| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07659590B2 |
DNA-based memory device and method of reading and writing same
The present invention is directed to a memory device having very high storage density capability. In general, the memory device includes an array of individual memory cells which store information that is assigned a value based on the molecular contents of the memory cell. In a preferred embodiment, the molecules utilized for storing information in the memory cells may be single-strand polynucleotides, for instance single-strand oligonucleotides of between about 5 and about 20 monomer units. The present invention is also directed to methods and systems useful for writing and reading the molecular-based memory devices. In particular, the devices may be written and read via modified atomic force microscopy processes. |
| US07659589B2 |
Device with gates configured in loop structures
A device includes a substrate, a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate. The substrate has a first active region and a second active region. The first gate is configured in a first loop structure around the first active region. The second gate is configured in a second loop structure around the second active region, and the third gate is configured in a third loop structure around the first gate and the second gate. |
| US07659588B2 |
Termination for a superjunction device
A superjunction device that includes a termination region having a transition region adjacent the active region thereof, the transition region including a plurality of spaced columns. |
| US07659585B2 |
ESD protection structure for I/O pad subject to both positive and negative voltages
An ESD protection circuit is disclosed for an n-channel MOS transistor formed in an inner p-well of a triple-well process and connected to an I/O pad that may experience both positive and negative voltages according to the present invention. A first switch connects the p-well containing the n-channel MOS transistor to ground if the voltage at the I/O pad is positive and a second switch connects the p-well containing the n-channel MOS transistor to the I/O pad if the voltage at the I/O pad is negative. A third switch connects the gate of the n-channel MOS transistor to the p-well if it is turned off and a fourth switch connects the gate of the n-channel MOS transistor to Vcc if it is turned on. |
| US07659580B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a transistor with a high ON current including a silicide layer without increasing the number of steps. A semiconductor device comprising the transistor includes a first region in which a thickness is increased from an edge on a channel formation region side and a second region in which a thickness is more uniform than that of the first region. The first and second region are separated by a line which is perpendicular to a horizontal line and passes through a point where a line, which passes through the edge of the silicide layer and forms an angle θ (0°<θ<45°) with the horizontal line, intersects with an interface between the silicide layer and an impurity region, and the thickness of the second region to a thickness of a silicon film is 0.6 or more. |
| US07659579B2 |
FETS with self-aligned bodies and backgate holes
A FET has a shallow source/drain region, a deep channel region, a gate stack and a back gate that is surrounded by dielectric. The FET structure also includes halo or pocket implants that extend through the entire depth of the channel region. Because a portion of the halo and well doping of the channel is deeper than the source/drain depth, better threshold voltage and process control is achieved. A back-gated FET structure is also provided having a first dielectric layer in this structure that runs under the shallow source/drain region between the channel region and the back gate. This first dielectric layer extends from under the source/drain regions on either side of the back gate and is in contact with a second dielectric such that the back gate is bounded on each side or isolated by dielectric. |
| US07659578B2 |
Semiconductor device having variable thickness insulating film and method of manufacturing same
Embodiments of a semiconductor device capable of increasing an aperture ratio of an organic electroluminescence display device by decreasing the surface area of a capacitor in the organic electroluminescence display device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. By forming a gate insulating film of a gate electrode with a thickness different from that of a dielectric film of a capacitor, the surface area of the capacitor can be decreased without variation in capacitance, thereby increasing the aperture ratio of an organic electroluminescence display device. |
| US07659576B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A punch-through type IGBT generally has a thick p++-type collector layer. Therefore, the FWD need be externally attached to the IGBT when the IGBT is used as a switching element in an inverter circuit for driving a motor load, and thus the number of processes and components increases. In the invention, trenches are formed penetrating through a collector layer and reaching a buffer layer. A collector electrode is formed in the trenches, too. With this structure, a current path is formed between an emitter electrode and the collector electrode without through the collector layer and functions as the FWD. |
| US07659575B2 |
Semiconductor device
The technology of preventing lowering of the element breakdown voltage of a trench gate control type semiconductor element is offered. n− type epitaxial layer (drift region) formed in the main surface side of the substrate, p type semiconductor layer (channel region) formed in n− type epitaxial layer, and p− type well (electric field relaxation layer) which was formed in n− type epitaxial layer in contact with the p type semiconductor layer and whose depth is deeper than the p type semiconductor layer are included. The trench whose depth is deeper than p− type well is patterned in the substrate, and the second gate electrode is formed in the inside of the trench via the insulation film. Among the trenches in the cell area in which power MISFET is formed, one end of p− type well is formed between a plurality of cell trenches in which a second gate electrode is formed, and the other end of p− type well is formed in the peripheral region contiguous to the cell area. |
| US07659571B2 |
Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device is provide with a semiconductor substrate, a groove formed in the semiconductor substrate, a gate insulting film formed on the inner wall of the groove, a gate electrode formed in the groove, and a source/drain region and an LDD region arranged in the direction that is substantially orthogonal to the substrate surface of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US07659570B2 |
Power MOSFET device structure for high frequency applications
This invention discloses a new switching device supported on a semiconductor that includes a drain disposed on a first surface and a source region disposed near a second surface of said semiconductor opposite the first surface. The switching device further includes an insulated gate electrode disposed on top of the second surface for controlling a source to drain current. The switching device further includes a source electrode interposed into the insulated gate electrode for substantially preventing a coupling of an electrical field between the gate electrode and an epitaxial region underneath the insulated gate electrode. The source electrode further covers and extends over the insulated gate for covering an area on the second surface of the semiconductor to contact the source region. The semiconductor substrate further includes an epitaxial layer disposed above and having a different dopant concentration than the drain region. The insulated gate electrode further includes an insulation layer for insulating the gate electrode from the source electrode wherein the insulation layer having a thickness depending on a Vgsmax rating of the vertical power device. |
| US07659566B2 |
Method of fabricating a resistance based memory device and the memory device
Example embodiments relate to a method of fabricating a memory device and a memory device. The method of fabricating a memory device comprises forming a lower electrode and an oxide layer on a lower structure and radiating an energy beam on a region of the oxide layer. The memory device comprises a lower structure and an oxide layer and a lower structure formed on the lower structure, the oxide layer including an electron beam radiation region that received radiation from an electron beam source creating an artificially formed current path through the oxide layer to the lower electrode. A reset current of the memory device may be decreased and stabilized. |
| US07659551B2 |
Power surface mount light emitting die package
A light emitting die (LED) package is provided which includes a substrate having traces, a LED mounted on the substrate and connected to the traces, and an encapsulant covering the LED. The package includes a lens sitting on the encapsulant and substantially covering the LED. The lens is free to move relative to the substrate. |
| US07659547B2 |
LED array
An illuminator (1) has bare semiconductor die light emitting diodes (7) on pads (11) of Ag/Ni/Ti material. A Si wafer (13) has a rough upper surface, and this roughness is carried through an oxide layer (12) and the pads (11) to provide a rough but reflective upper surface of the pads (11), thus forming a diffuser. Epoxy encapsulant (9) is deposited in a layer over the diodes (7) and the pads (11), and it is index matched with a top diffuser plate (8) of opal glass. |
| US07659541B2 |
Liquid crystal display device having a thin film transistor substrate with a multi-cell gap structure and method of manufacturing same
