smoking articles using nanoscale particles and/or clusters of nitrided transition metal oxides Smoking article components, cigarettes, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided that use nitrided transition metal oxide nanoscale particles and/or nitrided transition metal oxide clusters capable of catalyzing and/or oxidizing carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or adsorbing carbon monoxide and catalyzing and/or reducing nitric oxide to nitrogen and/or adsorbing nitric oxide. Cut filler compositions, cigarette paper and cigarette filter material can comprise nitrided transition metal oxide nanoscale particles and/or nitrided transition metal oxide clusters.
US07997279B2	Methods for treating eye conditions Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.
US07997276B2	Respiration pillow A device for face-down, prone respiration comprising a head support made of resilient material having a facial cavity conformable to the contours of a person's face, a plenum cavity in fluid communication with the person's face, a substantially L-shaped support base removably engaged to the head support, a horizontal member of the base engaged underneath the head support and a vertical member of the base engaged to an end of the head support proximate to the facial cavity and in fluid communication with the plenum cavity, the vertical member having at least one air pump intake pathway and at least one exhalation discharge pathway integral to the base whereby air pumped through at least one air pump intake pathway creates a plenum in plenum cavity which is inhaled by person and air exhaled by person is discharged back into plenum cavity and out the at least one exhalation discharge pathway.
US07997271B2	Apparatus and method for mask free delivery of an inspired gas mixture and gas sampling This disclosure is of a mask-free device for supplying sufficient gas to a medical patient and for more accurately sampling the exhalation gas of the patient. The device includes a flexible body having lumens adapted to extend into the nares of a patient and adjacent the patient's mouth for collecting and transmitting a sampling of the patient's end tidal exhalation to a gas analyzer to analyze one or more component gases in that exhalation. The disclosure also discloses the transmittal of pressure from the nares of the patient to a pressure transducer for determining the respiratory phase of the patient and for controlling the volume of oxygen delivered to the patient. The body of the mask-free unit further includes conduits for delivering oxygen through diffuser orifices to positions adjacent the patient's nares and mouth. Finally, a controller is interconnected between the pressure transducer and the gas supply for increasing the delivery of gas during the inhalation phase of the patient's respiration and for decreasing said delivery upon the exhalation phase for the purpose of avoiding dilution of the exhalation sample.
US07997269B2	System and method of safely displaying PK/PD anesthetic drug models The system and method includes a treatment device such as an anesthetic machine or IV, a monitor and a display configured to display real-time PK/PD data associated with an anesthetic agent administered to the patient. The system and method further includes a safety control means configured to control the display such that one of a basic display state, an interactive effects display state, and a display inhibited state is selected and displayed according to the anesthetic agents and levels of the same being administered to the patient.
US07997267B2	Ergonomic and adjustable respiratory mask assembly with elbow assembly A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. The frame includes a main body providing an aperture therethrough for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity. An elbow assembly is swivelably coupled to the front surface of the frame. The elbow assembly includes a swivel elbow that defines an intake port and an exhaust port separated from the intake port using a baffle. The elbow assembly includes an end portion that interfaces with the aperture of the frame.
US07997263B2	Method for controlling the exhaust flow from a cooking chamber of a baking oven A baking oven and method for controlling the exhaust flow from a cooking chamber of the baking oven. The exhaust flow is discharged from the oven by a fan. The method includes increasing the speed of the fan and measuring the gas concentration of the cooking chamber during a first time interval. The gas concentration is measured using a gas sensor. At the beginning of the first time interval, an initial gas concentration is measured. During the first time interval a fan speed is selected at which the measured gas concentration varies from the initial gas concentration. The speed of the fan is set for a second time interval as a function of the selected fan speed from the first time interval.
US07997262B2	Method of improving nanotopography of surface of wafer and wire saw apparatus The present invention provides a method of improving nanotopography of a surface of a wafer sliced from an ingot by using a wire saw apparatus, including improving straightness of feed of a work feed table which is included in the wire saw apparatus and used for feeding the ingot to a wire row formed by winding a wire around a plurality of rollers, and also provides a wire saw apparatus for slicing an ingot to manufacture a wafer, including: a wire row formed by winding a wire around a plurality of rollers; a work feed table for holding and feeding the ingot to the wire row; and a linear-motion guide for linearly guiding the work feed table, wherein a component having a wavelength of 20 to 200 mm in straightness of feed of the work feed table satisfies a PV value ≦1.0 μm. As a result, there are provided the method of eliminating slice waviness having periodicity to improve the nanotopography of the surface of the wafer and the wire saw apparatus.
