最新美国发明专利第2010-02-02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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US07655402B2	Diagnoses and therapeutics for cancer Methods and compositions for treating and diagnosing cancer and screening for agents for such treatment and diagnosis are provided. The methods involve screening for agents that modulate the activity or expression of FOXM1, which has been discovered herein to play a role in cell growth and cell cycle regulation. Methods for treating cancer, methods for modulating the activity or expression of FOXM1, methods for diagnosing a subject that has or is at risk of developing cancer, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.
US07655401B2	Methods for identifying subjects susceptible to ataxic neurological disease In one aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying genetic mutations that are associated with ataxic neurological disease. The methods comprise identifying a difference between a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a mammalian subject exhibiting ataxia and a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a subject which is not exhibiting ataxia, wherein the difference is a genetic mutation associated with ataxic neurological disease. In another aspect, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding protein kinase C gamma missense mutations are provided. In another aspect, a method of screening a subject to determine if the subject has a genetic predisposition to develop an ataxic neurological disease is provided. In another aspect, the invention provides kits for determining susceptibility or presence of ataxic neurological disease in a mammalian subject.
US07655398B2	Compositions and methods for detection and treatment of proliferative abnormalities associated with overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene The present invention relates to methods for treatment and diagnosis of disorders associated with abnormally proliferating cells. In one aspect the invention relates to methods, which are especially useful for the detection of tumors and their precursory stages based on the detection of overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene in biological samples. In another aspect the invention relates to methods for treatment of disorders associated with the overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene. Methods for treatment may include gene therapeutic approaches as well as methods for inhibiting or reducing the activity of transketolase like-1 polypeptides.
US07655396B1	Methods for detecting receptor modulator activity Disclosed herein are methods of screening compounds that modulate G-protein coupled receptors. The assays are performed at temperatures of between about 25° C. and 40° C.
US07655389B2	Composition for forming a photosensitive organic anti-reflective layer and method of forming a pattern using the same A composition for forming a photosensitive organic anti-reflective layer includes about 0.5 to about 5 percent by weight of an acid-labile thermal cross-linking agent that is decomposed by an epoxy group and a photo-acid generator, about 10 to about 22 percent by weight of a copolymer resin that includes an acrylate monomer containing anthracene or a methacrylate monomer containing anthracene, about 0.1 to about 1 percent by weight of a photo-acid generator, and a solvent.
US07655388B2	Mask and method to pattern chromeless phase lithography contact hole A chromeless phase shift mask and Method for making and using. The A chromeless phase shift mask is used to pattern contact holes. The chromeless phase shift mask preferably comprises: a first phase shift region and a second phase shift region; the first region is comprised of a unit cell which is comprised of a rectangular center section and at least three rectangular sections (legs) outwards extending from the rectangular center section. The second region is adjacent to said first region. The interference between the first and second phase shift regions creates a contact hole pattern.
US07655384B2	Methods for reducing spherical aberration effects in photolithography Methods to at least partially compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration that occurs during mask imaging used for photolithographic processing of semiconductor devices, LCD elements, thin-film magnetic heads, reticles and other substrates including photo-defined structures thereon are disclosed. A photoresist or other photosensitive material may be irradiated with a mask pattern image including a selected nonzero spherical aberration value to compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration.
US07655383B2	Photochemical method for manufacturing nanometrically surface-decorated substrates The present invention relates to a photochemical method for manufacturing nanometrically surface-decorated substrates, i.e. the creation of periodic and aperiodic patterns of highly ordered inorganic nanostructures on a substrate. This method is based on the selective photochemical modification of a self-assembled monolayer of metal compound loaded polymer core-shell systems on widely variable substrates. Light exposure through an appropriate mask causes selective chemical modification of the polymer core shell system. By subsequently placing the substrate in an appropriate chemical solution that eradicates the non-modified polymer, the pattern given by the used mask is reproduced on the surface. Finally, the remaining organic matrix is removed and metal salt is transformed to the single metal or metal oxide nanodots by means of gas plasma treatment.
US07655374B2	Fixing liquid, toner fixing method and apparatus, and image forming method and apparatus A fixing liquid configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein a particle containing a component capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium. A toner fixing method of fixing a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein the fixing liquid as described above is used. A toner fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein the toner fixing method as described above is used.
US07655372B2	Toners comprising modified pigments and processes for preparing the same The present invention relates to toner compositions comprising a resin and a colorant. Various embodiments of the colorant used in the toner compositions are disclosed, including a modified pigment comprising a pigment having attached at least one organic group having the formula —X—I, wherein X, which is directly attached to the pigment, represents an arylene or heteroarylene group, or an alkylene group, and I represents a non-polymeric group comprising at least one ionic group or at least one ionizable group. Processes for preparing toner compositions are also described.
US07655369B2	Reticle set, method for designing a reticle set, exposure monitoring method, inspection method for reticle set and manufacturing method for a semiconductor device A reticle set, includes a first photomask having a circuit pattern provided with first and second openings provided adjacent to each other sandwiching a first opaque portion, and a monitor mark provided adjacent to the circuit pattern; and a second photomask having a trim pattern provided with a second opaque portion covering the first opaque portion in an area occupied by the circuit pattern and an extending portion connected to one end of the first opaque portion and extending outside the area when the second photomask is aligned with a pattern delineated on a substrate by the first photomask.
US07655368B2	Method for exposing a substrate and lithographic projection apparatus A method for exposing a resist layer on a substrate to an image of a pattern on a mask is disclosed whereby, after starting exposure and before completing exposure, a controlled amount of contrast loss is introduced by a controller in the image at the resist layer by changing during exposure the position of the substrate holder. The contrast loss affects the pitch dependency of the resolution of a lithographic projection apparatus, and its control is used to match pitch dependency of resolution between different lithographic projection apparatus.
US07655367B2	Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method A method and apparatus make use of data representing changes in wavelength of a radiation source to provide control of focal plane position or to provide correction of sensor data. In the first aspect, the wavelength variation data is provided to control systems that control focus by moving apparatus components including, for example, the mask table, the substrate table or optical elements of the projection optical system. In the second aspect, variation data is used in correcting, e.g., focal plane position data measured by an inboard sensor, such as a transmitted image sensor. The two aspects may be combined in a single apparatus or may be used separately.
US07655364B2	Methods of manufacturing mask blank and transfer mask In a method of manufacturing a mask blank adapted to be formed with a resist pattern by electron beam writing and having a light-shielding film and an etching mask film of an inorganic-based material resistant to etching of the light-shielding film which are formed in this order on a transparent substrate, when forming the etching mask film, shielding is performed using a shielding plate so as to prevent the etching mask film from being formed at least at a side surface of the substrate.
US07655358B2	Positive active material composition for rechargeable lithium battery and method of preparing positive electrode using same A positive active material composition for a rechargeable battery includes a positive active material selected from compounds represented by formulas 1 to 13, and at least one semi-metal, metal or oxides thereof: LixMnA2 (1) LixMnO2−zAz (2) LixMn1−yM′yA2 (3) LixMn2A4 (4) LixMn2O4−zAz (5) LixMn2−yM′yA4 (6) LixBA2 (7) LixBO2−zAz (8) LixB1−yM″yA2 (9) LixB1−yM″yO2-zAz (10) LixNiCoO2−zAz (11) LixNiCoO2−zAz (12) LixNi1−y-zCoyM″zA2 (13) where 1.0≦x≦1.1, 0.01≦y≦0.1, 0.01≦z≦0.5, M′ is at least one transition metal or lanthanide metal selected from Al, Cr, Co, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, or V, M″ is at least one transition metal or lanthanide metal selected from Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr or V, A is selected from 0, F, S or P, and B is Ni or Co.
US07655355B2	Positive electrode binder for alkaline storage battery A positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery is disclosed, comprising a conductive base material and an active material layer attached to the base material, the active material layer comprising an active material and a binder, the binder comprising an elastic copolymer comprising one or more tetrafluoroethylene units and one or more propylene units.
US07655353B2	Battery A battery including a case defining a cavity for housing an electrode assembly, the case having an opening for receiving the electrode assembly, and a cap plate attached to the case to cover the opening, the cap plate including a welded portion that is thicker than a major area of the cap plate.
US07655352B2	Battery pack case A battery pack case adapted to enclose a protective circuit module and a bare cell includes at least one small opening arranged on a side to expose an external terminal of the protective circuit module and a large opening arranged in the opposite direction to the small opening to expose a surface of the bare cell. Since a bare cell and a protective circuit module are contained within an integral case, the bare cell is prevented from escaping out of the protective circuit module and no separate resin is necessary to fill the gap between the bare cell and the protective circuit module. In addition, the battery pack case has gates, through which a resin is injected, which are properly arrayed in such a manner during resin injection that the case has no unshaped part.
US07655350B2	Battery pack In accordance with the present invention, an improved battery pack is employed. The battery pack includes a housing with opposing walls, a plurality of cells disposed within the housing, at least two terminals electrically connected to the cells, a latching mechanism disposed on each opposing wall for latching the battery pack to a cordless device, each latching mechanism including a latch and a button disposed on the wall for moving the latch between unlatching and latching positions, the latching buttons being disposed along a first plane, the first plane being substantially vertical, wherein the number of cells disposed along the first plane is smaller than the number of cells disposed along a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The battery pack may also include a stacked cell disposed on the plurality of cells. The stacked cell may be disposed along the first plane. However, the stacked cell is not included in the number of cells disposed along the first plane.
US07655344B2	Fuel Cell A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer including a conductive perfluoro-binder having a micellar structure formed by outwardly orienting hydrophilic groups and inwardly orienting hydrophobic (lipophilic) groups, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.
US07655343B2	Liquid fuel supply type fuel cell A fuel cell (100) which has an electrode-electrolyte joined article (101) composed of a fuel electrode (102), an oxidizing agent electrode (108) and, sandwiched thereby, a solid polymer electrolyte (114), characterized in that a separation film (330) comprising a material exhibiting an oxygen/nitrogen separation factor of more than 1 is provided on the surface of an oxidizing agent electrode side current collector (110) constituting the oxidizing agent electrode (108). The fuel cell is a liquid fuel supply type of fuel cell which has a simple structure and also is capable of supplying satisfactory oxygen to an oxidizing agent electrode.
US07655342B2	Proton-conducting polymer membrane and method for the production thereof to simultaneously remove the catalyst layers The invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane and to a method for the production thereof. Starting from a catalyst layer, which is homogeneously deposited on the polymer membrane (3), the catalyst layer is subdivided into a number of catalyst segments (1a, 1b) by microstructuring so that adjacent fuel cell units of a planar fuel cell arrangement can be realized in the smallest possible space.
US07655341B2	Bipolar plate for fuel cells, which is formed from a shaped foil, and method for manufacturing same The present invention relates to a bipolar plate for fuel cells, comprising at least a shaped, at least partially electrically conductive foil (1), the bipolar plate having a channel structure (5) formed by the shaping of the foil (1), to convey reactants to electrodes of adjacent fuel cells and to carry away reaction products, and a microstructure (4) is integrated into the foil (1) to increase the rigidity of the foil (1). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing corresponding bipolar plates.
US07655336B2	Fuel-cell system A fuel-cell system with a fuel battery comprising more than one fuel cell having a purge gas passage connecting the fuel battery to a purge gas cylinder, a discharge passage connecting the fuel battery to the exterior, solenoid valves each installed in the passages, and an electronic control unit that opens the solenoid valves to open the passages to supply the purge gas to the fuel battery such that residue in the fuel battery is purged to the exterior by the purge gas. The control unit opens the valves at a time interval determined from an output of a current sensor to conduct purge at optimum timing for the battery operating state so as to prevent accumulation of residue in the fuel battery, while preventing repetition of unnecessary purges. Alternatively, manual valves are provided to be manually opened by an operator to open a fuel gas supply passage to supply the fuel gas such that residue is purged by the fuel gas through the discharge passage, thereby enabling fuel supply and purge of residue at starting of power generation, without using an external power source.
US07655334B2	Proton-conducting electrolyte membrane method for production and use thereof in a fuel cell A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane is disclosed, comprising at least one base material and at least one dopant, which is the reaction product of an at least dibasic inorganic acid with an organic compound, comprising one acidic hydroxyl group, or the condensation product of said compound with a polybasic acid. The membrane may be produced by a single step method, which avoids the use of dangerous materials and environmental pollutants. Subsequent doping of the membrane, e.g., in conjunction with assembly of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is not excluded. The electrolyte membrane has a high and constant mechanical stability and flexibility, excellent chemical and thermal stability and a high and constant conductivity. The membrane may be used in a fuel cell in a wide temperature range from 50° C. to more than 200° C., for example, whereby the fuel cell has a high and constant power level over the entire temperature range.
US07655331B2	Fuel cell supply including information storage device and control system The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device, a battery charger or a fuel refilling device. The fuel cell system includes an information storage device associated with the fuel supply, pump and/or refilling device. The information storage device can be any electronic storage device including, but not limited to, an EEPROM or a PLA. The information storage device can include encrypted information. The information storage device can include software code for confirming the identification of the cartridge before operation of the electronic device and/or refilling device. The information storage device can include instructions for a hot swap operation to shut down properly when the fuel supply is ejected while the electronic device is in operation. The present invention is also directed to system architecture for a fuel cell system that utilizes information storage devices. The system architecture may have flow regulators, which include a regulating valve.
US07655323B2	OLEDs utilizing macrocyclic ligand systems The present invention provides organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) and materials with improved stability and efficiency when incorporated into an OLED. The materials include organometallic compounds having carbene atom/donor coordinated to a metal center. The compounds may be macrocyclic electrophosphors. The compounds may also include a macrocyclic ligand coordinated to a metal center.
US07655322B2	OLEDs utilizing macrocyclic ligand systems The present invention relates to efficient organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), and more specifically to organic materials used in such devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to materials with improved stability and efficiency when incorporated into an OLED.
US07655317B2	Stretch-cling films The invention concerns films having a cling layer of an elastomeric propylene-based polymer with a low heat of fusion derived from isotactic propylene type crystallinity, as determined by DSC of less than 40 J/g, optionally blended with a crystalline isotactic propylene derived polymer having a heat of fusion over 70 J/g and/or a melting point of at least 120° C. as determined by DSC, and a non-cling layer of a polyolefin. The cling layer may contain other components such as crystalline polypropylene.
US07655312B2	Two-part polyurethane adhesives for structural finger joints and method therefor One aspect of the present invention is an adhesive composition formed from two packs. One pack includes an isocyanate-functional prepolymer formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with an alcohol (e.g., polyol). The isocyanate equivalents from the polyisocyanate exceed the hydroxyl equivalents from the alcohol. The second pack is an aqueous polymer emulsion. These two packs are combined to form the novel adhesive composition. Another aspect of the invention is a method for joining together two surfaces of wood products by application of an adhesive thereto. The first step in this method is to mist with water the wood product surfaces to be joined. An adhesive composition then is applied to the misted wood product surfaces. Alternatively, the water misting can be replaced with an aqueous emulsion being part of the adhesive composition. Finally, the adhesive composition is cured.
US07655311B2	Homogeneous low hardness polyurethane This invention employs a polyol derivative of a fatty acid that is reacted into a polyurethane formed also with a urethane prepolymer, a polydiene, and optionally, a curative for cross-linking. The fatty acid moiety becomes a relatively short side chain of the polyurethane formed. In embodiments, the polyol is an ester of the fatty acid. This achieves reduction in hardness of the polyurethane with a homogeneity that provides consistent surface characteristics over an extended period desirable for use for electrophotographic development and the like when the material is used as a developer roller.
US07655309B2	Isocyanate-reactive component for preparing a polyurethane-polyurea polymer An isocyanate-reactive component is disclosed that reacts with a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer in the preparation of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer. In one embodiment, a polyisocyanate component is reacted with an isocyanate-reactive component. The polyisocyanate component has an NCO group content of about 3% to about 50% and an average functionality of about 2 to about 3. The isocyanate-reactive component includes from about 20% to about 90% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the isocyanate-reactive component, of at least one organic compound having a mercaptan functional moiety.
US07655308B2	Film for optical applications A hard coat film for optical applications which suppresses formation of defects on the surface derived from roughness of the surface of the substrate film, exhibits excellent scratch resistance and crack resistance and suppresses curling of the substrate film is provided. The film for optical applications comprises (A) a layer of a cured resin 2 which comprises 70% by weight or more of a cured resin derived from a difunctional urethane acrylate-based oligomer having a weight-average molecular weight of 3,000 or greater and has a thickness of 5 to 25 μm and (B) a hard coat layer 3 which comprises a resin cured by irradiation with an ionizing radiation and has a thickness of 1 to 15 μm, layers (A) and (B) being successively laminated on one face of a substrate film 1.
US07655300B2	Transparent zeolite-polymer hybrid material with tunable properties The invention is about the preparation of novel highly transparent zeolite-doped polymer and zeolites monolayers.External coating of the zeolite crystals by covalently linked functionalized alkoxysilane derivatives allows for an efficient dispersion of the nano zeolite particles into an organic liquid monomer; the following co-polymerisation process leads to a hard, insoluble and transparent material containing said zeolites. Optical properties such as colour, refractive index, Abbe number or photochromism can be fine tuned by simply changing zeolite loading, while transparency is maintained.
US07655298B2	Preparation of a mechanically durable single layer coating with anti-reflective properties Single layer anti-reflective hard-coat and methods of making same are disclosed and in particular comprise a structured surface, preferably a nano-structured surface. The hard-coat preferably a hardness above 0.5 GPa, more preferably above 0.7 GPa and most preferably above 1.0 GPa as measured by nano-indentation and/or a reduced tensile modulus above 3 GPa, more preferably above 8.5 GPa or 20 GPa, most preferably above 40 GPa as measured by nano-indentation and/or a scratch resistance above 5 mJ μm-3, preferably above 15 or 30 mJ μm-3, preferably above 60 mJ μm-3 as measured by nano-indentation, and/or contains an amount of inorganic nano-particles from 5 to 75 weight %, preferably from 15 to 50 weight % relative to the weight of the second material present in the hard-coat. Preferably, the spatial length scale of the refractive index gradient in the single layer hard-coat is between 10 and 1000 nm; in particular between 100 and 200 nm.
US07655296B2	Ink-receptive foam article The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface.The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.
US07655285B2	Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive compositions The present invention relates to acrylic adhesive compositions, and more precisely, acrylic adhesive compositions having improved anti-static capacity without damaging durability, transparency and peel strength which are composed of an acrylic copolymer, a hydrophilic complex compound and a hydrophobic complex compound to sufficiently inhibit the development of static electricity, regardless of the surface condition (hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity) of a polarizing plate.
US07655279B2	Carboxylate-containing polymers for metal surface treatment The present invention relates to a composition for treating surfaces, comprising a copolymer as component A, synthesized from (meth)acrylic acid or salts thereof, a carboxylate-containing monomer and/or monomers containing groups containing phosphoric and/or phosphonic acid or salts thereof, and further comonomers if desired, to a passivating layer on a metal surface, which comprises component A, to a process for forming said passivating layer, and to the use of the composition of the invention to passivate a metal surface.
US07655276B2	Colored reinforced articles of manufacture and method of making the same The present invention provides a colored reinforced article of manufacture having a substantially uniform distribution of color. The colored reinforced article of manufacture comprises a fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin matrix and a non-appertured colored veil in the thermosetting resin matrix.
US07655270B2	Droplet discharge method, electro-optical device, and electronic device A droplet discharge method includes performing a plurality of scans in which a discharge head and a substrate are scanned relative to each other, and discharging droplets of a plurality of types of functional liquid from the discharge head onto a plurality of prescribed portions on the substrate configured and arranged to hold the discharged functional liquid while the discharge head and the substrate are scanned. The performing of the plurality of scans includes performing at least one full discharge scan for each of the prescribed portions so that the functional liquid is discharged over an entire region of each of the prescribed portions, and performing a partial discharge scan so that the functional liquid is discharged so as to avoid at least part of peripheral edges of the prescribed portions.
US07655265B2	Process control scheme for cooling and heating compressible compounds A process control scheme for use with an extruding apparatus for cooling and heating aerated or compressible compounds that are edible. Broadly, the process includes providing a mixture to an inlet of the extruding apparatus, monitoring the pressure profile across the extruding apparatus, moving the mixture through the extruding apparatus with at least one auger while subjecting the mixture to a thermo-dynamic process, automatically altering speed of the at least one auger if the pressure profile across the extruding apparatus is outside a predetermined range, and moving the mixture through an outlet of the extruding apparatus. The process may also include monitoring temperature of a thermodynamic liquid, monitoring the load of an auger motor, and automatically altering the temperature of the thermodynamic liquid and the load of the auger motor if one of either the temperature of the thermodynamic liquid and the load of the auger motor is outside a predetermined range.
US07655261B2	Medicament and method of treatment of patients with heavy metals A method of treatment of a diseased patient in which a dose of at least one heavy metal is delivered to the patient, with a surface area which is accessible for direct contact with the patient's tissue and effects release of heavy metal ions for uptake by immuno reactive cells. The criteria to be complied with in order for the heavy metal to be effective is that the surface area is greater than the surface area of a solid sphere of the same at least one heavy metal, and that the solid sphere and dose have the same weight. In a preferred embodiment, the dose of heavy metals is delivered to the patient as very small hollow particles.
US07655260B2	Supplement preparation Supplement preparation including (a), a first active component in form of biologically accessible silver, (b), a second active component in form of a material obtained from cartilage, and any conventional accessory agents or additives and the use of the first and the second active components with any additional active components and/or conventional accessory agent or additives for the preparation of a health-promoting supplement preparation for livestock including mink, poultry and pigs. The preparation has proved suitable for the prevention against and treatment of plasmacytosis, puppy disease, enteritis virus, three-day sickness and/or “sticky” kits in mink.
US07655259B2	Delayed release carnitine A sustained release, orally administered pharmaceutical composition comprising carnitine and an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient is described for the treatment of carnitine deficiency and other carnitine responsive conditions. The sustained release formulation avoids the characteristic problems of gastrointestinal invitation, dumping in the urine and bacterial degradation attendant previously known oral formulations of carnitine.
US07655258B2	Biodegradable copolymer, and polymeric micelle composition containing the same A biodegradable copolymer with a core block comprising bioresorbable hydrophobic polyester segment and from 3 to 10 shell blocks comprising hydrophilic polyethylene glycol segment. The hydrophobic polyester segment and each of the hydrophilic polyethylene glycol segments are linked by a urethane linkage. A polymeric micelle composition containing the copolymer is also provided. The copolymer forms micelles when the concentration of the copolymer in a dispersing medium reaches or exceeds the critical micelle concentration. The micelles possess good drug and bioactive agent delivery characteristics and are suitable for use in drug delivery or cosmetic applications.
US07655257B2	Sustained delivery of an active agent using an implantable system The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved.
US07655255B2	Topical composition for transdermal administration The present invention relates to a topical composition for transdermal administration, wherein main components of the composition comprises vitamin C, vitamin B complex, carotene, and vitamin E, and may further comprise a fragrance, a thickening agent and a surfactant. The pharmaceutical composition is for topical application and is useful in skin-care and for the treatment of acne, comedo and zit. The composition also has an antioxidant property.
US07655245B2	Neisserial antigens The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.
US07655236B2	Lanthionine antibiotic compositions and methods According to the present invention, an isolated and purified DNA sequence which encodes a lantibiotic, mutacin I, is disclosed. The nucleic acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID No: 1 and the amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID No: 2.
US07655233B2	Optimal placement of a robust solvent/detergent process post viral ultrafiltration of an immune gamma globulin The solvent-detergent (S/D) process is used to inactivate enveloped viruses in plasma products. While concentrations of 1.0% detergent and 0.3% tri-n-butyl phosphate solvent have been considered necessary for robust removal of viral activity, we show the effectiveness of solvent-detergent treatment after fractionation and nanofiltration of an immune gamma globulin preparation, which required significantly reduced concentrations of solvent and detergent. Reduced levels of solvent and detergent lead to greater efficiencies in their removal post-inactivation with the potential for greater yields and decreased processing costs.
US07655225B2	Methods of expanding stem and progenitor cells and expanded cell populations obtained thereby Ex vivo and in vivo methods of expanding a population of stem and/or progenitor cells, while at the same time reversibly inhibiting differentiation of the stem and/or progenitor cells by providing the stem and/or progenitor cells with an effective amount of at least one copper chelate, so as to maintain a free copper concentration available to said cells substantially unchanged, to thereby expand the population of said stem and/or progenitor cells, while at the same time reversibly inhibit differentiation of said stem and/or progenitor cells.
US07655221B2	Methods of treating disease with random copolymers The invention relates to novel methods and kits for treating or preventing disease through the administration of random copolymers comprising amino acids tyrosine (Y), phenylalanine (F), alanine (A), and lysine (K). The invention also relates to the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and to the administration of random copolymers in treatment regimen comprising formulations that are administered at intervals greater than 24 hours, or to sustained release formulations which administer the copolymer over a period greater than 24 hours. The invention further relates to methods for conducting a pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the formulations or dosing regimens of random copolymer described herein.
US07655217B2	Near infrared imaging agent This invention relates to an in-vivo diagnostic method based on near infrared radiation (NIR radiation) that uses water-soluble dyes and their biomolecule adducts, each having specific photophysical and pharmaco-chemical properties, as a contrast medium for fluorescence and transillumination diagnostics in the NIR range, to new dyes and pharmaceuticals containing such dyes.
US07655214B2	Phase formation of oxygen reduced valve metal oxides and granulation methods Valve metal suboxides having a primary suboxide phase and optionally a secondary suboxide phase, a valve metal phase, and/or at least one tertiary suboxide phase can be present in varying amounts. Also disclosed is anodes and capacitors containing the valve metal suboxides of the present invention. Also, a method to prepare a valve metal suboxide is further described which includes granulating one or more of the starting materials individually or together and/or granulating the final product.
US07655211B2	Process for producing ammonium thiosulfate Process for the production of ammonium thiosulfate from gas streams comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. One embodiment of the invention provides absorbing SO2 into a solution of ammonium sulfite and then contacting gaseous feed streams with portions of the resulting solution in a plurality of contact zones where portions of ammonium sulfite in the liquid streams are converted to ammonium thiosulfate upon contact with the gaseous feed streams.
US07655208B2	Single crystalline diamond and producing method thereof The object of the present invention is to obtain a high quality single crystalline diamond that has less distortion and large area suitable for semiconductor device substrates or an optical component material. The present invention is a single crystalline diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition, wherein, when a linear polarized light which is composed of two linear polarized lights perpendicular to each other is introduced into one main face of the single crystalline diamond, a maximum value of a retardation between the two linear polarized lights perpendicular to each other which come out from an opposite main face is not more than 50 μm at maximum per a thickness of 100 μm across an entire of the single crystalline diamond, and also a method for producing the diamond.
US07655207B2	Aluminum complex hydroxide salt and method of producing the same An aluminum complex hydroxide salt having Al oxide octahedral layers and a divalent anion among the octahedral layers, wherein an aluminosilicate anion expressed by the following general formula (1), [NapAlqSirOz]2− (1) wherein p, q, r and z are positive numbers satisfying, 5≦z≦20, z=(p/2)+(3q/2)+2r+1, 0
US07655203B2	Multi-component catalyst system and method for the reduction of NOx A catalyst system for the reduction of NOx is disclosed. One embodiment of the catalyst system is based on a catalyst in a first zone, including a catalyst support, gallium, and at least one promoting metal; and a catalyst in the second zone following the first zone. The second-zone catalyst includes a second catalyst support and a zeolite material. The catalyst system further includes a gas stream comprising an organic reductant, such as a hydrocarbon material or a compound containing oxygen or nitrogen. A method for reducing NOx, utilizing the catalyst system, is also described.
US07655200B2	Method for purifying exhaust of waste gas using atomized fluid droplets combined with turbulent flow A method for purifying exhaust of waste gas using atomized fluid droplets combined with turbulent flow, including the following steps: a). atomizing the absorption or reacting fluids to microsized droplets; b). enabling waste gas to pass through the aforementioned absorption or reacting fluids and creating a turbulent flow to thoroughly react the waste gas with the droplets; c). reacting of harmful substances in the waste gas with droplets of the absorption or reacting fluids; d). implementing demisting treatment of the waste gas flow; e). discharging the treated waste gas. The aforementioned steps of the present invention enable the purification of waste gas without the need for packing, and achieve high removal efficiency and low energy consumption.
US07655198B2	Method and apparatus for manipulating pre-sterilized components in an active sterile field The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.
US07655191B2	Methods for chemical reactions in a parallel batch reactor In one embodiment, a parallel batch reactor generally includes a plurality of reactor vessels and a plurality of valves configured to allow flow into the reactor vessels when a gas is supplied to the reactor at a pressure higher than a pressure within the reactor vessels and restrict flow from the reactor vessels. A method includes inserting chemical components into the reactor vessels, supplying a first gas to the reactor vessels to pressurize the reactor vessels, stopping supply of the first gas, and supplying a second gas to the reactor at a lower pressure than a pressure within the reactor vessels. The second gas passes through the valves and into the reactor vessels when the pressure within the reactor vessels drops below the pressure of the second gas.
US07655188B2	Assembly for collecting samples for purposes of identification or analysis and method of use An assembly and an associated method for collecting a sample of material desired to be characterized with diagnostic equipment includes or utilizes an elongated member having a proximal end with which the assembly is manipulated by a user and a distal end. In addition, a collection tip which is capable of being placed into contact with the material to be characterized is supported upon the distal end. The collection tip includes a body of chemically-inert porous material for binding a sample of material when the tip is placed into contact with the material and thereby holds the sample of material for subsequent introduction to the diagnostic equipment.
US07655186B2	Gas generation for sensor calibration Embodiments of the present invention relate a gas sensor comprising a gas detector and a hydrocarbon gas generating device, wherein the hydrocarbon gas generating device is positioned to provide an amount of hydrocarbon gas to the gas detector for testing. The hydrocarbon gas generating device comprises a heater and a gas releasing material.
US07655185B2	Polymer sample analyzer Provided is a polymer sample analyzer from which chemical findings on the optical deterioration of a polymer material are available in a very short time. The analyzer is equipped with a gas phase component production unit for producing a plurality of gas phase components, a carrier gas introduction unit for introducing a carrier gas into the gas phase component production unit, a separation unit for separating the gas phase components into each component, and a detection unit 5 for detecting the each component thus separated. The analyzer is equipped further with a UV irradiation unit for exposing the polymer sample to UV ray, an atmospheric gas introduction unit for introducing an atmospheric gas into the gas phase component production unit and a gas switching unit for switching a gas to be introduced into the separation unit between the carrier gas and the atmospheric gas. Under the atmosphere of a gas introduced from the atmospheric gas introduction unit, the polymer sample is deteriorated and decomposed by exposure to UV ray from the UV irradiation unit. After deterioration and decomposition, a gas to be introduced into the separation unit 4 is switched to the carrier gas by the gas switching unit and the gas phase components are introduced into the separation unit by the aid of the carrier gas.
US07655183B2	Durable pd-based alloy and hydrogen generation membrane thereof A durable Pd-based alloy is used for a H2-selective membrane in a hydrogen generator, as in the fuel processor of a fuel cell plant. The Pd-based alloy includes Cu as a binary element, and further includes “X”, where “X” comprises at least one metal from group “M” that is BCC and acts to stabilize the β BCC phase for stability during operating temperatures. The metal from group “M” is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cr, Nb, Ta, V, Mo, and W, with Nb and Ta being most preferred. “X” may further comprise at least one metal from a group “N” that is non-BCC, preferably FCC, that enhances other properties of the membrane, such as ductility. The metal from group “N” is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Re, Ru, Rh, Y, Ce, Ni, Ir, Pt, Co, La and In. The at. % of Pd in the binary Pd—Cu alloy ranges from about 35 at. % to about 55 at. %, and the at. % of “X” in the higher order alloy, based on said binary alloy, is in the range of about 1 at. % to about 15 at. %. The metals are selected according to a novel process.