A liquid crystal display, in accordance with the present invention, includes a first substrate having a thin film transistor and a first electrode formed thereon. The first electrode is electrically connected to the thin film transistor. A first insulating layer is formed on the first substrate including the thin film transistor and the first electrode and a window is formed in the first insulating layer, the window exposing a predetermined region of the first electrode. A second electrode is provided on the first insulating layer and electrically connected to the first electrode. A second substrate includes a third electrode formed thereon. A first gap is formed between a surface of the third electrode and a surface of the predetermined region of the first electrode, and a second gap is formed between the surface of the third electrode and a surface of the second electrode. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the first gap and the second gap. Other embodiments are included as well as methods for forming the liquid crystal display of the present invention. |
| US07659539B2 |
Semiconductor device including a floating gate memory cell with a superlattice channel
A semiconductor device may include a semiconductor substrate and at least one non-volatile memory cell. The at least one memory cell may include spaced apart source and drain regions, and a superlattice channel including a plurality of stacked groups of layers on the semiconductor substrate between the source and drain regions. Each group of layers of the superlattice channel may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon, which may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. A floating gate may be adjacent the superlattice channel, and a control gate may be adjacent the second gate insulating layer. |
| US07659535B2 |
High speed data channel including a CMOS VCSEL driver and a high performance photodetector and CMOS photoreceiver
A high speed optical channel including an optical driver and a photodetector in a CMOS photoreceiver. The optical channel driver includes a FET driver circuit driving a passive element (e.g., an integrated loop inductor) and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode. The VCSEL diode is biased by a bias supply. The integrated loop inductor may be integrated in CMOS technology and on the same IC chip as either/both of the FET driver and the VCSEL diode. The photodetector is in a semiconductor (silicon) layer that may be on an insulator layer, i.e., SOI. One or more ultrathin metal electrodes (<2000 Å) on the silicon layer forms a Schottky barrier diode junction which in turn forms a quantum well containing a two dimensional electron gas between the ultrathin metal electrode and the Schottky barrier diode junction. |
| US07659533B2 |
Radiographic imaging control apparatus and method for controlling the same
A radiographic imaging control apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a radiographic image from a sensor that detects radiant ray, and a control unit configured to cause a radiant ray generation apparatus to decrease the flux of radiant ray from a predetermined maximum value to a predetermined minimum value as time passes when the radiant ray generation apparatus irradiates the sensor with radiant ray. |
| US07659532B2 |
Image reading apparatus capable of reading infrared and visible images
An image reading apparatus includes a light source with a first luminescent portion that outputs light with a first wavelength range and a second luminescent portion that outputs light with a second wavelength range, the wavelength ranges being different from each other; a light-receiving portion that receives light reflected from an original irradiated by the light source; a scanning portion that shifts a reading position of the original in a vertical scanning direction by changing a relative position between the original and the light-receiving portion; a switching portion that alternately turns on the first and second luminescent portions when the scanning portion shifts the reading position, wherein a vertical scanning resolution for a first data obtained when the first luminescent portion is turned on is independently set from a vertical scanning resolution for a second data obtained when the second luminescent portion is turned on. |
| US07659524B2 |
Radiation image conversion panel and preparation method thereof
A method of preparing a radiation image conversion panel including a substrate and a phosphor layer, may include heating an evaporation source containing a phosphor raw material to evaporate the raw material and depositing an evaporated material on the substrate to form the phosphor layer, while the substrate being heated, wherein in (ii), a temperature of the substrate increases at a rate of 0 to 5° C./min, and falling within a range of from 60 to 110° C. |
| US07659521B2 |
System for taking wide-field beam-eye-view (BEV) x-ray-images simultaneously to the proton therapy delivery
A system for an intensity-modulated proton therapy of a predetermined target volume within an object includes a proton source to generate a proton beam, a number of proton beam forming units and a beam nozzle having an outlet for the proton beam to penetrate the predetermined target volume of the object, thereby defining a cross sectional scanning exit area. The system includes further a beam bending magnet disposed upstream of the nozzle, and an x-ray tube and an x-ray imager. The x-ray tube is associated with an irradiation channel within the beam bending magnet, wherein the irradiation channel is oriented along the prolongation of the nominal proton beam direction thereby delivering the x-ray beam along the proton beam direction. |
| US07659518B2 |
Light or radiation image pickup apparatus
A light or radiation image pickup apparatus comprises a first arithmetic unit 50 for calculating a first arithmetic value by subtracting a first offset signal from a main signal, a second arithmetic unit 51 for calculating a second arithmetic value which is a difference between a second offset signal and the first offset signal, and a correcting unit 52 for correcting the first arithmetic value calculated by the first arithmetic unit 50, by using the second arithmetic value calculated by the second arithmetic unit 51 and corresponding to a period of the same length as a period from the first offset signal to the main signal used in the operation in the first arithmetic unit 50. The first arithmetic value is corrected to remove noise components due to leakage of charge signals accumulated during the period from the first offset signal to the main signal. It is thus possible to reduce deterioration of image quality due to leaks of charge signals accumulated in X-ray detecting elements 11 (leakage currents) and prevent an extended imaging time. |
| US07659514B2 |
Asymmetric annular detector
An assembly for a detection unit for an optical device is described. The assembly includes a scintillator adapted to received secondary particles and, in response, generate photons, wherein the scintillator includes an opening for trespassing of a primary beam through the scintillator. The scintillator including the opening is asymmetrical with regard to one axis. |
| US07659513B2 |
Low terahertz source and detector
A detector system for performing at least one of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation at a low-terahertz frequency. The detection of electromagnetic radiation at low-terahertz frequencies can be useful in the detection of various chemicals. Preferably a detector includes a microresonant structure that is caused to resonate by electromagnetic radiation at a low-terahertz frequency. The resonance is detected by detecting an altered path of a charged particle beam. |
| US07659509B2 |
System for scanning probe microscope input device
In accordance with the invention, a computer pointing device is interfaced with an SPM system to provide real time control of the SPM and improve the ease of use. |
| US07659504B1 |
Optical sensor with an optical element transmissive to warming radiation
An optical gas sensor includes an optical element that is substantially transparent to both monitoring radiation and warming radiation. Such an optical element facilitates the removal of warming radiation from the optical gas sensor, thereby preventing an increase in the internal temperature of the sensor during use. Additionally, the warming radiation that is emitted from the optical gas sensor may be used to warm one or more windows of a sampling component that is configured for use with the sensor. |
| US07659503B2 |
Image sensor module and light guiding member used for the same
An image sensor module includes a light source, a light guide elongated in a first direction, a reflector covering the guide, and a light receiver for linear light reflected on a reading target in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The guide includes an incident surface for entering light from the light source, a reflecting portion for reflecting, in a direction crossing the first direction, the light from the incident surface, and a surface for emitting light from the reflecting portion as linear light elongated in the first direction. The reflector has an opening and an inclined surface. The opening extends in the first direction to pass the light reflected by the target. The inclined surface, at an end of the opening in the first direction, has a normal which is non-parallel to the first direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions. |
| US07659501B2 |
Image-sensing module of image capture apparatus and manufacturing method thereof
An image-sensing module is provided. The image-sensing module includes a substrate, a plurality of image-sensing units, a plurality of micro lenses and a focusing unit. The image-sensing units are disposed on the substrate and the micro lenses are respectively disposed on one of the image-sensing units. The focusing unit is disposed on the substrate and covers the micro lenses. A top surface of the focusing unit is a curved surface. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the image-sensing module and an image capture apparatus are provided. |
| US07659496B2 |
Light emitting device and control method thereof
A light emitting device includes at least one light emitting unit, a switching unit, a comparator unit, a charge storage unit and a sensing unit. The switching unit is electrically connected to the light emitting unit. The comparator unit is electrically connected to the switching unit. The charge storage unit is electrically connected to the comparator unit and stores an amount of electric charges. The sensing unit has a light sensing circuit and is electrically connected to the charge storage unit. The light sensing circuit senses a light intensity of the light emitting unit. The sensing unit adjusts the amount of the electric charges and a voltage corresponding to the amount of the electric charges according to the light intensity. The comparator unit compares the voltage with a threshold voltage. The switching unit controls the light emitting unit in accordance with the result of the comparison. |