US07997258B2	Crossbow stock having lower floating rail A crossbow has a riser, flexible limbs, a bowstring extending between the tips of the limbs for propelling an arrow, and an elongated frame extending from the riser. A bowstring release proximate the rear end of the elongated frame includes a trigger for releasing the bowstring, and firing an arrow. A first grip is disposed proximate to the trigger for being grasped by the user's first hand. A “Picatinny” type support rail extends along and below the elongated frame, secured at its rearmost end to the elongated frame, but otherwise spaced therefrom. The support rail can receive fore-grips, a bi-pod, or can be rested against a support surface to help steady the crossbow during firing.
US07997256B2	Hinged removeable coil mount An ignition coil assembly mounted on a valve cover whereby the plurality of coils connected to the ignition coil assembly are individually removable. The ignition coil assembly comprises a base plate and coil bracket that rotateably couple, preferably with a hinging element, allowing for access and removal of individual coils as from the engine or valve cover. The coil bracket is also able to be removed from the base member. A preferred embodiment involves locking the assembly in place with fasteners. A method for manufacture of the ignition coil assembly with the steps of rotateably coupling the base plate and coil bracket. A method for replacing ignition coils from an engine comprising separating the coil bracket from the base plate, removing and replacing individual ignition coils, and locking the coil bracket to the base plate.
US07997255B2	Ignition control apparatus and method for controlling ignition of a four-cylinder engine An engine ignition control apparatus for controlling ignition of a multi-cylinder, 4-cycle engine includes dual ignition coils for controlling ignition timing of the respective cylinders during engine operation. The engine ignition control apparatus includes a stroke determination unit for determining a stroke based on crank pulses and on an output signal of an intake pressure sensor. The engine ignition control apparatus also includes an ignition map allocation unit for allocating ignition maps to the respective cylinders of two ignition systems, each having a pair of cylinders with a same phase, before the stroke determination. The ignition map allocation unit also allocates ignition maps independently to each of the respective cylinders after the stroke determination. The engine ignition control apparatus also includes an ignition timing calculation unit for calculating ignition timing of the respective ignition coils based on the ignition maps allocated to the respective cylinders.
US07997253B2	Method for controlling the overpressure in a fuel-supply system of a common-rail type A method for controlling the overpressure in a fuel-supply system of a common-rail type for an internal-combustion engine provided with a number of cylinders; the method has the steps of: supplying fuel under pressure to a common rail connected to a number of injectors by means of a high-pressure pump; detecting the effective value of the pressure of the fuel within the common rail; comparing the effective value of the pressure of the fuel within the common rail with a safety value; determining a condition of emergency if the effective value of the pressure of the fuel within the common rail is higher than the safety value; and driving, in the case of emergency, the injectors for discharging part of the fuel present in the common rail so as to contain the increase in pressure of the fuel within the common rail.
US07997250B2	Upper structure of engine Disclosed is an upper structure of an engine having three or more cylinders arranged in a row. A first one of a pair of adjacent cylinders among at least three of the cylinders serially arranged in a cylinder row direction is provided with a second spark plug at a position on an opposite side of a second one of the pair of adjacent cylinders, and the second one of the pair of adjacent cylinders is provided with a second spark plug at a position on an opposite side of the first one of the pair of adjacent cylinders. The present invention can provide enhanced flexibility in design of a head cover of the engine.
US07997247B2	Engine intake control system A valve plate is formed as a butterfly-type valve plate including a first and a second valve-plate half portions that extend in opposite directions to each other from a valve shaft. When the valve plate is at a first changeover position, the first valve-plate half portion is directed to the downstream side of a first intake passage from the valve shaft and the second valve-plate half portion is directed to the upstream side of the first intake passage from the valve shaft so that a first plate face of the valve plate forms a part of the first intake passage. When the valve plate is at a second changeover position, the first valve-plate half portion is directed to the downstream side of a second intake passage from the valve shaft and the second valve-plate half portion is directed to the upstream side of the second intake passage from the valve shaft so that a second plate face of the valve plate forms a part of the second intake passage. Accordingly, the power needed for changing over the valve plate and for keeping a predetermined changeover position can be reduced significantly.
US07997246B2	Air horn for efficient fluid intake A method, device, and system for controlling a flow of a fluid moving through a pipe are presented. The device includes a truncated cone having a first diameter at an inlet and a second diameter at an outlet and a bracket attached to the truncated cone. The first diameter of the truncated cone is larger than the second diameter. The bracket is a curved sheet positioned around at least a part of the truncated cone and having an adjustable bracket diameter. The bracket diameter is measured from a center axis extending through a center of the truncated cone. Attaching the device to a fluid flow pipe reduces turbulence in the flow through the pipe, allowing a more streamlined fluid exit from the pipe. When used with an air intake pipe for an internal combustion engine, the device allows more horsepower and mileage to be extracted from the engine.