US07655182B2	Method for fabricating a metallic article without any melting A metallic article made of metallic constituent elements is fabricated from a mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds of the metallic constituent elements. The mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds is chemically reduced to produce an initial metallic material, without melting the initial metallic material. The initial metallic material is consolidated to produce a consolidated metallic article, without melting the initial metallic material and without melting the consolidated metallic article.
US07655180B2	Method for controlling shrinkage of formed ceramic body A method for controlling the shrinkage of ceramic formed bodies is provided, including performing a preliminary test to determine an average shrinkage of ceramic formed bodies made from test lots of a ceramic powder, and determining a linear correlation between the average shrinkage and measured amounts of the ground test lots removed from a ball mill during a specific milling time interval. A batch of the ceramic powder is then ground, an amount of the ground ceramic powder removed from the ball mill during the specific time interval is measured, and the linear correlation is used to estimate the shrinkage of a ceramic body made therefrom. The difference between a target shrinkage and the estimated shrinkage is determined, and one or more of the processing conditions used to form the ceramic body are changed to offset the difference.
US07655178B2	Method for elongating foil A method for elongating a foil, comprising steps of: providing an injection molding device, the injection molding device comprising a male mold having a projecting part protruding and a female mold defining a cavity; transmitting the foil into the injection molding device and between the male and female molds; clamping the male and female molds to form a molding space, the molding space being separated into a first airproof space adjacent to the female mold and a second airproof space adjacent to the male mold by the foil; vacuuming the first airproof space to suck the foil toward the first airproof space; and inputting thermal medium into the second airproof space to press the foil to cling to the inner surface of the cavity of the female mold.
US07655175B2	Rotary spinning processes for forming hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers Rotary spinning processes, more particularly processes for making hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers using a rotary spinning die, hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers made by the processes and webs made with the hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers are provided.
US07655174B2	Jettable compositions A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15-180° C., more preferably at a temperature of 15-100° C., e.g. 60-80° C. the composition comprising: (A) at least one low viscosity reactive resin selected from the group consisting of compounds containing an oxetane ring, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins, tetrahydrofurans, hexahydropyrans and mono-functional (meth)acrylates, said resin having a molecular weight of not greater than 300 Daltons, e.g. 250 Daltons or less, and a viscosity at a temperature in the said range of less than 30 cps, e.g. 5 to 15 cps; (B) at least one higher viscosity resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, compounds containing an oxetane ring and acrylates, which resin acts to thicken the low viscosity resin and strengthen a jetted deposit of the composition, the higher viscosity resin having: a viscosity greater than twice that of the low viscosity resin at the said temperature in the range stated above, and a functionality of greater than or equal to 2; (C) at least one curable toughener, preferably having a functionality of at least 2, such as hydroxy, epoxy, acrylic or other reactive functionalised polymer/oligomer (e.g. derived by functionalising poly(tetrahydrofuran), polycaprolactone, polycarbonate diol, or a dendrimeric polyol; (D) at least one initiator for the polymerisation of the resins, and (E) at least one stabilizer for delaying the curing of the resins of the composition; wherein the low viscosity resin is slower to react than the higher viscosity resin and acts to solvate the higher viscosity resin prior to curing and at least partly during curing and wherein at least 30% of the components A and B are cationically curable resins. The composition can be jetted from piezo electric printing heads under the control of a computer program to form a multi-layered article, e.g. a three dimensional article, in which the adjacent droplets merge and are cured homogeneously together.
US07655171B2	Golf ball mixing and dispensing process The present invention provides an improved process for mixing castable polyurethanes and polyureas and for prolonging the dispensing time for dispensing them into a golf ball mold for application to a golf ball sub-assembly. A nozzle framework includes support housing heaters and heater adaptors for each dispensing port to delay the onset of drool and improve cut off in the dispensing tubes. The combination of fluorinated dispensing ports, the heating of the polyureas or polyurethanes, and inclusion of a capillary orifice in each dispensing port significantly prolongs the time before the advent of drool is detected.
US07655169B2	Metal mold for manufacturing a developing blade A developing blade 10 is insert molded by forming a rib portion 13 which projects from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of a blade body 12 in the transverse direction of the blade body 12, opposite to the contact surface 12a side of the blade body 12, on the blade body 12 in contact with the developing roll of the developing blade 10 and forming the gate 21G of a metal mold 20 in which a metal plate 11 as an insert member has been installed only in a cavity 21b corresponding to the above rib portion 13. Therefore, a developing blade 10 without burrs and recesses on its contact surface with the developing roll or without welds can be easily manufactured.
US07655168B2	Tools for manufacturing composite parts and methods for using such tools Tools for manufacturing composite parts and methods for using such tools are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part from a plurality of fibers positioned on a tool having a female mold surface. The mold surface can include a first side region, a second side region, an interior region between the first and second side regions, and transition regions between the first and second side regions and the interior region. The method includes positioning a compaction tool over the mold surface. The compaction tool includes a first pressing device and a second pressing device carrying the first pressing device. The method further includes pressing a first portion of the fibers against the transition regions with the first pressing device without generally compacting the portions of the fibers outboard of the transition regions. After pressing the first portion of the fibers, the method includes pressing a second portion of the fibers against the first and second side regions and shoulder regions of the mold surface outboard of the first and second side regions.
US07655167B2	Spa apparatus Methods are disclosed for making a base of a spa apparatus to resemble artificial rocks and wood. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of the following steps: making a mold in which its inner surface has the shape and surface texture of a rock or wood; placing a first structure on the inner surface of the mold, the first structure being operative to prevent warping of the base; spraying polymer on the mold; allowing the polymer to harden; and removing the hardened polymer from the mold, the hardened polymer having substantially the shape and surface texture of rock or wood.
US07655165B2	Method of producing edible cellulosic films Disclosed is a process for continuous casting of edible cellulose-containing film sheets having unique physical characteristics. The cellulose film sheets have diverse applications in the processed food industry.
US07655161B2	Conductive ink composition for inkjet printing A conductive ink composition for inkjet printing, more particularly to a conductive ink composition for inkjet printing, which includes 30 to 85 parts by weight of metal nanoparticles, 10 to 60 parts by weight of an organic solvent, 10 to 30 parts by weight of a humectant, the humectant made of a diol or glycol base compound, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an ethylene glycol-based ether compound additive for adjusting viscosity. The ink composition may be optimized, such that the viscosity of the ink may be adjusted while maintaining a high concentration of metal, when forming wiring using an inkjet device, for improved flow and ejection properties of the ink.
US07655160B2	Compositions of matter: system II The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
US07655156B2	Silicate-based orange phosphors Novel orange phosphors are disclosed having the comprise silicate-based compounds having the formula (Sr,A1)x,(Si,A2)(O,A3)2+x:Eu2+, where A1 is at least one divalent cation (a 2+ ion) including Mg, Ca, Ba, or Zn, or a combination of 1+ and 3+ cations; A2 is a 3+, 4+, or 5+ cation, including at least one of B, Al, Ga, C, Ge, P; A3 is a 1−, 2−, or 3− anion, including F, Cl, and Br; and x is any value between 2.5 and 3.5, inclusive. The formula is written to indicate that the A1 cation replaces Sr; the A2 cation replaces Si, and the A3 anion replaces O. These orange phosphors are configured to emit visible light having a peak emission wavelength greater than about 565 nm. They have applications in white LED illumination systems, plasma display panels, and in orange and other colored LED systems.
US07655154B2	Non-aqueous heat transfer fluid and use thereof A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity diol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one diol that acts as an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as propylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the diols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.
US07655149B1	Oil absorbent kenaf balls and kits, and methods of making and using the same This invention is based upon the discovery that kenaf balls that are comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers are highly useful for absorbing oil and other organic liquids from oil spill areas on land or water. In fact, the kenaf balls of this invention are capable of absorbing oil in an amount of over 1000% of their own weight and in some cases even over 1800% of their own weight. The subject invention more specifically discloses a kenaf ball which is comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers, wherein the kenaf ball has a density which is within the range of about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.15 g/cc, and wherein the kenaf ball has a mass which is within the range of 0.2 grams to about 10 grams.
US07655145B1	Contaminated water treatment Method and system for processing of a liquid (“contaminant liquid”) containing water and containing urine and/or other contaminants in a two step process. Urine, or a contaminated liquid similar to and/or containing urine and thus having a relatively high salt and urea content is passed through an activated carbon filter to provide a resulting liquid, to remove most of the organic molecules. The resulting liquid is passed through a semipermeable membrane from a membrane first side to a membrane second side, where a fortified drink having a lower water concentration (higher osmotic potential) than the resulting liquid is positioned. Osmotic pressure differential causes the water, but not most of the remaining inorganic (salts) contaminant(s) to pass through the membrane to the fortified drink. Optionally, the resulting liquid is allowed to precipitate additional organic molecules before passage through the membrane.
US07655144B2	Method for the treatment of wastewater A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater by processes which include aeration. The system includes an influent conduit for delivery of wastewater to be processed and a treatment tank for processing of the wastewater. Also included is an air conduit for providing compressed air for aeration of the wastewater and a particle size regulation device disposed between the conduit and the tank, wherein the particle size regulation device regulates a size of particles present in the wastewater to provide particle size regulated wastewater. The system also includes at least one aeration jet having a nozzle diameter sized to allow the particle size regulated wastewater to pass through the nozzle.
US07655143B2	Carbon dioxide stimulation of nitrification in activated sludge reactors A method of stimulating nitrification at low SRT by elevating pCO2 during aeration is disclosed. The improvement on solids settling performance when elevated pCO2 was supplied after 2 hours within the React cycle is consistent with the previous results that identified inorganic carbon as a potential remedy to poor settling and bulking sludge problems in activated sludge systems. Elevated pCO2 increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and lowers the pH, which improve nitrification. The specific growth rate of nitrifying bacteria is sensitive to pCO2, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The DO is a function of the aeration rate. Elevating the pCO2 and lowering the aeration rate provides conditions for nitrification rates that are comparable to conventional systems. However, the lower aeration rate yields significant energy cost savings.
US07655139B2	Method and system for operating a shut-off valve of a filtration system A filtration assembly includes a feed water line and a permeate line. A shut-off valve is coupled between the permeate line and the feed water line and operative to open the feed line when the faucet is opened based on a pressure differential between the feed line and the permeate line. An energy storage member is located within the permeate line and configured to compress and then expand after the faucet is closed causing the shut-off valve to fully close.
US07655138B2	Desulfurization process A system which circulates fluidizable solid particles through a fluidized bed reactor, a fluidized bed regenerator, and a fluidized bed reducer to thereby provide for substantially continuous desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and substantially continuous regeneration of the solid particles is disclosed.
US07655136B2	Process for producing middle distillates by hydroisomerizing and hydrocracking feeds from the Fischer-Tropsch process using a doped catalyst based on mesoporous alumina-silica with a controlled macropore content The invention concerns a process for producing middle distillates from a paraffinic feed produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, using a hydrocracking/hydroisomerization catalyst which comprises: at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by elements from group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table; 0.01% to 6% of phosphorus as a doping element; and a non-zeolitic support based on mesoporous alumina-silica.
US07655134B2	Process to prepare a base oil Process to optimize the yield of base oils from a Fischer-Tropsch derived feed by performing the following steps (a) performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerization step on part of the Fischer-Tropsch derived feed; (b) performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerization step on another part of the Fischer-Tropsch feed at a conversion greater than the conversion in step (a); and (c) isolating by means of distillation a fraction boiling in the base oil range from the two reaction products obtained in steps (a) and (b) and performing a pour point reducing step on said fraction.
US07655130B2	Glucose dehydrogenase from Aspergillus oryzae The present invention effectively produces glucose dehydrogenase derived from Aspergillus oryzae, and provides more practical glucose dehydrogenase. The invention makes it possible to efficiently produce glucose dehydrogenase and to obtain glucose dehydrogenase in more practical manner by using a glucose dehydrogenase gene isolated from Aspergillus oryzae.
US07655126B2	Fabrication of topical stopper on MLS gasket by active matrix electrochemical deposition A method for making a gasket (32) for an internal combustion engine (20) includes forming a generally annual stopper (38) on a metallic gasket body (40) through the process of electrochemical deposition. An electrolytic cell is completed with the gasket body (40) forming a cathode. The stopper (38) is formed with a contoured compression surface (42) by selectively varying the electrical energy delivered to selected electrodes (70) over time. Electrolyte (48) rich with metallic ions is pumped at high speed through the inter-electrode gap. A PC controller (82) switches selected electrodes (70) ON at certain times, for certain durations, which cause metallic ions in the electrolyte (48) to reduce or deposit onto the gasket body (40), which are built in columns or layers into a three-dimensional formation approximating the target surface profile (106) for the compression surface (42). The subject method for building a three-dimensional formation can be applied to work parts other than cylinder head gaskets (32).
US07655122B2	Oxygen concentration detecting element An oxygen concentration detecting element including a base member made of an electrically insulating material, a heater disposed on an outer surface of the base member, the heater being adapted to generate heat upon being energized, and an oxygen detecting unit disposed in an offset position on the outer surface of the base member in which the oxygen detecting unit is prevented from overlapping with the heater, the oxygen detecting unit including a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes between which the solid electrolyte layer is disposed.
US07655121B2	Gas sensor interface device and gas sensor system An interface device for a gas sensor includes a detection resistor having first and second ends to generate voltages by a current output of the gas sensor, a differential amplifier having first and second input terminals to receive the voltages of the first and second resistor ends and an output terminal to output a voltage according to a difference between the voltages of the first and second resistor ends, a first switching element to transmit the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in a transmission state and interrupt transmission of the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in an interruption state and a second switching element turned on to establish continuity between the first and second input terminals of the differential amplifier when the first switching element is in the interruption state.
US07655118B2	Electrolytic processing apparatus and method This invention relates to an electrolytic processing apparatus and method useful for processing a conductive material formed in the surface of a substrate, or for removing impurities adhering to the surface of a substrate. An electrolytic processing apparatus, including, a processing electrode that can come close to a workpiece, a feeding electrode for feeding electricity to the workpiece, an ion exchanger disposed in the space between the workpiece and the processing and the feeding electrodes, a fluid supply section for supplying a fluid between the workpiece and the ion exchanger, and a power source. The processing electrode and/or the feeding electrode is electrically divided into a plurality of parts, and the power source applies a voltage to each of the divided electrode parts and can control voltage and/or electric current independently for each of the divided electrode parts.
US07655117B2	Continuous plating system and method with mask registration A continuous plating system with mask registration is disclosed herein that uses drums and rollers with protruding pins which engage with guide holes in a masking belt and a lead frame. Through engagement with the pins the masking belt is keyed to the lead frame as the lead frame passes through a plating solution tank.
US07655113B2	Mixing of a protein hydrolysate derived from keratin-containing material in the wet-end of a papermaking process A process for producing a protein hydrolysate derived from keratin containing material with an oxidative bleaching agent at an acidic pH and mixing the keratin hydrolysate as an additive to the wet-end of a papermaking process. The process achieves a paper with a lower porosity and greater breaking length.
US07655112B2	Integrated paper comprising fibrillated fibers and active particles immobilized therein An integrated paper having capabilities and functionalities provided by both the fiber and the active agent ingredients, and a method of immobilizing the active agents within the integrated paper. A tight pore structure with a mean pore diameter of less than about 2 microns provides short diffusion distances from a fluid to the surface of the paper ingredients by adsorption or diffusive interception, making it an excellent medium for fluid filtration. A microbiological interception enhancing agent may be added. The integrated paper may be formed using wet laid paper-making processes. Devices utilizing the integrated paper are used in fluid filtration.
US07655111B2	Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method At a frame 26 in a microwave plasma processing apparatus 100, numerous horizontal spray gas nozzles 27 formed therein injection holes A and numerous vertical gas nozzles 28 formed therein injection holes B are fixed. A first gas supply means 50 injects argon gas through the injection holes A into an area near each dielectric parts 31a. A second gas supply means 55 injects silane gas and hydrogen gas through the injection holes B into a position at which the gases do not become over-dissociated. The gases injected as described above are raised to plasma with a microwave transmitted through each dielectric parts 31a. Since the vertical gas nozzles 28 are mounted at positions at which they do not block the flow of plasma traveling toward a substrate G, ions and electrons do not collide with the vertical gas nozzles 28 readily.
US07655109B2	Floor covering lifting and removal hand tool A floor covering lifting and removal hand tool for lifting an edge and removing a floor covering that is secured to a floor surface. An arcuate lifting base is formed with a grip end spaced from an opposite end and optionally including load distribution flanges across the arcuate lifting base. An upwardly extending lever arm joins to the arcuate base to rotate the base. The base further incorporates a releasable clamp that captures the edge of the floor covering. Anti-slip features are incorporated about a face of the base to contact the floor covering. In operation, the lever arm is rotated to overcome the force of the bond to lift and remove the floor covering from the floor surface. The lever arm is adjustable, removable, and is optionally ratchetable for use in confined spaces near walls and corners.
US07655108B2	Display panel assembly apparatus and assembly method Display panel assembly apparatus for assembling a display panel by bonding a driver substrate onto a glass panel via a connector and bonding material. A panel positioning table retains the glass panel in which the connector is bonded to its edge, and positions the glass panel with respect to a bonder from one side. The substrate to which a bonding tape is applied by a bonding tape applicator is transferred to the bonder from the other side by circulating a substrate holder on which the substrate is placed using a circulatory transport mechanism. The connector prebonded on the glass panel and the substrate are then bonded via the bonding tape. Adoption of this configuration for the display panel assembly apparatus and assembly method reduces the apparatus installation area while achieving high productivity.
US07655106B2	Double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet and process of producing the same The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet is a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet containing a support having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the both surfaces thereof, characterized in that the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet has a total thickness including the thickness of the support and the two pressure-sensitive adhesive layers formed on the both surfaces of the support of 0.003 mm or more and less than 0.03 mm and a breaking strength of from 2 to 26 MPa/10 mm-width. The support preferably has a thickness of from 0.002 to 0.012 mm. As the support, plastic films (especially, a polyethylene terephthalate film) are suitable. The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet may have a length of 5 m or more and have a roll-wound form.
US07655105B2	Method for embossing air-laid webs using laser engraved heated embossing rolls A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet product includes depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; compacting the fiber web; embossing the compacted web with a laser-engraved roll with a hard rubber embossing surface, the hard rubber embossing surface having a plurality of sinuate bosses radially projecting circumferentially around the laser-engraved roll to provide the fiber web with a functional emboss pattern including a plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions extending in a machine direction of the fiber web, the laser-engraved roll being heated to or maintained at a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 300° F.; and bonding the fiber web.
US07655103B2	Ceramic multilayer substrate and method for manufacturing the same In a method for manufacturing a ceramic multilayer substrate, when a green ceramic stack prepared by stacking a plurality of ceramic green sheets is fired simultaneously with a ceramic chip electronic component disposed inside the green ceramic stack and including an external terminal electrode to produce a ceramic multilayer substrate having the ceramic chip electronic component inside, a paste layer is disposed in advance between the ceramic chip electronic component and the green ceramic stack, and these three are fired.
US07655096B2	Coiled tubing wellbore cleanout A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided.
US07655095B2	Method of cleaning semiconductor surfaces Devices and methods of cleaning are described. The methods, and devices formed by the methods have a number of advantages. Embodiments are shown that include cleaning using a supercritical fluid. Advantages include a combination of both chemical and mechanical removal abilities from the supercritical fluid. Mechanical energy for cleaning is transmitted in a homogenous manner throughout a carrier fluid. The mechanical energy provided in methods shown can also be used with delicate surface features.
US07655094B2	Systems and methods for charging a cleaning solution used for cleaning integrated circuit substrates Inventive methods, systems and compositions of cleaning integrated circuit (“IC”) substrates are described. The cleaning methods of the present invention include: charging a solution, which contains at least a solute selected to promote cleaning of the IC substrate, to produce a charged solution, such that at least a portion of the solute is present as clusters in the charged solution; and conveying the charged solution for cleaning the IC substrate.
US07655088B2	Synthetic aggregates comprising sewage sludge and other waste materials and methods for producing such aggregates In one example of an embodiment of the invention, a method for producing an aggregate is disclosed comprising mixing sewage sludge from a waste water treatment facility with a non-coal combustion ash silicoaluminous waste material, agglomerating the mixture to form an agglomerate, and pyroprocessing the agglomerate to form an aggregate. The waste material may comprise municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash, incinerator fly ash, incinerator filter dusts, cement kiln dusts, waste glass, blast furnace slag, kiln dusts, and/or granite sawing residues, for example. The method may further comprise milling the waste material prior to mixing. Preferably, the milling is wet milling. Pyroprocessing of the agglomerate may take place in a rotary kiln. The resulting aggregate may be a lightweight or a normal weight, sintered or vitrified aggregate. Aggregates and methods for making aggregates of high and low calcium silicoaluminous materials are also disclosed.
US07655086B2	Colloidal metal-containing Urushi lacquer and Urushi lacquered article An object of the present invention is to impart excellent gloss to an Urushi coating, improve drying properties, improve light fastness, and provide an environmentally responsible high-class lacquered article such as a ‘Byakudan’ (white sandalwood) coating or a ‘Tamamushi’ (iridescent) coating. This object has been accomplished by an Urushi lacquer comprising a naturally occurring raw Urushi or a refined Urushi, and metal colloid particles. As the metal colloid particles, precious metal colloid particles may preferably be used.
US07655082B2	Ink compositions containing an emulsion The application discloses ink compositions containing an emulsion and, more particularly, to ink compositions containing an emulsified colorant and/or an emulsified lubricating agent, and writing instruments containing same.
US07655078B2	Bubble separator A bubble separator includes a body with a generally cylindrical shape, an oil induction portion, a gas discharge portion with a generally cylindrical shape, an oil discharge portion, and an upper partition. The oil induction portion is provided on the body, and introduces bubble-containing oil to inside the body. The gas discharge portion is provided extending from a ceiling portion of the body, and discharges separated bubbles to outside the body. The oil discharge portion is provided on the body, and discharges separated oil to outside the body. The upper partition is provided extending from the ceiling portion, and is formed on a periphery of the gas discharge portion. According to the bubble separator of the present invention, the upper partition can prevent bubble-containing oil from directly blowing into the discharge hole of the gas discharge portion and discharging to outside the body together with separated gas.
US07655073B2	Inertial gas-liquid separator with variable flow actuator An inertial gas-liquid separator has a variable flow actuator movable to open and close a variable number of accelerating flow nozzles.
US07655068B2	Method and systems to facilitate improving electrostatic precipitator performance A method to facilitate improving electrostatic precipitator performance is provided. The method includes providing an electrostatic precipitator including an inlet, a collector chamber and an outlet, where the collector chamber includes a plurality of discharge electrodes and a plurality of collector electrodes. The method also includes defining a respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes, identifying a particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode based on the respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes and positioning each of the plurality of discharge electrodes in the electrostatic precipitator according to the particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode.
US07655059B2	Quickly assemblable structure of molecular sieves and can filters in oxygen concentrator The invention is an assembly structure that allows molecular sieves and can-filters be fast assembled in an oxygen concentrator. The structure includes: a molecular sieve and can-filter set, which is composed of at least two molecular sieves and at least one can-filter; a support frame, which includes a base plate and a frame fixed on the base plate in an upright position, and the frame has a first support plate having a plurality of through holes and a second support plate having a hole, wherein the hole of the second support plate is for one of the at least one can-filter to pass through; and a plurality of bend joints, each of which including: a thin plate portion formed at a first end, wherein an opening is provided in the center of the thin plate portion; and a plurality of annular barbed portions provided near a second end, such that a flexible conduit/hose connected thereto does not detach easily and the air tightness is increased, wherein the second end of each bend joint passes through one of the through holes of the first support plate while the thin plate portion of each bend joint is fixed to the first support plate via a second fastener.
US07655056B2	Hydrogen generating apparatus A hydrogen generating apparatus includes a chemical reaction chamber, a chemical solution reservoir, an unpowered pressure-producing member for moving a chemical solution from the chemical solution reservoir to the chemical reaction chamber, and a catalyst bed in the chemical reaction chamber.
US07655054B2	Method of forming a glow through candle A wax core is dipped multiple times in liquid clear wax and water sequentially. Thereafter, the candle is dipped multiple times in a first liquid pigmented wax to form a first pigmented layer. When the desired shade is achieved, one or more layers of clear wax are added followed by dipping in water after each clear layer is added to produce a primed surface layer at ±1 degree ambient. This sequence is continued by applying a second pigmented wax layer to three-quarters of the candle ball, a third pigmented wax layer to one-half of the candle ball, and a fourth pigmented wax layer to one-quarter of the candle ball. An outside white wax is formed by dipping the ball into white wax in preparation for adding an outside color.
US07655052B2	Composition for the coloring of keratinous fibers comprising a halochromic compound, the dye corresponding to this compound, and methods of use thereof Disclosed herein is the use, in the coloring of keratinous fibers, for example human keratinous fibers, such as the hair, of a composition comprising at least one compound chosen from the compounds of formula (I) comprising a cyclic group G including a ring H capable of opening, the dyes corresponding to the compounds of formula (I) wherein the ring H is open and the addition salts thereof: and a method for treating keratinous fibers employing this composition.
US07655051B2	Artificial hand An artificial hands having more than one articulated digit wherein the digits are biased in a closed position by springs, and digits are opened by a cord attached to the dorsal side of the digit and a lever, wherein the lever is rotatably mounted to an anchoring plate and pulled by a cable; wherein the cable is pulled manually by means of a shoulder strap, or electronically by a motor.
US07655046B2	Expandable spinal fusion cage and associated instrumentation An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, at least one of the shell portions defines a plurality of retention elements positioned at select axial locations along a corresponding one of the longitudinal edges, with the expansion member engaged with one or more of the retention elements to retain the expansion member at a select axial position to maintain the implant in the expanded configuration.
US07655045B2	Artificial intervertebral disc An artificial intervertebral disc includes housing members including spaced inner surfaces facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces for engaging spaced apart vertebral surfaces. Bearing surfaces extend from each of the inner surfaces for engaging each other while allowing for low friction and compression resistant movement of the housing members relative to each other while under compression. Load sharing pads are disposed between the inner surfaces and about at least a portion of the bearing surfaces for sharing absorption compressive loads with the bearing surfaces while limiting the relative movement of the housing members.
US07655042B2	Expandable intervertebral spacers Laterally expanding vertebral spacer devices are provided for repairing damaged vertebral discs. The vertebral spacer devices maintain the height of a distracted vertebral disc space while providing stability to the spine. In one form of the invention, a vertebral spacer device is provided with a first arm movably coupled to a second arm. The first and second arms are laterally expandable from a first width for insertion into the disc space to a second width after insertion into the disc space. The first and second arms also define a cavity therebetween for placement of bone growth material.
US07655040B2	Cardiac valve annulus reduction system A catheter-based, annulus reduction device and system for cardiac valve repair and method of using the same. The system is usable for treating mitral valve regurgitation and comprises a catheter, a reduction ring carried within the catheter, the reduction ring including a plurality of exit ports formed in a side wall of the reduction ring and filament received in the reduction ring. The filament includes a plurality of radially extendible barbs corresponding to the sidewall openings. The reduction ring carrying the filament is deployed adjacent a mitral valve annulus and the filament is translated relative to the reduction ring to deploy the barbs through the exit ports and into the annulus and to further translate the reduction ring with deployed barbs to reshape the annulus.
US07655039B2	Stents with attached looped ends An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk.
US07655038B2	Polymeric network system for medical devices and methods of use Methods of making a coating on a medical device are disclosed, including associating a composition with at least a portion of the device to form a layer. In some embodiments, a composition may include a copolymer prepared from a room temperature melt of a plurality of monomer units that comprises a first monomer unit and a second monomer unit, wherein the second monomer unit has a glass transition temperature that is at least about 30 degrees Centigrade higher than the glass transition temperature of the first monomer unit, with a glass transition temperature of a monomer unit being defined as a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of that monomer unit.
US07655035B2	Variable lamination of vascular graft The vascular graft includes a conduit structure having outer and inner wall surfaces. The conduit structure includes a longitudinal central portion having a flexibility. The conduit structure further includes a pair of longitudinal intermediate portions each of which are integral with the central portion and located longitudinally such that the central portion is between the intermediate portions. The intermediate portions each have a flexibility which is less than the flexibility of the central portion.
US07655025B2	Adjustable rod and connector device and method of use A low-profile surgical rod implant device is provided that allows the length of a rod spanning two bone screws to be adjusted at the time of implantation. In a separate aspect of the invention, the rod implant device can be secured by tightening and securing an end of the rod implant device at one of the bone screws. Embodiments are provided for use with polyaxial pedicle screws and substantially straight shank pedicle screws in spinal applications. In a separate aspect of the invention, a bone screw connector having an interference type fit is also provided. A method for implanting the device is also provided.
US07655019B2	Blood sampling device A sampling device (20) having a housing (24) with a lancet cartridge (22) mounted therein. The lancets (26) of the lancet cartridge (22) are interconnected by a flexible web (28). The lancet cartridge (22) is not positively engaged within the housing (24) and can be easily removed. The housing (24) has an opening (42) with an adjacent flexible or compressible fin (60) for dampening the motion of the lancet (26). The lancet cartridge (22) has at least one lancet (26) with an endcap, and the housing has a cap-removal mechanism (74) for separating the endcap from the housing (24). Anti-tampering features prevent opening of the device when the lancet cartridge (22) is oriented with a lancet (26) in a firing position.
US07655015B2	Fixation devices, systems and methods for engaging tissue The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.
US07655010B2	Vertebral fusion device and method for using same An intervertebral fusion device includes a body having a proximal portion along a major axis of the body and a distal portion along the major axis, and supporting means at the distal portion. The supporting means supports vertebrae in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse. At least one of the body and the supporting means has a height distinct from a width, whereby the body or supporting means can distract vertebrae, between which the body or the supporting means has been placed, by rotation of the body or the supporting means about the major axis. A method of fusing vertebrae includes the steps of inserting between two vertebrae an intervertebral fusion device and rotating the body or the supporting means, whereby the vertebrae are supported in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse.
US07655007B2	Method of fusing biomaterials with radiofrequency energy A method of fusing biomaterial and tissue using radiofrequency energy includes the steps of: providing a vessel sealing instrument having opposing jaw members which are movable relative to one another to compress tissue therebetween. The vessel sealing instrument includes at least one stop member affixed thereto for regulating the distance between the opposing jaw members. The method also includes the steps of: providing a biomaterial; positioning the biomaterial in abutting relation to tissue; approximating the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members; compressing the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members under a working pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2; and energizing the jaw members with radiofrequency energy to effectively fuse the biomaterial and the tissue such that the biomaterial and the tissue reform into a single, fused mass.
US07655005B2	Circumferential ablation device assembly with dual expandable members The present invention involves a surgical device and method of use, particularly an assembly and method incorporating dual expandable members along the distal region of an ablation device to facilitate ablation of a circumferential region of tissue engaged by the expandable member. The ablation device assembly includes an elongate body with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A first expansion element is located along the distal end portion of the elongate body, and is fluidly coupled to a first source of inflation fluid. A second expansion element having a circumferential wall is located along the distal end portion proximal the first expansion element, and is fluidly coupled to a second source of inflation fluid. An ablation element having an ablative energy source is located along the distal end portion within the second expansion element, wherein the ablation element cooperates with the second expansion element such that the ablative energy source emits a substantially circumferential pattern of energy through the circumferential wall.