| US07659495B2 |
Auto darkening eye protection device having a regulated solar power supply
An auto darkening eye protection device including a shutter assembly, a control circuit, and a power supply. The control circuit includes a sensing circuit for sensing the occurrence of welding, and a delivery circuit to provide signals to the shutter assembly to cause the shutter assembly to transition to the dark state. The power supply supplying power to the control circuit and the delivery circuit. The power supply including a power regulation circuit, and a solar power supply supplying electrical power to the power regulation circuit and the sensing circuit. The power regulation circuit limiting the voltage of the solar power supply to a predetermined voltage to provide a stable reference voltage. |
| US07659493B2 |
Heating system and method
A fluid heating system includes a fluid receptacle having a fluid reservoir, and a heating control system configured to heat fluid retained within the fluid reservoir. The heating control system includes a processing unit, at least one fluid temperature sensor positioned on or within the fluid receptacle, a heating element configured to heat fluid within the fluid reservoir, and a power switch disposed within an electrical path between the heating element and the processing unit. The processing unit is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the heating element through the power switch based on the fluid temperature detected by the fluid temperature sensor. |
| US07659492B2 |
Method for operating an electrical device
A method for operating a device in which typically a very high current is generated when the device is turned on compared to the rated current, e.g. an analogue operated PTC heating device for a mobile device, such as a vehicle, is disclosed. In this method, the power on the device is increased in a defined limited manner or in a ramp-like manner in the connection phase to avoid a high current when the device is switched on. |
| US07659489B2 |
Toroidal low-field reactive gas and plasma source having a dielectric vacuum vessel
Plasma ignition and cooling apparatus and methods for plasma systems are described. An apparatus can include a vessel and at least one ignition electrode adjacent to the vessel. A total length of a dimension of the at least one ignition electrode is greater than 10% of a length of the vessel's channel. The apparatus can include a dielectric toroidal vessel, a heat sink having multiple segments urged toward the vessel by a spring-loaded mechanism, and a thermal interface between the vessel and the heat sink. A method can include providing a gas having a flow rate and a pressure and directing a portion of the flow rate of the gas into a vessel channel. The gas is ignited in the channel while the remaining portion of the flow rate is directed away from the channel. |
| US07659485B2 |
Linear pressure switch apparatus and method
A linear pressure switch is described that has two conductors separated by strips of insulation. The conductors are resilient members that can vary in thickness and material along with the insulation to provide a range of switch sensitivities. The switch can include connectors and an attachment mechanism that facilitates the installation and removal the switch from a given application. In addition, the switch can ergonomically enhanced actuation. The switches can be stacked in layers and selectively have different sensitivities to provide a desired signal output for each switch in a given application. The switch can also include external coatings on the jacket which enhance the feel and resistance of the jacket to wear and misuse. |
| US07659483B2 |
Electroactive polymer compressed gasket for electromagnetic shielding
A gasket for shielding a seam between two surfaces includes a resilient member, a first electrode, a second electrode and a conductive layer. The resilient member has a first side and an opposite second side. The first electrode is disposed on the first side of the resilient member. The second electrode is disposed on the second side of the resilient member. The conductive layer envelops at least a portion of the resilient member, the first electrode and the second electrode. The resilient member includes a material that is compressed when a first potential is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode and that is decompressed when a second potential, different from the first potential, is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US07659481B2 |
Printed wiring board and information processing device incorporating the board
A printed wiring board mounted with a BGA package including pads, through holes and leads. The leads are linearly formed with almost the same width as the diameter of each of the pads and through holes and thus have high bonding strength against their peeling against an external force. The pads are provided at an angle of approximately 45 degrees outwardly relative to the through holes and along almost in the direction of application of thermal stress, and thus have high durability against their peeling due to an external force. |
| US07659478B2 |
Electrical switch box
This invention relates to electrical switch boxes. In particular, the invention relates to a device having an extension portion connected with a series of electrical switch boxes. In preferred embodiments, the extension portion of the device permits, for example, attachment of the device to a wall stud without flush positioning of the electrical switch boxes with the wall stud. |
| US07659476B2 |
Frame arrangement for a telecommunications cabinet
A telecommunications cabinet including a frame arrangement having an inner frame and an outer frame. The frame arrangement of the telecommunications cabinet being constructed to withstand particular-rated seismic events while still providing the needed thermal cooling capacity to maintain proper equipment operations. |
| US07659475B2 |
Method for backside surface passivation of solar cells and solar cells with such passivation
The present invention provides a method for dielectric passivating the surface of a solar cell by accumulation of negative fixed charges of a first type at the interface between semiconductor material and a passivating material. According to the invention the passivating material comprises an oxide system, for example a binary oxide system, comprising Al2O3 and at least one metal oxide or metalloid oxide which enhances the tetrahedral structure of Al2O3, for example, an (Al2O3)x(TiO2)1-x alloy. In this way it is possible to combine the desirable properties from at least two different oxides, while eliminating the undesirable properties of each individual material. The oxide system can be deposited onto the semiconductor surface by means of a sol-gel method, comprising the steps of formation of the metal oxide and/or metalloid oxide sol and the aluminum solution and then carefully mixing these together under stirring and ultrasonic treatment. Thin films of the oxide system can then be deposited onto the semiconductor surface by means of spin coating followed by a temperature treatment. |
| US07659474B2 |
Solar cell array with isotype-heterojunction diode
A solar cell array has at least one solar cell including a photovoltaic structure having a sun-facing front face and a back face, and having an active region, and an isotype heterojunction diode connected in electrical parallel with the active region of the photovoltaic structure. |
| US07659472B2 |
Method, apparatus, and program for assessing similarity of performance sound
A similarity assessment apparatus is provided for assessing a performance sound based on a model performance sound. In the apparatus, a probability density function generating unit divides data of a performance sound into a sequence of frames each having a predetermined temporal length, and generates a probability density function of a fundamental frequency for each frame of the performance sound. A probability density function providing portion provides a probability density function of a fundamental frequency for each frame of the model performance sound. A similarity assessment unit compares the generated probability density function of a frame of the performance sound with the provided probability density function of a frame of the model performance sound so as to assess a similarity between the performance sound and the model performance sound. |
| US07659469B2 |
Pitch modulator drum
A drum with a vibrating membrane for producing sounds in a range of low to high resonant frequencies including a drum shell with a first open end and a second open end, a drumhead, including a vibrating membrane, covering said first open end, a cover with a threaded opening extending across and secured to said second end, and a resonant member having a first end and a second end, with the first end having a threaded means for detachable coupling with the threaded opening in the cap in airtight relation to enhance and manipulate the low resonant frequencies independent of the high resonant frequencies upon the striking of the membrane. |
| US07659467B2 |
Device for adjusting the tension of the strings of a guitar or of a bass
A device for adjusting the tension of the strings of a guitar having at least two strings, particularly an electric guitar or a bass, particularly an electric bass, in which each string of the guitar or bass is, with one end, wound on a turning peg of an adjusting mechanism mounted on the neck of the guitar or of the bass. The adjusting mechanism contains a combination consisting of a worm shaft and of a worm wheel and, due to these, is provided with a self-locking ability. The aim of the invention is to improve the design of a device of the aforementioned type so that, without considerably altering the basic shape of the guitar or of the bass, this device can automatically adjust the tension of individual strings of the instrument reliably and precisely whereby ultimately enabling them to be tuned. To this end, a drive unit for each adjusting mechanism is mounted on the neck of the guitar or of the bass. The drive unit is directly connected to the worm shaft or to the worm wheel (17) of this adjusting mechanism in order to drive the worm shaft or the worm wheel. |