US07997244B2	Internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine includes a control shaft, an actuator, and an oil accumulation portion. The control shaft is configured to vary a lift amount of an engine valve in accordance with a rotational position of the control shaft. The actuator is configured to drive the control shaft to make the lift amount of the engine valve to be a start lift amount before the engine is started. The actuator includes a worm wheel and a worm. The worm wheel is provided at the control shaft and is disposed in an engine body. The worm is disposed below the control shaft and engages with the worm wheel. The oil accumulation portion is provided at at least one of the control shaft and the worm wheel and is configured to drop oil onto the worm in accordance with the rotation of the control shaft when the engine is started.
US07997239B2	Breather device of vertical type engine A breather device of a vertical type engine includes: an engine body having a crank chamber and a cylinder bore; and a timing transmission chamber provided above the engine body and housing a timing transmission device that connects between a crankshaft and a cam shaft which are vertically placed, respectively, the timing transmission chamber communicating at one side with the crank chamber and at the other side with the outside, wherein the breather device includes a breather chamber communicating with the timing transmission chamber via a communication tube, the breather chamber communicating with an intake silencer box. Hence, oil can be efficiently separated from breathing gas of a crank chamber.
US07997237B2	Multi-stroke internal combustion engine An example engine method utilizes a first intake valve actuated by a first camshaft once every four piston strokes and a second intake valve actuated by a second camshaft once every four piston strokes, but out of phase with the first intake valve actuation, to provide two-stroke operation. Transitions between two and four stroke operation are provided by deactivation and activation of the second intake valve. In this way, the engine may be selectively operated in a two stroke cycle or a four stroke cycle by activating or deactivating one of the intake valves while another of the intake valves continues to operate.
US07997236B2	Water heater and a method of operating same A water heater (10) including a tank (12) adapted for mounting with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical and a duct (32) adapted for mounting with its longitudinal axis substantially vertical. The duct (32) is positioned within the tank (12) and extends through at least most of the height of the tank (12). The duct (32) defines a first volume (34) within the duct interior and a second volume (36) between the duct exterior and the tank interior. The first volume (34) being smaller than the second volume (36). The duct (32) has at least one upper opening (38) at or near the top of the duct (32) and at least one lower opening (40) at or near the bottom of the duct (32). The heater (10) also has a heating element (44) within, or forming all or part of, the duct (32). The element (44) extends at least substantially through the upper half of the duct (32). The heater (10) also has an inlet (24) at or near the bottom of the tank (12) and an outlet (22) at or near the top of the tank (12). In use, energising the heater element (44) causes water to flow from the first volume (34) to the second volume (36) through the upper opening(s) (38) and water to flow the second volume (36) to the first volume (34) through the lower opening(s) (40).
US07997235B2	Omnidirectionally reflective pet leash A flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash and collar having a handle and a cylindrical central core is housed within a cylindrical omnidirectionally reflective sleeve that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it is emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet owner's hand, pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash is created by surrounding a central core with a cylindrically reflective sleeve comprising a flexible retroreflective sheet and being operable to surround the central cylindrical core thereby providing omnidirectional reflectivity. The flexible retroreflective sheet has retroreflectors bonded thereto with a transparent bond layer. Due to the circular construction of the cylindrically reflective sleeve, the reflective pet leash reflects light omnidirectionally over a large angle of acceptance, illuminating the pet owner's hand, the leash itself, and the pet's collar, thereby providing an improved measure of safety for both the pet and the pet handler.
US07997234B1	Combined climate-controlled kennel supporting enclosure and carrying kennel and associated method A combined climate-controlled kennel supporting enclosure and carrying kennel for providing a safe and comfortable environment for an animal during transport procedures may include a carrying kennel to safeguard an animal therein and a supporting enclosure. The enclosure may include a body and cavity centrally formed therein. The body further may include a base member to maintain the carrying kennel elevated above a ground surface. A plurality of storage compartments may be housed within an uppermost region of the cavity. Each storage compartment may be independently toggled between open and closed positions while the carrying kennel remains statically nested within the cavity. Further, a mechanism may be included for automatically regulating a real-time internal air temperature level within the cavity. The mechanism may operate such that the real-time internal air temperature level may be constantly maintained within a predetermined and safe temperature range during transport procedures.