US07655001B2	Temperature responsive systems A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may be released in one location while the device is stationary or along a path while it is traveling, self-powered by the shape memory material activator. In addition, the substance may be delivered to an object upon contact with its surface. The self powering abilities allow these devices to be used as substance delivery devices as well as actuators, transporters, and energy conversion systems with modular characteristics and growth potential. The devices may be armed, prior to the beginning of their service life, to be placed in a state of readiness to release their substances once the path is created. Prior to arming they may be maintained at any temperature, incapable of releasing their substances. The devices according to the present invention may be used as temperature sensors or warning devices, drug delivery devices, and the like.
US07654998B1	Tissue volume reduction Devices, compositions, and methods for achieving non-surgical lung volume reduction (e.g., bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR)) are described. BLVR can be carried out by collapsing a region of the lung, adhering one portion of the collapsed region to another, and promoting fibrosis in or around the adherent tissue.
US07654997B2	Devices, systems and methods for diagnosing and treating sinusitus and other disorders of the ears, nose and/or throat Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc.
US07654994B2	Indicia for a garment with a dual fastening system A disposable garment including a dual fastening system. The dual fastening system includes at least two first fasteners and at least two second fasteners, at least a portion of each second fastener being located in the front waist region and situated inboard from each longitudinal side edge of the front waist region, each second fastener being configured to engage at least a portion of the bodyfacing surface. Additionally, the bodyfacing surface comprises indicia in the rear waist region guiding a user fitting the disposable garment regarding the positioning of the second fasteners.
US07654988B2	Needle capture mechanisms Needle capture mechanisms and arrangements are provided. One such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield; and a biasing member adapted to exert a generally downward biasing force upon the needle. Another such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield, the needle shield comprising a pocket formed therein having an inclined surface; a split collet disposed within the pocket, the split collet having a variable inner bore; and a biasing element disposed within the pocket for biasing the split collet toward the inclined surface of the pocket.
US07654981B2	Removing device for injection needles A device for removing a needle unit from an injection device, the device for removing including an opening for receiving the needle unit and a locking structure generally associated with the opening, the locking structure formed in at least one rim area along the circumference of the opening, such that the needle unit can be moved in an insertion direction through the opening after it has been inserted into the opening, and when the needle unit is moved counter to the insertion direction, it establishes a locking connection with the locking structure. In one embodiment, the invention includes a container for receiving and containing at least one used needle unit.
US07654978B2	Emboli protection devices and related methods of use An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Prior to advancing a device across a stenosis to be treated, normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped. While blood flow is stopped, the stenosis is treated. Retrograde blood flow is induced within the blood vessel to carry embolic material dislodged during treating into the evacuation sheath assembly.
US07654977B2	Mouth adapter Mouth adapter (1) for oral administration of a fluid mixture, comprising a generally elongate body (10) having a proximally disposed handle end (12) and a distally disposed outlet end (11); a lumen (15) provided in said body (10) adapted for receiving a syringe (2), said syringe (2) comprising a tip (24) extending from a distal end wall (23); and an outlet (16) in communication with said lumen (15) provided in said outlet end (11), wherein said outlet end (11) has a rounded, smooth and substantially rigid outer surface (50), the mouth adapter (1) being provided with stop means (40, 41, 42, 43) for preventing said tip (24) from extending from the exterior surface of the outlet end (11).
US07654975B2	Mixed-gas insufflation system A mixed-gas insufflation system for mixing insufflation gases includes a gas supply providing at least two sources of insufflation gas and a mixer system. The mixer system includes a chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet. The at least two inlets of the chamber are in fluid communication with the gas supply. The mixer system mixes the at least two sources of insufflation gas.
US07654974B2	Recliner spinal traction device A traction table (200) include a frame having a base-frame portion (202) rotabably coupled to a top-frame portion (250) at a pivot point 214, a seat back portion (208) coupled to the top frame portion, and a seat-bottom (204) slidably coupled to the frame top portion. The seat-bottom can rotate about a pivot point (262) and tilt about at least one axis (260 and/or 264). The seat-bottom can further slide forwards or backwards relative to the top frame portion. The traction table can include an optional neck piece (210) coupled to the top frame portion that can move parallel relative to the seat back portion and constructed to rotate, tilt side to side or forward and backward. The traction table can include at least one actuator motor (245 or 244) for moving the seat-bottom or neck piece relative to the top-frame portion and a controller (212) for controlling such actuator(s).
US07654973B2	Orthotic bracing device There is provided a customizable orthotic bracing device, including an exoskeletal quasi-spinal column (12) extendable along the back of a patient and attachable to a body portion of the patient by means of a plurality of belt means (14, 14′) substantially surrounding the body portion at different points thereof, with the quasi-spinal column being comprised of a plurality of stackable and interlinkable segmental units (20), each unit consisting of a number of interlinkable sub-units (22, 24, 26, 28), characterized in that the position of the sub-units relative to one another can be adjusted in at least three degrees of freedom.
US07654972B2	Spinal orthosis to inhibit kyphosis and to minimize disk disease In one embodiment, a spinal orthosis includes a shoulder unit comprising a left shoulder portion and a right shoulder portion, a retracting device, a first connector connected to the left shoulder portion at a first end of the first connector and connected to the retracting device at a second end of the first connector, a second connector connected to the right shoulder portion at a first end of the second connector and connected to the retracting device at a second end of the second connector, and a lumbosacral belt attached to the retracting device, the lumbosacral belt being able to be secured to a body.
US07654970B2	Cervical dilation measurement apparatus The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger.
US07654966B2	Method and apparatus for monitoring dynamic cardiovascular function using n-dimensional representatives of critical functions A method, system, apparatus and device for the monitoring, diagnosis and evaluation of the state of a dynamic pulmonary system is disclosed. This method and system provides the processing means for receiving sensed and/or simulated data, converting such data into a displayable object format and displaying such objects in a manner such that the interrelationships between the respective variables can be correlated and identified by a user. This invention provides for the rapid cognitive grasp of the overall state of a pulmonary critical function with respect to a dynamic system.
US07654965B2	Method and system for processing electrocardiograms In a method and system for processing an electrocardiogram (ECG), digital ECG data are received. The digital ECG data evinces a plurality of a patient's heartbeats detected during an ECG. Digital annotation data are generated representing marking to be shown on an ECG tracing of the plurality of heartbeats. An annotated ECG tracing image is produced using the digital ECG data and the digital annotation data.
US07654963B2	Device for visually indicating a blood pressure An indicator device for visually indicating a pressure of blood inside a blood vessel includes: a body, the body comprising a duct extending in the body and having a sealed proximal end; a distal end portion adapted to be positioned inside the blood vessel and including a liquid inlet opening in fluid communication with the duct; and a window including an at least semi-transparent section configured to enable visual observation of blood entering into the duct via the inlet opening when the inlet opening is located inside the blood vessel.
US07654959B2	Motion artifact reduction in coherent image formation The same analytic data is combined in response to different relative phases. The resulting combinations are detected. The combination associated with the maximum magnitude is then selected for further processing. As a result, the complex data is processed across a variety of possible temporal discontinuities using candidate or possible phase shifts. The phase shift with the least cancellation and the associated combination is selected to minimize motion artifact cancellation.
US07654956B2	Transcutaneous analyte sensor The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US07654955B2	Apparatus and methods for assessing metabolic substrate utilization Apparatus and methods for assessing metabolic substrate utilization are described. In one embodiment, a processor-readable medium includes code to receive data indicative of a plasma glucose concentration, a plasma free fatty acid concentration, and a respiratory quotient of a subject. The processor-readable medium also includes code to calculate, based on the data, respective values of a set of metabolic parameters. The set of metabolic parameters includes a first metabolic parameter and a second metabolic parameter. The value of the first metabolic parameter is indicative of whether the subject has a predisposition towards oxidation of a first type of metabolic substrate or a second type of metabolic substrate, and the value of the second metabolic parameter is indicative of the subject's responsiveness to a change in availability of the first type of metabolic substrate or the second type of metabolic substrate.
US07654953B2	Universal vaginal speculum with disconnectable blades A vaginal speculum having a handle portion and a set of blade pairs some of which can be removably attached to the distal end of the handle and others can be slidingly inserted through the proximal end of the handle. Both pairs of the blades have snapping engagement with one and the same locking mechanism of the handle. The handle may constitute a permanent part, and the blades may be replaceable.
US07654952B2	Videolaryngostroboscope An innovative one-piece videolaryngostroboscope that provides slow motion visualization and detailed analysis of the vocal cords movements, which are imperceptible to the naked eye due, by means of a video camera with stroboscopic; said apparatus is used to perform examinations in patients, aiming to assess the incidence of larynx cancer. The invention including a processor base; an optics tube with a built-in light sources, a built-in video camera; a microphone, an auxiliary pedal and software.
US07654949B2	Apparatus, system, and method for creating an individually balanceable environment of sound and light A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for therapeutic light and sound, comprising the steps of exposing a user to spectral light and laterally directed sound and adjusting the manner of exposure sufficient to elicit a desired autonomic nervous response.
US07654948B2	Automated insomnia treatment system Automated behavioral methods and systems for treating insomnia that use passive means for determining wake/sleep states.
US07654946B2	Machine for covering packaging boxes A machine for covering packaging boxes (S) with a sheet (F) comprises at least one presser (10) and one folding blade (11) that move horizontally to apply the edges (L) of a glued sheet (F) to corresponding outside walls (P) of a box (S). The presser (10) and/or the blade (11) are adjustable in angular position with respect to one or more axes of rotation.
US07654944B1	Foldable exercise bench system A base has a primary leg with a rear cross bar positionable on the ground. The primary leg has a raised forward end. The base has a secondary leg with a front cross bar positionable on the ground. The secondary leg is pivotably coupled to the primary leg. A seat rest is secured to the upper surface of the primary leg. A back rest is secured to the upper surface of the primary leg. A rearward adjustment assembly includes a pair of parallel adjustment bars with an upper pivot tube. The upper pivot tube pivotally couples the upper ends of the adjustment bars to the back rest. A slider is slidable along the primary leg. The adjustment bars are coupled to the slider beneath the primary tube. The adjustment bars couple the adjustment bars to the slider. In this manner pivoting of the back rest is allowed.
US07654942B1	Linearly adjustable multi resistance ratio exercise apparatus A linearly adjustable multi resistance ratio exercise apparatus provides at least two linearly adjustable flexible connector ends which can be pressed or pulled for functional and strength training exercises. The flexible connector ends may be interconnected with resistance wherein the pressing or pulling of one flexible connector end will provide the user a different ratio of resistance than the pressing or pulling of an alternate flexible connector end. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide less resistance and will provide more flexible connector travel for functional training exercises. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide more resistance and will provide less flexible connector travel for strength training exercises. Some flexible connector ends may share the same swivel pulley assembly. One handle assembly may be attached to multiple flexible connector ends to obtain additional ratios of resistance.
US07654940B2	Arm exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support An arm exercise machine for performing isolation arm exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.
US07654938B2	Exercise machine with pivoting user support having multiple pivot linkage An exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame which supports a user in an exercise position, and a multiple pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame for movement between a start position and an end position. The pivot assembly has multiple pivots which define a theoretical pivot axis of the user support pivotal movement and a vertical gravitational center line which extends through the theoretical pivot axis. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
US07654937B2	Methods and systems for learning and practicing slalom Disclosed method and systems for learning and practicing slalom. An example method includes moving the slalomist's feet, skis or board mounted on a movable platform of a slalom simulator, together with the platform relative to a base of the slalom simulator periodically left-right, rotating the slalomist's feet, skis or board together with the platform periodically clockwise-counterclockwise in a plane of a simulated slalom route, wherein said movement and rotation are carried out with unchangeable direction of a longitudinal axis of the slalomist's feet, skis or board relative to the platform, synchronously and with an inclination of the slalomist's feet relative to the plane of the simulated slalom route, reversing said movement and rotation alternatively with the shifting of the initial phases of said motions, and moving the base of the slalom simulator forward along the axis of the simulated slalom route.
US07654934B2	Locking differential A differential gear is equipped with a selectively controllable locking device which is self energizing, i.e. it utilizes the differentiation energy to self-lock on its own accord. The control signal is therefore not needed to lock the locking device but rather to selectively, separately for each of the two possible differentiation directions, control it to not lock itself. This gives the differential gear four different working modes. These are: open regardless of differentiation direction; open in one differentiation direction but self-locking in the other direction; open in the other direction but self-locking in the first one; self locking regardless of differentiation direction. A control unit is supplied with sensor data of the present “driving situation”. The control unit has a steering strategy. With the right steering strategy it can regulate the control signal so as to permit the differential gear to equalize the torque at each output shaft for as long as possible but still to practically eliminate the risk of one wheel spin.
US07654931B2	Method for operating a drive train A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive having an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, an automatic transmission. The drive train also having a clutch between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, and a clutch or a torque converter between the electric motor and the automatic transmission. This arrangement enabling the internal combustion engine to be started by engaging the clutch arranged between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, when the drive train is powered exclusively by the electric motor. The braking power, generated during an upshift in response to a drop in the rotational speed of the drive train components, is used to start the internal combustion engine, such that the energy required from the electric motor for starting the combustion engine is minimized.
US07654929B2	Assembly including a planetary pinion carrier and one-way clutch A planetary gear unit for an automatic transmission includes a pinion carrier including a first disc formed with first holes located radially from an axis joined to a second disc spaced axially from the first disc and formed with second holes, each second hole being aligned with a first hole, a clutch ring contacting the second disc and pinion shafts, each pinion shaft extending axially through one of the first holes and one of the second holes and supporting a pinion thereon.
US07654928B2	Continuously variable planetary gear set A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
US07654925B2	Tension-reducing random sprocket A sprocket is provided having a plurality of teeth around its circumference. Adjacent teeth are separated by roots each having a root radius defined as the distance between the center of the sprocket and a point along the root closest to the sprocket center in a radial direction. In one aspect of the invention, the sprocket comprises at least two different root radii arranged in a pattern effective to redistribute tensions imparted to a chain by the sprocket at one or more predetermined sprocket orders.
US07654923B2	Readily extendible telescopic lifting system By providing a plurality of cylindrically shaped tube members nested together in coaxially aligned relationship, with each tube member being connected to a separate and independent control segment, with the control segments being constructed for raising and lowering the associated tube segment, an easily produced, reliable, dependable, and highly portable telescopically extendable and retractable multi-element system is realized. In the preferred embodiment, each control segment incorporates a separate endless loop drive belt which is cooperatively associated with a pair of pulleys mounted at opposed ends of the segment. Furthermore, each control segment is interconnected to the endless loop drive belt of an adjacent segment for causing all of the segments to move simultaneously in response to the initial movement of a first control segment.
US07654922B2	Sports ball comprising automatic inflation means and method to manage the internal pressure of such a ball Sports ball, and more generally a pneumatic object with at least one internal pressure sensor (10) of said ball, automatic inflator (6), capable of compensating for a decrease in the internal pressure, this inflator having at least one gas micro-generator, said at least one micro-generator being capable of being actuated when the pressure sensor (10) measures an internal pressure below a predetermined threshold.
US07654921B2	Baseball batting training aid A batting training aid and method of use to improve baseball players' batting stance and swinging motion. The stance is characterized by a high center of gravity, erect posture with one leg forward, and the other backward. The proper swinging motion is around a vertical axis. The batting training aid comprises: a waist belt; an anklet; a stirrup attached to the anklet; a strap connected at one end to the belt and at the other to the anklet. The length of the strap is adjusted to a predetermined length set to the maximum separation between the back ankle and the waist and configured to force players into the proper batting stance and proper swinging motion. The method of use comprises adjusting the length of strap; adopting batting stance; batting at ball; sensing a tug between the waist and the ankle; and correcting the batting stance to eliminate the tug.
US07654918B2	Multi-layer core golf ball having thermoset rubber cover An all rubber golf ball with one or more thermosetting rubber core layers and one or more thermosetting rubber cover layer. At least one of the ball's layers has moisture vapor barrier property, and in one aspect the moisture vapor barrier layer is an intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the thermosetting rubber layers follow a cis- or a trans-polybutadiene gradient from the center of the ball to its cover.
US07654917B2	Golf balls having a low modulus HNP layer and a high modulus HNP layer The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition.
US07654910B2	Maze device Disclosed is a multi-modular maze device comprising a plurality of maze modules interconnected using a plurality of adaptors to configure a plurality of interconnected pathways. The maze modules and the adaptors are removably engaged to each other using hook and loop fastening arrangements. The maze device is capable of being removably installed on a supporting surface (for example, floor), either outdoor or indoor.
US07654909B2	Hybrid fastening system A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3Al-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components.
US07654907B2	Apparatus for damping the torsional excitation of a drive shaft In one aspect, an apparatus for damping the torsional excitation of a drive shaft is provided. The apparatus includes: a member secured to one end of the drive shaft and extending along the drive shaft; and damping means secured to the other end of the drive shaft for damping vibration of the end of the member remote from the securing of the member to the one end of the drive shaft. A hydraulic circuit for damping the vibration of a component in a first dimension, the circuit including: a pair of hydraulic cylinders disposed so that the actions of the pistons of the cylinders oppose one another in the first dimension, the pistons communicating with the component; and a fluid flow path between the cylinders, vibration of the component in the first dimension causing fluid flow between the cylinders to damp the vibration.
US07654905B2	Video gaming device with pivotally mounted printer module A video gaming device includes a games console. The games console includes a disc reader module configured to load a game stored on a disc. A printer module is pivotally mounted relative to the disc reader module and is configured to print game information on print media. A controller module is configured to be engaged, in a releasable manner, with the printer module. The controller module is also configured to communicate wirelessly with the games console to enable control of the games console.
US07654899B2	Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a controller for conducting the wagering game, and a video projector coupled to the controller. The display region includes a plurality of projection surfaces secured to floating screen assemblies. The video projector simulates mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region. The video projector displays images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game. The images are projected onto the projection surfaces within the display region.
US07654895B2	Gaming machine with expandable array A slot-type gaming machine using an expandable symbol array to create a series of sequentially larger symbol arrays with the potential for additional or enhanced awards. The generation of the larger arrays can be performed through a variety a different mechanisms, such as the addition of a reel to the base array. The secondary arrays may be generated only under specific sets of circumstances that occur in the base array including, a winning pay line, the occurrence of a bonus triggering symbol, etc. To increase player interest in the game, some embodiments include allowing the player to determine where the additional symbols to create the larger array are placed in the base array.
US07654892B2	Tailings re-thresher deflector A re-threshing system for a combine includes a delivery mechanism for transporting tailings from the cleaning section of the combine to a re-threshing apparatus and a bypass that can be used to bypass the tailings around the re-threshing apparatus. The re-threshing apparatus includes a re-threshing housing that at least partially surrounds a re-threshing rotor. The rotor and housing have cooperating threshing elements that act to re-thresh the tailings delivered into the housing and deliver the re-threshed tailings out of a housing outlet into a discharge passage to be directed to the cleaning section of the combine harvester. The delivery mechanism is configured to throw or fling the tailings into an inlet opening of the housing in a direction substantially tangential to the rotor rotating direction. To bypass the re-threshing apparatus, a deflector can be deployed to block the inlet opening and deflect the tailings into a bypass passage that is open to the discharge passage.
US07654891B2	Coin feeding device for adjusting to different size coins The present invention provides a coin feeding device that can separate coins of multiple denominations that are different in diameter. A rotary disk has a circular base plate and a pushing out disk with a plurality of space radial projecting portions extending above the circular base plate. The spaces between the radial projecting portions form coin separating concave portions for receiving coins. The circular base plate can have cam grooves. A pivoting moving body can be driven by the cam grooves and can be positioned at either a radially inward surface of the separating concave portion or extended forward to discharge a coin. One side of the separating concave portions are curved as a coin pushing portion while the other side has a protruding portion that is cantilevered to extend into the concave portion and to project upward to remove any extraneous coin that may be carried by movement of the rotary disk.
US07654888B2	Carrier head with retaining ring and carrier ring A carrier head that has a housing, a base assembly, a retaining ring, a carrier ring, and a flexible membrane is described. The base assembly is vertically movable relative to the housing. The retaining ring is connected to and vertically movable relative to the base assembly and has a lower surface configured to contact a polishing pad and an inner surface configured to circumferentially surround the edge of a substrate to retain the substrate. The carrier ring is connected to and vertically fixed relative to the base assembly, circumferentially surrounds the retaining ring to prevent lateral motion of the retaining ring, and has a bottom surface configured to contact a polishing pad.
US07654887B2	Vacuum chuck and suction board The vacuum chuck according to the present invention is provided with a sucking plate for sucking and holding an object to be sucked, in which a sucking layer made of a porous ceramic and a dense material layer are integrated, the sucking layer being located on the side for sucking the object to be sucked, wherein the dense material layer is formed by impregnating the porous ceramic with a metal.
US07654871B2	Electrical connector with additional mating port An electrical connector includes an electrical receptacle and an electrical plug for mating with the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle includes a first port, a second port communicating with the first port. The second port can accommodate a standard B-type USB 2.0 plug. The first and the second ports can be combined to receive the electrical plug for high-speed signal transmission.
US07654863B2	Electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly (100) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises an electrical connector (200) for connecting an electronic package with a circuit substrate (60) and a connecting device (300) for fixing the electrical connector (200) to the circuit substrate (60). The electrical connector (200) includes a housing assembly (1) with a plurality of contacts (10) received therein. The connecting device (1) includes a first screw (70), a second screw (90) and a nut (80) connecting the first screw (70) and the second screw (90). The nut (80) connecting with the first screw (70) makes the first screw (70) securely located on the housing assembly (1) and prevents the first screw (70) losing in the transportation.
US07654858B2	Indicator light for connector An illuminated connector for a device output may be used as a status indicator, showing various states of the output, including output on, proper functioning, and improper functioning. The illumination may be provided through a face of the physical connector, around a periphery of the connector, or proximate to the connector. Various colors and sequence of illuminations may communicate various states. The illuminator may be used to indicate the status of a wireless version of the same type of output of the connector.
US07654850B2	Shielded locking electrical connector An electrical connector connects to a mating connector in a first direction. The electrical connector includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, a terminal arrangement board made of an electrical insulator for aligning and holding the terminals, and a metal plate attached to the housing at a position facing both surfaces of the terminal arrangement board for connecting to the mating connector. The metal plate has a lock portion at a position facing one surface of the terminal arrangement board. The lock portion engages a latch portion of the mating connector in the first direction when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector. The metal plate has an elastic pressing portion at a position facing the other surface of the terminal arrangement board. The elastic pressing portion presses the mating connector in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector.
US07654845B2	Contacting plug-and-socket connection with contact force independent of contact carrier thickness Disclosed is a contacting connector (53) comprising a contacting plug (25) and a contacting socket (97) which is assigned, preferably joined in a defined position, to a contact carrier (17), particularly a printed board (16). The contacting plug (25) is fitted with at least one contact element (58) while the contact carrier (17) is provided with at least one contact surface (127), preferably a land (126) or a strip conductor. A receiving direction (a) that corresponds to a plug-in direction is defined between the contacting plug (25) and the contact carrier (17) while the contact element (58) lies on the contact carrier (17) with a certain contact force (FK). The inventive contacting connector (53) is characterized in that the contact force (FK) is independent of a force (F) acting between the contacting socket (97) and the contact carrier (17).
US07654844B1	Telescopic power connector A power supply module configured for removable insertion into a power supply bay of an electronic system. A telescopic power connector disposed within the power supply housing includes a plurality of internal fixed contacts in electrical communication with an electrical socket and a movable member carrying a plurality of elongate sliding contacts in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts. The movable member is movable generally perpendicular to an insertion direction of the power supply housing. A mechanical actuator is configured for moving the movable member of the telescopic power connector into connection with an external power connector, such as on a motherboard, so that ends of the sliding contacts are moved into electrical connection with terminals on the external power connector while remaining in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts.
US07654842B2	Electrical or optical or hydraulic connector that self-aligns the plug with respect to the base, particularly for offshore connections The invention pertains to an electrical, optical or hydraulic connector (1) equipped with an electrical, optical or hydraulic plug, respectively, intended to be connected to an electrical, optical or hydraulic base, that self-aligns the plug (3) relative to the base (5), particularly for “offshore” connections, in which the plug (3) and the base (5) are attached to respective support parts (11, 7) intended to be positioned with respect to one another in order to approximately align the plug (3) and the base (5) in order to connect said plug and base to one another, characterized in that it has a mechanical driving mechanism (19) enabling the plug (3) or the base (5) to move forward or backward, in order to be connected into the base (5) or the plug (3), respectively, and a self-aligning mechanism (17) for the plug (3) or the base (5) relative to the base (5) or the plug (3), respectively.
US07654837B2	Chip card holder and portable electronic device using same An exemplary chip card holder (100) used in a portable electronic device for holding a chip card (50) is provided. The chip card holder includes a housing member (10), a holding member (20), and a driving member (30). The holding member is fixed to the housing member for receiving and holding the chip card. The driving member is movable relative to the housing member and the holding member for moving the chip card from either of a released position and a holding position to the other of the holding position and released position.
US07654835B1	Electrical connector An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of terminals received within and a shell encircling the housing therein. The shell has a mating opening at one end thereof. A dustproof cover is assembled in the shell and positioned between the mating opening and the housing to perform anti-dust function. The dustproof cover has an insulator and a metal sheet combined with the insulator to strengthen the structure of the dustproof cover. The dustproof cover is of enough intensity and is not prone to deformation in use and therefore offers fully anti-dust function for the electrical connector.
US07654832B2	Double-row angle pin connector A double-row angle pin connector is provided for a patch plug that has an insertion direction that is parallel to the printed circuit board. The angle pin connector comprises angle pins (8) arranged in two rows in an inner, patch plug-side row (12) as well as in an outer row (13). The angle pins (8) have printed circuit board-side soldered ends (6) and patch plug-side plugged ends (5). The angle pin connector furthermore includes a housing bottom (14) and a housing cover (15) for fixing the angle pins (8). The soldered ends (6) arranged in the patch plug-side row (12) are fixed between the housing bottom (14) and the housing cover (15) by housing support straps (17) bent during the mounting of the housing. The arrangement provides reliably operating multi-pole patch plugs, without angle plugs with a separate extrusion coating, whereby installation space and costs can thus be saved.
US07654826B2	Three-dimensional cartographic user interface system A three-dimensional cartographic computer user interface system for enhancing geo-spatial comprehension and geographic information system user interactivity is disclosed. The system has at least one computer and operating system, user input means, and at least one positionable projection display means, including storage, retrieval and playback control means for the projected content. The system has user input device software responsive to input from at least one user input device which is operable on a three-dimensional user interface surface of the system, and software for the display and control of cartographic-related projected imagery, and software for the display and control of three-dimensional user interface-related content superimposed within the cartographic-related projected imagery. The system includes at least one cartographic map having at least one surface portion which is three-dimensionally shaped to represent topographic terrain of at least one geographical location and optionally includes a substantially planar surface onto which cartographic-related content is projected.
US07654824B2	Extension piece for a dental implant, transfer aid for transferring the position of an implant and of an extension piece, and method for producing a basis for a retention element An extension piece (2) for a dental implant (1) has a head part (20) which serves as a basis for a retention element (7). The extension piece (2) can be screwed in the dental implant (1) with a threaded stem (29). The extension piece (2) is provided with a reference surface (24) via which the position of the extension piece (2) in the circumferential direction can be transferred to a transfer aid (4) having a transfer surface (42) shaped to complement the reference surface (24). The position of the extension piece (2) is transferred via the transfer aid (4) into an impression (93). The extension piece (2) is then provided with a manipulation implant (5) and is repositioned in the impression (93). From this, a working model (M) is formed in which the desired shape of the extension piece (2) can be defined. The extension piece (2) which has been machined to the desired shape is then screwed into the implant (1) with the same torque as is used for taking the impression.
US07654823B2	Method and device for determining position of dental implants An accessory for use in aiding an oral surgeon to determine the optimum position and angle for a dental implant to be installed in a bone includes a probe assembly having one or more pairs of probe members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at their centers. Each pair of probe members is configured and dimensioned such that one end of the pair on one side of the pivot axis serves as a probe end to straddle the bone with their tips contacting the bone at opposed contact points thereon, and the opposite end of the pair on the opposite side of the pivot axis serves as a guide end in which the tips of the probe members are automatically located to indicate the thickness of the bone at the pair of opposed contact points. Also described are a kit including a plurality of such accessories, a tool for manually applying such accessories, and a method of using such accessories for use in determining the optimum position and angle for a dental implant.
US07654822B2	Candle assembly including a fuel element with a locating recess and a melting plate with a locating protrusion A melting plate candle assembly includes a melting plate with a locating protrusion, which engages a fuel element in a predefined orientation when in a preferred operative position. In one operative position, the bottom surface of the fuel element is disposed on the melting plate, and a capillary space is formed between a capillary pedestal on the melting plate and a capillary recess in the bottom surface of the fuel element. The locating protrusion provides positive indication that the fuel element is properly disposed in the operative position.
US07654821B2	Flint ignited premixed lighter A lighter includes a butane fuel reservoir, a valve, a mixer with a choke, a movable combustion space and movable top door over the combustion space which interact to allow a wheel and flint igniter to initiate a post mix flame above the top of the combustion space followed by the opening of the top and migration of the flame into the combustion space to create a strong torch-like premixed flame thereafter.
US07654811B2	Mold for manufacturing a tube by extraction A mold equipped with a core having a plurality of branching columnar distal portions in the extrusion direction and a die having an aperture surrounding the distal portions. A softened flexible resin is injected from one end of a resin flow path formed between the core and the die and extruded in order to form a pipe material having a plurality of circular liquid flow paths which are mutually independent and have the same inner diameter. The distal portions of the core shaped as a row of circular distal portions aligned on the same axis, where the two edge distal portions have a smaller diameter than the distal portions disposed between the edge distal portions, while the portions of the aperture surrounding each of the distal portions have the same diameter.
US07654810B2	Injection molding machine which carries out controlling of closing operation of a check ring While a check ring of a screw of an injection molding machine is in open state, an absolute value (\|Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount\|) of a variation of a resin pressure per unit variation of the screw reverse rotation becomes greater than a predetermined reference value. However, after the check ring is closed, \|Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount\| becomes equal to or less than the reference value. From this, detecting if the \|Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount\| during reverse rotation of the screw, it is possible to determine that the check ring is closed or not. As a result, it is possible to obtain a screw reverse rotation amount which is optimal for reliably closing the check ring.
US07654807B2	Method and system for generating foam for the manufacture of gypsum products A method for generating foam for gypsum product manufacturing includes injecting water through a conduit and injecting a foaming agent through the conduit to form a first solution comprising the water and the foaming agent. The method includes straining the first solution in the conduit and injecting air through the conduit to form a second solution comprising the water, the foaming agent and the air. The method also includes straining the second solution in the conduit to form foam and communicating the foam to a gypsum product manufacturing device.
US07654805B2	Scroll compressor with an anti-rotation mechanism A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll structuring an operation chamber for a fluid with the fixed scroll and compressing the fluid in the operation chamber by orbiting relative to the fixed scroll, a shaft having an eccentric portion connected to the orbiting scroll and receiving a driving force to rotate, a housing accommodating the orbiting scroll, the housing integrally provided with the fixed scroll, a tooth integrally formed at the orbiting scroll and extending in a radial direction of the orbiting scroll and an engaging portion integrally formed in the housing, the engaging portion facing the tooth in the radial direction of the orbiting scroll and engaging with the tooth in a circumferential direction of the orbiting scroll.