| US07659464B1 |
Neck for stringed musical instrument
A neck for a stringed musical instrument may include a generally longitudinal center support member with a fingerboard fixed thereto. The center support member may be fixed at one end to a string mounting member and fixed at an opposite end to a body of the stringed musical instrument. A generally longitudinal tension adjustment member may be fixed at one end to the string mounting member and fixed at an opposite end to the body of the stringed musical instrument. The tension adjustment member may be adjustable to vary stress on the neck. A generally longitudinal spatial volume may be located between the center support member and the tension adjustment member. A majority of the spatial volume may comprise ambient air. |
| US07659458B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH958922
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH958922. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH958922, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH958922 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH958922. |
| US07659455B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH635689
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH635689. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH635689, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH635689 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH635689. |
| US07659453B2 |
Soybean variety D4356652
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D4356652. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D4356652. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D4356652 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D4356652 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07659452B2 |
Soybean variety 457114
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 457114. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 457114. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 457114 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 457114 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods. |
| US07659448B2 |
Plant regulatory sequences for selective control of gene expression
The current invention relates to enhancing gene expression in a plant during abiotic stress. More specifically the invention relates to a promoter that could be used to drive the expression of structural genes or other DNA sequences. We disclose the sequence of the promoter and give examples showing the function of the promoter. |
| US07659441B2 |
CD9/CD81 double-deficient non-human animal
An object of the invention is to provide a non-human animal which can be utilized as a model animal well exhibiting a pathological condition of low-turnover type of osteoporosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for screening therapeutic agents for osteoporosis or therapeutic agents for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc. The invention includes a non-human animal, wherein a gene coding for CD9 and a gene coding for CD81 are deficient at least in somatic cells; and a method to use the non-human animal as an osteoporosis model animal, including a step of measuring the degree of inhibition in the osteogenesis, and a method to use the non-human animal as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model animal, including a step of measuring the degree of a phenotype similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |
| US07659437B2 |
Process for methane conversion
A process for converting methane to higher hydrocarbon(s) including aromatic hydrocarbon(s) comprises providing a hydrocarbon feedstock containing methane and a catalytic particulate material to a reactor system having at least first and second reaction zones connected in series. Each of the reaction zones is operated under reaction conditions sufficient to convert at least a portion of the methane to said higher hydrocarbon(s) and is maintained in a moving bed fashion, with the bulk of the catalytic particulate material being moved from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone and with the bulk of the hydrocarbon feedstock being moved from the second reaction zone to the first reaction zone. |
| US07659436B2 |
Process for the preparation of 1,1,1,3,3-penta-fluoropropane and/or 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane
A process for the manufacture of CF3CH2CHF2 and/or CF3CH2CF3 is disclosed. The process involves (a) reacting HF and at least one halopropene of the formula CX3CCI═CCIX (where each X is independently F or Cl) to produce a product including both CF3CCI═CF2 and CF3CHCICF3; (b) reacting CF3CCI═CF2 and/or CF3CHCICF3 produced in (a) with hydrogen to produce a product including CF3CH2CHF2 and/or CF3CH2CF3; and (c) recovering CF3CH2CHF2 and/or CF3CH2CF3 from the product produced in (b). In (a), the CF3CCI═CF2 and CF3CHCICF3 are produced in the presence of a fluorination catalyst comprising at least one chromium-containing component selected from (i) a crystalline alpha-chromium oxide where at least 0.05 atom % of the chromium atoms in the alpha-chromium oxide lattice are replaced by divalent copper, and (ii) a chromium-containing composition of (i) which has been treated with a fluorinating agent. |
| US07659435B2 |
Process for the preparation of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and 1,1,1,2,3-pentafluoropropane
A process is disclosed for the manufacture of CF3CH2CHF2 and CF3CHFCH2F. The process involves (a) reacting hydrogen fluoride, chlorine, and at least one halopropene of the formula CX3CCl═CClX (where each X is independently F or Cl) to produce a product including both CF3CCl2CClF2 and CF3CClFCCl2F; (b) reacting CF3CCl2CClF2 and CF3CClFCCl2F produced in (a) with hydrogen to produce a product including both CF3CH2CHF2, and CF3CHFCH2F; and (c) recovering CF3CH2CHF2 and CF3CHFCH2F from the product produced in (b). In (a), the CF3CCl2CF3 and CF3CClFCClF2 are produced in the presence of a chlorofluorination catalyst including (i) a crystalline alpha-chromium oxide where at least 0.05 atom % of the chromium atoms in the alpha-chromium oxide lattice are replaced by divalent copper, and/or (ii) a chromium-containing composition of (i) which has been treated with a fluorinating agent. |
| US07659434B2 |
Method for producing fluorinated organic compounds
A method for preparing fluorinated organic compounds comprising contacting hydrogen fluoride with at least one compound of formula I: CX3CXYCH3 I where each X is independently Cl, I or Br, and each Y is independently H or F, said contacting step being carried out under conditions effective to produce a compound of formula II CF3CZCH2 II where Z is Cl, I, Br, or F. |
| US07659432B2 |
Catalysts selective for the preparation of mixed ketones from a mixture of carboxylic acids
Mixed ketones are prepared from a mixture of carboxylic acids in a process with high selectivity by using an improved catalyst. The catalyst contains zirconium dioxide or zirconium dioxide and titanium dioxide, and a Group 1 or 2 metal silicate or phosphate salt. The new catalyst is more selective toward the formation of the mixed ketone, as opposed to a symmetrical ketone. |
| US07659429B2 |
Process for preparing 4-pentafluorosulfanylbenzoylguanidines
A process for preparing 4-pentafluorosulfanylbenzoylguanidines of formula I wherein R1 to R4 have the meanings indicated in the specification. The compounds of formula I are NHE1 inhibitors and can be employed, for example, for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. |
| US07659427B2 |
Optimized liquid-phase oxidation
Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process. |
| US07659426B2 |
Target protein of anticancer agent and novel anticancer agent (spnal) corresponding thereto
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, a compound that specifically binds to KSRP or a functional fragment thereof, and a screening method for the compound. KSRP is a novel target protein for anticancer agents; a compound capable of regulating the expression and activity of such a protein and a pharmaceutical composition containing it are highly useful for proliferative diseases, particularly as anticancer agents. By providing the novel target protein, the mechanism behind the anticancer effect that has conventionally been unexplainable can be elucidated. |
| US07659425B2 |
Process for preparing hydroxyalkyl(meth) acrylates using Lewis acid catalysts
The present invention relates to a process for preparing hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates by reacting at least one compound A which contains at least one epoxide group with at least one compound B which contains at least one carboxylic acid group, wherein A and/or B also contains at least one (meth)acrylate group, in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts, each of which contains at least one directly bonded di(cyclo)alkylamino group. |
| US07659424B2 |
Process for the allylation of n-acylhydrazones
[PROBLEMS] To provide a novel method for the allylation of N-acylhydrazones by which enantioselectively allylated N-acylhydrazines can be efficiently obtained.[MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A method for the production of enantioselectively allylated N-acylhydrazines represented by the general formula [3]: [wherein R0 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, or —COOR1 (wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group); R2 is acyl; R3 and R4 are each hydrogen, or one of R3 and R4 is hydrogen and the other is a hydrocarbon group; and R5 and R6 are each independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group], characterized by reacting an N-acylhydrazone represented by the general formula [1]: [wherein R0 and R2 are as defined above] with an allylating agent such as allyltrichlorosilane or crotyltrichlorosilane in the presence of a chiral phosphine oxide. |
| US07659420B2 |
Dihydroxyacetone-based polymers
Chemically protected dihydroxyacetone and/or dimers are used to make polycarbonates, poly(acetal carbonate)s, poly(spiroacetal)s, polyesters and polyurethanes. |
| US07659418B2 |
Method of preparing organo dialkylalkoxysilane