US07997224B2	Payload deployment system for a submarine A payload deployment system for a vessel, such as a submarine, which includes a cable extending between a piston in a piston tube and an ejection element in an ejection tube, wherein the ejection tube is suitable for holding the payload, such as a torpedo. The system is arranged such that movement of the piston in the piston tube causes movement of the cable which, in turn, exerts a force on the ejection element to move it in the ejection tube to eject the payload from the ejection tube.
US07997222B2	Outboard motor control system In a system for controlling outboard motors each mounted on a boat and each having an internal combustion engine and a shift mechanism, an actuator driving at least one of the shift mechanism and a throttle valve of the engine, and a controller controlling operation of the actuator, comprising: a navigation unit having a steering wheel installed to be freely operable by an operator and a steering angle detector producing an output indicative of a steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein the outboard motors are immovably fastened to the boat, such that each of the controllers controls the operation of the actuator cooperatively based on the output of the steering angle detector, to regulate traveling direction of the boat. With this, it becomes possible to control a traveling direction of the boat based on a steering command issued by the operator, while achieving a compact outboard motor.
US07997218B2	Soil strip assembly for seed drill row unit An agricultural implement includes a seed drill row unit with an arm and an opener disc assembly rotatably mounted on the row unit arm. A soil strip assembly includes a mounting bracket with a mounting bracket base and first and second bracket arms. Each of the bracket arms has a front end attached to the bracket base and a trailing back end. The base is attached to the row unit arm in front of the opener disc assembly. Each of the mounting bracket arms extends rearwardly from the base along a respective side of the disc assembly. First and second flexible soil strips are attached to the first and second mounting bracket arms respectively and extend downwardly and rearwardly therefrom along either side of the disc assembly.
US07997215B2	Table adjustable in height The invention relates to a table (1) comprising an up-and-down movable tabletop (2) and operating provisions to move the tabletop (2) up and down, characterized in that the operating provisions are located under the tabletop (2) and that they can be reached by hand. Said operating provisions preferably comprise an operating ring (3) movable against a resilient force.
US07997213B1	Cargo container cradle A modular cradle for reinforcing, transporting, and stacking cargo containers used in the transportation and storage of bulk cargo in the oil and gas industry so as to allow compliance with construction and shipping standards adopted by the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The cargo cradle is comprised of a rectangular frame for holding and supporting a cargo container. The cradle has attached lifting lugs positioned within the interior of the cargo cradle for attachment of lifting cables. The lifting lugs are positioned so as to allow cradles to be stacked one upon the other. The container cradles interlock when stacked.
US07997206B2	Bullet shell for smoothbore and rifled choke hunting guns Disclosed is a bullet shell for hunting guns, preferably those having barrels with “rifled choke” rifling. The shell comprises a bullet made of a solid material and a thin-wall plastic envelope. On its surface, the bullet has a trapezoidal groove delimiting nose and heel portions of the bullet. The envelope enclosing the bullet is made of identical longitudinal halves having a cylindrical outer surface and an inner surface matching with the surface of the bullet. A peripheral flat collar of a width of b and a height of b1=0.5b is provided at the bullet nose portion end surface. The collar passes into a taper boring with an apex angle α=120±5°, and the envelope protrudes by b2=b1 beyond the plane of the bullet collar. The bullet shell offers improved longitudinal stability when shooting through minor obstacles (bushes, grass) and improved grouping of up to 60 mm at 100 m.
US07997200B2	Printing machine and a method for producing a printed product A printing machine is provided with at least one printing unit that is usable for printing an image, in ink, on a printable material. The printing machine includes at least one application device which is usable to apply at least one contactless identification characteristic, in the form of an RFID system or a part thereof, to the printable material. At least one inspection device is also provided in the printing machine. At least one test device, for testing the identification characteristic, or the part thereof, is also provided in the printing machine.
US07997197B2	Closable ink cartridge for printer roll A printer having a roll with a radial outer roll surface has an ink cartridge having a housing itself having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls bridging the side walls and defining therewith a downwardly open mouth juxtaposed with the roll surface. One of the side walls is shiftable between an outer position defining a relatively large volume and an inner position. Doctor blades supported on the housing have outer edges resiliently engageable at the mouth with the surface. One of the doctor blades is shiftable between an open position with its outer edge spaced from the other doctor blade and a closed position. A mechanism connected to the one wall and to the one doctor blade shifts the one doctor blade between the open position and the closed position and simultaneously shifts the one wall from the inner position to the outer position.