US07654804B2	Fluid displacement apparatus having pressure sensing device A fluid displacement apparatus includes a housing for receiving a refrigerant, a driving shaft rotatably received in the housing, a magnetic clutch attached to the driving shaft for rotation transmitting purposes, a fixed scroll disposed in the housing, an orbiting scroll rotatably received and engaged in the housing and interfitting with the fixed scroll for compressing the refrigerant and for generating a pressurized refrigerant, the housing includes a compartment communicating with the inner chamber of the housing with a passage for receiving a pressure sensing device which may sense the pressure of the pressurized refrigerant for detecting whether the refrigerant in the housing is over pressure or not.
US07654803B2	Tube pump and liquid ejection apparatus A flexible tube has a first portion and a second portion located close to each other in the vicinity of an opening of an accommodating case. A pressing member moves from the first portion to the second portion along the tube while pressing a portion of the tube. An assistant member is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the case. The assistant member has an assistant surface. When the pressing member passes the vicinity of the opening of the case, the assistant member transfers the pressing member from the second portion to the first portion via the assistant surface. This structure ensures a silent operation of the tube pump.
US07654802B2	Reciprocating drive apparatus and method A reciprocating drive apparatus has a driving device and a driven device, one of the devices comprising a reciprocating member mounted for movement along a longitudinal axis. At least one rotary member is coupled to one of the devices and a linear bearing assembly has a linear guide rail and a linear slide member with an end coupled to the other device. A connecting link has a first end pivotally connected to the rotary member and a second end pivotally linked to the slide member. Where the reciprocating member is the driven device, rotation of the rotary member will cause the reciprocating member to move back and forth along the longitudinal axis.
US07654800B2	Mobile concrete pump and corresponding building frame A mobile concrete pump including a building frame (22) arranged on the structure (12) of a truck chassis (10). The building frame (22) includes two longitudinal side members (50) mutually spaced apart by a free space (52) and resting on the chassis structure (12). The mobile concrete pump further comprises a driving assembly (42) for actuating the functional units, which are arranged with the core pump (24) in the free space zone (52) located between the two longitudinal side members (50). At least the core pump can be easily mounted and dismounted from the building frame (22). For this, the building frame (22) is provided with a floating bearing (54) which links the side members across the free space, as well as a fixed bearing (56) arranged at the rear end of the building frame and serving to support releasably the core pump (24) which is pre-assembled in modular manner.
US07654798B2	Fan blade modifications A winglet includes a vertical member and a mounting member. The mounting member is configured to facilitate the mounting of the winglet to the tip of a fan blade. The vertical member is configured to extend perpendicularly relative the tip of a fan blade. Adding winglets to fan blades may improve the aerodynamics of the fan blades, and thereby increase efficiencies of a fan.
US07654792B2	Blower Blower made up of at least two axially stacked, interlocking fans. Each fan is enclosed in a housing the axially opposite ends of which are flanged. Opposing flats on immediately neighboring flanges are formed with complementary twist-locking features. The twist-locking features are configured in such a way that when the fans are stacked, the opposing flats will not be in contact with each other unless the housings are twisted out of axial alignment to bring the opposing flats flush together, and such that with the opposing flats flush in contact, twisting the housings back into axial alignment locks them together.
US07654789B2	Apparatus for forming stacks with print products with ejection groove and lifting plates An apparatus for forming stacks with print products includes a platform on which respective stacks are formed. A lift comprised of two lift parts is arranged on the platform to lift up the print products.
US07654787B2	Tool holder with hydraulic coupling means The invention relates to a tool holder for cranes. The tool holder comprises hydraulic cylinder means arranged to detachably be able to lock a tool to the tool holder. Furthermore, hydraulic coupling means is comprised and arranged to be connected with hydraulic coupling means on the tool and hydraulic line means. The object of the invention is, among other things, to reduce the number of requisite lines in the hydraulic line means. According to the invention, the tool holder comprises furthermore valve means provided with switching means arranged to connect the hydraulic line means either to the hydraulic cylinder means or to the hydraulic coupling means of the tool holder. Thereby, the same hydraulic line means may be used for the locking i 5 function and the tool. The invention also relates to a crane provided with such a tool holder as well as use of the tool holder.
US07654778B2	Vacuum system for pickup unit An improved system for the moving material into and out of a trailer attached to a truck that is equipped with first and second high pressure hydraulic circuits, an airlock circuit, and a low pressure return line. The improvement to the system generally includes a selector valve that is operable between load and unload positions, and a blower and motor that are mounted to the trailer's chassis and are fluidly driven by the high pressure circuits via the selector valve being in its load position. When in the unload position, the blower and motor are bypassed and the hydraulic circuits operate in their traditional manner.
US07654777B2	Grout pack restraining system The invention provides a grout pack restraining system, comprising a plurality of elongate elements shaped to extend about a grout pack and which are characterized in that they are configured to control circumferential expansion of the grout pack beyond the expansion permitted through material yield of the elements. In one embodiment the rings of different diameter are secured about the grout pack. In a further embodiment the rings are configured to be circumferentially expandable are secured about the grout pack.
US07654776B2	Retaining wall block A retaining wall block has parallel top and bottom faces, a front face, a rear face, first and second side wall faces and a vertical plane of symmetry extending between the front and rear faces. The block is formed as a body portion including the front face, a head portion including the rear face and a neck portion connecting the body portion and the head portion. The body, head and neck portions each extend between the top and bottom faces and between the first and second side wall faces. An opening extends through the neck portion from the top face to the bottom face, dividing the neck portion into first and second neck wall members extending rearwardly from the body portion to the head portion.
US07654775B2	Soil nail launcher A soil nail launching device and method are provided wherein the launching device includes an improved configuration for the protective shroud and an improved configuration for a connection between the breach and barrel of the launching device. For the protective shroud, a plurality of removable shroud plates are provided to ease maintenance of the shroud plate, as well as to provide more consistent pressure release after the launcher has been fired. The improved breach and barrel design includes a connection that does not reduce the area of the annular space that is evacuated during firing of the device, thereby optimizing the available volume of air to be transferred to the breach for launching the soil nail through the barrel.
US07654774B1	Pipe pulling method and device A method for pulling pipe using a device that is rectangular in shape and is connected at one end thereof to a pulling vehicle so that pulling force from the pulling vehicle is directed along the longitudinal axis of the puller and which has two pipe connecting holes defined therethrough adjacent to the other end thereof.
US07654773B2	System and method for installing a subsea pipeline The disclosure provides a system and method for installing subsea equipment, such as a pipeline and equipment associated therewith in a target area, generally having restricted overhead access. An anchor can be installed in the seabed and can include one or more sheaves. A pipeline can be provided, which can include related equipment and/or one or more coupling devices situated remotely from the anchor relative to the target area. A winch wire can be provided and is adapted to be directly or indirectly coupled across at least a portion of the target area to the pipeline. A transfer sling having a pull wire and an initiation wire can be coupled between the winch wire and pipeline to assist the winch wire pulling the pipeline into the target area and transferring a pipeline force from the sheave to the anchor independent of the sheave.
US07654771B2	Spray gun mount for line striper A spray gun mounting tube (116) in a walk behind gas powered line striper (110) is clamped to only one side (112) of the striper frame. The mass of the spray gun (122) and gun mounting bracket (120) allows the gun (122) to hold a steady position.
US07654768B1	Massive security barriers having tie-bars in tunnels Barrier elements provide security from terrorist threats by ability to withstand both vehicle collisions and explosive blasts. Each barrier element is prefabricated to include a massive block of durable material, preferably of high strength concrete, with at least one tunnel extending at least partially between respective cavities in two opposite sides of the block. Each barrier element also includes at least one beam that is preferably made of steel and extends through one such tunnel. Multiple blocks are positionable slidably on top of the ground side-against-side with their beams coupled longitudinally to one another at least approximately end-to-end. Retainer means can be used to block coupling means from entry into the tunnels. Forces from a vehicle collision or an explosive blast can cause barrier elements to rotate relative to one-another when the couplings between beams hinge or bend as the durable material that interferes with the rotation breaks away.
US07654761B2	Photofinishing system having media roll slitter A photofinishing system is provided having a printer and a slitter which has a plurality of slitting blades mounted on rotatable shafts and a rotatable, selectively positional turret supporting the rotatable shafts. The printer is arranged to receive, and effect printing of, photographic images on a media roll. The slitter is arranged to receive the printed media, to transport the printed media in a direction away from the printer and, in use, to slit the printed media in the longitudinal direction of transportation of the media.
US07654759B2	Safety mechanism in an automatic engraving assembly A safety mechanism includes multiple positioning recesses defined in a bottom face of the head of the adjusting sleeve, a stop received in one of the positioning recesses, a slot defined in a top face of the body, an urging spring received in the slot, and a urging ball partially received in the slot and urged by the urging spring. Therefore, rotation of the adjusting sleeve relative to the body is limited due to engagement between the urging ball and the stop which is received in one of the positioning recesses and separation between the adjusting sleeve and the body is avoided.
US07654756B2	Actuator drive circuit and actuator device An actuator drive circuit includes a counter starting counting of a frequency-divided clock obtained by dividing a frequency of a reference clock in response to an activation signal, a D/A converter providing a converted voltage increasing gradually and stepwise in response to an output of the counter, a coil current control amplifier comparing a coil current detection voltage corresponding to a value of a coil current of the actuator with the converted voltage immediately after activation, comparing the coil current detection voltage with a coil current limitation reference voltage corresponding to an upper limit value of the coil current after the converted voltage matches the coil current limitation reference voltage, and providing an amplified output voltage prepared by amplifying a difference between the compared voltages, and a drive current output circuit providing a drive current of the actuator according to the amplified output voltage of the coil current control amplifier.
US07654755B2	Folding hinge A folding hinge for camera stabilization equipment. The hinge includes support connectors having apertures through which cables may be passed to connect a camera with various auxiliary components. An indexing guide pivotally attaches the support connectors so the camera stabilization system can be folded and unfolded with little or no disruption of the cables pr system balance. Locking mechanisms secure the hinges to provide a desired angular relationship between support members connected by the hinge.
US07654752B2	Z-axis alignment of an optoelectronic component using a composite adhesive An optoelectronic package that employs a spacer tool system to properly align an optical component within the device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the package includes a mounting surface, and an optical component positioned on the mounting surface at a predetermined distance from a reference point. The optical component is positioned at the predetermined distance by a spacer tool, wherein the spacer tool is interposed between the optical component and a spacer tool mount during optical component positioning. The spacer tool is of a length that corresponds with the predetermined distance between the optical component and the reference point.
US07654749B2	Fiber connector and adapter Fiberoptic connector and adapter assembly includes a fiberoptic connector received within an adapter. The connector has a cover on the connector housing. The cover pivots between open and closed positions to expose or cover, respectively, a optical fiber contained within the connector. Longitudinal guides of the connector are received cooperating with longitudinal guides of the adapter to direct the connector into the adapter in a prescribed alignment. A cam pin is carried on the adapter to engage a cam pin receiving slot on the cover to urge the cover to the open position as the connector is inserted into the adapter.
US07654748B2	Reversible fiber optic connector A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough. The cam further includes a first camming profile that actuates a field fiber clamp and a second camming profile that actuates a buffer clamp. The connector may further include alignment flats and features for preventing rotation and axial movement of various components. Because the cam is unexposed when mated, inadvertent de-activation is prevented.
US07654740B2	X-ray tube and method for determination of focal spot properties X-ray tube and method for determination of focal spot properties The invention relates to an x-ray tube (1) comprising at least one cathode (3) which emits electrons accelerated towards a rotating anode (5) such that the focal spot (27) is formed on a surface (9) of the anode (5). A structure (15), in particular slits or pits (13), is disposed on the surface (9) of the anode (5). The x-ray tube (1) comprises a detector (7) for detecting a detection signal which changes, if the structure (15) on the rotating anode (5) passes the focal spot. The x-ray tube (1) further comprises determination means (6) for determining properties of the focal spot from changes of the detection signal. Thus, properties of the focal spot can be determined from changes of the detection signal during operation of the x-ray tube (1).
US07654737B2	Accessory for measuring temperatures in solidified products such as frozen meats and frozen food in general An accessory for measuring temperature in solidified products such as frozen meats and frozen food in general, adapted to pierce the frozen product. The accessory comprises a cavity enclosing a thermometry element suitable for such purpose and is defined by a body made of a thermo-conducting material. The accessory comprises a tubular portion that can be inserted into the product which temperature needs to be measured, and an operator handle for the accessory. A cavity enclosing a temperature sensing element extends along the tubular portion to the proximity of its distal end, which has a pointed end. The distal section of the tubular portion comprises at least one helical cutting edge for cutting the frozen product, which allows the insertion of the accessory when being turned. The operator handle is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion, and comprises a hole that connects with the cavity that contains the temperature sensing element.
US07654736B1	Semiconductor device having variable parameter selection based on temperature and test method A semiconductor device that may include temperature sensing circuits is disclosed. The temperature sensing circuits may be used to control various parameters, such as internal regulated supply voltages, internal refresh frequency, a word line low voltage, or the like. In this way, operating specifications of a semiconductor device at worst case temperatures may be met without compromising performance at normal operating temperatures. Each temperature sensing circuit may include a selectable temperature threshold value as well as a selectable temperature hysteresis value. In this way, temperature performance characteristics may be finely tuned. Furthermore, a method of testing the temperature sensing circuits is disclosed in which a current value may be monitored and temperature threshold values and temperature hysteresis values may be thereby determined.
US07654735B2	Electronic thermometer An electronic thermometer having ergonomic and efficiency features. The thermometer includes a display and a control panel, defined by at least one button, disposed above the display. The thermometer is easy and comfortable to hold and allows the user to operate the thermometer with one hand. The thermometer holds a probe and a container of probe covers in a convenient and compact configuration. A battery door is particularly constructed to avoid accidental opening. A bottom of the thermometer is formed to hold the housing in an upright position when the bottom is placed one a horizontal surface.
US07654734B2	Methods and devices for evaluating the thermal exposure of a metal article A method for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component which has been exposed to changing temperature conditions is described. The voltage distribution on a surface of the metal component, or on a metallic layer which lies over the component, is first obtained. The voltage distribution usually results from a compositional change in the metal component. The voltage distribution is then compared to a thermal exposure-voltage model which expresses voltage distribution as a function of exposure time and exposure temperature for a reference standard corresponding to the metal component. In this manner, the thermal exposure of the selected component can be obtained. A related device for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component is also described.
US07654732B2	Timepiece incorporating wristband contact elements A wrist-worn timepiece may have a case, a timing element, a wristband, and a contact element. The timing element is located within the case. The wristband extends outward from the case and defines an aperture. The contact element is secured to the wristband and has an outer portion and a locking portion. The outer portion forms a portion of an exterior surface of the timepiece and is located to contact a wrist of a wearer. The outer portion is also formed of a first material. The locking portion is joined with the outer portion and positioned to contact an edge of the aperture. The locking portion is also formed of a second material.
US07654731B2	Timepiece comprising an improved time-setting device According to the invention, the time-setting device (18) of the timepiece includes a time-setting lever (62) which carries a coupling device (64) and the pivoting of which is controlled between an uncoupled position and a coupled position corresponding to the time-setting position of the winding stem (22). The coupling device (64) includes an exit pinion (78) which, in the coupled position, meshes with a minute wheel (16), and a plate (90) which is pivotably mounted on the time-setting lever (62) and which is provided with first and second reversion wheels (94, 96) of parallel axes (A8, A9) meshing with each other. An intermediate wheel (60), which is driven in rotation by the winding stem (22) in the time-setting position, meshes with the first reverser wheel (94).
US07654730B2	Ergonomic paint mixer An apparatus for mixing material in a container includes a platform mounted for simultaneous movement on at least two axes and for supporting a container containing material to be mixed. A motor can be operatively associated with the platform to move the platform on the two axes. A container holding assembly having a vertical extent can be carried by the platform, and is moveable between a closed position in which the holding assembly is positioned proximate the container to retain the container on the platform during mixing operations, and an open position in which the holding assembly is positioned away from the container so that the container can be removed from the platform without lifting the container over the vertical extent of the holding assembly. The platform can be contained within a housing having a low profile opening such that the container can be removed without elevating the container.
US07654729B2	Test-tube agitation device, comprising means for the optical detection of a test-tube A powered test-tube agitation device includes a small plate having a rest for a test tube to be agitated and operated in agitation by a powered mechanism. The powered mechanism is started by optical detection of the entry of an object into a predetermined zone above the small plate. Advantageously the detector is a photoelectric infrared reflection detector.
US07654728B2	System and method for therapeutic application of dissolved oxygen A system and method for generating an oxygen enriched aqueous solution for therapeutic application includes a diffuser comprising a first diffusing member having a surface incorporating surface disturbances, and a second diffusing member positioned relative to the first diffusing member to form a channel through which an aqueous solution and oxygen gas may flow. A reservoir containing the aqueous solution is connected to a pump that draws the aqueous solution from the reservoir and inputs the aqueous solution into the diffuser. The aqueous solution is moved through the channel relative to the surface disturbances to create cavitation in the aqueous solution to diffuse the oxygen gas into the aqueous solution to produce an oxygen enriched aqueous solution.
US07654727B2	Method and apparatus for producing an aqueous paint composition from a plurality of premixed compositions The present invention is directed to the provision of premixed aqueous compositions which are used to provide a paint composition of varying finish characteristics at the point of sale. Thus, the merchant distributing the paint composition made from the subject premixed compositions need only maintain inventory of four compositions. The particular compositions which are the subject of the invention exhibit stable characteristics during storage in their respective reservoirs. The compositions include a pigment composition, a dispersant thickening agent, a high resin content binder, and a low resin content binder. The compositions are combined in differing amounts to produce paint compositions being suitable for either interior or exterior use and having differing sheens, quality levels, and color bases.
US07654723B2	Optical plate and backlight module using the same An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a first surface, a second surface, a plurality of conical frustum protrusions, a plurality of spherical protrusions and a lamp-receiving portion. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. The conical frustum protrusions are formed at the first surface. The spherical protrusions are formed at the second surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07654719B2	Optical plate and backlight module using the same An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit and a diffusion layer. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of elongated V-shaped protrusions, and a lamp-receiving portion. The bottom surface is opposite to the light output surface. The elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed at the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. The diffusion layer is formed on the light output surface of the transparent plate unit. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07654717B2	Fiber optically illuminated surface There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
US07654714B2	Vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp with a light source unit that includes a main reflector for reflecting light irradiated from a first light source, a projection lens that condenses and radiates light reflected by the main reflector, and a shade that blocks a part of the light reflected by the main reflector, wherein the light source unit further includes a second light source, which is disposed on the opposite side from the projection lens provided on the shade, and the shade is formed with a light transmission portion which is an opening that allows the light irradiated from the second light source to pass therethrough to the projection lens.
US07654713B2	Vehicular lamp A vehicular lamp includes a projection lens with an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and a light source with a light emission portion. The light emission portion is directly incident to the projection lens. The projection lens has a plurality of lens areas with different focal points, with the lens areas centered on the optical axis and disposed on generally concentric circles. The focal points corresponding to the plurality of lens areas have respectively different positions on the optical axis.
US07654708B2	Light source device and projection-type image display device A light source device (10) includes a lamp unit (1) and a lamp cartridge (2) in which the lamp unit (1) is housed. The lamp unit (1) includes a discharge lamp (11), a reflection mirror (12) and a transparent plate (13). The reflection mirror (12) has ventilation openings (121). The lamp cartridge (2) has ventilation openings (214, 215 and 231). Fragment-passage prevention members (30, 31 and 32) are provided on the ventilation openings (214, 215 and 231). The fragment-passage prevention members (30) allow the passage of the air but prevent the passage of the fragments of the discharge lamp (11). With such an arrangement, it is possible to prevent the fragments from being scattered out of the lamp cartridge (2), even when the breakage of the discharge lamp (11) occurs.
US07654707B2	Rear trim ring for a vandal resistant luminaire A rear trim ring for a vandal resistant luminaire having a round front and rear opening, the rear opening mounts flush to the surface onto which the luminaire is installed eliminating pry points between the luminaire and mounting surface, and an annular space between the rear trim ring and a luminaire housing provides room for the rear trim ring to deform upon the application of physical shock absorbing a portion of the shock applied thereto.
US07654698B2	Light source device and display device A light source device includes a discharge tube, a reflector for reflecting a light radiated from the discharge tube, and support members for supporting the discharge tube to the reflector. The support member or the discharge tube is formed of a heat insulating structure so as to prevent a temperature drop of a portion of the discharge tube near electrodes thereof. By this arrangement, it is possible to prolong the operational life of the discharge tube.
US07654697B2	Projector device A liquid crystal projector device of the present invention includes a lamp unit and a lamp cooling fan, the lamp unit having disposed therein a columnar lamp bulb having a luminous body enclosed therein, the lamp unit having a side wall opposed to the lamp cooling fan and provided with a first and second air introduction openings at opposite sides of a plane including a central axis of the lamp bulb and perpendicular to the side wall, for introducing the air drawn from the lamp cooling fan toward the lamp bulb.
US07654695B1	Pigmented collar for bi-color light emitting diodes The present invention is directed to a collar for a multi-color light source that is able to convey not only color but also spatial information to a user to permit the colorblind user to distinguish between the different settings of the light source.
US07654694B2	Lighting unit designed to maintain a T3 temperature inside its housing A lighting unit includes a housing, a lamp fixture configured to be coupled to the housing, an element extending from the lamp fixture and configured to be received in the housing, and a sealing member defining an aperture for receiving the element therethrough. A periphery of the aperture forms a fluid-tight seal around the element. In another aspect, a lighting unit includes a housing and an enclosure coupled to the housing and configured to define an interior space, wherein the interior space is sealed from an interior of the housing. In another aspect, a method for sealing a lighting unit includes providing a housing, an enclosure coupled to the housing, and an opening in the housing in communication with the enclosure, placing a seal between the housing and the enclosure, and applying a sealing member to the opening to seal the opening.
US07654690B2	Lampshade for a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp An improved lampshade of an LED lamp, assembled onto the port of hold tank on the main body of LED lamp so that light-reflection modules located between port of hold tank and LED modules in the hold tank are positioned securely. The lampshade has a circumferential locating surface and a limitation surface. The circumferential locating surface is adapted with the wall edge of hold tank to define an inner edge and an external edge. The limitation surface is recessed into the circumferential locating. A snapping portion is placed at the coupling portion of the circumferential locating surface and wall edge of the hold tank for positioning of the lampshade.
US07654686B2	Luminaire having an aperature light path A luminaire comprising an output aperture having an input port and an output port, a radiation guide having an input port and an output port and an array of LEDs located at the input port of the guide. Light emitted by the LEDs is transmitted into the guide. The input port of the aperture operatively connects to the output port of guide and is positioned adjacent thereto so that a central plane of the output aperture is asymmetric relative to a central plane of the radiation guide.
US07654684B1	Solar-rechargeable light A solar-rechargeable light fixture. A preferred embodiment is adapted for attachment to the horizontal cross-bar of a yard-mounted real estate sign effective to illuminate both sides of the sign after dark. The light fixture includes a solar panel adapted to charge a battery which powers a plurality of lights, such as incandescent bulbs or LEDs. Sometimes, a microprocessor is included in-circuit to control operation of the light fixture, and may also provide diagnostic feedback to a user. Desirably, the light fixture can be switched into a storage mode to avoid discharge of the battery during periods of non-use.
US07654679B2	Illumination system The present invention relates to illumination of an instrument for displaying information. In particular the invention relates to illumination for an instrument suitable for use in a vehicle. The invention provides an illumination system suitable for illuminating an instrument, comprising an information bearing surface, a substantially transparent protective cover, and a first light source coupled to the protective cover, wherein a surface of the protective cover is treated at a peripheral portion such that light escapes from substantially the peripheral portion to illuminate a portion of the information bearing surface.
US07654675B2	Light assembly for an image projector A light assembly includes a heat-dissipating device, a light-emitting device, and a reflector. The heat-dissipating device defines an accommodating space. The light-emitting device is disposed in the accommodating space. The reflector serves to reflect light emitted by the light-emitting device, extends into the accommodating space, and surrounds the light-emitting device.
US07654671B2	Device for monitoring body functions An optical system for non-invasive monitoring includes a light source to direct one or more pulses of light into an eye, a subject and a light receiver to receive light returning from the eye. The light receiver, or a processor coupled to the light receiver, records a frequency or intensity of the returning light at a selected timing relative to the one or more pulses of light from the light source. This timing may be selected to reduce a proportion of light reflected from a cornea, iris, or lens of the eye.
US07654670B2	Electric joystick mechanism for an ophthalmic apparatus An electric joystick mechanism for an ophthalmic apparatus which is capable of improving manipulation performance of a joystick and is simple in structure comprises a base, a joystick having a shaft, a driving unit having a motor for moving an ophthalmic examination unit horizontally, and a control unit for controlling the driving unit in response to tilting manipulation of the joystick by an examiner, wherein the control unit performs first control of finely moving the examination unit by controlling the driving unit based on a manipulation signal of the joystick, and second control of roughly moving the examination unit by controlling the driving unit when tilting condition of the joystick becomes a predetermined tilting condition, and in the second control, velocity of driving of the driving unit is controlled based on velocity of the tilting manipulation of the joystick in the first control.
US07654666B2	Safety eyewear including a flexible cable attachment Exemplary embodiments include a safety eyewear including: a frame; a flexible cable attached to the frame; and a strap attached to the flexible cable operable at an attachment point for securing the safety eyewear to a user, wherein the flexible cable permits the attachment point to be moved to accommodate a variety of strap configurations.
US07654665B2	Ink jet pen having a free ink chamber An ink jet pen that is equipped with a free ink chamber. The ink jet pen has a free ink chamber in fluid communication with a negative pressure producing chamber. The negative pressure producing chamber is in communication with a printhead. The ink jet pen has a power source and a surface detection device. The surface detection device is adapted to move along a surface of the substrate.
US07654661B2	Image forming method An image forming method in which after recording by ejecting ink on an ink-jet recording medium containing a thermoplastic resin in the surface layer, a fixing process to fuse said thermoplastic resin or make it into a film is provided, wherein a colorless or white liquid is supplied on said ink-jet recording medium before the fixing process.
US07654655B2	Labyrinth seal structure Techniques are disclosed for improving pressure sensor shock robustness in fluid containment devices by providing a mechanical filter configured to prevent high-frequency pressure shocks from damaging the pressure sensor. One approach includes a body of elastomeric material disposed on an external surface of the sensor. Another approach is a porous plug in a fluid pathway leading to the sensor. Yet another approach is to provide a seal structure with a labyrinth fluid path.
US07654653B2	Ink-jet head An ink-jet head according to the present invention includes a wire member and a heat sink. The wire member has a substrate on a surface of which a driver IC chip is mounted. The heat sink is made of a metal material, in contact with the driver IC chip, and dissipates heat generated in the driver IC chip to outside. A first wire and a second wire are formed on the surface of the substrate of the wire member. The first and second wires are electrically connected to an individual electrode and a common electrode of a piezoelectric actuator, respectively. The second wire is formed along an outer edge of the substrate, and electrically connected and thermally coupled to the heat sink.
US07654652B2	Ink jet head An ink jet head having: a common ink chamber for storing an ink supplied from an ink supply part; an ink supply path for supplying the ink stored in the common ink chamber; a pressure chamber to which the ink is supplied via the ink supply path; and a nozzle for discharging the ink in the pressure chamber in accordance with a pressure change in the pressure chamber. The components being constructed by stacking a plurality of thin plate members, wherein a plurality of the ink supply paths are arranged in parallel.
US07654651B2	Liquid discharge head and manufacturing method of the same In a liquid discharge head having a vibration plate provided with piezoelectric driving sections and a substrate which supports the vibration plate and in which pressure generating chambers communicating with discharge ports to discharge a liquid are arranged to correspond to the piezoelectric driving sections, at a region of an end portion of each pressure generating chamber in a longitudinal direction, a portion of the substrate on a side of the vibration plate protrudes along the longitudinal direction to the pressure generating chamber in a stepped state.
US07654647B2	Method of ejecting drops from printhead with planar bubble nucleating heater elements A method of ejecting drops of an ejectable liquid from a printhead is provided. The printhead has nozzles with bubble forming chambers, a heater element(s) disposed in the chambers configured for thermal contact with a bubble forming liquid and having bubble nucleation sections of smaller cross section than the rest of the heater element, and drive circuitry for controlling operation of the heater elements via electrodes, with parts of the drive circuitry disposed on opposing sides of the chambers. The method includes heating the heater elements by applying actuation energy of less than 500 nJ to form a gas bubble in the liquid that causes drop ejection from the nozzles and supplying the nozzle with a replacement volume of the liquid equivalent to the ejected drop. The bubble nucleation sections and the rest of the heater elements are co-planar and remain co-planar when heater elements are heated.
US07654645B2	MEMS bubble generator A MEMS vapor bubble generator with a chamber for holding liquid and a heater positioned in the chamber for heating the liquid above its bubble nucleation point to form a vapour bubble; wherein, the heater is formed from a superalloy.
US07654638B2	Modular inkjet printhead with mating formations A pagewidth printhead is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes an elongate support. A plurality of printhead modules is supported by the support. Each printhead module includes rows of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a nozzle through which ink can be ejected and an actuator configured to eject ink from the nozzle. Opposite edges of each printhead module define complementary formations so that the printhead modules can be engaged together in series along the support.
US07654637B2	Photoimageable nozzle members and methods relating thereto Nozzle members, such as for a micro-fluid ejection head, micro-fluid ejection heads, and a method for making the same. One such nozzle member includes a negative photoresist composition derived from a first di-functional epoxy compound, a relatively high molecular weight polyhydroxy ether, a photoacid generator devoid of aryl sulfonium salts, an adhesion enhancer, and an aliphatic ketone solvent. The nozzle member has a thickness ranging from about 10 microns to about 30 microns.
US07654633B2	Dissolving complexes of anionic dye/cationic polymeric fixer The invention relates to dissolving an anionic dye/cationic polymer complex including the step of applying to the complex a water-soluble solvent having a dielectric constant from 20 to 43 at standard temperature and pressure.
US07654632B2	Inkjet head clean device for inkjet printer An inkjet head clean device for inkjet printer includes a main body, a pump, a first guide-tube and a second guide-tube. The main body has a tank for receiving cleansing liquid. The pump that sets in the main body has a first pipe-hole and a second pipe-hole. One end of the first guide-tube connects with the first pipe-hole of the pump and another end extends into the tank. One end of the second guide-tube connects with the second pipe-hole of the pump and another end connects with an inkjet head. By the way, the clean device of present invention can wash the inkjet head by reusing the cleansing liquid and make the inkjet head clean.
US07654627B2	Inkjet recording apparatus and method for processing recording data An inkjet recording apparatus that records data on a recording medium based on recording data and using a plurality of line heads includes a thinning pattern generation unit (12) that generates one line of thinning pattern for determining whether or not each bit of the recording data is to be recorded; a shift processing unit (13) that shifts the thinning pattern a predetermined number of bits; and a thinning processing unit (14) that, for each line head, generates thinned-out recording data generated by thinning out the recording data by applying the thinning pattern, shifted by the predetermined number of bits, to the recording data, wherein each line head is driven by the thinned-out recording data generated by the thinning processing unit (14). The shift processing unit (13) shifts the thinning pattern, generated by the thinning pattern generation processing unit (12), the predetermined number of bits to prevent the same thinning pattern from being used for the adjacent lines in the feed direction.