The invention relates to the preparation of organodialkylalkoxysilane using a continuous method consisting in bringing an alkanol into continuous contact with an omega-haloalkyl dialkylhalosilane in a countercurrent reactor, such as a plate column or a packed column. The reaction is performed in the aforementioned countercurrent reactor in the presence or absence of a non-reactive solvent with scavenging of the hydrochloric acid formed. The omega-haloalkyl dialkylalkoxysilane thus formed is particularly suitable for use as a starting material for the preparation of organosilicon compounds containing sulphur having general formula (I) by means of sulphidisation reaction on an alkaline metal polysulphide. |
| US07659417B2 |
Process for obtaining halogenated monoorganoxysilanes which can be used in particular as synthesis intermediates
The invention concerns the preparation of halogenated monoorganoxysilanes, of formula (I), said compounds being useful as synthesis intermediate in organic chemistry. Said method for preparing monoorganoxysilanes consists in: using as starting product halogenoalkylsilanes of the (CH3)2SiCl2 type and in substituting the silicon with a radical bearing a divalent unit bound to an electrophilic reactive group capable of reacting with at least an appropriate nucleophilic agent to form a functionalised monoorganoxysilane of formula (II) |
| US07659415B2 |
Bridged bi-aromatic ligands, catalysts, processes for polymerizing and polymers therefrom
New ligands and compositions with bridged bis-aromatic ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. These catalysts with metal centers have high performance characteristics, including higher comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, propylene or styrene. The catalysts also polymerize propylene into isotactic polypropylene. |
| US07659412B2 |
Benzofuran derivatives useful for treating hyper-proliferative disorders
The invention relates to novel benzofuran derivatives, processes for their preparation and their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment or prophylaxis of disorders, especially of hyperproliferative disorders. |
| US07659410B2 |
Thiophene-containing compound and thiophene-containing compound polymer, organic electroluminescent device, production method thereof, and image display medium
Provided are a thiophene-containing compound represented by the following formula (X-1), and an organic electroluminescent device that includes a pair of electrodes and an organic compound layer disposed therebetween. The organic compound layer includes a charge-transporting polyester having a repeating structure containing at least one structure selected from the structures represented by the following formulae (I-1) and (I-2) as its partial structure. In formula (X-1), Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aromatic group; and R1 to R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group; and n′ is an integer of 1 to 5. |
| US07659406B2 |
Process for preparing valsartan
A process for preparing valsartan. |
| US07659397B2 |
Pyrithione complex compound, process for producing the same and use thereof
Zinc pyrithione and copper pyrithione are highly evaluated in the market as an antidandruff agent for shampoo, or an antifouling agent for ship bottom paint and fish-farming net, or an antibacterial/antifungal agent or preservative/mildewcide for industrial products and household articles. For enhancing the market value thereof, there has been a demand for a product that not only attains an increase in conventional antibacterial/antifungal effects but also exhibits novel bioactive effects and that achieves improvement with respect to problems and drawbacks relating to properties, such as solubility in seawater, and stability, such as thermal stability and weather resistance, of polymer materials. There is provided a novel pyrithione complex compound obtained by converting the conventional pyrithione metal salt to a complex compound with an oxide or hydroxide of metal such as zinc, copper or aluminum. As compared with the conventional pyrithione metal salt, this complex compound exhibits superior antibacterial/antifungal effects, newly realizes a hair-regrowing effect and successfully attains improvement with respect to the solubility in seawater and thermal stability/weather resistance of polymer materials. |
| US07659394B2 |
Substituted morpholine compounds for the treatment of central nervous system disorders
This invention relates to compounds of the formulae I wherein R1-R8, A, X, and Z are defined as in the specification, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of central nervous system disorders. |
| US07659392B2 |
Method of separation using aromatic thioether ligands
The present invention is a method of separating nucleic acid molecules from contaminants, such as proteins, in a solution and isolating one or more desired nucleic acid molecules, which method comprises the following steps (a) providing an aqueous adsorption solution, which includes nucleic acids and a salt that forms lyotropic ions when dissolved; (b) passing said solution over a matrix to adsorb the nucleic acids onto the matrix, said matrix including an aromatic ring moiety and at least one thioether moiety; (c) passing an aqueous eluent over said matrix to desorb the nucleic acid molecules therefrom, which eluent includes a salt that forms lyotropic ions and a gradient of increasing ionic strength originating from an increasing concentration of a salt that forms less lyotropic ions when dissolved than the ones present in said aqueous adsorption solution; and (d) isolating a fraction comprising the desired nucleic acid molecules. |
| US07659389B2 |
RNA interference mediated inhibition of MYC and/or MYB gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA)
This invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating Myc and/or Myb gene expression using short interfering nucleic acid (siNA) molecules. This invention also relates to compounds, compositions, and methods useful for modulating the expression and activity of other genes involved in pathways of Myc and/or Myb gene expression and/or activity by RNA interference (RNAi) using small nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the instant invention features small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules and methods used to modulate the expression of Myc and/or Myb (e.g., c-Myc, N-Myc, L-Myc, c-Myb, a-Myb, b-Myb, and v-Myb) genes. The small nucleic acid molecules are useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases and disorders. |
| US07659388B2 |
Method and compositions for detecting respiratory disease-causing bacterial species
Provided are a primer set for specifically amplifying target sequence(s) of twelve respiratory disease-causing bacterial species, a probe set specifically hybridizing with target sequence(s) of twelve respiratory disease-causing bacterial species, a microarray comprising the probe set, and a method of detecting a respiratory disease-causing bacterial species using the probe set. |
| US07659380B2 |
Method of isolation and purification of trypsin from pronase protease and use thereof
The present invention provides methods of isolation and purification of Streptomyces griseus trypsin (SGT) from PRONASE protease mixture in a single affinity chromatography step and uses of the purified SGT. |
| US07659379B1 |
Mutants of human fibroblast growth factor having increased stability and/or mitogenic potency
Mutants of human FGF-1 are disclosed having increased stability and mitogenic potency. In the FGF-1 polypeptide, primarily residues 12 and 134 are substituted with cysteine, valine or threonine to render the polypeptide more stable and/or to increase its mitogenicity. |
| US07659377B2 |
Nucleic acid and corresponding protein entitled 193P1E1B useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene (designated 193P1E1B) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 193P1E1B exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 193P1E1B provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 193P1E1B gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 191P1E1B can be used in active or passive immunization. |
| US07659376B2 |
Antibody that binds glyphosate resistance protein
Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance to plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a polypeptide that confers resistance or tolerance to glyphosate herbicides are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants. Compositions also comprise transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding glyphosate resistance proteins are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. |
| US07659366B2 |
Peptide with putative role in cytoskeletal protection
The invention relates to a novel peptide conjugate useful for stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton of mammalian cells. More particularly, the invention relates to a conjugate of a peptide found within the sequence of a bacterium's major outer sheath protein and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the use of this conjugate for stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton of mammalian cells, and for preventing or controlling the migration of mammalian cells. |
| US07659365B2 |
Telechelic homopolyamino acids functionalized with hydrophobic groups, and their applications, especially therapeutic applications
The invention relates to novel materials based on biodegradable homopolyamino acids and which can be used for the vectorization of (an) active ingredient(s) (AI). The invention also relates to novel pharmaceutical, cosmetic, dietetic or phytosanitaty compositions based on homopolyamino acids. The invention can produce a novel polymer raw material which can be used for the vectoiization of Al that can optimally be: biocompatible, biodegradable, capable of becoming easily associated with a large number of active ingredients or solubilizing them and releasing the active ingredients in vivo. According to the present invention, which primarily relates to linear homopolyamino acids having aspartic or glutamic units and whose attachments can include hydrophobic groups having 8-30 carbon atoms. The homopolymers are amphiphilic and anionic and can easily be transformed at low cost into particles for the vectorization of active ingredients. The particles can form stable aqueous colloidal suspensions. |