US07997192B2	Printing machine A printing machine includes a conveyor for at least one item to be printed, a print station and a transfer device including at least one bucket for conveying the item and an element for driving the conveyor bucket, which element is capable of displacing the conveyor bucket between a position for taking up or depositing the item on the conveyor and a position for taking up or depositing the item at the print station. The transfer device further includes an element for adjusting the path of displacement of the conveyor bucket, which element is capable of controlling the drive element in order to displace the position for taking up or depositing the item at the print station without displacing the position for taking up or depositing the item on the conveyor.
US07997191B2	Hand-held trash compactor A hand-held trash compactor that is lightweight, portable, easy to store, and usable with a wide variety of trash receptacles. The hand held trash compactor includes a base with a top surface. A handle extends upward from the top surface and is removably connected to the base. A hook can be pivotally connected to the base.
US07997190B2	Dual force ram drive for a screw press Precise motion of the ram of a fastener press is controlled by high torque and low torque motors for high speed/low force and high force pressing of the ram by the ram, respectively. The high torque motor means drive passes through a bidirectional overrunning clutch. The clutch is controlled by the relative motion of the two separate motor drive speeds of which are regulated by a controller. The clutching motion is therefore controlled only by the relative speed of its drive versus driven components. This provides an extremely smooth and responsive transition between high speed/low force and low speed/high force operation of the ram so that the pressing cycle can be as fast and efficient as possible.
US07997187B2	Brewed beverage maker A beverage maker including a housing, a roll top lid, a brew chamber, a removable fresh water reservoir, and a reversible, storable stand is provided. The roll top lid rotates selectively permit access to the brew chamber, which is enclosed by the housing. In the open position, the roll top lid is substantially concealed within the housing. The fresh water reservoir is located beneath the brew chamber, and the reservoir includes an optional, selectively removable lid with an integrated water level gauge. The stand is stored within the housing beneath the fresh water reservoir. The stand supports a brewed beverage receptacle on a step. In use, the beverage maker dispenses coffee to a brewed beverage receptacle, such as a travel mug, coffee cup or the like.
US07997185B2	Piston ring A piston has a body with a first circumferentially disposed groove. A first ring is movably disposed within the first groove. The first ring defines an inner circumferential groove. A blocking ring is at least partially located in the groove of the first ring and the groove of the piston. One or more vent passages may connect a first volume in the piston to a second volume outside the piston.
US07997183B2	Firearm with enhanced recoil and control characteristics The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block or slider for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages.
US07997178B2	Method for producing propellant charges from a granulated propellant, preferably granulated powder, and propellant charges produced in accordance with the aforementioned method The present invention proposes a novel method for producing powder charges with a high charge density consisting of a granulated powder lying loosely in the charge. In accordance with the invention, the powder is vacuum-packed in airtight pouches made of a combustible and preferably flexible packaging material.
US07997176B2	Table saw throat plates and table saws including the same Throat plates for table saws and table saws including the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the throat plates and/or saws include at least one securement mechanism adapted to secure and prevent inadvertent removal of the throat plate from the throat of the saw. In some embodiments, at least one of the securement mechanisms also provides a height adjustment mechanism and/or prevents vertical removal of the throat plate. In some embodiments, the throat plate includes an accessory mounting port that provides a portal for accessories, including safety accessories, to extend through the plate from beneath the table of the saw. In some embodiments, the port extends from the plate's outer perimeter to divide the plate's rear end portion into a pair of spaced-apart members. In some embodiments, these members are independently secured to the table saw and retained apart from each other by one or more of the securement mechanisms.
US07997175B2	Sawing machine, cutting-off method, and method of reducing noise A band saw machine includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel around which an endless band saw blade is wound. At least one of the driving wheel and the driven wheel is directly connected to an output shaft of a control motor. The output shaft of the control motor is arranged in a cylindrical bearing unit installed on a motor base supporting the control motor. The driving wheel is rotatably supported by the bearing unit.
US07997174B2	Osteochondral plug graft trimming device and method A device for trimming an osteochondral plug graft to an implantable configuration includes a blade assembly terminating in a configured leading cutting blade and a plug graft housing comprising a substantially longitudinal holding sleeve having a bore and oriented complementarily to the longitudinal structure of the blade assembly to receive the longitudinal structure within the sleeve bore with the assembly cutting blade in close tolerance along an inner bore surface of the longitudinal housing structure.
US07997170B1	Firefighter multi-tool A firefighter multi-tool, comprising a head assembly having at least one interchangeable tool head with locking means, a first handle assembly, and a second handle assembly. The first and second handle assemblies house spring-loaded tools within. The at least one interchangeable tool head comprises spring-loaded trauma shears, a bridging head, channel-lock pliers, traditional pliers, an adjustable wrench, needle-nose pliers, a ratchet, and tin snips. A carrying case carries the head assembly having at least one interchangeable tool head with locking means, the first handle assembly, and the second handle assembly. The carrying case comprises a first compartment having a locking mechanism. At least a second compartment mounts upon the first compartment to house the at least one interchangeable tool head.