US07654626B2	Camera device incorporating a color printer with ink validation apparatus A camera device includes a replaceable print roll. The print roll includes an ink reservoir section storing respective types of ink. A validation apparatus is configured to validate the replaceable print roll. A printer is configured to print an image on print media upon validation of the print roll. The printer includes an ink supply unit defining a channel from which ink supply passages extend. The printer is configured to receive the ink within the ink supply passages. An ink ejection printhead is located in the channel and includes sets of ink inlets with each set being configured to receive a respective type of ink from the ink supply passages. A roller assembly is arranged to transport the print media in register with the printhead during printing of the image.
US07654623B2	Slide assembly with locking device A slide assembly for slidably mounts a server unit (100) to a rack (200), said slide assembly includes an inner slide (110), an outer slide (150) and a locking device (130). The inner slide has an inner side (111). A locking device disposed on the inner side of the inner slide at a distal end thereof, the locking device includes a spring (133), a locking member (135), and a base (131), the base has a receiving opening (1315), the locking member being held within the base and resiliently protruding out from the receiving opening by support of the spring. An outer slide slidably attached to the inner side of the inner slide, the outer slide defines an engaging opening (153) at a distal end corresponding to the locking member, the locking member in alignment with the engaging opening to limit a back and forth longitudinal movement of the inner slide.
US07654622B2	Storage unit with electronic device mounting structure An overhead console (10) spanning the header above the windshield (150) includes support for a removable electronic device (120).
US07654617B2	Flexible chair seat A chair seat for flexibly supporting the buttocks of a user seated thereon. The chair seat includes a seat surface having a pair of adjacent or side-by-side concentric corrugated regions formed therein, and which are configured for flexibly supporting the buttocks of the user by being deflectable with respect to the seat surface. The seat surface further includes a third corrugated region surrounding and concentric with the pair of side-by-side corrugated regions, and which third region is configured for flexibly supporting the hips and thighs of the user while also being deflectable with respect to the seat surface.
US07654616B2	Chair having integrally formed back frame and seat frame The present claimed invention intends to provide a chair having a frame structure that is effective for securing a required strength without needless structure to reinforce the strength.The chair has a chair body A comprising a seat frame 12, a back frame 22 and a rib that reinforces between the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22, wherein the rib is formed to extend to a side direction so as to be used as an arm frame 71, and the seat frame 12, the back frame 22 and the arm frame 71 are continuously and integrally formed three-dimensionally, and openings 12a, 22a into which a mesh member 13, 23 to form a seating face is fitted are arranged at the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22 respectively.
US07654613B2	Head and body protection system for a child safety seat A head protection assembly which can be secured to a seat includes a plurality of chambers or pads, inflated to a pre-selected pressure which provide protection of the occupant of the seat from side and rear impacts. The head protection assembly is placed in a seat in lateral alignment with the side of the head of an occupant of the seat and adjusted to restrain movements of the head caused by vehicle collisions. The chambers or pads are inflated or deflated to permit the chambers or pads to be adjusted to the size of the occupant of the seat. The assembly includes a device to indicate the correct inflation pressure. The chambers or pads are fluidly interconnected to distribute fluid throughout the assembly to help absorb the impact of the head of the occupant. The chambers or pads can be secured to an existing seat to afford additional protection or can be incorporated into the seat during the manufacture of the seat. An inflatable body restraint can also be provided to help protect the occupant of the seat.
US07654610B2	Apparatus for mounting an article astride fixed and movable body components A mounting apparatus for an article astride fixed and movable body components in bridging relation to the cut-line therebetween. The article is automatically pivoted with respect to the fixed body component in concert with movement of the movable body component, whereby the pivoting of the article ensures that the movement of the movable body component with respect to the fixed body component avoids contact and interference with the article. For example, an article astride a fender and a door of a motor vehicle, the article transversely pivots out of the way of the door whenever the door is opened.
US07654604B2	Vehicle decklid position sensor and control A control system controls the movement of a convertible top, decklid, and tonneau cover to minimize the overall cycle time of the system. The top is pivotally coupled to a vehicle body for movement between an extended position covering a passenger compartment and a retracted position disposed in a storage space. The decklid is pivotally coupled to the body for movement between a closed position covering the storage space and an open position to accommodate movement of the top into the storage space. The tonneau cover moves between a use position extending outwardly from an end of the decklid to conceal the convertible top in the retracted position and a stowed position disposed beneath the decklid. The control system is preprogrammed to begin movement of the tonneau cover to the use position when the decklid reaches a predetermined angle as the decklid moves between the closed and open positions.
US07654599B2	Vehicle box apparatus An extender device having a base frame with two ends. There is at least one extendable arm that extends from one of the ends of the base frame that allows the bed extender to move from a retracted to an extended position. The length of the bed extender can be set by a locking mechanism located on the base frame that can be used to lock the extendable arm in position. The bed extender can be used to divide a storage compartment or it can be used to extend the length of the pick-up truck bed by using the extendable arms and a pivot mechanism connected to the extendable arms.
US07654597B1	Side impact arm rest retracting mechanism An armrest retracting mechanism for host vehicle armrests during side impact vehicle collision events.
US07654596B2	Endeffectors for handling semiconductor wafers Various endeffector designs are disclosed for handling semiconductor wafers. For instance, an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively low temperature is disclosed along with an endeffector for handling wafers at a relatively high temperature. Both endeffectors include uniquely designed support members that are configured to only contact a wafer at the wafer's edge. The endeffectors may also include a wafer detection system. The endeffector for handling wafers at relatively low temperatures may also include a pushing device that is used not only to position a wafer but to hold a wafer on the endeffector during acceleration or deceleration of the endeffector caused by a robot arm attached to the endeffector. As designed, the endeffectors may have a very slim profile making the endeffectors easily maneuverable.
US07654590B2	Magnetic appliance latch An electrically operable door latch employs a permanent magnet for retaining an appliance door closed against the force of a resilient seal. An electromagnet bucks the magnetic attraction of the permanent magnet allowing the latch to be electronically releasable. A simple mechanism and inherent force limits are obtained by a direct magnetic attraction between a strike plate and the latch, one on the door and one on the housing.
US07654588B2	Pipe connection having improved strength A pipe connection includes a metal locking ring which can be pushed onto the external pipe of two interlocking metal pipes to connect the latter. The inner face of the locking ring has a leading section that tapers conically in a radial direction in opposition to the direction of application; a trailing section that tapers conically in a radial direction in opposition to the direction of application and that causes the pipe to be radially compressed, when the ring is in the locking position; and a central section lying between the leading section and the trailing section. A central section with a conical configuration improves a pipe connection of this type so that the tensile strength of heavy duty pipe connections or pipe connections consisting of pipes of material with low elasticity becomes mechanically more stable.
US07654580B2	Self-authenticating documents with printed or embossed hidden images A self-authenticating article comprising a substrate having an image receiving surface and a lenticular lens is provided. The lenticular lens has a predetermined lens frequency and is configured for optically decoding encoded indicia viewed therethrough. The lens is attached to the substrate so that the lens can be selectively positioned to overlie the image receiving surface to decode encoded indicia printed thereon. The self-authenticating article further comprises an encoded image on the image receiving surface, the encoded image comprising at least one of the set consisting of printed indicia and indicia formed as variations in surface geometry of the image receiving surface. The surface geometry variations may comprise raised and non-raised areas surface areas that combine to define at least a portion of the indicia.
US07654579B2	Object of value comprising a moiré pattern The invention concerns an object of value (15), for example a credit card, banknote or identity card. The object of value (15) has a carrier layer (1), at least one first layer (21) containing a moiré pattern and at least one second layer (31, 33) containing a moiré analyzer for the moiré pattern of the first layer (21). That second layer is arranged above or beneath the first layer in a fixed position relative to the first layer in such a way that the moiré pattern of the first layer (21) and the moiré analyzer of the second layer (31, 33) are permanently optically superimposed at least in region-wise fashion, whereby a permanent moiré image is generated.
US07654576B2	Stretchable fabric book cover and method A flexible, preferably elastic empanelled book cover (12) that has pocket portions (25) to receive the covers of a book (10) that is inserted therein. The cover (12) consists of a unitary hexagonal sheet of pliable material such as “SPANDEX”, having extended upper and lower edges, with each edge bisected by a slot (32) of predetermined width that extends orthogonally. Fold lines (34, 36 and 38) form a laterally-extended rectangle, with the side fold lines (38) forming the lateral apices of the hexagon two triangular flap portions (20) of the cover pockets. The in-folded upper and lower flap portions of the hexagon are attached to each other and to the triangular side flap portions, to form the pocket portion (25), with lock stitching (27) at the innermost juncture by the spine opening. A central top and bottom fold-over engages the spine of the book in stabilizing relation. The unitary hexagonal blanks can be economically mass produced from roll material (40).
US07654575B1	Personalized book Embodiments of the present disclosure include personalized books as well as methods and kits for providing personalized books. One method includes: providing an adult with a list of interview information to be obtained from a child; providing the adult with a list of particular drawings to be obtained from the child; obtaining the interview information from the child in the form of a number of personal comments provided by the child; obtaining a number of drawings from the list of particular drawings, the number of drawings independently created by the child at the direction of the adult; and creating a personalized book by combining the obtained number of drawings created by the child and the obtained number of personal comments in a particular arrangement.
US07654572B2	Automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus An automotive passenger restraint and protection apparatus for an automotive vehicle has a seatbelt and operates to restrain an occupant of the automotive vehicle by the seatbelt to protect the occupant. An electric retractor has a DC motor for retracting and protracting the seatbelt. An MPU applies voltage having a predetermined waveform to the DC motor, and then detects a waveform of current flowing to the DC motor. The MPU carries out fault diagnosis of the DC motor, based upon the detected waveform of current when the voltage having the predetermined waveform is applied to the DC motor. Thus, accurate fault diagnosis of the apparatus can be achieved.
US07654566B2	Gas generator unit Described is a gas generator unit comprising of a cylindrical gas generator (10), the lateral surface (10a) of which demonstrates emission holes (12) arranged in a thrust-neutral manner within a ring-shaped area (10b), and a deflector element (20), which is rigidly connected to the gas generator (10) and is made of a heat resistant material and at least surrounds the ring-shaped area (10b) at least partially. To make the gas generator harmless in the event of a fire, the deflector element (20) demonstrates, in an inflow area (20a) opposite the ring-shaped area (10b), borings (22), which are sealed by at least one blocking element (24, 32) made of a meltable or combustible material, the borings being arranged in such a manner that the gas generator unit is thrust-neutral in the absence of the blocking element (24).
US07654565B2	Gas generating system A gas generating system for use in an inflatable vehicle occupant protection system is provided wherein an end closure is coupled to an outer housing at a first end, in a metal-to-metal seal. The gas generating system may also include a baffle system having a plurality of flow orifices defining a flow path for generated gases through an interior of the gas generating system, and a plurality of particulate aggregation surfaces positioned along the flow path of the gases for changing a flow direction of gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces. Each aggregation surface of the plurality of aggregation surfaces is oriented such that a difference between a flow direction of the gases prior to impinging on the aggregation surface and a flow direction of the gases after impinging on the aggregation surface is at least approximately 90°, wherein particulates in gases impinging on the aggregation surfaces aggregate on the surfaces.
US07654564B2	Protection device activation controller An occupant protection device controller includes a main sensor, a safing sensor, a main control circuit, a sub control circuit, and a trigger signal output circuit. Whereas the main control circuit has a CPU, and the sub control circuit has no CPU. The main control circuit determines whether to output a main control signal based on both an output of the main sensor and an output of the safing sensor. The sub control circuit has a comparator and determines whether to output a sub control signal based on a comparison of the output of the main sensor with a threshold value. The trigger signal output circuit outputs a trigger signal for activating an occupant protection device upon receipt of both the main control signal and the sub control signal.
US07654562B2	Lateral airbag device A lateral airbag device comprises a gas bag which is mounted in a vehicle seat below the seat covering of the vehicle seat. The gas bag is inflated in the event of an accident. The seat covering comprises at least one break line, which can be torn open when the gas bag unfolds enabling the gas bag to exit the vehicle seat. The lateral airbag device is capable of protecting the occupants of a vehicle in the event of an accident in a reliable manner. The seat covering is configured to bring the unfolding gas bag to a predetermined position or to maintain the unfolded gas bag in the predetermined positioned.
US07654557B2	Blow molded knee airbag with integrated reaction plate A knee airbag system for a vehicle is disclosed. The knee airbag system may include a reaction plate having a plurality of apertures. The knee airbag system may include an airbag. The airbag may have a plurality of locations that are disposed to correspond to the plurality of apertures if the airbag is positioned for attachment to the reaction plate. The knee airbag system may also include a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions may extend through the plurality of apertures for securing the reaction plate to the airbag.
US07654551B2	Skid steer attachment system A skid steer attachment system for efficiently increasing the functionality of a skid steer loader. The skid steer attachment system generally includes an attachment assembly to mechanically attach to a skid steer loader, a support frame mechanically attached to the attachment assembly, wherein the support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure and at least one wheel rotatably attached to the support frame opposite the attachment assembly and wherein the wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of the skid steer loader as the attachment assembly.
US07654549B2	Semi-recumbent bicycle An improved semi-recumbent bicycle seat includes a frame having a main seat support tube and a steering mechanism including a front tire support fork. Front and rear wheels are mounted on the front tire support fork and on the frame. A bicycle seat is mounted above and forwards of the rear wheel, the bicycle seat including a bicycle seat frame, a seat base and a seat cushion. A seat back is adjustably mounted on the bicycle seat frame for adjustment of the height and spacing of the seat back relative to the seat base, and the seat cushion includes a generally flat planar front face and a forwardly tilted top surface which is tilted from horizontal between two and thirty degrees (2° and 30°). The bicycle seat frame is adjustably mounted on the main seat support tube free of any other support connection to the bicycle frame.
US07654548B2	Bicycle wheel securing structure A bicycle wheel securing structure is basically provided with a bicycle fork, an adapter and a holding member. The adapter includes a first portion defining a maximum width of the adapter and a second portion extending axially from the first portion with the second portion being disposed in a hole in an axle support portion of the a bicycle fork. The second portion has an axial bore that is at least partially threaded. The holding member is attached to the axle support portion. The holding member is selectively movable between a retaining position to prevent rotation of the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork and a releasing position to permit rotation of the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork. The holding member remains attached to the axle support portion in both of the retaining and releasing positions.
US07654543B2	Vehicle suspension arm supporting structure The invention relates to a vehicle suspension arm supporting structure. A receiving portion 9 is formed integrally on a subframe 5 which is formed of a light metal in such a manner as to extend transversely outwards, and a sheet steel member 15 is connected to the subframe 5 by a bolt or a nut in such a manner as to be situated below the receiving portion 9 of the subframe 5 at a predetermined interval. A base portion 13b of a suspension arm 13 is disposed between the receiving portion 9 of the subframe 5 and the sheet steel member 15, the base portion 13b of the suspension arm 13 is supported on the subframe 5 via a rubber bushing joint 14 by a connecting bolt 16 which vertically passes through the receiving portion 9 of the subframe 5 and the sheet steel member 15, and the receiving portion 9 of the subframe 5 is connected to a side member 4 by the connecting bolt 16.
US07654536B2	Seal ring A seal ring for sealing an annular clearance between two members, which are made rotatable relative to each other. The seal ring is provided with a relief 5 throughout the circumference of a sliding face side to confront the side wall face 72 of an annular groove 71. This relief 5 is set to have a radially smaller width in the vicinity of a separate portion 2 and a radially larger width at a position apart from the separate portion 2, and the portion of the relief 5 to transit from the narrower portion to the wider portion is set to have a gradually changing width.
US07654535B2	Non-contacting face seals and thrust bearings The apparatus, which can be used in aspirating face seals or thrust bearings, spaces two relatively rotatable facing surfaces in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion (1) defining a generally frusto-conical surface (3); a second portion (2) defining at least one flat surface disposed adjacent the first portion so that the two surfaces face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation, and a device (4) for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain the gaps within a predetermined dimensional range.
US07654533B2	Numeric guessing game A game is provided wherein a player or team gains points by answering a question worded in such a way that the answer is always a number. In one embodiment, the questions are directed to points of trivia or general or specific knowledge, and the game includes a plurality of question cards, on the reverse side of which are the answers to the questions. The questions are such that players can make an informed or educated guess at the numeric answer. The object of the game is to answer each question by coming closer to the correct numeric answer than the opposing players. In one embodiment, players are given a preselected amount of time, as determined by a timing device, to write down their answers. Once the players have written down their answers, all players may display their numeric answers simultaneously. The player or team that comes closest to the answer given on the card gets more points than the other players or teams. In another embodiment, players or teams that come second closest, third closest etc. to the correct numeric answer also receive points. In a unique scoring system, made possible by the fact that all answers are numeric, the number of points players receive for their answers may depend on two factors: how close the answer is to the correct number and how many players or teams are taking part in the game. In one embodiment of the game, players answer a given number of questions and the winner is the player with the highest score at the end of the game. In another embodiment of the game, players move game pieces across a game board with the first player to reach the end of the board being the winner. Further, the game may be played on alternate game interfaces, such as a computer.
US07654524B2	Multi-feed detection independent of number of sheets or type of sheets This is a simple and effective multi-feed system for use in marking apparatus where the transport of paper or other media is vital. The system is independent of the weight or type of paper used as was not the case in the prior art. The present system employs the natural strength and thickness of the paper to separate one sheet from the other. This separation is used to trigger a detector alerting the system of a multi-feed of paper.
US07654523B2	Image forming device and sheet transport device This sheet multifeed determination device is capable of accurately detecting a sheet multifeed state, and the sheet multifeed determination device includes: a separating member side sheet speed detecting part which detects a transport speed of a sheet surface on the separating member side of a sheet transported to a nip unit of a paper feed roll and a separating member pressure-contacting mutually; a multifeed sheet detecting part which detects presence of plural sheets in the course of being transported through the nip unit; and a multifeed state determination part which determines not to be in a multifeed state of sheets when the sheet speed detected by the separating member side sheet speed detecting part is V2≦0 and determines to be in the multifeed state of sheets in the case of V2>0 in a condition where the multifeed sheet detecting part detects multifed sheets.
US07654522B2	Sheet feeder with ultrasonic double feed detector A sheet feeder includes: a feeding roller for feeding a sheet; a press member for pressing the sheet against the feeding roller; and a double feed detector for detecting double feed of the sheets when the sheets are fed in superimposition; wherein the feeding roller and the press member are opposed each other at a sheet holding portion for holding the sheet to be fed therebetween, and the double feed detector is placed to be able to detect double feed of the sheets in a region being adjacent to the sheet holding portion, an amplitude of the sheet being suppressed in the region.
US07654521B2	Apparatus, method and program product for detecting article multifeed overlap A document processing device that processes a plurality of articles and is capable of detecting a multifeed or a condition that may represent a multifeed may be configured to determine criteria of the multifeed or condition. This is particularly useful for configuring the document processing device to ignore multifeeds or conditions that are considered acceptable. For instance, a user may set predefined overlap criteria. If a detected multifeed criteria or condition criteria meets the predefined overlap criteria, a detection of the multifeed or condition may be ignored. However, if it does not meet the predefined overlap criteria, the detection of the multifeed or condition may cause the document processing device to take predetermined post-processing actions, for example to set an alarm message or halt operation entirely. Alternatively, if a condition is expected, predetermined post-processing actions can be taken if the condition is not detected or does not meet the specified criteria.
US07654520B2	Sheet-handling apparatus with a detecting device A sheet-handling apparatus with a detecting device includes a casing, a plurality of entrance rollers located in the casing, an image collector arranged at one side of the casing, a plurality of middle reflectors and side reflectors. A paper path is formed between the entrance rollers, the paper path includes a middle path and two side paths arranged in the sides of the middle path. The image collector includes an illuminant and an image sensor. The middle reflectors are fixed in the casing and at the other side of the paper path and face to the middle path. The side reflectors are arranged at the side of the middle reflectors. The invention can monitor a paper when it is stuck in the paper path, and the manufacture cost of the invention is reduced.
US07654519B2	Image forming apparatus and sheet material conveyance device used therein An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming section which forms an image on a sheet material; a curl correcting mechanism which interposes and conveys the sheet material on which the image has been formed by the image forming section. Pressure applied to one surface of the sheet material during an interposing operation and a conveying speed of the sheet material can be changed, the curl correcting mechanism changes the conveying speed from an initial speed vs to a target speed vo higher than the initial speed (vo>vs) while the sheet material is pressed, and the curl correcting mechanism changes the pressure to a high pressure in response to a change of the conveying speed, whereby a curl of the sheet material is reduced.
US07654508B2	Air humidifier An air humidifier including a first container and a second container that can be filled with water from the first container, an atomizer and electrodes. The second container is subdivided into a first reservoir and a second reservoir, the two reservoirs being interconnected with the interposition of a filter. Two electrodes are arranged in the first reservoir, and a component of the atomizer is arranged in the second reservoir in order to atomize the water.
US07654507B2	Water spike system A kit for coupling a container holding a liquid to a fluid path of a humidifier is disclosed. The kit includes a spike configured to pierce the container and to pass the liquid from the container to a vent through a tube. The vent is configured to vent gas from the liquid while retaining the liquid. The vent has a vent body including an inlet configured for coupling to the tube to receive the liquid from the tube and an outlet configured to pass the liquid to the humidifier. A cap opening is positioned to vent the gas. A filter is positioned over the cap opening to prevent the escape of the liquid therethrough. A cap is coupled to the vent body over the cap opening and has at least one opening therein to allow passage of gas from the opening to atmosphere.
US07654505B2	Vacuum valve A vacuum valve comprises a valve housing which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening penetrating opposite walls of the valve housing, a valve seat surrounding the inlet opening, and a closure unit which is arranged in an interior space of the valve housing and which has a valve plate which is adjustable between an open position in which it releases the inlet opening, an intermediate position in which it covers the inlet opening but is lifted from the valve seat, and a closed position in which it covers the inlet opening and is pressed against the valve seat, and at least one adjusting piston which is arranged in an interior space of the closure unit and, for the purpose of adjusting the valve plate between its intermediate position and its closed position, is displaceable in direction of its longitudinal center axis between a passive position in which the valve plate is in its intermediate position and an active position in which the valve plate is in its closed position. At least one work space of the closure unit that can be acted upon by pressure gas for displacing the at least one adjusting piston into its active position is bounded by a diaphragm seal. At least one tappet is arranged at the adjusting piston and is guided out of the interior space of the closure unit through an opening and is supported directly or indirectly at the valve housing when the adjusting piston is displaced from its passive position into its active position.
US07654502B2	Apparatus for simulated stone products An apparatus for manufacturing simulated stone products is provided. The apparatus includes a mold having mold cavities. The mold cavities have a first section and a second section that intersect to form a cavity angle. A hopper is configured to introduce castable material into the mold. The hopper and the mold are moveable with respect to each other, enabling them to be selectively engaged with each other. The hopper includes a first funnel wall configured to contact the top of the first mold cavity and to introduce castable material into the top opening of the first section. The hopper has a second funnel wall configured to contact the second section and act as a barrier to close the top opening of the second section of the mold cavity.
US07654501B2	Vehicle parking assistance device and method for use of same A vehicle parking assistance device to be positioned in a given parking location defined by a length and width is disclosed. In one embodiment, a support base member includes three bores disposed in linear alignment therein. Each of the three bores provides a distinct position within the length and the width of the given parking location. An elongated flexible pole having a visual indicator secured thereto is releasably engaged in one of the three bores. The three bores furnish easy adjustment of the placement of the elongated flexible pole in order to compensate for minor mistakes in the placement of the vehicle parking device and/or to accommodate vehicles of different dimensions.
US07654498B1	Article support device An article support device includes a cradle and a support shaft. The cradle includes a cradle portion and a slip yoke portion. The cradle portion presents an open channel for receiving and supporting an article such as a fire arm, a camera or telescope. The slip yoke portion is enclosed by a slip yoke wall. The slip yoke wall perforated by a strap receiving slot for receiving into the slip yoke an article carrying strap. The support shaft is fixed to the cradle and is for supporting the cradle in an elevated position above the ground.
US07654493B2	Dual opening refuse gathering apparatus A dual opening refuse gathering apparatus and method for gathering debris and particulate matter is disclosed. The apparatus can be used to clean debris from a variety of surfaces, including but not limited to tables, floors, and streets. The invention disclosed includes a structure with an entrance opening and exit opening to collect then dispose of debris. The invention may be used with an attached gripping unit and/or an attached container. The method of use disclosed involves the collection of debris into the entrance opening and disposal of the debris through the exit opening into an attached container.
US07654489B2	Lifting body aircraft and reentry vehicle with chines A lifting body aircraft suitable for atmospheric flight and/or as a reentry vehicle. The craft has a substantially flat upper surface, a lower surface with a doubly convex first section and a flat sloping second section. Chines may be provided between the upper and lower surfaces. The doubly convex first section allows the craft to have its center of gravity forward of its longitudinal center line. The flat sloping second half of the lower surface and the substantially flat upper surface form the aft end of an airfoil. A pair of vertical stabilizers enhance stability and include rudders which, along with a pair of elevons, provide steerage. The craft may glide or it may have an engine or rockets for thrust. The result is an extremely stable lifting body design that is well suited for launch or conventional take off, insertion, orbital operations, reentry, atmospheric flight, and conventional landings.
US07654487B2	Vent baffle A vent baffle includes a vent panel having a vent panel opening; a blowout panel carried by the vent panel and covering the vent panel opening; a plurality of fastener openings provided in the blowout panel; a plurality of tear slits communicating with the plurality of fastener openings, respectively; and a plurality of panel fasteners extending through the plurality of fastener openings, respectively, and engaging the blowout panel.
US07654486B2	VTOL personal aircraft A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises (1) a fuselage having a front end, a rear end and two lateral sides, the fuselage defining a substantially horizontal central longitudinal axis of the aircraft; (2) an aircraft tail arranged at the rear end of the fuselage and including a rudder and an elevator on each side of the fuselage with movable surfaces for controlling the aircraft; and (3) a wing on each side of the fuselage having a front edge, a trailing edge and an upper surface extending from the front edge to the trailing edge. Means are provided for increasing the speed of an airstream flowing over the upper surface of each wing.
US07654485B2	Banknote store A method of controlling a banknote store comprising at least one winding means and at least one elongate support means which can be wound and/or unwound from the winding means for storing and/or transporting a banknote, comprises determining the radius or diameter of a spool comprising at least the winding means using the degree of rotation of the winding means and the corresponding linear amount of movement of the elongate support means.
US07654482B2	Wear distributing arrangement for wear parts of a grinding machine A wear distributing arrangement for reduction of wear in parts of a grinding machine is disclosed. The arrangement includes the provision of multiple corresponding projections and recesses at evenly spaced radial locations around the circumference of any two parts in a rotating assembly designed to be disassembled and reassembled. Parts bearing projections are reassembled into parts bearing recesses in a random fashion, so that wear to one portion of a part does not prematurely wear it.
US07654479B2	Method of controlling a brush chipper An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled. By another aspect of the invention, the controller senses characteristics of the brush cutter and chooses an operating system based on the characteristics sensed. The controller can also sense if the brush chipper has not been used for a predetermined period of time and automatically reduce the idle speed of the engine until the brush chipper is used again, and then automatically return the engine to a normal idle speed before the feed rollers will pull brush into the brush chipper.
US07654475B2	Fuel injection valve A fuel injection valve has a first groove cut in a peripheral surface of a needle valve and second grooves cut in a seat surface of a nozzle tip. The first groove is provided so that the needle valve is rotated by flow of the fuel in the first groove caused by a reciprocating motion of the needle valve, and upper and lower ends of the first groove are opened to the outside so that the fuel can be introduced into the groove. The second grooves are twisted or tilted in the same direction as the rotating direction of the needle valve and are cut along the circumferential direction of the nozzle tip. The second grooves have an edge part for scraping off solid matters into the second grooves in cooperation with the tip seat surface of the needle valve by the rotation of the needle valve.
US07654469B2	Fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine A fuel injection system having one high-pressure fuel pump and one fuel injection valve, communicating with the high-pressure fuel pump, for each cylinder of an internal combustion engine. A pump work chamber is defined by a pump piston, and the fuel injection valve has an injection valve member by which at least one injection opening is controlled. An electrically actuated control valve controls a communication of the pump work chamber with a relief region and a movable control piston acts at least indirectly in the closing direction on the injection valve member, and the control piston, on its side remote from the at least one injection valve member, is acted upon at least indirectly by the pressure prevailing in the pump work chamber. The control piston, with its side toward the injection valve member, defines a control chamber. The communication with the relief region, controlled by the control valve, discharges into the control chamber, and the control chamber communicates at least indirectly with the pump work chamber via a throttled communication.
US07654462B2	Mobile device base station for enhanced signal strength for on-demand media services Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for capturing on-demand media content for use with portable media devices, including wireless phones, using a based station to provide for enhanced signal strength capture. These embodiments provide for the reception/distribution of on-demand media content, which can include, among other things, video content (such as television programming, movies, etc.), audio content (such as radio programming, audio recordings, etc.), data content (such as Internet data—web pages, electronic mail, etc.), voice transmissions (such as telephone transmissions, etc.) and/or the like.
US07654459B2	Method of capturing user control inputs A method of capturing user control inputs includes providing a first navigation member slidably coupled on a housing portion of a portable computer and a stationary second navigation member external to and independent of the portable computer. An input card is provided that includes an optical navigation sensor and is configured with a size and a shape for deployment of the input card in a first releasably fixed arrangement relative to the first navigation member and a second movable arrangement relative to the stationary second navigation member. A first user control input is captured for controlling a function of the portable computer, via communication between the input card and the portable computer, based on relative motion between the optical navigation sensor of the input card and one of respective movable first navigation member and stationary second navigation member.
US07654458B1	Dual purpose munition A dual purpose munition includes a housing; a shaped warhead disposed in a front interior of the housing; a vertically orienting explosive disposed on a front end of the housing; a safe and arm device explosively connected to the shaped warhead for arming and detonating the shaped warhead; a dual sensor circuit comprising an E-field sensor board, a B-field sensor board and a processor board; and a power source connected to the dual sensor circuit and the safe and arm device.
US07654452B2	Self-service electronic toll collection unit and system A self-service vending unit allows a potential user of a toll transponder to buy the transponder without having to visit a customer-service facility. The vending unit automatically accepts payment, such as cash or a credit or debit card, and issues the transponder with a paid value. The vending unit communicates with a customer-service computer through a TCP/IP connection and allows the user to top off the value on the transponder and otherwise to manage the account.
US07654451B2	Method, system and portable consumer device using wildcard values A portable consumer device is disclosed. The portable consumer device includes a body and a computer readable medium coupled to the body. The computer readable medium comprises a data string including one or more wildcard values. The data string is specifically associated with the consumer. For example, the data string may represent one or more products that the consumer prefers to use.
US07654447B1	Auto check reorder The described embodiments contemplate a system, method and computer-readable medium with computer-executable instructions for providing checks to an account owner by comparing a quantity of cleared checks to a quantity of issued checks. The novel method includes receiving a request to register for an automated check reorder service, determining a first quantity of issued checks, determining a second quantity of cleared checks, comparing the second quantity of cleared checks to the first quantity of issued checks, and sending a third quantity of new checks to the account owner. The novel method also may include receiving a request for material to be sent to the account owner, determining the account owner's last known address, notifying the account owner at the account owner's last known address, and sending the material to the account owner.