| US07659362B2 |
Metal-binding motif compositions and methods
Disclosed herein are recombinant copper or zinc binding polypeptides containing at least one copper or zinc binding motif and a sequence heterologous to it. Also disclosed is a method to reduce the concentration of a free copper or zinc ion in a substrate by contacting it with a recombinant polypeptide containing a copper or zinc binding motif. A further method relates to reducing the concentration of a free copper or zinc ion in a substrate by contacting it with a host cell that expresses a recombinant polypeptide containing a copper or zinc binding motif. |
| US07659361B2 |
Maleamic acid polymer derivatives and their bioconjugates
The present invention is directed to maleamic acid derivatives of water soluble polymers, to chemically stable water-soluble polymer succinamic acid-active agent conjugates, and to methods for reproducibly preparing, characterizing and using such polymer reagents and their conjugates. |
| US07659359B1 |
Stabilization of isosorbide-based polycarbonate
An isosorbide-containing polycarbonate composition is provided. The composition contains a polycarbonate having repeat units derived from isosorbide, a polycarbonate-property-modifying additive, and a pH stabilizer. When a solution containing 10 wt. % of the composition dissolved in dichloromethane is prepared the solution has a non-aqueous pH in a range of equal to or between 0.8 below and 0.5 above the pH of the dichloromethane. |
| US07659355B2 |
Elastomeric compositions, air barriers, and processes for the making the same
The invention relates to novel air barriers made from elastomeric compositions. In particular, the invention relates to novel air barriers such as innerliners, air sleeves, and innertubes made from novel C4 to C7 isoolefin based polymers with new sequence distributions or that are substantially free of long chain branching. |
| US07659346B2 |
Process for maleating polymerization residues and products
A process for converting distillation residues obtained from polymerization processes to useful maleated products is provided. |
| US07659342B2 |
Polymer nano-particle with polar core and method for manufacturing same
The present invention provides a nano-particle comprising a shell and a polar core, their preparation, and their applications in ER fluids, polymeric product, rubber composition, tire product, hard disk drive gasket, matrix composition, and engine mount etc. The shell comprises a polymer formed from formula (I) monomers and the core comprises a polymer formed from formula (II) monomers, in which R1 and R2 are hydrogen; R3, R4, R5, R6, and up to three of R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, and isopropyl; and at least one of R7, R8, R9, and R10 is a polar group that is more polar than any one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 groups. |
| US07659338B2 |
Dispersions
Polychloroprene dispersions containing particles of urea derivatives having a particle size in the range of 10 to 400 nm, which can be used in adhesive compositions. The adhesive compositions can be used to provide substrates containing adhesive layers obtained from the compositions. |
| US07659336B2 |
Nucleating agent additive compositions and methods
A blend of two different compounds may be applied together to form a nucleating agent additive composition. This additive composition is useful as an additive in thermoplastics, polyolefins and/or polymer resins. A blend of a bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane dicarboxylate salt and a dicarboxylate calcium metal salt provide useful and beneficial physical property effects in molded polymeric articles in terms of shrinkage and crystallization temperature of polymer resin compositions. |
| US07659334B2 |
Impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition and method of making the same
The instant invention is an impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition, and method of making the same. The impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition, according to instant invention, includes a vinyl chloride polymer, an impact modifier, and a lubricant system. The impact modifier includes a chlorinated olefin polymer, and an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The lubricant system includes a first component, a second component, and a third component. The first component is a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The second component is a hydrocarbon wax selected from the group consisting of a paraffin wax, polyolefin wax, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The third component is a metal soap selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, aluminum stearate, copper stearate, lithium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium stearate, zinc stearate, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The process for preparing the impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition of the instant invention includes the following steps: (1) providing a vinyl chloride polymer; (2) providing an impact modifier as described above; (3) providing a lubricant system as described above; (4) blending the vinyl chloride polymer, the impact modifier, and the lubricant system thereby forming the impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition. |
| US07659329B2 |
Removing fluorosurfactant from aqueous fluoropolymer dispersions using monodisperse ion exchange resin
A process for reducing fluorosurfactant content of a stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising passing said stabilized fluorosurfactant-containing aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion through a fixed bed of ion exchange resin beads comprising a polymer and functional groups to reduce fluorosurfactant content, the ion exchange resin beads being monodisperse. |
| US07659327B2 |
Coated microspheres and their use
The invention relates to microspheres coated with a phenolic novolak resin, a process for preparing them, and their use in making foundry shapes, e.g. molds, cores, sleeves, pouring cups, etc., which are used in casting metal parts. |
| US07659326B2 |
Antimicrobial paint
The present invention provides an antimicrobial paint including an effective amount of one or more UV light absorbers. The UV light absorber can be any UV light absorber able to prevent or reduce a change or destructive effect by UV light on a metal pyrithione, but is preferably a benzotriazole UV light absorber or a hindered amine light stabilizer (“HALS”). |
| US07659325B2 |
Functionalized dyes and use thereof in ophthalmic lens material
The invention relates to transparent polymer material containing a dye which absorbs light above 400 nm. It furthermore relates to methods for producing the polymer material and a lens comprising the polymer material. In particular, the invention relates to an intraocular lens (IOL) suitable for implantation in mammals, which IOL has visible light transmission properties comparable to those of the human crystalline lens. Provided is a transparent polymer material containing at least one covalently attached dye, said dye having the general formula I: |
| US07659322B1 |
Synthesis of anhydride containing polymers by microwave radiation
The invention provides a method for preparing a polyanhydride by irradiating one or more diacids with microwave radiation in the presence of a carboxylic anhydride so as to acylate the one or more diacids to yield at least one prepolymer, and irradiating the prepolymer with microwave radiation so as to polymerize said prepolymer to yield the polyanhydride, as a homopolymer or a copolymer. High purity polyanhydrides can be prepared by this method. Reaction times compared to conventional melt polycondensations can be significantly reduced. Copolymer polyanhydrides can also be prepared by the microware radiation techniques described herein. |
| US07659318B2 |
Polymer membrane for fuel cell, method of preparing the same, membrane-electrode assembly including the same, and fuel cell system including the same
The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a method for manufacturing the polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a proton-conductive polymer membrane including a polymer micelle inside a hydrophilic channel. Herein, the micelle includes a vinyl-based polymer obtained from polymerization of a vinyl-based monomer and an anionic surfactant surrounding the vinyl-based polymer. |
| US07659316B2 |
Foam composition
Foams suitable for such uses as landfill coverage, frost protection, volatile emission control, gas control in mining, are composed of a hydrolyzable protein and a pre-gelatinized cationic modified starch along with other ingredients. The foam concentrate can be made at ambient temperature, is stable over time, can be easily tailored to achieve a desired foam stiffness and drain time characteristic over wide ranges, and can be easily diluted at ambient temperature to produce a foamable composition. |
| US07659314B2 |
PH-sensitive polymeric micelles for drug delivery
Mixed micelles containing poly(L-histidine)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer and poly(L-lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer are a pH-sensitive drug carrier that release the drug in an acidic microenvironment, but not in the blood. Since the microenvironment of solid tumors is acidic, these mixed micelles are useful for treating cancer, including those cancers exhibiting multidrug resistance. Targeting ligands, such as folate, can also be attached to the mixed micelles for enhancing drug delivery into cells. Methods of treating a warm-blooded animal with such a drug are disclosed. |
| US07659311B2 |
Disodium salts, monohydrates, and ethanol solvates for delivering active agents