US07997165B2	Sucker rod coupling extractor A prior art sucker rod tong is improved to remove a coupling completely from a sucker rod assembly comprising sucker rods joined end to end by couplings. The prior art sucker rod tong has a rotatable jaw assembly and a lower backup wrench adapted to cooperate to unscrew a coupling joining first and second rods, where the coupling remains screwed to the second rod after it is unscrewed from the first rod. The improvement comprises a coupling extractor for unscrewing the coupling from the second rod so that the coupling can be replaced. The coupling extractor comprises a shaft having an extractor end portion on each end of the shaft and a shield around each extractor end portion, wherein the coupling extractor is designed and sized to fit within and to be rotated by the jaw assembly. The extractor end portion engages the inside wall of the coupling to unscrew the coupling from the second rod. The extractor end portion is preferably a tapered, left-handed spiral fluted easy-out extractor. The improvement preferably further comprises an upper backup wrench movably connected to the sucker rod tong for holding the second sucker rod when the second sucker rod is above the coupling.
US07997164B2	Screw fastener A screw fastener includes a screwdriver that includes a sleeve having an absorption hole configured to absorb a top surface of a screw, a bit housed in the absorption hole and having a tip engageable with a recess of the screw, and a rotation unit configured to rotate the bit with the sleeve, a movement unit configured to move the screwdriver between a container configured to accommodate the screw and a work, an optical sensor provided to the sleeve and configured to detect the recess of the screw while a bottom surface of the sleeve and a top surface of the screw are arranged in noncontact manner, and a controller aligns the tip of the bit with the recess of the screw based on a detection result of the optical sensor.
US07997161B2	Device for the movement and orientation of an object in space and use thereof in rapid machining The invention relates to a device which is used to move and orient an object in space and to the use thereof in rapid machining. The inventive device (1) comprises an object support which is borne by an intermediary mobile support (13) which is connected to a fixed frame (2) using articulated connecting means (7a, 7b, 7c). The invention also comprises means for moving the aforementioned intermediary mobile support (13) in relation to the fixed frame (2), which maintain the orientation of said intermediary mobile support (13) in relation to the fixed frame (2). The invention further comprises a mechanism (14) which is used to orient the object support in relation to the intermediary mobile support (13). The above-mentioned means for moving the intermediary mobile support (13) comprise actuators (5a, 5b, 5c) which are used to move an end part of each of the articulated connecting means (7a, 7b, 7c) borne by the fixed frame (2) translationally.
US07997160B2	Control arrangement and gearbox The invention relates to a control device for controlling the engagement of selected gears of a gearbox for a motor vehicle, which control device comprises a control rod with a respective locking arrangement. The locking arrangement includes a locking element provided with one or more grooves or recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod. The locking arrangement further includes two locking balls, a control ball and a spring arranged in a hollow space in the control rod. The locking balls are movable radially in the hollow space in mutually opposite directions, perpendicular to the control rod's longitudinal axis, against the action of the spring in order for the locking balls to be brought into and out of engagement with the grooves/recesses. The control ball is movable in the hollow space in the control rod's axial direction and is preloaded by the spring against the locking balls so that the locking balls, through the action of the spring and the control ball, are thereby preloaded to assume a protruded position in order to engage in one of the grooves/recesses. The invention also relates to a gearbox including such a control device.
US07997158B2	Rotary to linear transmission A mechanical linkage, for use on original equipment or for replacement of existing hydraulic ram based actuators, comprises a rotary to linear transmission. The transmission provides two co-rotatable capstans of different diameters, and two idler wheels spaced on a longitudinally slidable linkage. The capstans are linked to a first of the idler wheels by means of a pulley line wound from the first capstan, around the wheel, and then back to the second capstan. The first capstan is also linked by means of a pulley line to the second idler wheel, and the second capstan likewise to the second idler wheel by a third pulley line. The difference in diameters causes a differential winding of the various lengths of pulley line between the idler wheels and the capstans, which urges the linkage to slide relative to the capstans. Cooperation of the two capstan/idler wheel combinations compensates for possible backlash.