US07654444B2	Reusable sticker A method of performing an action in relation to a first association between a reusable sticker and an object, the reusable sticker having disposed therein or thereon coded data indicative of a sticker identity and of a first interactive element representing the action, the method including: receiving first indicating data from a sensing device, the first indicating data being at least partially indicative of the sticker identity and the first interactive element, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the first interactive element, sensing at least some of the coded data to generate the first indicating data; identifying, using the first indicating data, the action and the first association; and, performing the action in relation to the first association.
US07654443B1	Easy glide garbage container A garbage container incorporates an access located along one side of the container. The access port can be enclosed by a door. An access section bag holding structure can be incorporated across the top edge of the access. The side access garbage container allows the user to remove the garbage bag without lifting it from the container, but simply by sliding the filled bag out from the access section. The access can be incorporated into a stand alone container or one placed within a cabinet.
US07654437B2	Method for bonding metallic plates and jig for the bonding of the metallic plates A method for bonding metallic plates includes: sandwiching a laminated body, which includes a plurality of metallic plates and is formed with an inner cavity opening on a surface thereof, between a pair of jigs each having a flat abutment surface abutting against respective surfaces of the laminated body, wherein at least one of the jigs is formed with an atmosphere communication path, which communicates with the inner cavity and atmosphere; and heating the laminated body while applying pressure to the laminated body with the pair of jigs in a lamination direction of the laminated body.
US07654434B2	Method, device and system for bonding a semiconductor element The invention relates to a method and also a device and a system for bonding a semiconductor element (4), in which various contact areas (8) of the semiconductor element (4) are successively connected to terminal areas (2, 3, 7) by means of bonding wire elements (6) and in which an electrical variable influenced by the semiconductor element (4) is acquired during the bonding operation.
US07654432B2	Forming solder balls on substrates A mask (stencil) having cells (openings) is disposed on a surface of a heater stage, and is then filled (printed) with solder paste. Then a substrate is assembled to the opposite side of the mask. Then the solder paste is reflowed. This may be done partially inverted. Then the mask is separated from the substrate, either before or after cooling. Solder balls are thus formed on the substrate, which may be a semiconductor wafer. A biased chuck urges the substrate into intimate contact with the mask. A method for printing the mask with solder paste is described. Methods of forming high aspect ratio solder bumps (including balls and reflowable interconnect structures) are described.
US07654431B2	Surgical instrument with guided laterally moving articulation member A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including a laterally sliding member in a proximal portion of a shaft that pivots the end effector to a selected side. Differentially opposing actuating forces (e.g., hydraulic, fluidic, mechanical) act against the laterally sliding member without binding by incorporating guidance mechanisms between the laterally sliding member and a frame of the shaft.
US07654424B1	All terrain vehicle utility storage box A method of carrying equipment on one side of an ATV having a front top rack, a rear top rack and a foot rest on the one side comprising the following steps: a) attaching a utility box carrying bracket to an outer side portion of the front top rack, the foot rest, and the rear top rack; and, b) mounting a utility box on each of the box carrying brackets. Then equipment may be conveniently carried in and removed from the mounted box. In a preferred aspect of this invention the utility box is generally rectangular in plan view and further comprises a utility box lid hinged to one long top side portion of the box and latched to the other opposite long side portion of the box so that equipment carried in the box is protected from the elements. A lateral side of the mounted box is dimensioned to generally follow the longitudinal shape of the fenders and running board so that the box generally fills the void above the running board and a central portion of the fenders.
US07654422B2	Needle threader A needle threader includes a flat handle portion and a thread-introducing loop portion extending from the handle portion. The thread-introducing loop portion includes a folded insertion edge at a tip for insertion into an eye of a needle. The thread-introducing loop portion includes a plate member having a first end, a second end, and a narrow band portion integrally connecting between the first and second ends. The narrow band portion has the folded insertion edge at a lengthwise center. The first end and the second end of the plate member are laid one on another and held in the handle portion. The narrow band portion is exposed from the handle portion to form the thread-introducing loop portion.
US07654419B2	Dispenser having elastomer discharge valve A manual pump dispenser includes a plunger head reciprocable between pressure and return strokes, and a pump body having an inlet valve for inletting of liquid product during each of the return strokes. A discharge valve assembly is fitted to a spout for permitting selective outletting of liquid product through the spout during each of the pressure strokes. The spout includes a bore having a predetermined diameter, with a unitary valve disposed substantially within the bore. The unitary valve is made of a material for permitting predetermined axial, or axial and radial expansion thereof under pressure from liquid product during each of the pressure strokes for thereby allowing liquid product to be discharged through a slitted opening in the unitary valve, and enabling rapid contraction thereof against a valve seat to prevent liquid product from being discharged through the slitted opening.
US07654411B2	Container with lockable lid A container includes a receptacle, a lid, and a lid lock. The lid is arranged to move between an opened position uncovering an opening formed in the receptacle and a closed position covering the opening. The lid lock is used to lock the lid in the closed position.
US07654410B2	Vehicle reservoir tank A vehicle reservoir tank has an anti-spill chamber and an overflow channel. The anti-spill chamber has a body portion, an inlet at one end of the body portion and an outlet at another end of body portion. The anti-spill chamber is configured and arranged to restrict fluid flowing from a main reservoir chamber. The overflow channel has a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate curved portion. The first end portion is fluidly coupled to the outlet of the anti-spill chamber. The intermediate curved portion extends from the first end portion to the second end portion such that the second end portion of the overflow channel extends downwardly relative to the first end portion. The second end portion extends along an area of the body portion of the anti-spill chamber to restrict the flow from the anti-spill chamber.
US07654409B2	Shopping bag storage and dispensing unit A shopping bag storage and dispensing unit consisting of a topwise open box component, a partition component therein, a hole in the front side thereof, a hole in the backside thereof, a lid component fittable over the top edging of the box component, two holes in the lid component each being amenable to receipt of a dagger component, as well as a support bracket receivable by the backside hole, with holes in the support bracket for receipt of affixation members in turn receivable by a vertically inclined hard surface and pieces of hook and fastener material affixable to one another as well as to the vertically inclined hard surface and to the backside of the box component respectively.
US07654405B2	Method and system of a detachable nose faceplate Method and system of a detachable nose faceplate. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including orientating a faceplate having an aperture therein, orientating a detachable nose in one of a plurality of possible orientations, aligning the detachable nose with the faceplate, and attaching the detachable nose to the faceplate.
US07654404B2	Protective door system for enclosures resistant to high internal pressures Protective door systems are presented for equipment enclosures in which an inner door is provided to resist outward opening pressures by facing or abutting one or more interior surfaces of an enclosure opening, with an optional outer panel covering the enclosure opening from the outside, where a closure mechanism is operated by an externally rotatable handle to initially back the inner door away from the enclosure front side and then to move the inner door upward at an angle to effectively clear two edges of the opening to allow pivoting of the inner door to an open position extending partially outside the enclosure opening.
US07654398B2	Cable management system with adjustable length arm A cable management system includes an adjustable length arm adapted to receive at least one cable in a computer system, and the adjustable length arm is configured to be connected to a first hinge and a second hinge that respectively define first and second opposite ends of the adjustable length arm. The first hinge is connected to a portion of the computing system, and the at least one cable and second hinge are connected to a movable device that moves relative to the portion of the computing system.
US07654396B2	Classifier, vertical crusher having the classifier, and coal fired boiler apparatus having the vertical crusher A classifier capable of stably providing particles by further reducing the mixing ratio of coarse particles including a rotating fin (21) classifying solid particles by a centrifugal force, a cylindrical downward flow forming member (13) installed on the outer peripheral side of the rotating fin (21), a recovery cone (11) disposed under the rotating fin (21) and the downward flow forming member (13), and a housing (41). A contraction flow area (16) is formed between the housing (41) and the recovery cone (11), and a two-phase flow (52) formed of the mixture of the solid particles and gases blown up through the contraction flow area (16) is collided with the downward flow forming member (13) on the upper side of the housing (41) to form it in a downward flow. Then, that flow is led to the rotating fin side, classified into the fine particles and the coarse particles, and the fine particles are carried together with an airstream, passed through the rotating fin (21), and removed. A circulating swirl flow development suppressing part (30) is installed at the upper part of the contraction flow area (16) and on the outer periphery of the downward flow forming member (13).
US07654391B2	Readily configurable plastic foam packaging An efficient means for providing packaging materials comprises foam sheets which have been at least partially cut into regular segments which may be configured by hand into nearly any shape to fit a void space which may surround an article to be packaged in a container. The sheets may be stacked into a cube for ease of transport and storage. The foam sheets may be easily separated into segments by hand by snapping (rigid) or tearing (flexible) the foam into a custom shape which best fits the void space. In one particular embodiment, the segments may comprise a thermoplastic foam which may be configured into corner pads for supporting an article within an outer container.
US07654385B2	Machine for front joining and sticking of oblong wood workpieces by toothed front joints and referential procedure Machine for front joining and sticking of oblong wood workpieces by toothed front joints and referential procedure consists of the flow press and entrance conveying line, and solves the problem of simple and quality front joining and sticking of workpieces, which travel through them fast and fluently in a consecutive row, irrespective of possible yet allowed curvature and dimensional deviation. This is enabled by the construction of entrance conveyors and exit conveyors of the conveying line, equipped with mechanisms for adjustment of side chain units, and with elastic couplings, whereby inside the side chain units the elastic insertions are placed, and inside pressing conveyors other elastic insertions are placed. Joints among individual entrance conveyors, among individual exit conveyors, and among conveyors are likewise elastic constructions by means of adjustable screws placed between fixed cantilevers, and between tension cantilevers. It is further enabled by the construction of entrance units and exit units in the flow press, or by the construction of pushing wheel pairs inside them, and which are simultaneously driven by the central driving coupling. For this purpose, each wheel pair is equipped with a pair of flexible cranks, the cylinder for pressure adjustment, the cylinder for position adjustment, the mechanism for interactive distance adjustment. Pushing wheel pairs also have the cylinder for the horizontal shift regulation and the shift-meter with which the force meter is connected, and which is placed at the end of the last pushing wheel pair.
US07654381B2	Conveyors An indexing conveyor 1 travels at (90) degrees to a wrapping output conveyor (2), which conveys elongate packs (3) of circular biscuits at high speed with their diameter-ends leading. The indexing conveyor 1 receives the packs (3) and conveys them in an orthogonal direction, with their long-dimensions leading. The indexing conveyor (1) has a regular series of V-section lugs (11), which receive and center the packs (3) and can accommodate a range of diameters of circular packs (3) while maintaining a constant pitch. A pair of lifting bars (12) lifts a group (31) of packs (3) at a time during the dwell period of the index of the (10) conveyor (1). The packs (3) of each group (31) are moved together during the lift so that they are touching, to ensure that a robotic pick-and-place system can pick up the group (31) reliably.
US07654380B2	Handling system, work system, and program A handling system able to efficiently process information relating to a plurality of conveyed articles, the handling system provided with a conveyer for conveying workpieces, a visual sensor for detecting positions of workpieces by acquiring images of a plurality of tracking ranges obtained by dividing a belt into sections, an encoder for detecting an amount of movement of the belt, a tracking manager for monitoring amounts of movement of the plurality of tracking ranges based on the amount of movement detected by the encoder and specifying the tracking range passing through a workpiece detection area, a workpiece manager for selecting the article in the tracking range specified by the tracking manager, and a controller for controlling operations of robots so as to hold the workpiece selected by the workpiece manager.
US07654376B2	Clutch capable of cushioning forward movement and guarding backward movement A clutch capable of cushioning forward movement and guarding backward movement comprises a first mandrel, a second mandrel, a clutch sleeve, a driving stick, a clutch ring, a cushioning springs and a safety springs. The first mandrel further comprises an engagement gear surface formed on the section close to the second mandrel for the engagement with the clutch sleeve mounted on the second mandrel. The clutch sleeve is driven by the driving stick to shift longitudinally. The clutch ring is slidably mounted on the clutch sleeve, having a cushioning mechanism with the clutch sleeve. The safety springs and the cushioning springs are included in the cushioning mechanism for slowing down the engagement between the clutch ring and the engagement gear surface on the first mandrel when the driving stick drives the clutch sleeve but they are not precisely aligned.
US07654375B2	Rotation transmission device A rotation transmission device includes a roller clutch unit for selectively engaging an inner member mounted on a rotary shaft with an outer ring through rollers, and an electromagnetic clutch unit for electromagnetically controlling the selective engagement by the rollers. The current until the clutch engages is set so as to correspond to a state in which a maximum current according to the revolving speed is required and is varied according to the revolving speed of the rotary shaft to reduce power consumption and the size of the electromagnetic coil.
US07654374B2	Automated transmission controller and vehicle including the automated transmission controller Rotational driving force can be transferred to the follower side (clutch plate) of a friction clutch by adjusting the engagement condition of the clutch so that a first gear and a second gear of a dog-clutch-type transmission can rotate relative to each other. At the time of shift change during stop of the vehicle, the clutch can be further connected at a low speed after connection of the clutch until it reaches a reference clutch position.
US07654372B2	Shoe-hold apparatus for drum brake device To accomplish both prevention of disengagement of the shoe-hold spring from the shoe-hold apparatus and improvement of the assemblability of the same. The shoe-hold pin has the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion. One end opened slots are formed at the pair of arms of the U-shaped shoe-hold spring, and the slots are such that the small diameter portion of the shoe-hold pin is passable therethrough and the large diameter portion is non-passable.The pin-insertion hole, which is continuous to the slot of the web side arm and may position the large diameter portion therein, is formed in the web side arm and restricts the shoe-hold spring from disengaging therefrom when the large diameter portion of the shoe-hold pin is positioned in the pin-insertion hole.
US07654366B2	Hydraulic disc brake lever assembly A brake lever assembly for actuating a hydraulic system is shown and described. The brake lever assembly comprises a housing, a master cylinder disposed in the housing, and a master piston disposed in the master cylinder. The master piston has an adjustable dead band. A lever is connected to the housing and has an adjustable reach. The lever is pivotable about a first axis to adjust the reach and is pivotable about a second axis to actuate the master piston.
US07654356B2	Folding electric scooter A folding electric scooter comprises a chassis. The front end of the chassis is disposed with a front wheel and a handlebar used to control the direction of the front wheel. The handlebar is a folding structure. The rear end of the chassis is pivotally coupled with a rear rack. The rear rack is disposed with a rear wheel, a motor and a battery. The motor and the battery are used to offer the power to the rear wheel. In addition, the rear rack is disposed with a folding four-bar linkage, which forms the seat. By such arrangements, when the folding electric scooter is not in use, the four-bar linkage can be folded to fold the seat, and the handlebar can be synchronously folded, thus minimizing the whole volume to facilitate the transportation and the storage.
US07654355B1	Flywheel system for use with electric wheels in a hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle system having first and second internal combustion engines, first and second flywheels respectively coupled to the first and second internal combustion engines, a plurality of motorized wheels electrically interconnected to first and second flywheels, and a controller connected to the internal combustion engines and to the flywheels and to the plurality of motorized wheels for transferring energy therebetween. Each of the flywheels has permanent magnets affixed to a side of a housing thereof. Each of the flywheels is vacuum sealed within anon-ferrous housing.
US07654354B1	System and method for providing a launch assist system A system, method and computer readable media are disclosed for providing a hydraulic system for a vehicle. The system includes at least one accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid and may also include a flywheel or other storage mechanism for storing energy. Energy may be stored either in one of the accumulators or the flywheel. A control system controls fluid flow to and from the at least one accumulator and, if included, the flow of energy to and from the flywheel such that: in a steady state mode, a first hydraulic pump/motor is energized by an engine to cause hydraulic fluid to flow and actuate a drive line attached to a second hydraulic pump/motor; in a deceleration mode, the second pump/motor is operates as a pump to transfer energy to the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator; and in an acceleration mode, energy is transferred from the at least one flywheel and/or accumulator to the second hydraulic pump/motor to actuate the driveline and accelerate the vehicle.
US07654353B2	Wrapped-cone fingers for skirt systems Wrapped-cone fingers for use in an air-cushion vehicle (ACV) skirt system are described. Wrapped-cone fingers may include an inner cone that is “wrapped” or generally enclosed by an outer finger. The inner cone may include an inner cone opening through which air may travel. The outer cone may include a back face opening. When inflated, the inner cone blocks the back face opening in the outer finger, allowing for increased air pressure in the outer finger and thus inflating the inner cone and outer finger of the wrapped-cone finger. Wrapped-cone fingers according to the present invention may be lightweight, inexpensive and resistant to scooping and snagging. Embodiments are also directed to ACV skirt systems and methods of manufacturing wrapped-cone fingers for use with an ACV skirt system.
US07654352B2	Electric vehicle A battery unit mounted in an electric vehicle is provided with a battery case and a plurality of battery modules. The battery case includes a tray member on the lower side and a cover member on the upper side. The tray member is fixed to side members by a beam member extending in a width direction of a vehicle body. Each battery module is composed of a plurality of cells. Among all the cells contained in the battery case, at least those cells on the outer peripheral side which are located near a flank of the vehicle body are located on the tray member so that a lamination direction of cell elements is coincident with the width direction of the vehicle body.
US07654349B2	Hybrid vehicle with integral generator for auxiliary loads A hybrid vehicle includes an internal combustion engine coupled to a combined starter/motor/generator which is, in turn, coupled to a transmission of the vehicle. The starter/motor/generator is coupled to a high voltage battery pack via an inverter and to a deployable power output panel for serving loads external to the vehicle. Whenever external loads are to be powered, a control unit automatically places the vehicle in PARK, or alternatively activates an electrical parking brake system to hold the vehicle stationary.
US07654346B2	Steel tooth drill bit with improved tooth breakage resistance A drill bit having steel teeth is provided with a combination of hardfacing materials on the teeth. The bases of the teeth are hardfaced with nickel-based materials to significantly reduce any potential cracking therein. Portions of the supporting cones adjacent the teeth also may be fabricated with the nickel-based hardfacing. All other portions of the teeth are hardfaced with iron-based materials.
US07654345B1	Wear resistant sub assembly A wear resistant sub assembly with a sleeve with a sleeve outer diameter larger than the body outer diameter, a plurality of offset indentations formed on the outer side of the sleeve formed in rows of four to eight offset indentations along a diagonal orientation to a sleeve axis; a plurality of a metal carbide inserts providing an interference fit into each offset indentation thereby forming a wear resistant sleeve; a sealing means disposed between the sleeve and the body and at least two spring locking apparatus engaging locking indentations on the body.
US07654343B2	Deviated drilling method for water production Method for drilling horizontal or deviated fresh water wells through such volcanics as occur in Hawaii, including hard lavas and fragmented interbeds that are prone to caving. The method provides effective means to drill into basal aquifers directly underlain by salt water, or into compartmented or confined aquifers or perched aquifers. The method uses deviated drilling and may use formation grouting, casing or drill-stem drilling, percussion or rotary drilling and all combinations thereof.
US07654342B2	Underreaming and stabilization tool for use in a borehole and method for its use An underreaming tool may include a tubular body, a drive tube, at least one blade element (“the blade element”), at least one wedge element (“the wedge element”), and a stop mechanism. The drive tube may include at least one longitudinal groove (“the longitudinal groove”) axially disposed along a length of the drive tube. The wedge element may include a first side having at least one lateral projection (“the lateral projection”) configured to axially slide into the longitudinal groove to couple the wedge element to the drive tube. The stop mechanism comprises a threaded sleeve configured to screw onto the drive tube to lock the wedge element in the longitudinal groove once the lateral projection is slid into the longitudinal groove.
US07654339B2	Impact drill with swivel device An impact drill that includes a drive motor located in a motor housing, an impact mechanism, and a tool fitting. The tool fitting and the impact mechanism are components of a swivel device that is located such that the swivel device may swivel relative to the motor housing.
US07654338B2	Powered hammer having beat piece with lubricant seal A powered hammer includes a housing, a tool holder coupled to the housing and configured to hold a tool, a motor within the housing, a piston slideably mounted within the housing, a drive mechanism that converts rotary output of the motor into a reciprocating motion of the piston, a ram slideably mounted forward of the piston and that is reciprocatingly driven by the piston, and a beat piece support mounted in the housing forward of the ram. A beat piece is slideably supported by the beat piece support. The beat piece is repetitively struck by the ram and that in turn repetitively strikes an end of a tool when the tool is held in the tool holder to transfer the momentum of the ram to a tool. The beat piece support includes a seal that is slidingly engaged by the beat piece. The seal includes an absorbent material.
US07654336B2	Work machine blade device and work machine including the same A blade has an overall blade width of W, and includes a central front portion, interposition front portions, and side front portions. A straight first edge section is arranged on the lower end of the central front portion. Each of the front surfaces of the central front portion, the interposition front portions, and the side front portions is formed in an arc-shaped surface that has a prescribed radius R2. The radius R2 satisfies the following formula: R2=(0.7 to 1.0)×H, where H is the height from the edge of the first edge section to the top end of a soil retaining plate in side view in a digging posture when the edge angle α of the edge sections is an angle of 40° to 55°.
US07654333B2	Downhole safety valve The present invention generally provides a method and apparatus for selectively sealing a bore. The tubular valve generally includes a closing member for seating in and closing the bore, and a pressure-actuated, retention member having first and second opposed piston surfaces opening and closing the valve. The tubular valve prevents sudden loss of pressure in the tubular and is controllable from the surface.
US07654328B2	Subsea compressor module and a method for controlling the pressure in such a subsea compressor module A subsea gas compressor module having a housing comprising a sealing element generally defining within the pressure housing a first compartment holding as compressor and a second compartment holding an electric motor, the compressor and motor being driveably connected by at least one shaft. The first compartment is connected to an inlet line and an outlet line for sealing hydro carbon gas and for discharging gas. The second compartment has magnetic bearings for supporting the at least one shaft, and a pressure and volume regulator is fluidly connected to the second compartment and a gas supply, and includes elements for sensing respective pressures in the inlet and outlet lines whereby, based on the magnitude of sensed pressure, the pressure and volume regulator controls the pressure at which gas is injected into the second compartment.
US07654327B1	Tensioner assembly A tensioner assembly for moveably carrying a conductor that communicates from a wellhead to a piece of well access equipment on a rig. The tensioner assembly includes a support frame, at least one hydraulic cylinder connected to the support frame, and at least one primary accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder.
US07654324B2	Reverse-circulation cementing of surface casing An apparatus for reverse circulation cementing of surface casing in subterranean formations and associated methods are provided. One example of a method may involve a method of reverse circulation cementing a surface casing in a well bore with a conductor casing positioned therein comprising: providing a tool comprising at least one isolation device coupled to the surface casing; positioning the isolation device in the well bore to isolate an annulus between the surface casing and the conductor casing; flowing cement through a port in the conductor casing in a reverse circulation direction; and allowing the cement to set therein.
US07654317B2	Drill hole measuring device and rock drilling unit A drill hole measuring device and a rock drilling unit equipped with the measuring device. The measuring device (1) comprises a protective element (3), inside which a sensor (6) can be transferred by means of a transfer device (4).
US07654316B2	Downhole connector A releasable connector (10) for joining tubular members in a well bore. The connector (10) is a mating screwthread (38, 58) which is terminated on each member by abutting projections (24, 64), operating as a ratchet. This ensures torque is transmitted between the members in a uni-directionally manner so that make-up torque is never applied to the screwheads when torque is applied to the members. A running tool (12) and a method of setting a liner in a well bore is also described which incorporate the connector (10) so that the liner may be part of a drill string and is left cemented in place in the well, after drilling is complete.
US07654312B2	Heating and/or cooling system for a motor vehicle The invention relates to a heating and/or cooling system (2) for a motor vehicle with a combustion engine (4) and a catalytic converter (8) arranged in the exhaust gas path (6) of the combustion engine (4), comprising a burner (10) attached before the catalytic converter (8) to the exhaust gas path (6) as well as a heat exchanger (12) for transmitting heat generated in the burner (10) to a heating and/or cooling circuit (28) of the motor vehicle. It is proposed that the heat exchanger (12) be arranged behind the catalytic converter (8) in the exhaust gas path (6) of the combustion engine (4) and can be acted upon through the catalytic converter (8) with hot combustion gases from the burner (10).
US07654311B2	Thermal management of systems having localized regions of elevated heat flux A thermal management system (300) includes a first heat transfer body (330) for providing a opposing heat flux to at least one localized region of elevated heat flux residing in adjacency to a region of lesser flux, such as on a surface (315a) of a circuit die (315) due to a integrated circuit hot-spot (310). A contact (320, 321 962a, 962b, 970a, 970b or 950) defines a thermal conduction path for the opposing flux. A second heat transfer body (350) is in a heat transport relationship with the first heat transfer boy (330) and a second heat transport relationship with the region of lesser heat flux. In such arrangement, each region of heat flux is provided a thermal solution commensurate with the level of heat flux in the region. For example, the opposing heat flux of an active first heat transfer body (330), such as a thermoelectric cooler, may be provided at the hot-spot (310), while at the same time the lesser heat flux is absorbed by a passive second heat transfer body (350), such as a heat spreader.
US07654307B2	Evaporative cooler assisted automotive air conditioning system An automotive air conditioning system is disclosed comprising an evaporative cooler in series with the conventional vapor compression system. The evaporative cooler comprises an array of dry channels and a contiguous array of wet channels. The primary air stream to be conditioned by the evaporator of the conventional air conditioning system is preconditioned by the evaporative cooler by lowering its dry bulb temperature without changing its absolute humidity. An evaporator core is supported downstream of the evaporative cooler for receiving the primary air from the dry channels and thereby produces liquid condensate. The system is distinguished by conducting the liquid condensate from the evaporator core to the wicking tank for use in the wet channels of the evaporative cooler.
US07654305B2	Die for die casting, method of manufacturing cast product, and cast product According to one embodiment, a die includes a stationary die, and a movable die. A fin section provided between a runner section and a product section is extended from one end part to the other end part of the product section in a direction intersecting a stream direction of molten metal, and includes a fin central section opposed to a biscuit section in the stream direction of the molten metal, and a fin side section on a side of the fin central section. The fin side section includes a fin thick part formed thicker than a thickness of the fin central section. The fin thick part is extended to a boundary between the fin section and the product section. The product section includes a product thick part connected to the fin thick part in a region opposed to the fin thick part.
US07654303B2	Method and apparatus for molding an upper and a lower mold having no flask A method and apparatus for molding molds having no flask wherein a match plate having a pattern is put between a pair of an upper and a lower flask having intakes for foundry sand. An upper and a lower molding space are defined by inserting an upper and a lower squeeze device into openings of the pair of the upper and the lower flask having no match plate, and the pair of the upper and the lower flask and the match plate are rotated and moved so that they become perpendicular and then the intakes of the flasks move upward. The upper and the lower molding space are then filled with the foundry sand. The foundry sand in the molding space is squeezed by the squeezing device. The pair of the flasks and the match plate are rotated so that they become horizontal. Then the match plate is removed, the flasks are matched to each other, and the molds are removed from the pair of flasks.
US07654301B2	Venetian blind The invention relates to slats (1) for a venetian blind comprising slats of very large dimensions, both relating to the width of the slats and to the longitudinal extension of the slats (1). Thus the venetian blind comprising these slats can be made to cover very large window openings or other parts of buildings and rooms. The slats (1) are provided with longitudinal edge portions (3) serving the dual purpose of increasing the overall rigidity of the slats (1) and of providing attachment means (12) for support cords of the slats (1). The slats are operated by pairs (typically two) of lift and tilt cords running in parallel along the longitudinal edges of the slats (1), thereby avoiding passages through the slats (1), which is advantageous both from an aestetical point of view and from the point of view of the necessary production technique for the slats (1). The invention also relates to releasable attachment means (12) for connection the slats (1) to the tilt cords of the venetian blind. The Invention furthermore relates to the venetian blind as such comprising the above slats (1) and attachment means (12), and due to these is becomes possible to assemble the complete venetian blind in situ in a very easy manner. Also the removal and replacement of individual slats (1) without the necessity to dismantle major portions of the venetian blind is greatly facilitated according to the invention. Finally the invention also relates to a lift- and tilt mechanism for controlling tilting and raising/lowering of the slats (1).
US07654300B2	Obstacle detection stopping device of solar radiation shielding apparatus An obstacle detection stopping device of a solar radiation shielding apparatus capable of suppressing the wear of a lifting cord due to the contact of a slat with the lifting cord. The obstacle detection stopping device (10) comprises a support member (11), a rotary drum (13), a cam clutch (12), and a winding pulley (9). A drive shaft (8) is passed through the inside of the device. A rotating force in the unwinding direction is transmitted to the drive shaft (8) by a tension applied to the winding pulley (9). The rotary drum (13) is integrally fitted to the drive shaft (8), and the cam clutch (12) is fitted to the outer edge thereof so as to be rotated relative to each other. Based on the relative rotation of the cam clutch (12) to the rotary drum (13), the cam clutch (12) is moved along its axial direction to change the state of its engagement with a braking projected part (11g). The cam clutch (12) is installed so as to be non-rotated relative to the winding pulley (9). When the tension applied to the winding pulley (9) is eliminated, the cam clutch stops its rotating motion together with the winding pulley (9), and based on the relative rotation thereof to the rotary drum (13), the cam clutch is engaged with the braking projected part (11g).
US07654299B2	Window shade liner method and apparatus A universal removable liner attaches to a Roman shade to block sunlight and provide privacy. The shade retraction mechanism draws the shade up in tiers with one or more lift cords. The liner links to the shade across the top of the shade and at the lift cords, with the tiers formed in the shade lifting the liner in tiers as well. Links between the lift cords and the liner at the shade tier tops are closable loops. A hook-and-loop tape is preattached to the top edge of the liner, while a separate strip of adhesive-backed, mating hook-and-loop tape is furnished for user attachment to the top edge of substantially any tier-lift shade. Once the user joins the shade and liner at the tier tops, the liner forms tiers mirroring the tiers of the shade as the two are raised together.
US07654298B2	Apparatus for removing a flexible floor covering from a floor The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing a flexible floor covering from a floor. The apparatus has a frame supported on a plurality of castors and a roller supported on the frame for rotational motion substantially parallel to the floor. A drive assembly is coupled to the roller for driving same. A plurality of gripping members are carried on the roller for grippingly engaging a portion of the flexible floor covering and a grip releasing means functioning as a wedge placed between the flexible floor covering and the gripping members is provided to prevent floor covering from winding about the roller as the apparatus is operated.
US07654297B2	Correction tape dispenser A correction tape dispenser has a front cover, a core assembly, an extending-and-retracting mechanism and a rear cover. The core assembly is mounted slidably in the front cover and has a convex portion extending out of the front cover. The extending-and-retracting mechanism selectively drives the core assembly to hold forward or backward. The rear cover is mounted on the front cover. A user pushes the core assembly with the extending-and-retracting mechanism forward to extend the head out of or retract the head into the front cover. Retracting the head prevents dust from accumulating on a correction tape on the head.
US07654293B2	Tree pruners A tree pruner includes a rod and a fixed part is fixed to the rod and an arm has a first end pivotably connected to the fixed part. A spring is connected between the fixed part and a second end of the arm. A movable part has an end fixed to the arm and a mediate portion of the movable part is pivotably connected to the fixed part. A positioning seat is movably positioned on the rod and a stationary pulley is connected to the positioning seat. A movable pulley is connected to the arm and a rope reeves through the stationary pulley and the movable pulley. When pulling the rope, the arm is pivoted to move the movable part toward the fixed part to prune branches when the arm is pivoted.