The inventors have discovered that the disodium salt of certain delivery agents has surprisingly greater efficacy for delivering active agents than the corresponding monosodium salt. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that the disodium salts of these delivery agents form solvates with ethanol and hydrates with water. The delivery agents have the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C4 alkoxy; and R5 is a substituted or unsubstituted C2-C16 alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C16 alkenylene, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl(arylene), or substituted or unsubstituted aryl(C1-C12 alkylene). The hydrates and solvates of present invention also have surprisingly greater efficacy for delivering active agents, such as heparin and calcitonin, than their corresponding monosodium salts and free acids. The present invention provides an alcohol solvate, such as ethanol solvate, of a disodium salt of a delivery agent of the formula above. The invention also provides a hydrate of a disodium salt of a delivery agent of the formula above. Preferred delivery agents include, but are not limited to, N-(5-chlorosalicyloyl)-8-aminocaprylic acid (5-CNAC), N-(10-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]amino)decanoic acid (SNAD), and sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]amino)caprylate (SNAC). The invention also provides methods of preparing the disodium salt, ethanol solvate, and hydrate and compositions containing the disodium salt, ethanol solvate, and/or hydrate. |
| US07659309B2 |
Polymorphic forms of (1-{3-[3-(4-cyano-3-methoxy-phenyl) ureido]-phenyl}-ethyl)-carbamic acid-2-cyano-1-ethyl-ethyl ester
The present invention relates to polymorphic forms of (1-{3-[3-(4-cyano-3-methoxy-phenyl)ureido]-phenyl}-ethyl)-carbamic acid-2-cyano-1-ethyl-ethyl ester, processes therein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and uses therewith. |
| US07659307B2 |
Heterocyclic carboxamides and their use as fungicides
Compounds of general formula (I), in which Het represents a five or six membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic ring containing between one and six heteroatoms of the group N, O, S, in which the heterocycle is substituted in an adjacent manner with —P-Q1-T-Q2, -GZ and Y, such that the substituant -GZ is adjacent to both, the other substituants being as defined in the description, process for preparing this compound, fungicidal composition comprising this compound, method for treating plants by applying this compound or composition. |
| US07659302B2 |
Methods of using (+)-2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4 methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4 acetylaminoisoindoline 1,3-dione
Stereomerically pure (+)-2-[1-(3-Ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, substantially free of its (−) isomer, and prodrugs, metabolites, polymorphs, salts, solvates, hydrates, and clathrates thereof are discussed. Also discussed are methods of using and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the (+) enantiomer of 2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione are disclosed. The methods include methods of treating and/or preventing disorders ameliorated by the reduction of levels of TNF-α or the inhibition of PDE4. |
| US07659300B2 |
Monocyclic anilide spirolactam CGRP receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: I (where A1, A2, B, J, K, m, n, R4, R5a, R5b and R5c are as defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved. |
| US07659299B2 |
Compounds inhibiting the binding of sap for treating osteoarthritis
Use of an agent capable of inhibiting SAP ligand binding activity or depleting SAP from the plasma of a subject for the production of a medicament for treatment or prevention of osteoarthritis in the subject. |
| US07659298B2 |
Pyrazole derivatives and use thereof as orexin receptor antagonists
The present invention relates to the orexin receptor antagonists compounds of the general formula (I) as well as to their isomers, salts and solvates, to the pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to the therapeutic application thereof. |
| US07659297B2 |
Tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives, process for their production and their use as anti-inflammatory agents
The invention relates to multiply-substituted tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives of formula (I) process for their production and their use as antiinflammatory agents. |
| US07659292B2 |
Fungicide compositions based on pyridylmethylbenzamide and propamocarb derivative
1) Fungicidal compositions comprising: a) at least one pyridylmethylbenzamide derivative of formula (I): in which the various radicals are as defined in the description, and b) at least one compound (II), which is propamocarb. 2) Method of curatively or preventively combating phytopathogenic fungi in crops, characterized in that an effective, nonphytotoxic amount of one of these fungicidal compositions is applied to the aerial parts of the plants. |
| US07659287B2 |
Benzamide derivatives and uses related thereto
Benzamide derivatives of formula I are described and have therapeutic utility, particularly in the treatment of diabetes, obesity and related conditions and disorders: |
| US07659285B2 |
Selective serotonin 2A/2C receptor inverse agonists as therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases
Behavioral pharmacological data with the compound of formula (I), a novel and selective 5HT2A/2C receptor inverse agonist, demonstrate in vivo efficacy in models of psychosis and dyskinesias. This includes activity in reversing MK-801 induced locomotor behaviors, suggesting that this compound may be an efficacious anti-psychotic, and activity in an MPTP primate model of dyskinesias, suggesting efficacy as an anti-dyskinesia agent. These data support the hypothesis that 5HT2A/2C receptor inverse agonism may confer antipsychotic and anti-dyskinetic efficacy in humans, and indicate a use of the compound of formula (I) and related agents as novel therapeutics for Parkinson's Disease, related human neurodegenerative diseases, and psychosis. |
| US07659284B2 |
Thiazolopyridine kinase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to novel thiazolopyridines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and the use thereof as inhibitors of ATP-protein kinase interactions. The thiazolopyridine compounds have the following Formula (I): |
| US07659282B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising dextromethorphan and quinidine for the treatment of neurological disorders
Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating neurological disorders by administering same are provided. The compositions comprise dextromethorphan in combination with quinidine. |
| US07659281B2 |
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
Compounds are provided of the following structure are HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and thus are active in inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis, modulating blood serum lipids, for example, lowering LDL cholesterol and/or increasing HDL cholesterol, and treating hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and atherosclerosis wherein variables A and B are defined herein. |
| US07659271B2 |
Pyrimidine compound having dibenzylamine structure and medicament comprising the same
A compound represented by the following general formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 represent hydrogen atom, a halo(lower alkyl) group, cyano group and the like, R6 represents an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group and the like, R7, R8, R9 and R10 represent hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a halo(lower alkyl) group and the like, R11 and R12 represent hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a (lower cycloalkyl) (lower alkyl) group and the like, and R13 represents hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkoxy group and the like, which has potent inhibitory activity on cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP). |
| US07659270B2 |
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors
The present disclosure relates to compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using these compounds in the treatment of HCV infection. |
| US07659269B2 |
Substituted indolealkanoic acids
Disclosed are substituted indolealkanoic acids useful in the treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of treatment employing the compounds, as well as methods for their synthesis. |
| US07659266B2 |
Amidine derivatives and their applications as a medicament
The invention concerns amidine derivatives of general formula (I) exhibiting an inhibitory activity of calpains and/or a trapping activity of reactive forms of oxygen. |
| US07659264B2 |
CGRP receptor antagonists
The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: Formula I: I and Formula II: (where variables R1, R2, R3, R4, A, B, J, Q, T, V, W, X and Y are as defined herein) useful as antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the CGRP is involved, such as headache, migraine and cluster headache. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved. |
| US07659263B2 |
Thienopyrrole compound and use thereof as HCV polymerase inhibitor
The present invention relates to a thienopyrrole compound represented by the following formula [I] wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable a salt thereof, and a hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor and a therapeutic agent for hepatitis C containing this compound as an active ingredient. The compound of the present invention shows an anti-HCV activity based on the HCV polymerase inhibitory activity, and useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of hepatitis C. |
| US07659261B2 |
Combretastatin A-4 phosphate prodrug mono-and di-organic amine salts, mono-and di-amino acid salts, and mono-and di-amino acid ester salts
Provided herein are novel and useful combretastatin A-4 prodrug salts that increase the solubility of combretastatin A-4, readily regenerate combretastatin A-4 in vivo under normal physiological conditions, and which produce physiologically tolerable products as a result of the regeneration of combretastatin A-4. |
| US07659258B2 |
Double-stranded synthetic oligonucleotides useful for inducing apoptosis of osteoclasts for the treatment of osteopenic pathologies
The invention relates to a synthetic double-stranded oligonucleotide capable of modifying the molecular phenotype of osteoclasts and increasing the expression of the oestrogen alpha receptor gene. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the oligonucleotide according to the invention are also described, as well as therapeutic applications of that oligonucleotide, in particular for the treatment of osteopenic diseases such as for example osteoporosis. The oligonucleotide according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises the sequence 5′-ATTTATTTTCAATACTGACT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a fragment or a mutant thereof. |