US07997157B2	Control moment gyroscope A control moment gyroscope (CMG) is provided for deployment on a spacecraft. The CMG includes an inner gimbal assembly (IGA), which, in turn, includes an IGA housing, a rotor rotatably coupled to the IGA housing, and a spin motor coupled to the IGA housing and configured to rotate the rotor about a spin axis. The CMG further comprises a stator assembly, which includes: (i) a stator assembly housing rotatably coupled to the IGA housing, and (ii) a torque module assembly coupled to the stator assembly housing and configured to rotate the IGA about a gimbal axis. A gimbal bearing is disposed between the IGA housing and the stator assembly housing. The gimbal bearing resides between the spin axis and the torque module assembly such that the distance between the gimbal bearing and the spin axis is less than the distance between the gimbal bearing and the torque module assembly.
US07997154B2	Rolling bearing device with sensor [Resolving Means] A rolling bearing device with a sensor includes: a tubular fixed bearing ring which is fixed to a vehicle body side; a rotating bearing ring which is rotatably inserted in an interior of the fixed bearing ring and is fixed to a tire side; rolling elements which are rollably disposed between these bearing rings; and a sensor device disposed on a fixed bearing ring side. The sensor device has at least two sensors which are arranged at positions perpendicular to each other in a circumferential direction of the fixed bearing ring, and which are respectively capable of detecting the ground contact load of the tire, the sensor device being so constructed as to be able to detect a ground contact load of the tire based on cycles of outputs obtained from the at least two sensors.
US07997153B2	Method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing (52 or 56) for a roller (34 or 36) which rotatably supports a rotating body (22). A tilt meter (75 or 77) adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing (52 or 56), where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body (22). Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing (52 or 56) can be adjusted to return the support bearing (52 or 56) to substantially the first bearing position.
US07997152B2	Magnetostrictive torque sensor and torque detection method A magnetostrictive torque sensor that detects a torque of a rotating shaft and/or a stationary shaft by using a magnetostriction inverse effect that occurs on a shaft surface, the magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a first detection coil, a second detection coil, a first oscillation circuit, a second oscillation circuit, a first direction magnetic permeability detector, a second direction magnetic permeability detector, and a torque detector.
US07997151B2	Automated apparatus and method for determining physical properties of materials Automated apparatus and method to determine physical properties of materials as they are moved relative to each other while in contact are disclosed. Physical properties between materials of interest (e.g., galling resistance, coefficient of friction, and wear rate) are derived under a variety of conditions including dry unlubricated condition, at ambient and at extreme high and low temperatures, lubricated, or when submerged.
US07997148B2	Systems and methods for intercepting submarine groundwater for desalination The systems and methods described herein allow for intercepting submarine groundwater discharge to be used as a supply source for desalination processes. In one practice a dye-dilution seepage meter is employed as a device for locating water sources. These meters can be placed in estuaries and other locations that may be candidate locations to test for flows of groundwater. In areas of suspected SGD, the meters can be deployed to quantify the potential yield and quality (e.g. salt content) of the resource. Regarding the water quality, it is important to note that even brackish water sources can greatly reduce the energy needed to achieve potable water by desalination.
US07997147B2	Shear test device Shear test apparatus for gold and solder balls of a semiconductor substrate comprises a support element (21) on which is provided a piezo-electric crystal (24) in the direct shear load path. The crystal (24) may have a shield (25). The interface between shield and crystal, and crystal and support element may include an epoxy resin layer to distribute force and retain the components as a unit.
US07997145B2	System for preloading piezoelectric actuators and method A system for preloading piezoelectric actuators includes a fixture, a preloading mechanism configured to apply a mechanical force to a piezoelectric element supported by the fixture, and a sensor configured to sense an electrical property induced by the mechanical force in an electrical circuit having the piezoelectric element therein. A control device is coupled with the sensor and configured to generate a signal based on the sensed electrical property. A method of setting or testing preload includes applying a mechanical force to a piezoelectric element, and correlating an electrical property induced by the mechanical force with a magnitude of the mechanical force. Closed loop control allows preload to be set highly accurately.
US07997136B2	MEMS force balance accelerometer Microelectromechanical (MEMS) accelerometer and acceleration sensing methods. A MEMS accelerometer includes a proof mass, a planar coil on the proof mass, a magnet, a first pole piece positioned proximate a first side of the proof mass, and a second pole piece positioned proximate a second side of the proof mass. A magnetic flux field passes from the magnet, through the first pole piece, through the planar coil at an angle between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees relative to the coil plane, and into the second pole piece. The first pole piece may extend into a first recessed area of a first housing layer and the second pole piece may extend into a second recessed area of a second housing layer. A method includes sensing a capacitance of a pickoff in the MEMS accelerometer and rebalancing the MEMS accelerometer by sending a current through the planar coil.