US07654292B2	Erosion control device Methods and apparatus related to an erosion control device for constructing a barrier bag for use in areas where erosion is likely to occur. The erosion control device can include an attachment member allowing the erosion control device to be operably mounted to a skid steer, front-end loader, tractor or similar vehicle for transportation and power. The erosion control device can include a loading box defining a material hopper for holding a filler material. The loading box can further comprise a beater bar assembly for agitating the filler material within the material hopper so as to continually feed an auger assembly within the loading box. The auger assembly transports and compacts the filler material within a filling chute. The compacted filler material exits the filling chute and enters into a barrier bag that is continually deployed from the filling chute.
US07654290B2	Method for transporting a weft thread through the shed of a weaving machine A method for transporting the weft thread through the shed of an air-jet weaving machine having a nozzle fed with a flowing transportation medium, wherein the portion, changeable along the weft thread, of the natural thread charges arranged irregularly on the weft thread is contactlessly registered by means of an electrode array, wherein the changing total charge is determined on the electrode array, wherein the periodic change in the total charge is evaluated for determining the axial velocity of the weft thread, and wherein the nozzle of the weaving machine is controlled as a function of the axial velocity of the weft.
US07654285B2	High-pressure coupling device for directing media through quick-change systems Disclosed is a high-pressure coupling device for directing media such as oil, water, gases, fats, and similar through quick-change systems. Said high-pressure coupling device comprises a bottom part and a top part. The bottom coupling part is provided with a firmly anchored, stiff valve thorn in the form of a valve screw which creates the sealing effect for delivering the medium along with a spring-loaded slide valve sleeve while the top coupling part is provided with a spring-loaded valve plate that creates the sealing effect for the side of the coupling device, which is to be supplied with high-pressure medium, together with a stiff valve body such that a stiff valve element actuates the spring-loaded valve element of the opposite part in the high-pressure coupling device in a valve-actuating manner when the bottom coupling part and the top coupling part are joined.
US07654281B2	Gauge assembly having a stop fill device A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
US07654279B2	Deep water gas storage system A deep ocean gas storage system for storing compressed gas, the system comprising an inflexible thin walled storage vessel anchored to the sea floor having an axis located in water substantially perpendicular to and on a sea floor below sea level, a gas intake for admitting and discharging compressed natural gas to and from the vessel; a water port for admitting and discharging water to the vessel using hydrostatic pressure to discharge compressed gas from the vessel at a substantially constant discharge pressure as the volume of the gas in the storage vessel decreases when water content of the vessel increases; a conduit fluidly connected with the water port oriented substantially parallel to the axis having a discharge opening above the level of sea water in the vessel; and a valve disposed at the gas intake to the vessel for controlling compressed gas admission and discharge.
US07654277B1	Portable shade A portable shade. An illustrative embodiment of the portable shade includes a canopy; a plurality of generally elongated, curved, spaced-apart tent poles carried by the canopy; and a plurality of anchor units receiving the plurality of tent poles, respectively. Each of the anchor units comprises an anchor plate, a striker plate pivotally carried by the anchor plate and a pole receptacle pivotally carried by the striker plate and receiving a corresponding one of the tent poles.
US07654272B2	Device for packaging and applying at least two products, in particular two makeup products A device for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic product, in particular makeup. According to a disclosed example, the device includes a body incorporating a first platen delineating at least one first recess containing a first product. A second platen is directly coupled to the first platen and delineates at least one second recess containing a second product. An applicator component includes an applicator element arranged at the end of a handle, and the applicator component is detachably mounted to the body. With the applicator component in the mounted position on the body, the first platen is immobilized relative to the second platen. When the applicator component is detached, the first platen is movable relative to the second. In the mounted position, the first platen covers the second opening and the handle covers the first opening.
US07654271B2	Cosmetic applicator An apparatus for applying a cosmetic, such as mascara to eyelashes, includes a handle, a stem, and an applicator head coupled to the stem and supported for movement relative to the handle in a direction substantially parallel to the stem axis. An actuator moves the applicator head in an axial motion comprising a forward stroke and a reverse stroke. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator may move the applicator head in a composite motion including an axial component substantially parallel to the stem axis and having a forward stroke and a reverse stroke, and a rotational oscillating component. The actuator may be a motor having a rotating motor shaft, and the applicator may further include a transmission coupling disposed between the motor shaft and the applicator head for automatically converting rotation of the motor shaft in one direction into axially reciprocating movement of the applicator head.
US07654269B1	Hairbrush with dual removable handles and associated method A dual-handle hairbrush having first and second detachable handles provided on opposite ends of the brush in an axial manner. The second handle provides the ability to use either hand to style one's hair without flipping the brush, or it allows one to use both hands for greater control. Additionally, the two handles allow the consumer to use both hands for greater control. The hairbrush also includes a vented bristle canister to reduce drying time when used for blow-drying. The hairbrush provides removable handles which when removed, enables easy storage of the hairbrush in purses, drawers and suitcases while traveling.
US07654266B2	Surgical draping system A surgical draping system (2), separates the sterile surgical field from the unsterile surgical table and isolates the patient so that sterile surgical procedures can be performed without chance of contamination. The components of the surgical draping system are provided folded and in sterile condition inside a sealed bag container. The sealed bag (4), is placed acres an operating table (8), prior to placement of the patient. Once the patient has been positioned on the operating table (8), the bag (4), is opened and the surgical drape (10), is extended. The draping system may include coverings for legs or arms and a top drape. The draping system isolates the operating field in a simple and sterile manner and can be discarded at the termination of the procedure.
US07654265B2	Condom valve A valve geometry applicable to the end of condoms to permit re-use with the same partner, or to enable condoms to permit the transmission of semen and thus permit conception as a result of intercourse while retaining the epidemiologically protective effect of barrier type infection control.
US07654260B2	Protective helmet for air extraction from snow An apparatus and system are disclosed to extract breathable air from snow via a protective helmet. The apparatus includes a protective structure, at least one air intake cavity, and a mouthpiece. The protective structure defines an inner cavity and an outer surface. The air intake cavity or cavities are disposed on the outer surface of the protective structure. The mouthpiece is in fluid communication with the air intake cavity or cavities. Additionally, the mouthpiece is configured to allow a user to draw intake air from ambient snow through the one or more intake cavities and to the user's mouth upon inhalation. Advantageously, the apparatus and system provide a reliable mechanism for drawing air from ambient snow when a user, especially the user's face or head, is at least partially buried in the snow. Additionally, bulky and inefficient breathing tubes are minimized or eliminated.
US07654258B2	Kitchen ventilation hood apparatus The present invention provides a kitchen ventilation hood for ventilating the area above a cooking area and for exhausting air containing cooking by-products from a cooking station to an external environment through an exhaust duct while using a reduced airflow. The kitchen ventilation hood of the present invention is designed to minimize the required airflow through the hood in order to thoroughly evacuate the cooking by-products. The kitchen ventilation hood of the current invention has a structure incorporating an arched interior hood surface that directs the air to be ventilated through the air intake gap and the grease filter. The more efficient airflow resulting from the arched interior hood surface allows for removal of cooking by-products with a lower airflow than that required by currently available ventilation hoods. As such, the kitchen ventilation hood of the present invention represents a significant improvement over prior ventilation hoods.
US07654257B2	Radiant heater assembly A radiant tube heater assembly includes a housing containing a blower and a burner, which is aligned with an opening in the housing through which a flame and products of combustion flow into a U-shaped burner tube. The closed downstream end of the burner tube is in close proximity to the housing. In order to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the products of combustion entering the blower, an exhaust tube is mounted in a downstream leg of the burner tube and extends outwardly through the U-shaped outer end of the tube remote from the housing.
US07654255B2	Self-regulation paintball agitator system A paintball agitator for use with a paintball loader is provided. The paintball agitator includes a rotatable shaft having a drive end and a second end opposite the drive end. A base portion extends radially from the shaft adjacent the second end of the shaft. The base portion is rotatable in combination with the shaft. At least one fin is pivotally affixed to the base portion and extends radially from the shaft. The at least one fin is rotatable in combination with the base portion and the shaft. The paintball agitator further includes at least one sensor mounted to the base portion that detects movement of the at least one fin.
US07654254B1	Systems, apparatus, devices, products, and methods relating to bowstring release Bowstring release is accomplished with systems, apparatus, devices, products, and methods. A system can, for example, include a release component that can hold and release bowstrings, a light component that can emit light, and a connecting component that can connect the release component and the light component. The light component can, for example, emit predominantly blue, green, or red light to preserve night vision. The release and light can be connected by a handle structure with two telescoping parts whose length can be adjusted to fit one's hand. A bowstring release can pivot or be fixed in position relative to a handle structure. A glove-like structure can have a finger opening and an attached tube-like structure adjacent to the finger opening; in use, the tube-like structure contains the handle structure, which is held by fingers extending through the finger opening. The handle structure can also fit into a concho-type grip.
US07654250B2	Gas fuel supply apparatus An engine-start is inhibited when a gas engine is tilted, and the engine is immediately stopped. A shutoff valve (21) is provided on a liquefied fuel passage (15) supplying a liquefied fuel to a vaporizing chamber (14) from a cylinder (16). The shutoff valve (21) is provided with a diaphragm (28) to which a pulsation pressure of a crank chamber (4) is applied, and opens the liquefied fuel passage (15) if a negative pressure is applied to the diaphragm (28). A tilting shutoff valve (39) is provided in a pressure passage (34) transmitting the pulsation pressure to the shutoff valve (21). The tilting shutoff valve (39) which has a ball valve releases the pulsation pressure of the crank chamber (4) to an atmospheric air. If the pulsation pressure is open to the atmospheric air, the diaphragm (28) can not operate. Accordingly, the liquefied fuel passage 15 is kept being shut off, and is rapidly shut off in response to the tilt during the operation.
US07654246B2	Apparatus and method for controlling transient operation of an engine operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode When operating in a homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion mode, an in-cylinder condition guided fueling function and a dedicated exhaust burner disposed in an exhaust gas recirculation system of the engine are used to burn excess oxygen in recirculated exhaust gas and to achieve fast and smooth engine response during transient operation.
US07654245B2	Method of operating a spark ignition internal combustion engine In a method for operating a spark-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine, wherein fuel is injected into a cylinder of the internal combustion engine and is ignited by a spark plug as a function of at least the load of the internal combustion engine, a crank angle is determined at which a first amount of fuel is injected into the cylinder during the intake stroke whereby a lean mixture is formed in the cylinder, subsequently, as a function of at least the load of the internal combustion engine, a crank angle is determined at which a second amount of fuel is injected, whereby a mixture cloud, which is richer than the lean mixture is formed in the lean mixture and a third amount of fuel is injected in the form of a stratified injection for forming a locally enriched and ignitable fuel/air mixture in the region of the spark plug close to an ignition time which is then ignited by the spark plug causing also combustion of the mixture cloud and the lean mixture.
US07654244B2	Arrangement and method for a combustion engine An arrangement and a method for a combustion engine for self-ignition of a fuel mixture. A first device supplies a first partial quantity of the fuel mixture to the combustion space, and a second device supplies a second partial quantity of the fuel mixture to the combustion space, which second partial quantity of the fuel mixture is at a different fuel concentration from the first partial quantity of the fuel mixture. The devices supply the first and the second partial quantities of the fuel mixture as to create in the combustion space at least one region which is at a higher fuel concentration than other regions and in which the self-ignition of the fuel mixture is intended to start.
US07654238B2	Systems and methods for controlled shutdown and direct start for internal combustion engine Systems and methods for controlling shut down of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine include a mechanical energy storage device to decelerate an engine crankshaft to a stopping position desirable for restarting of the engine. Energy stored during shut down may be used to adjust or reposition the crankshaft to one of a plurality of angular orientations advantageous for restarting, and/or used to rotate the crankshaft during restarting of the engine. A flywheel having a variable mass, such as provided by two or more segments, which may be fixedly or selectively coupled to one or more springs may be used to selectively store and release energy.
US07654236B2	Method and device for controlling an internal combustion engine An internal combustion engine comprises an intake tract in which a throttle valve is disposed. The engine also comprises a camshaft which acts on gas inlet valves associated with respective cylinders. A phase-adjustment device is used to adjust a phase between the camshaft and a crankshaft. A desired air mass flow in a combustion chamber of the cylinder is determined depending on a charge requirement requested by the driver. The desired air mass flow is adjusted by varying the phase between the camshaft and the crankshaft if the desired air mass flow can be adjusted by varying the phase while substantially maintaining an actual pressure difference upstream and downstream of the throttle valve. Otherwise, the desired air mass flow is adjusted by varying the opening angle of the throttle valve.
US07654232B2	Hydrogen engine system A hydrogen engine system for driving an engine with hydrogen gases as a fuel comprises a hydrogenated liquid fuel tank, which holds a hydrogenated liquid fuel in a liquid phase, a preheater, to which the hydrogenated liquid fuel and a dehydrogenated fuel from the hydrogen feed unit are transported and which preheats the hydrogenated liquid fuel owing to heat exchange, an vaporizer, to which the hydrogenated liquid fuel as preheated and exhaust gases of the engine are transported and which heats the hydrogenated liquid fuel to put the same in a vapor phase, and a hydrogen feed unit, to which the hydrogenated liquid fuel as vaporized and exhaust gases of the engine are transported and which generates hydrogen gases owing to dehydrogenation to transport the same to the engine.
US07654230B2	Domestic animal telephone A phone for pets and pet owners is taught which allows the owner to call the house and “talk” to the pet. The owner can then see a video image of the pet in front of the pet phone to verify presence and happiness. The device can also present the owner's scent to the pet and deliver treats on remote command.
US07654221B2	Apparatus for electroless deposition of metals onto semiconductor substrates An electroless deposition system and electroless deposition stations are provided. The system includes a processing mainframe, at least one substrate cleaning station positioned on the mainframe, and an electroless deposition station positioned on the mainframe. The electroless deposition station includes an environmentally controlled processing enclosure, a first processing station configured to clean and activate a surface of a substrate, a second processing station configured to electrolessly deposit a layer onto the surface of the substrate, and a substrate shuttle positioned to transfer substrates between the first and second processing stations. The electroless deposition station also includes various fluid delivery and substrate temperature controlling devices to perform a contamination free and uniform electroless deposition process.
US07654219B2	Sight glasses and pipes incorporating the same Sight glass assemblies, pipe assemblies including the same, and methods for assembling pipe assemblies are disclosed. Sight glass assemblies may include an annular body of a transparent material. The annular body may include a peripheral surface, an interior surface defining at least a portion of a fluid path, first and second parallel planar annular surfaces spaced a first distance apart, and at least one passage extending through the annular body from the first planar annular surface to the second planar annular surface between the peripheral and interior surfaces. In some examples, a sight glass assembly may include at least one spacing element, which may include first and second bearing surfaces. The first and second bearing surfaces may be spaced a second distance at least as large as the first distance. In some examples, the interior surface may be chemically resistant to at least one predetermined fluid.
US07654209B2	Embroidery machine An embroidery machine includes a sewing arm having an upper shaft for providing a driving force, a needle bar support case, which is assembled to a front portion of the sewing arm so as to be laterally movable, a needle bar provided in a needle bar support case, the needle bar having a needle at a lower end thereof and vertically carrying the needle using a rotation driving force of the upper shaft, and a presser foot, which is provided in the needle bar support case so as to be vertically movable, characterized in that each of the needle bar and the presser foot is operated by an individual drive mechanism. The presser foot is separately driven by its own drive source, independent of the drive source of the needle bar.
US07654206B2	Container support casting for corner of container-carrying well car A railroad freight car that may include multiple units, including a container well for carrying intermodal freight containers in the body of at least one unit and with the body including container supports, located in the corners of the container well, that include a cast metal base welded to a side sill of the car. A container support tower also welded to the side sill extends upward from the base and may also be of cast metal.
US07654204B2	Rail road car truck with bearing adapter and method A swing motion rail road freight car truck is provided that has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The side frames have spring seats for the groups of springs. The springs seats may be rigidly mounted in the side frames. Friction dampers are provided in inboard and outboard pairs. The biasing force on the dampers urges then to that act between the bolster ands and sideframes to resist parallelogram deflection of the truck. The bearing adapters and sideframe pedestal seats interact on a rolling linear contact interface that has a relatively small radius of curvature.
US07654201B2	Hinge strips for printer paper The present invention provides a page for binding in an album. The page includes a blank, printer paper sheet and a hinge strip mounted along an edge of the printer paper sheet, the hinge strip including a flexible line for allowing the hinge strip to bend along the flexible line and a portion for binding to an album. The paper sheet and the hinge strip are adapted to go through a printer together to provide a ready-to-bind printed page.
US07654196B2	Electric field forming apparatus for a fryer An electric field forming apparatus for a fryer includes an electrode which is disposed along an inner wall surface of an oil vat, and a power supply which supplies an alternating current at a frequency higher than a power line frequency to the electrode.
US07654193B2	Drip coffee maker which does not require electricity to operate A non-electric drip style coffee maker including a pot member having each of a handle member and a pouring spout. A basket like member for holding a filter having ground coffee disposed therein. Such basket like member includes at least one aperture formed through a bottom surface thereof for allowing freshly brewed coffee to pass therethrough and into such pot member. A generally hollow hot water reservoir having apertures formed through a bottom surface thereof and a predetermined diameter opening adjacent a top thereof is provided. There is a lid member having a predetermined size which will enable such lid member to cover both the opening in such hot water reservoir and the opening in such pot member. The lid member includes a grip member connected to an outer surface thereof for ease of placing and removing such lid.
US07654192B2	Coffee automat having a vertically adjustable and lockable outflow unit In a coffee automat, a vertically adjustable and lockable outflow unit (3), which comprises at least one coffee outflow tube (6) in fluid-conductive connection with a coffee brewing device is continuously height-adjustable relative to a cup base and can be locked by a locking means. In order to easily and smoothly adjust, in a coffee automat rationally to be manufactured, the outflow unit (3) with the locking means released, the outflow unit (3) is supported on housing (1) by means of a longitudinal ball bearing (12) as a first bearing element, which embraces a vertical longitudinal ball bearing shaft (13) as a second bearing element. One of the two bearing elements is connected with outflow unit (3) and the other of the two bearing elements is in solid connection with a housing (1) of the coffee automat.
US07654188B2	Hydraulic cylinder of outrigger A cylinder is interposed between a machine frame and each of outriggers, which are vertically swingably disposed at opposite sides of the machine frame, so as to lift up and down the outrigger. Fluid passages are formed in a rod part of the hydraulic cylinder. Connection portions of fluid suction and delivery ports of the respective fluid passages to be connected to the respective hydraulic pressure hoses are disposed adjacent to a pivot of the hydraulic cylinder.
US07654184B2	Band saw machine, and saw blade attaching method, saw blade driving method and cutting method in band saw machine In a band saw machine in which a pair of guide posts for guiding a saw blade housing that rotatably supports a driving wheel and a driven wheel and can vertically move in the vertical direction are provided between the driving wheel and the driven wheel, an upper traveling part of a band saw blade is disposed in the rear of the guide posts and a lower traveling part of a band saw blade is disposed in front of the guide posts, when the band saw machine is viewed from the side, an intersection point between centers of the both wheels and the center line of the wheel width is almost equal to the width of the guide posts.
US07654177B1	Snap ring pliers Snap ring pliers include a first section having a first jaw portion with a first outer end and a first tip projecting outwardly from the first outer end, and a second section having a second jaw portion with a second outer end and a second tip projecting outwardly from the second outer end. The first tip opposes the second tip. A pivot pivotally couples the first section to the second section for movement of the first and second jaw portions between closed and open positions. The first and second tips are joined forming a tongue adapted to be received in a snap ring gap in the closed position of the first and second jaw portions, and the first and second tips are spaced apart and separated by a gap in the open position of the first and second jaw portions.
US07654174B2	Tappet clearance adjustment device An adjustment unit has a driver for turning an adjustment screw, a sleeve having a hexagonal hole connected to a rotating shaft, an insertion member connected to the upper end of the driver and of which a part is inserted in the sleeve, a pipe concentrically provided around the driver and having at its forward end a socket for rotating an adjustment nut, and a gear body provided concentric with the pipe and rotating the pipe. The sleeve has a short tiltable support section in contact with the hexagonal hole. A gap is provided between the hexagonal hole of the gear body and a hexagonal column section of the pipe. The driver and the pipe tilt about the tilting support section as the fulcrum.
US07654173B2	Mounting device for efficiently mounting buttons A mounting device, for mounting a plurality of buttons on a product, includes a supporting member, a punching member, and a driving member The supporting member includes a supporting panel, a plurality of holding portions fixed on the supporting panel for supporting the product, a molding board having a plurality of molding holes a platform, and a base fixed on the platform for supporting the molding board. The punching member includes a retaining member positioned above the supporting member, and a plurality of cutters fixed to the retaining member The cutters cut the buttons off a button assembly, and couple to a vacuum generator for creating suction to hold the buttons. The driving member drives the punching member to mount the buttons on the product.
US07654172B2	Torque transmission device A torque transmission device having a torque converter which is accommodated in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle, for transmitting torque between a drive unit and a transmission, has a converter housing that is rotationally mounted about an axis of rotation and is nonrotatably connected to the drive unit. The torsionally fixed connection between the drive unit and the converter housing includes a tubular connecting element that is located coaxially to the axis of rotation of the converter housing.
US07654168B2	Detent spring A detent spring assembly that accurately locates a detent plate in a gear shift mechanism of an automotive vehicle has a detent spring which includes an elongated flexible strip. A roller on the strip is engageable with any one of a series of notches in the detent plate to properly position the detent plate. A fastener secures the detent spring to a support. A part on the strip engages the support at a point spaced from the fastener to cooperate with the fastener in accurately and precisely locating the strip.
US07654166B2	Apparatus for automatically adjusting yoke clearance in a steering device Apparatus for automatically adjusting yoke clearance in a steering device in a rack-pinion type steering device.
US07654163B2	Starter for vehicle engine The starter for an engine of a vehicle includes a motor generating torque for starting the engine, an output shaft configured to move in an axial direction thereof by being pressed at a pressure-receiving portion thereof, and applied with the torque to rotate, and a lever switch configured to press the pressure-receiving portion of the output shaft at a pressure-applying portion thereof in accordance with an external command so that a pinion rotatably fixed to the output shaft engages with a gear of the engine to thereby start the engine. A protection member rotatable with respect to the pressure-receiving portion is provided between the pressure-receiving portion and the pressure-applying portion. The pressure-applying portion facing the pressure-receiving portion across from the protection member is formed with a groove to be filled by lubricant.
US07654162B2	Device for installation of a probe and probe accommodating arrangement Device for mounting and demounting of a probe to be arranged in an access tube to a process pipeline, including a hydraulic cylinder accessing the access tube with a gripping tool to engage a probe for moving this probe into an operating position in the access tube and retrieving the probe from this position. A revolving unit with at least two chambers is provided, each chamber accommodating an axially movable probe. The chambers are accessible by the gripping tool to move a probe into a chamber and, in a subsequent step, from the chamber into the access tube. A powering device is arranged for revolving the revolving unit.
US07654161B2	Method and device of inspection of a rolled band The invention relates to a method and a device of inspection of a rolled band, wherein a band sample (M) is inspected on a first face then turned over for the inspection of a second face.According to the invention, by running parallel to its longitudinal axis, the band sample (M) is brought between two spaced apart grips (6, 6′) (7, 7′) which are clamped respectively on each transversal end (M1, M2) of the sample (M), both grips (6, 6′) (7, 7′) are spaced apart longitudinally from one another so as to stretch the sample for visual inspection of a first face, then the sample is turned over, by simultaneous rotation of both grips (6, 6′) (7, 7′) around the longitudinal axis O, while holding the tension applied, so as to proceed to the inspection of the second face, such tension being sufficient to conduct the inspection without the sample contacting a table.The invention enables, in particular, the inspection of a band at the exit of a continuous rolling line.
US07654154B2	Conditioning orifice plate with pipe wall passages An element of an averaging orifice plate fluid flow meter for measuring the volumetric rate of fluid flow in a conduit having an interior circumference for carrying a flow of fluid comprising, a planar flow impedance plate for disposition transversely across the interior of the conduit and perpendicular to the fluid flow, a plurality of spaced apart orifices disposed in the plate where the profile of each orifice is a segment of a circle on an arc where the arc is coincident with a portion of the interior circumference of the conduit.
US07654151B2	Method and apparatus for measuring multi-streams and multi-phase flow A method for correcting measurements of conventional flow meters is provided. Using prior determination of fundamental behavior parameters, flow meter measurements are iteratively calculated to improve their accuracy and eliminate the need for dissimilar momentum meters or moving parts in multiphase flow metering. In some applications, corrections to meter readings are made by using an algorithm having a generic model for the entire system and validating the converged solution against realistic bounds on fluid properties.
US07654146B2	Portable pressure transducer, pneumotach for use therewith, and associated methods A system for sensing respiratory pressure includes a portable pressure transducer configured to be carried by or proximate to a respiratory conduit, such as a breathing circuit or a nasal canula. The portable pressure transducer may removably couple with a pneumotach, in the form of an airway adapter, disposed along the respiratory conduit. The pneumotach may include two pressure ports positioned at opposite sides of an obstruction, which partially blocks flow through a primary conduit of the pneumotach. Corresponding sample conduits of the portable pressure transducer removably couple with the pressure ports. The pressure ports may have sealing elements which are configured to seal against piercing members of the sample conduits upon introduction of the piercing members therethrough. Upon removal of the piercing members, the sealing elements substantially reseal. Methods for using the system are also disclosed.
US07654145B2	Non-synchronous vibrational excitation of turbine blades using a rotating excitation structure A method of measuring vibration in a bladed rotor structure with a vibration monitor. The vibration monitor includes a sensor for sensing passage of the sensor targets on radially outer portions of the blade structure, and the sensor generates signals corresponding to target passing events. An excitation structure is provided including at least one air jet for providing an excitation force to the blade structure. The blade structure is rotated about an axis of rotation and the air jet is driven in a circular path about the axis of rotation at a different rotational speed to apply a non-synchronous excitation force to the blade structure.
US07654142B2	Method of imaging using topologic energy calculation The method for obtaining an image of a part to be inspected includes the steps of determining, by simulation, the ultrasonic field (s0) generated by the propagation of a wave in a flawless reference part; transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the part to be inspected; measuring the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected; subtracting from the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected an ultrasonic field (u0) obtained from a previous corresponding measurement on the reference part; calculating a variable related to the topological energy (ET) in the reference part on the basis of the field (s0) determined by simulation and of the field (um−u0) obtained by subtraction; and determining the image of the part to be inspected on the basis of the values for this variable.
US07654139B2	Vibratory gyrosensor having a vibration element provided with terminals To improve characteristics by achieving size reduction and high Q value with a simple structure. A vibratory gyrosensor 1 according to the present invention includes a supporting substrate 2, which has a circuit element mounted thereon and a wiring pattern having a plurality of lands 4 disposed thereon; and a vibration element 20 mounted on a surface 2-1 of the supporting substrate. The vibration element 20 includes a base portion 22 having a mounting surface 22-2 provided with a plurality of terminals 25 that are connected to the lands; and a vibrator portion 23 extending integrally from a side of the base portion 22 in a cantilever manner and having a substrate-facing surface which is flush with the mounting surface of the base portion 22, the substrate-facing surface being provided with a first electrode layer 27, a piezoelectric layer 28 stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer 29, 30 stacked on the piezoelectric layer. The vibration element 20 is mounted on the supporting substrate 2 by joining the terminals 25 to the lands 4 with metallic projections 26 disposed therebetween.
US07654137B2	Corrosion-resistant metal made sensor for fluid and a fluid supply device for which the sensor is employed The present invention provides a corrosion-resistant metal made sensor for fluid and a fluid supply device for which the sensor is employed.More specifically, the corrosion-resistant metal made sensor for fluid is equipped with a corrosion-resistant metal substrate, a mass flow rate sensor part comprising a corrosion resistant metal substrate, a thin film forming a temperature sensor and a heater mounted on the back face side of the fluid contacting surface of the corrosion-resistant metal substrate, and a pressure sensor part comprising a thin film forming a strain sensor element mounted on the back face side of the fluid contacting surface of the corrosion-resistant metal substrate, and the sensor is so constituted that the mass flow rate and pressure of the fluid are measured.
US07654134B2	Air flow measuring device An air flow measuring device has a throttle portion provided in a first sub-passage, a second sub-passage branched from the first sub-passage at an upstream side of the throttle portion, and a flow amount sensor located in the second sub-passage. The second sub-passage is configured to introduce therein a part of air flowing in the first sub-passage, and an inlet of the second sub-passage is open into the first sub-passage at one side in a first radial direction perpendicular to a flow direction of air flowing in the first sub-passage. Furthermore, the throttle portion is provided to gradually reduce a passage dimension of the first sub-passage in a second radial direction, as toward an outlet of the first sub-passage. Here, the second radial direction is perpendicular to a surface defined by the first radial direction and the flow direction of air in the first sub-passage.
US07654133B2	Malfunction diagnostic apparatus and malfunction diagnostic method for combustion improvement device A malfunction diagnostic apparatus for a combustion improvement device that is disposed in an intake passage connected to each of combustion chambers in an internal combustion engine to improve a combustion state, includes a detector that detects an average crank angular acceleration or a correlated value correlated with the average crank angular acceleration in each of cylinders in the internal combustion engine; an operating state detector that detects a current operating state of the combustion improvement device; and a malfunction determination device that determines whether a malfunction occurs in the combustion improvement device for each of the cylinders, based on the average crank angular acceleration or the correlated value and the current operating state of the combustion improvement device.
US07654130B2	Gas chromatography system architecture incorporating integrated thermal management A self-contained micro-scale gas chromatography system that includes a plurality of gas chromatography components arranged on a micro-fluidic platform with nearly zero dead volume “tubeless” fluidic connections for the gas chromatography components. The micro-fluidic platform includes a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid flow paths for a sample, carrier gas and waste gas through and among the micro-fluidic platform and the plurality of gas chromatography components. The gas chromatography components may include a micro-scale gas chromatography column that is implemented as a MEMS device and includes embedded heating and cooling elements. The system may also include an on-board supply of carrier gas and on-board waste management, as well as a thermal management scheme making the system suitable for use in oil and gas wells and also other remote environments.
US07654127B2	Malfunction detection in infusion pumps The present application is directed to systems and methods associated with infusion pumps, which can optionally utilize an electrokinetic driving mechanism. Infusion pumps, including electrokinetically-driven pumps, are discussed, along with schemes for controlling their operation. As well, systems and methods of detecting malfunctions in infusion pumps are discussed. Any number of malfunctions can be detected including the presence of occlusions and/or leaks. In some instances, a measurement associated with some aspect of electrokinetic phenomena (e.g., an electrode measurement such as voltage or current) is compared with one or more sample values, the comparison allowing an indication of pump malfunction to be determined. A variety of such measurements and comparison techniques are discussed in the present disclosure.
US07654126B2	Method for establishing a correlation between a first state of a piezoelectric component and a second state of the component and use of said correlation A method for producing a correlation between a first state of a piezoelectric component (1, 20) comprising a piezoceramic element and a second state of the component comprises the following steps: a) a first group of components respectively in the first state is prepared (101), b) at least one defined characteristic of each component of the first group is determined (102), c) the piezoceramic element of the components of the first group is polarised, and a corresponding component of a second group in the second state is thus created from each component of the first group (103), d) at least one defined characteristic of each component of the second group is determined (104), and e) the correlation is produced by comparing the defined characteristics of each component of the first group with the defined characteristic of the corresponding component of the second group (105).
US07654123B2	Automated manufacturing machine The present invention provides a method and machine for producing a slotted wound core (50). The machine includes a punch arrangement (16) arranged to punch apertures in a length of material (12a), a mandrel (22) for receiving the punched material, a control means and a mandrel indexing means. The positioning of the punch arrangement (16) and the mandrel (22) is fixed and the mandrel (22) is arranged to be rotated by the mandrel indexing means after each operation of the punch arrangement so that a roll of punched material is formed on the mandrel (22). The mandrel (22) is rotated by an amount (&ggr;) determined by the control means. The control means determines the indexed amount so that selected apertures punched in the length of material align with one another when the material (12a) is rolled onto the mandrel (22) so that the aligned apertures form respective slots (52) of a desired configuration in the core (50).
US07654121B2	Method for selecting QoS Policy A method for selecting Quality of Service (QoS) policy, the method including: setting QoS policy processing information in a QPH; receiving, by a QoS Manager (QM), a QoS request from a CP, selecting a QPH to provide QoS policy for a traffic stream according to the processing information of each QPH in a home network, and providing QoS policy to the traffic stream according to the QoS policy of the selected QPH. Through the method and the system of the present invention, the problem that only the QoS policy of the QPH specified by the CP or the default QoS policy can be used as the QoS policy of the traffic stream when multiple QPHs exist in the home network is solved.
US07654119B2	Detergent supplying apparatus of washing machine Disclosed herein is a detergent supplying apparatus of a washing machine comprising a drawer partitioned so that either of a bleach supplying part and a softener supplying part is positioned at a side and a front of the other. The present invention enables the drawer to be made compact, and softener and bleach to be injected with the drawn width of the drawer minimized.
US07654117B2	Sheer hosiery Sheer hosiery (200) is provided that maintains the appearance of conventional sheer hosiery while eliminating the foot discomfort that is typically encountered when wearing conventional sheer hosiery. Embodiments of the sheer hosiery (200) include a sheer leg portion (260) and a foot portion (210) that is affixed to the sheer leg portion (260) and at least partially made of a comfort fabric. The foot portion (210) contacts one or more portions of a wearer's foot, such as, for example, a ball portion and a toe portion, and is hidden from view when the wearer's foot is inserted in footwear. The foot portion (210) may be somewhat thicker than the sheer leg portion (260) but is not so thick as to interfere with the fit of the footwear.
US07654115B2	Tubular knit bra A knitted fabric bra formed of a length of circular knit material flattened into a double ply fabric with ends secured together to form a torso encircling main body portion having rounded top and bottom edges. A pair of lengths of circular knit material flattened into double ply fabrics have ends secured to the main body portion to form shoulder straps having rounded side edges. The main body portion has a pair of enlarged, relatively loosely knit, relatively highly resiliently stretchable breast pockets. Under-sections are formed below the breast pockets. A front section extends between the breast pockets. Side sections extend from the breast pockets and are connected by a back section. The yarn selection and stitch size are varied in knitting of the fabric to provide desired fabric characteristics.
US07654111B2	Ring protector Ring protector made from an elastic material and including a safety mesh. Ring protectors made according to principles of this invention protect rings from damage while at the same time keeping them on the wearers finger and avoiding slippage during active endeavors such as swimming.
US07654110B2	Split piece of jewelry A sculpted interconnected split piece of jewelry is connected in a variety of ways through magnets that are placed in recesses where the connection is invisible from the outside; in another embodiment a second connecting means is provided for connecting and stabilizing the piece of jewelry.
US07654101B2	Split-air stream air conditioning with desiccant dehumidification A geothermal desiccant cycle cools and dehumidifies the air in an indoor conditioned space. The return air is split into two streams. One of the streams passes through a desiccant wheel to remove water vapor and then through a cooling coil for sensible cooling from geothermal water. The other stream is heated to increase its capacity to absorb moisture, and then is passed through the desiccant wheel to pick up the moisture transferred from the first stream and regenerate the desiccant. The second air stream, which now has a higher dewpoint temperature, flows through a geothermal cooling coil, for sensible cooling as well as condensation of the moisture. The two air streams are mixed and supplied back to the conditioned space. A regenerative air-air heat exchanger can be used to recover some of the heat used in heating the second air stream.
US07654096B2	Reduced torque valve for cryogenic refrigerator A rotary valve unit which reduces the torque required to turn the valve disc, and the amount of wear dust that is blown into the cold head, using differential gas forces to keep the valve disc in contact with the valve seat, and which enables larger diameter valve discs to be utilized for multi-ported pulse tubes that have less force on the face of the valve disc, resulting in reduced torque and reduced wear rate.
US07654095B2	Energy transfer apparatus and methods The invention provides an energy transfer apparatus having an energy transfer chamber (optionally bounded by an energy transfer tube) in which rotating flow is established. Preferably, the apparatus has a cold-fluid-discharge end and a hot-fluid-discharge end. Also provided are methods of using such apparatuses.
US07654090B2	Burner and method for operating a gas turbine The invention relates to a burner having an annular premixing channel in which fuel can be discharged in a radially distributed manner. The radial distribution of the fuel can be regulated during operation of the burner in that fuel can be supplied, independently of one another, into a first and a second part of admission devices having admission holes varying radially in opposite direction by means of fuel supply lines. The invention also relates to a method for operating a gas turbine in which radial distribution of the fuel is regulated in a premixing channel of a burner.
US07654084B2	Metering fuel pump A device and method for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel from a fuel supply to a pressurized combustion chamber. A fuel pump is included in the gas train from supply to chamber. The fuel pump increases the pressure of the gas to allow efficient injection into the chamber. The pump is modulated to control the fuel flow. Both alternating current and pulse-width-modulated direct current signals may be used to control the flow. The pump may be a piston pump or a diaphragm pump. Feedback may be provided from sensors that determine operating parameters of the engine and such sensor signals may be used by the controller to maintain a parameter, such as temperature, at a specified value. An acoustic filter can be included in the gas train to significantly reduce gas flow pulsations generated by the pump. This filter improves the uniformity of the combustion process.
US07654076B2	System for controlling absorber regeneration A system, method, and software for controlling regeneration and desulfurization of a NOx adsorber is disclosed. An electronic control unit is connected with an engine for selectively controlling operation of the engine between a rich operating mode and a lean operating mode. A NOx adsorber is in fluid communication with a flow of exhaust from the engine. A NOx adsorber manager module is executable by the electronic control unit to determine the need to operate in a de-NOx mode or a de-SOx mode. If the NOx adsorber manager module determines a need exists to operate in the de-NOx mode and the de-SOx mode at the same time, the NOx adsorber manager module executes the de-SOx mode.
US07654075B2	Fan static structure A static structure is provided such as that used as an engine structure 30 within a gas turbine engine. A structure 30 comprises a hub or core 33 with a concentric ring or casing 32. The hub 33 and casing 32 are secured together through spoke or vane elements 31 which are sloped axially and tangentially relative to a principal axis X-X. In such circumstances any roll torque reaction caused by differentially rotating hub and ring motions is retained by the tangential inclination of the spokes or vanes whilst axial sloping of these spokes or vanes 31 and axially sloping of the struts 34 creates bracing in the direction of the principal axis X-X. In such circumstances essentially robust triangles are formed radially and longitudinally respectively each comprising spokes or vanes 31 and struts 34 secured at axially spaced locations on the hub or core 33.
US07654074B2	Thermal improvements for an external combustion engine An external combustion engine having an exhaust flow diverter for directing the flow of an exhaust gas. The external combustion engine has a heater head having a plurality of heater tubes through which a working fluid is heated by conduction. The exhaust flow diverter is a cylinder disposed around the outside of the plurality of heater tubes and includes a plurality of openings through which the flow of exhaust gas may pas. The exhaust flow diverter directs the exhaust gas past the plurality of heater tubes. The external combustion engine may also include a plurality of flow diverter fins coupled to the plurality of heater tubes to direct the flow of the exhaust gas. The heater tubes may be U-shaped or helical coupled shaped.
US07654070B2	Mown-gross collecting bucket A mown-grass collecting bucket capable of smoothly collecting into a mown-grass collecting box the grass mown off by a lawn mower cutters and automatically discharging out of the box the mown grass collected into the box and scraped together is provided. The mown-grass collecting box having intake and discharge ports for the mown grass is provided with a mown-grass scraping-together and discharging mechanism, which mechanism comprising a rotary shaft coupled to a rotary drive source to be driven thereby, a first blade supported through first brackets by the rotary shaft, a second blade supported through second brackets mounted to support shafts provided on the first brackets, a brush provided to tip edge of the second blade, and twist springs each mounted on each support shaft and across each first bracket and each second bracket.
US07654065B2	Offsetting cutting units for a grass mowing machine A mechanism for offsetting cutting units for a grass mowing machine includes lift arms that pivot between a first lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the left of the traction vehicle, a second lowered position in which the cutting units are offset to the right of the traction vehicle, and a raised position intermediate the first and second lowered positions. Each lift arm has a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis parallel to the first pivot axis.
US07654064B2	Packaging machine Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member. The web may be reverse indexed to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.
US07654063B2	Method and device for gas filling and sealing of a duct intended to be filled with gas and positioned in a container of a collapsible type, and container blank comprising such a duct The invention relates to a method and a device (16) for gas filling and sealing of a duct (7) intended to be filled with gas and positioned in a container (1) of a collapsible type. The duct (7) is defined by two opposite side walls (2) which are joined along a connecting portion (4) and comprises an inlet (15) arranged in one of the side walls (2). A part of the container (1) that comprises the inlet (15) is clamped between an abutment (17) and a gas module (20) which is axially movable towards the abutment (17). Clamping occurs in such a manner that one of the two side walls (2) included in the duct (7) is allowed, in response to a gas flow supplied from the gas module (20) and entering the duct (7) through said inlet (15), to bulge to form a free passage into the duct (7) for filling the same with gas. After completion of the gas filling, the duct (7) is sealed. The invention also relates to a container blank (10) having a duct (7) which is specially developed for the method and the device (16).
US07654062B2	Packaging machine for inserting an article to be packaged into a package The invention relates to a packaging machine for inserting articles which are prepackaged in bags, into folding boxes in an insertion area. The bags can be inserted via an opening cross-section of the box which is able to be at least partially covered by an essentially flat top flap. A device having a receiving area for a top flap of a box is provided in the insertion area. The top flap is, in the insertion area, positioned in the receiving area and is kept in a convex shape so that, at least during the insertion of the bag and of the box when the top flap is convexly shaped, the opening cross-section of the box is larger than when the top flap is flat.
US07654061B2	Composite pane and retaining structure with at least one composite pane of this type A composite pane (3) having at least two rigid (glass) plates (3.1, 3.2) and an intermediate layer (33) has flexible holding elements (4) which are positioned in the plane of the intermediate layer between the two rigid plates and extend over their outer edge, for securing the composite pane to a substructure or holding structure (1). According to the invention, flat sections of the holding elements (4) are inserted into corner and/or edge regions of the composite pane (4) and are provided with perforations (4P), and high-strength thin filaments (4F), fibres or woven strands are guided in looped form through or around these perforations (4P), in order thereby to form load-bearing parts of the flexible holding elements (4) which project outward out of the composite.
US07654059B2	Truss connector A truss connector for releasably coupling ends of truss structures in a quick and uniform fashion. The connector connects trusses, end-to-end, by binding to their tubular truss members in spigot fashion with an arbor, traveling nut and expandable collet assembly and by binding to the truss gusset plates in a directly fastened, mated plate assembly.
US07654058B2	Connector and system for supporting veneer panels A connector for coupling a veneer panel to a back-up wall includes a veneer connector and a support member. The support member includes a mounting flange. The mounting flange is adapted for securing the support member to the back-up wall. The support member further includes a first support member side wall and a second support member side wall. The first and second support member side walls extend outwardly from the mounting flange, and are connected to the mounting flange along a generally vertical line. The veneer connector is adapted to support a generally horizontal edge of the veneer panel. The veneer connector is connectable with respect to the support member for support by the first and second side walls.
US07654055B2	Glueless panel locking system A locking system for mechanically joining a plurality of panels or components of an article of construction without the need for glue or other adhesive is provided. The panels are preferably solid hardwood flooring panels. Each panel includes first and second locking members spaced beneath its outer surface. The first locking member is at one side edge of the panel and has two spaced-apart flexible arm portions, at least one arm portion including a first latching member. Preferably, the first latching member is a rib extending outward from the arm portion. The second locking member is at another side edge and includes a channel recessed within the side edge. The channel is sized to receive the arm portions without them having to contact the channel unless deflected within the channel. The second locking member also includes a second latching member positioned and adapted to engage the first latching member. The second latching member is preferably a slot abutting the channel. At least one of the locking members is provided with a positioning member so that upon inserting the first locking member on one panel into the second locking member on another panel for joining them together, the positioning member deflects an arm portion to securely engage the first latching member with the second latching member. The positioning member is preferably a wedge mounted to the back wall of the channel.
US07654052B2	Bridging member for concrete form walls A building component having first and second high density foam panels and improved bridging members for connecting the panels that extend between and may be molded into the panels. The bridging members include a pair of elongated end plates oriented in a top to bottom direction of the panels, a pair of substantially identical web members joining the end plates and being substantially symmetrically disposed above and below a central horizontal axis of the bridging member, and a pair of strip members oriented in the top to bottom direction of the panels intersecting the web members. The web members have a unique configuration that maximizes load bearing capacity with a minimum amount of material. The strip members may abut against and be substantially flush with respective inner surfaces of the foam panels to assist in positioning and forming the panels during molding. Seating areas for positioning horizontally and/or vertically disposed rebar in predetermined positions are also provided.
US07654051B2	Device and method to provide air circulation space proximate to insulation material Insulation spacer devices, methods and related construction techniques are provided. An exemplary device may include a body having a plurality of openings defining an openwork, to allow the passage of air therethrough when placed in contact with insulation material. The device may further include a plurality of spacer struts and/or spacing depressions fixedly attached to the body. The struts may be configured to maintain a predetermined distance between a first side of the insulation material and a building surface. The body and struts act together to define and maintain a space between the first side of the insulation material and the building surface, for example, for ventilation. The building surface can be the bottom face of a roof, an insulated attic floor, wall sheathing or a soundproofed demising wall, for example. The spacer device can be capable of being transported and stored together with, or as a separate item from, the insulation material, and can also be stored in nested layers. The device can also be stored in rolled form. The openwork of the device can additionally or alternatively include a sheet of Entangled net filaments or other similar material.
US07654048B2	Grain bin roof ring mounting bracket A grain bin roof ring mounting bracket having a mounting plate secured to a roof bin, a clip portion extending vertically from the mounting plate, and a back portion that extends outwardly from the clip portion.
US07654045B2	Weather protection barrier for a frangible opening of a building A weather barrier is provided for a frangible element such as a window having an outer perimeter, the frame including a plurality of struts defining a converging end and a diverging end of the frame, the diverging end having a given periphery, a plurality of brackets disposed about the outer perimeter of the frangible element, the diverging end of the frame engageable with the brackets to space the converging end spaced from the window, the given periphery of the diverging end corresponding to the outer perimeter of the window, and a flexible material encapsulating the frame to define an enclosed volume.
US07654043B2	Retrofit attachment yoke The invention relates to a retrofit connector for fast attachment to an existing system that supports a suspended load below a ceiling, beam or floor without the need to disassemble or disconnect any components of the system. Advantageously, the connector is easy to install and inexpensive to manufacture. The connector is removably or permanently attachable to a sway brace clamp or attachment to form a pivotable connector-clamp assembly. The assembly is capable of reliably supporting heavy loads against adverse sway and seismic disturbances.
US07654038B2	Garden planter having integrated irrigation and illumination systems A garden planter with integrated irrigation and lighting systems (100) includes a container (101) for holding plants and an irrigation tube (107) for supplying water to the interior of the container (101). A light (213) is positioned above the container (101) for providing illumination. One or more fastening tubes (105) are used for supporting the container (101) and supplying irrigation directly to the container or concealing the irrigating tube (107).
US07654036B2	Horticultural growing rack The present invention involves a horticultural growing rack used for growing plants. The horticultural growing rack offers a variety of benefits to a plant grower. The horticultural growing rack can be modified to create various sizes of racks. The rack can also hold various attachments such as a light bar, ballast bar, and tray holders. This rack can be easily shipped and stored.
US07654034B2	Apparatus for capturing and entrapping an insect A device for entrapping an insect includes a hollow cylinder, a piston located in the cylinder and sealed at an inner surface of the cylinder, a spring for urging the piston to move axially in the cylinder; and a releasable latch for securing the piston in an armed state, wherein the spring applies a force tending to move the piston axially and for releasing the piston from the armed state to produce a partial vacuum. A disposable cartridge containing an adherent able to entrap an insect pneumatically communicates with the suction side of the cylinder.
US07654025B2	Frame for mounting to a premounted mirror A frame is mounted to a front surface of a previously mounted mirror so that recesses in the back side of the frame receive protruding portions of fasteners which attach the frame to a supporting structure. Guide structures are temporarily mounted to the front surface of the mirror to facilitate the mounting of the frame to the mirror. The guide structures are used to suspend the frame in a position forward of the mirror. Then, while the frame is suspended by the guide structures, the frame is pushed toward the mirror so that the frame slides along the guide structures. As a result, adhesive strips, which are mounted to the back of the frame, engage the front surface of the mirror and become adhered thereto, so that the frame is mounted to the front surface of the mirror by the adhesive strips.
US07654024B2	Separated wristband label assembly A business form particularly adapted for use during medical emergencies includes in a first embodiment a wristband/label assembly that is readily separable from a carrier, with the wristband including a single end for looping around a victim's appendage through a cinch and a tab carrying a plurality of labels with the wristband and each label having an identifying indicia such as a bar code printed thereon. The wristband bar code thus becomes associated with the victim and the labels are used to identify items associated with the patient such as his possessions, medical charts, medicines, etc. The wristband may be color coded so that as the medical personnel triage victims they are categorized by color as to their need for medical care, with the color coding thus being readily ascertainable by others as multiple victims are processed. A second embodiment includes a pre-printed form having a tab portion with the bar code labels as in the first embodiment and also a series of tear off tabs for indicating the medical condition of the patient. Additionally, the medical condition tabs may also be bar coded so that the patient's ID and medical condition may both be “swiped” into a data base using bar code information. Once the data is collected, it is conveniently input into a computer with the computer then transmitting the information to a server for display at a web site. The server and related software is fully capable of handling input from multiple computers in real time so that victim information is made available over the internet almost immediately as the victims are processed.
US07654023B2	Backlit static display on foam board using light piping pegs as highlighters A display for displaying an image to a viewer, capable of highlighting specific locations selected by a user. This display comprises: a) a punchable layer such as a foam board having a first surface and a second surface, b) an image affixed to the first surface of the punchable layer. The punchable layer and the image form a sandwich dubbed display cover which is partially transparent and is observed by a viewer located on the image side of the display cover, c) a light source illuminating the second surface of the punchable layer, d) a piercing means for enabling the user to punch at least one hole into the punchable layer, and e) a plurality of pegs equal in number to the number of holes. The pegs are longer than the thickness of the display cover and furthermore are significantly more translucent than the display cover, such that when inserted into the holes by the user, they operate as light pipes and channel light generated by the light source, across the display cover, and scatter light toward the viewer, thereby allowing the pegs to operate as highlighters over the lesser illuminated display cover.
US07654022B1	Adjustable scroll mounted on pedestal A horizontally-aligned, adjustable scroll including scroll assemblies frictionally and/or mechanically engaging a base pedestal. The scroll also includes a fixed display horizontally-aligned between the scroll assemblies. The scroll is adjustable by moving the scroll assemblies forward and backward to improve positioning of the fixed display.
US07654016B2	Snow pusher A snow pusher attachment for use in conjunction with a straight blade angle-type snow plow mounted to a work vehicle is disclosed. The attachment consists of side panels, connected by horizontal members. The pusher attachment is secured to the snow plow by bracket assemblies, attached to the upper edge of the snow plow that engage hooks on the upper, rear portion of the pusher attachment. The pusher can be secured or released from the snowplow by manipulation of the plow blade allowing quick and repeated conversion of a snow plow into a snow pusher box and visa versa.
US07654013B2	Removable footwear traction plate A traction plate for a shoe. The traction plate is removably attachable to the outsole of a shoe to provide traction on a surface for a shoe wearer. The plate includes a flange with one or more surface-engaging elements on one face. The plate also includes two or more shoe-coupling elements. The shoe-coupling elements are inserted into corresponding receptacles in a shoe-outsole and then rotated to affix the plate to the shoe. The shoe-coupling elements may be captively attached to the plate flange or attachable to the shoe receptacle with a rotation of no more than one full revolution.
US07654012B2	Closure device for shoe The present invention provides a fitted, supportive, comfortable shoe upper with a laceless closure device comprising one interlaced strap capable of rapid adjustment in multiple planes of movement.
US07654011B2	Two-stage thermal oxidation of dryer offgas A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the VOC, CO, and, alternatively, the NOx content of dryer offgas that is discharged into the atmosphere from a moist organic product drying process using thermal oxidizing apparatus that includes a burner, furnace, mixing chamber, thermal oxidizer, tempering chamber, and an indirect gas-to-gas heat exchanger. The dryer offgas is separated into two portions, with a larger portion being preheated by indirect heat exchange with the hot gaseous output from the thermal oxidizer. The non-preheated portion is directed to the burner in the function of flue gas recycle for NOx control. The preheated portion is separated into two portions, with one portion being directed to the furnace/mixing chamber of the thermal oxidizing apparatus. The other portion of the preheated offgas is recycled to the hot gas inlet of the dryer and serves the function of dryer heat transfer media. Ultimately, all the dryer offgas enters the thermal oxidizer, and comprises a smaller non-preheated portion directed to the burner and a larger preheated portion directed to the furnace/mixing chamber. By preheating a large proportion of the offgas directed to the thermal oxidizing apparatus, simultaneous achievement of an adequate thermal oxidizer temperature, 1600° F., and an adequate oxygen concentration of 5% by volume is achieved for optimized thermal oxidation of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
US07654010B2	Substrate processing system, substrate processing method, and storage medium A substrate processing method for a substrate processing system comprising at least a substrate processing apparatus that subjects a substrate to processing, and a substrate transferring apparatus having a transferring device that transfers the substrate, which enables the yield to be increased without bringing about a decrease in the throughput. The substrate processing method comprises a jetting step of jetting a high-temperature gas onto at least one of the transferring device and the substrate transferred by the transferring device.
US07654009B2	Absolute value scale and absolute value calculating method A rotary absolute value scale includes a rotor in which two rotor side coil patterns provided with different pitches are laminated, and a stator in which two stator side coil patterns provided with different pitches are also laminated. A linear absolute value scale includes a slider in which two slider side coil patterns provided with different pitches are laminated, and a scale in which two scale side coil patterns provided with different pitches are also laminated.
US07654007B2	Method for improving the reproducibility of a coordinate measuring apparatus and its accuracy A method for improving the reproducibility of a coordinate measuring machine and its accuracy is disclosed. Using at least one measuring field of a camera, a plurality of images of at least one structure on the substrate are recorded. The substrate is placed on a measuring stage traversable in the X coordinate direction and the Y coordinate direction, the position of which is determined during imaging using a displacement measuring system. The measuring field is displaced by the amount of the deviation determined.
US07653999B2	Co-extruded generating bank swaged tubing A method is provided for successfully rolling co-extruded tubing into drums of a boiler bank. First, a co-extruded tube is provided, containing a carbon steel base tubing with an outer layer of high alloy tubing. Next, the outer layer of high alloy tubing is removed by machining in the area of the co-extruded tubing that is to be rolled into the drum. Then, the co-extruded tubing is swaged using multiple swaging steps and annealing treatments. The co-extruded tubing is swaged to the required diameter and wall thickness. Finally, co-extruded tubing is inserted, rolled, and sealed into the drums.
US07653997B2	Friction linear guide rail assembly for boiler tube cutting apparatus The present invention relates to a guide rail assembly for securement of a tube cutting apparatus for cutting of boiler tube walls to a fixed point on a tube wall, while allowing lateral repositioning of a cutting tool relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting device may be fixedly positioned by mating friction engagement of a concave surface of pairs of linear guide blocks secured to the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.
US07653994B2	Repair of HPT shrouds with sintered preforms A method for repairing a gas turbine stationary flowpath shroud. The method comprises providing a superalloy gas turbine stationary flowpath shroud that has previously been in service. The method further comprises preparing a restoration coating for application to the flowpath surface of the shroud by the steps of providing a precursor mixture comprising a higher-melting-point alloy component, a lower-melting-point alloy component, and a fugitive binder. A perform is prepared from the components and pre-sintered into a mildly curved form. The partially densified perform is applied to the flowpath surface and thermally bonded to the flowpath surface, forming a restoration coating.
US07653993B2	Method of manufacturing a brush seal for sealing between stationary and rotary components A method of manufacturing a brush seal includes wrapping wire about spaced frames to form a pair of wire runs of multiple wire thicknesses. Two pairs of interior plates are inserted between the wire runs at an angle and in spaced relation to one another. Two pairs of plates are applied along the outside of the wire runs parallel to the pairs of interior plates, respectively. By removing the wire run outside the plates and welding along each of the opposite edges of the wire run securing an interior plate, a cut end of a wire run and an exterior plate to one another, and by cutting each wire run preferably in half, four tee shaped bristle packs are formed with the bristles extending at the appropriate angle. By cutting the tee shaped packs to length and rolling the cut pack, a brush seal is formed to the appropriate diameter.
US07653990B2	Manufacturing method of printed circuit board using an ink jet A manufacturing method of printed circuit board print is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a PCB which includes providing an imprinting stamper with a relievo pattern formed in correspondence with a circuit pattern data using the circuit pattern data, forming an intaglio pattern corresponding to the relievo pattern by pressing the imprinting stamper on an insulation layer, and forming a circuit pattern by printing conductive ink in the intaglio pattern by an ink-jet method using the circuit pattern data, allows the forming of a circuit pattern to a required thickness by injecting conductive ink in a groove processed by the imprint method, and prevents the spreading of ink and the distortion of the pattern shape in the curing process for conductive ink containing metal Also, the circuit pattern CAD data used in the manufacturing of an imprinting stamper can be utilized again in the ink-jet printing process.
US07653981B2	Method of providing a housing for a permanent magnet electric motor A method of providing a housing assembly for a permanent magnet electric motor provides a frame holder having external surface features at an end thereof defining bearing support features. A plastic frame is provided over a portion of the frame holder. The plastic frame has internal surfaces features corresponding to the external surface features of the frame holder. The plastic frame has lamination receiving portions. Permanent magnets are placed adjacent to portions of the frame holder and between the lamination receiving portions of the plastic frame. A ferrous lamination is wound over the lamination receiving portions and the magnets to define flux structure.
US07653978B2	Method for providing stop-off on a workpiece A method for providing a stop-off material on a workpiece is provided, as is an associated assembly. A maskant is provided on the workpiece such that a first portion of the workpiece is exposed and a second portion of the workpiece is covered by the maskant. The stop-off is then disposed, with the maskant on the workpiece preventing the stop-off from being applied to the second portion of the workpiece. The maskant is removed from the workpiece leaving the stop-off disposed on a select portion of the workpiece. The removal of the maskant can leave the workpiece substantially free of debris. Thereafter, the workpiece can be further processed, e.g., by diffusion bonding, with the stop-off preventing diffusion bonding of part of the workpiece.
US07653976B1	Method of repairing a fishing rod A repair kit for fishing rods that has a replacement tip and a coupler to repair the shafts of the broken rods. The kit can be carried in the field as part of regular tackle box. The replacement tip is a formed body that has a threaded end. The ferrule is formed as part of the body so that is not susceptible to breakage. The ferrule can be also lined with a ceramic eyelet that reduces friction on the line passing through it as well as adding strength. The coupler is a two ended-part that has two formed tapered threads or two formed metal inserts inside the coupler. The coupler is twisted onto the end of the broken rod until it is secure. The other end of the broken rod is then twisted into the open end of the coupler. Once the second end of the rod is secure, the rod is again ready to use.
US07653970B1	Detachable hand tool A detachable hand tool includes a handle, a spindle partially received in one end of the handle, a cap partially received in the other end of the handle, a casing sleeved on the spindle, a head sleeved on the casing, a tool driver partially and detachably mounted in the spindle, and a control assembly mounted on the spindle for detaching the tool driver.
US07653968B2	Hinge device and electronic instrument using the hinge device The present invention provides as an object a novel hinge device which is extremely valuable as a commercial product and an electronic instrument using the hinge device. A hinge device for pivoting a first member (1) and a second member (2) to be rotatably opened and closed is characterized in that when the second member (2) kept under a coupled and closed condition is opened to the first member (1), in a rotational range A1 from the coupled and closed position P1 to a predetermined open angle position P2 rotated in an open direction, a closing rotational biasing effect is generated for automatically closing the second member (2) to the coupled and closed position P1 relative to the first member (1), and when the second member (2) is manually rotated in the open direction exceeding the predetermined open angle position P2 to the first member (1), an open rotational biasing effect is generated for automatically opening the second member (2) to a predetermined open angle position P3 relative to the first member (1).
US07653966B2	Sliding rail assembly for a sliding panel movable along a track A sliding rail assembly (20) for a sliding panel (22), movable along a track (24) between open and closed positions, includes a runner (26) and a glide (28) for sliding engagement along the runner (26). The runner (26) is adapted to extend from the track (24). The glide (28) has an interior surface (64) disposed about the runner (26) and an exterior surface (62) adapted to extend from the sliding panel (22). A layer of polymeric material (48) is secured by an adhesive (90) to either one of the interior surface (64) of the glide (28), the runner (26), or both for facilitating sliding movement of the glide (28) along the runner (26).
US07653963B2	AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience A wet/dry utility vacuum with a canister, a powerhead assembly with a fan, a shut-off device that prevents the fan from drawing liquids into the fan inlet when a volume of the liquid in the canister exceeds a predetermined volume. The powerhead assembly includes a controller that permits the utility vacuum to be operated in a desired power mode so that the user may employ either an AC power source or a DC power source, such as a battery pack, for example. In some applications, the battery pack may be interchangeable with the battery packs of various cordless tools, including drill/drivers and saws. A tool set and a method for operating a battery-powered tool set are also provided.
US07653959B1	Article assembly An assembly comprising a toothbrush having a first and second end. A stand in the shape of a pair of feet retains the brush in a vertical position when the stand is placed on a horizontal surface. For additional support, a base may be incorporated with the stand.
US07653957B1	Collapseable utility ramp A utility ramp for loading and unloading lawn mowers and other equipment into a pickup truck or transport vehicle and then collapsed for easy storage. The ramp is a comprehensive unit comprising two ramp channels held parallel by a sliding cross brace design. The first end of the cross brace is pivotally attached the ramp channel. The second end of the cross brace is secured to a rotating sliding fitting that engages a slot in the ramp channel. The sliding cross brace design constrains the ramp sections in a secure and parallel fashion in both the expanded and collapsed positions. This design allows one person to easily and quickly expand or collapse the utility ramp with one simple motion.
US07653956B2	Method of manufacturing footwear of differing widths A method of manufacturing footwear includes providing a first upper having a first size and positioning a first cushioning member, having a first recess of a first size, beneath the first upper. The first cushioning member is secured to the first upper and a first sole assembly to form a first article of footwear having a first size. A second cushioning member is positioned beneath a second upper having a second size different than the first upper's size. The second cushioning member has a second recess of a second size formed in an upper surface thereof, with the second size being different than the first size of the first recess. The second cushioning member is secured to the second upper and a second sole assembly to form a second article of footwear having a second size different than the first size of the first article of footwear.

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