US07997135B2	Angular velocity sensor An angular velocity sensor includes a drive electrode section (26) for inputting a drive signal for driving a detecting element (21), a monitor electrode section (28) detecting the drive status of the detecting element (21) and outputting a monitor signal, and a sensing electrode section (27) outputting a sensing signal, which is generated due to an angular velocity given to the detecting element (21). The drive electrode section (26), the monitor electrode section (28), and the sensing electrode section (27) each have a lower electrode formed on a substrate, a piezoelectric film formed of a piezoelectric material on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric film. The capacitance value between the upper and lower electrodes of the monitor electrode section (28) is set to be equal to the capacitance value between the upper and lower electrodes of the sensing electrode section (27), and the resistance value between both end portions of the monitor electrode section (28) is set to be equal to the resistance value between both end portions of the sensing electrode section (27).
US07997129B2	Device and method for generating reference geometric data for tire inspection A split mold for vulcanizing a tire is held at a mold holding section, which is held on a rotatable base, and then a measuring section measures distances to an inner surface of the split mold in the inside diameter direction and in the axial direction. An operating section acquires two-dimensional geometric data of the inner surface of the split mold from the distances measured above, and further acquires geometric data over the entire circumference by rotating the rotatable base, and the data are combined to acquire three-dimensional geometric data of the inner surface of the split mold and make reference geometric data for tire inspection.
US07997128B2	Tachometer for tires A device for counting the rotations of a tire on a vehicle using the deformations that the tire undergoes on each rotation of the wheel, comprising a casing, a sensor intended to generate an electrical signal on each rotation of the wheel, and connection means intended to mechanically connect the casing and the sensor to the surface of the tire. The sensor is in the form of a passive sensor in one piece with the casing, whereof the signals emitted are in proportion with the variations over time in a magnetic flux through the said passive sensor, and a magnetic field generator is arranged opposite the passive sensor. The connection means mechanically connect the casing to a first surface A and the magnetic field generator to a second surface B, the two surfaces A and B being substantially coplanar and offset from one another in a direction D by a given distance L. The electrical signal is produced by the relative displacements of the said passive sensor and the said magnetic field generator.
US07997127B2	Electric fuel pump testing method and apparatus A system and method for testing the operation of fuel pump is disclosed. The apparatus includes a pressure measurement portion, a flow measurement portion, an electrical diagnostic portion, and a fault simulation portion, where a user can simulate a number of potential fuel system failures to determine the diagnostics of the fuel system. The method includes the steps of measuring an electrical value related to the fuel pump, measuring a pressure related to the fuel pump, measuring a fuel flow related to the fuel pump, simulating a fuel system failure condition, and determining an operating status of the fuel pump.
US07997122B2	Reid vapor pressure analyzer with an air saturator The present invention is directed to an analyzer for measuring the vapor pressure of a hydrocarbon liquid. The analyzer includes a pressure measuring system connected to an air saturation system having a circulation chamber with opposing first and second ends. A first opening is disposed toward the first end and a second opening is disposed toward the second end. A plumbing system connects the first and second openings. A pump moves the hydrocarbon liquid through the plumbing system from the first opening to the second opening so as to saturate the hydrocarbon liquid with air. The air saturation system has a cooler for cooling the hydrocarbon liquid and the pressure measuring system has a heater for heating the hydrocarbon liquid. The pump may be a piston actuated pump or a motor-driven pump and the plumbing system may include an aeration chamber.
US07997121B2	Milliwave melter monitoring system A milliwave melter monitoring system is presented that has a waveguide with a portion capable of contacting a molten material in a melter for use in measuring one or more properties of the molten material in a furnace under extreme environments. A receiver is configured for use in obtaining signals from the melt/material transmitted to appropriate electronics through the waveguide. The receiver is configured for receiving signals from the waveguide when contacting the molten material for use in determining the viscosity of the molten material. Other embodiments exist in which the temperature, emissivity, viscosity and other properties of the molten material are measured.
US07997117B2	Electrically controlled hydraulic valve calibration method and system A method of calibrating an electrically controlled hydraulic valve having a known relationship between flow rate through the valve and displacement of a valve element is disclosed. The method includes ascertaining a first current level for actuating the electrically controlled hydraulic valve to move the valve element to a position adjacent an inlet port, and a first displacement of the valve element responsive to the first current level. The method also includes ascertaining a second current level for actuating the electrically controlled hydraulic valve to move the valve element from the position adjacent the inlet port to a position permitting flow through the inlet port, and ascertaining a second displacement of the valve element responsive to the second current level. The method further includes establishing a relationship between current and displacement associated with the electrically controlled hydraulic valve.

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