| US07659257B2 |
Medicament for treating lung cancer
Lung cancer can be treated effectively by combination of amrubicin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with cisplatin. |
| US07659256B2 |
Combination therapy for effecting weight loss and treating obesity
The present invention features a novel therapy for effecting weight loss which involves treating a subject with a sympathomimetic agent (e.g., phentermine or a phentermine-like drug) in combination with an anticonvulsant sulfamate derivative (e.g., topiramate) such that the subject experiences weight loss.The combination methods of the present invention also are effective against symptoms associated with Syndrome X. The invention also features pharmaceutical compositions and kits for use in the practice of these novel therapies. |
| US07659255B2 |
Methods of inhibiting glutamate receptors by administering the tripeptide KDI
The present invention relates to a method of using biologically active peptide compounds comprising the tri-peptide motif KDI derived from the neurite outgrowth-promoting domain of laminin-1 as inhibitors of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The peptide compounds are therefore useful in methods of treating disorders responsive to the blockade of these receptors, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS or stroke. |
| US07659254B2 |
Abuse-resistant amphetamine prodrugs
The invention describes compounds, compositions, and methods of using the same comprising a chemical moiety covalently attached to amphetamine. These compounds and compositions are useful for reducing or preventing abuse and overdose of amphetamine. These compounds and compositions find particular use in providing an abuse-resistant alternative treatment for certain disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADD, narcolepsy, and obesity. Oral bioavailability of amphetamine is maintained at therapeutically useful doses. At higher doses bioavailability is substantially reduced, thereby providing a method of reducing oral abuse liability. Further, compounds and compositions of the invention decrease the bioavailability of amphetamine by parenteral routes, such as intravenous or intranasal administration, further limiting their abuse liability. |
| US07659248B2 |
Stabilized compositions comprising tissue factor pathway inhibitor protein or tissue factor pathway inhibitor variant proteins
Stabilized aqueous compositions of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) or TFPI variants comprise a solubilizing agent, an antioxidant, and a buffer. The combination of a solubilizing agent and an antioxidant can lead to a significant improvement in the storage life of TFPI or TFPI variant compositions. The solubilizing agent and antioxidant substantially counteract the effects of TFPI or TFPI variant degradation through aggregation and oxidation. |
| US07659246B2 |
Treatment of osteoarthritis
This invention relates to methods of treatment of osteoarthritis, and especially to treatment of this condition with cyclic peptidic and peptidomimetic compounds which have the ability to modulate the activity of G protein-coupled receptors. The compounds preferably act as antagonists of the C5a receptor, and are active against C5a receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. Particularly preferred compounds for use in the invention are disclosed. |
| US07659244B2 |
Rapamycin peptides conjugates: synthesis and uses thereof
The present invention relates to new rapamycin derivatives for the inhibition of cell proliferation. The compounds can advantageously target two proteins in dividing cells and interfere with cell cycle. There is thus provided derivatives of rapamycin in which the 42 position of rapamycin is linked to an amino acid or a peptide through a carbamate ester linkage. These rapamycin derivatives can be synthesized by reacting 42-O-(4-Nitrophenoxycarbonyl) rapamycin and an amino acid or a free amino peptide under basic conditions. These rapamycin derivatives can be used to inhibit the cell cycle and are therefore useful for treating cell proliferation disorders. |
| US07659238B2 |
Fabric softener compositions comprising homo- and/or copolymers
This invention relates to fabric softener compositions comprising a fabric softener component or a mixture of fabric softener components and at least one polymer formed from the polymerization of c) a water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer or blend of monomers comprising at least one cationic monomer and/or at least one non-ionic monomer, d) a cross-linking agent or a mixture of cross-linking agents in an amount of less than 5 ppm by the weight of component a), and c) optionally at least one chain transfer agent, with the proviso that (i) if the polymer is a cationic homopolymer then the amount of the crosslinking agent is always more than 0 ppm, as thickeners, as well as to new fabric softener compositions. |
| US07659235B2 |
Stable liquid cleansing compositions which may be prepared using fatty acyl isethionate surfactants
The invention provides liquid cleanser compositions which can use fatty acyl isethionates mixtures, regardless of free fatty acid content of isethionates mixture or chain length distribution of isethionates mixture. The key is to ensure a specific combination of liquid crystal inducer (of surfactant phase) and of modifier so that the isethionates will be stable at low and high temperatures. |
| US07659232B1 |
Garden tool maintenance fluid
A fluid safe to plants and the environment for maintenance facilitation of hand or power garden shear and saw tools. When the said fluid with a pleasant odor is sprayed onto the blades of said tools it will clean, lubricate, disinfect and inhibit rust in one step on said tools while repelling some types of flying insect pests. |
| US07659231B2 |
(PER) fluoropolyether compounds
Compounds having the following formula: wherein: A and A1, equal or different, are respectively H or an aromatic end group as defined below; optionally said aromatic group being substituted; n is an integer different from zero, such that the number average molecular weight of the compound of formula (I) is in the range 1,800-50,000, T is the bivalent group —Y—CH2—CFW1—O—Rf—CFW2—CH2—Y— wherein: Y=O, S; W1 and W2, equal or different, are F, CF3; Rf is a (per) fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain formed of one or more repeating units, statistically distributed along the chain; R1, R2, R3, equal to or different from each other, are selected from H; linear or branched C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl, linear or branched C1-C15 (per) fluorooxyalkyl; linear or branched C1-C8 alkyl; linear or branched C1-C8a oxyalkyl, optionally containing one or more oxygen atoms; NO2; CN. |
| US07659230B2 |
Thermoplastic resin composition containing mesoporous powders absorbed with lubricating oils
Thermoplastic resin compositions comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a lubricating oil-impregnated mesoporous powder. The compositions comprise about 0.3 to about 2 weight percent of lubricating oil, based on the total weight of the composition and are able to maintain a low coefficient of friction and minimal wear over an extended period of use. |
| US07659226B2 |
Process for making photocatalytic materials
A method of making amorphous metal peroxide solution includes mixing hydrogen peroxide and an amorphous metal hydroxide mixture to form a hydrogen peroxide and amorphous metal hydroxide mixture, and simultaneously heating and applying pressure above atmospheric pressure to the hydrogen peroxide and amorphous metal hydroxide mixture for a period of time to form the amorphous metal peroxide solution. |
| US07659222B2 |
Optical glass
An optical glass comprising SiO2, B2O3 and La2O3 and one or more oxides selected from the group consisting of ZrO2, Nb2O5 and Ta2O5, having a refractive index of 1.83 or over and an Abbe number of 35 or over and being free of F. |
| US07659217B2 |
Durable and fire resistant nonwoven composite fabric based garment
The present invention is directed to the design and manufacturing of a field durable, repeatedly launderable and permanently fire resistant, comfortable and economical FR nonwoven composite fabric based garment, which meets the stringent requirements of military combat uniform clothing. The nonwoven based garment is designed to replace the traditional woven textile fabric used in the military today. The novel garment of the current invention is constructed using a unique spunlaced or hydroentangled FR nonwoven composite fabric that exhibits mechanical, physical, durability and comfort characteristics similar to or better than that of the current woven military uniform fabric. In particular, the present invention contemplates the nonwoven composite fabric used to make the garment is prepared by combining at least two separate nonwoven webs forming the inside and outside layers of the garment. An optional rip-stop element such as a loosely knitted fabric may be sandwiched between the two nonwoven webs to improve the dimensional stability of the entire garment. Hydroentangling process combines the individual nonwoven webs to form a coherent base nonwoven composite fabric before dyeing and printing which is then made fire resistant by application of a phosphate ester chemical in an ammonia-cure process to form the FR nonwoven composite fabric of the garment. |
| US07659214B2 |
Method for growing an oxynitride film on a substrate
A method for growing an oxynitride film on a substrate includes positioning the substrate in a process chamber, heating the process chamber, flowing a first wet process gas comprising water vapor into the process chamber, and reacting the substrate with the first wet process gas to grow an oxide film on the substrate. The method further includes flowing a second wet process gas comprising water vapor and a nitriding gas comprising nitric oxide into the process chamber, and reacting the oxide film and the substrate with the second wet process gas to grow an oxynitride film. In another embodiment, the method further comprises annealing the substrate containing the oxynitride film in an annealing gas. According to one embodiment of the method where the substrate is silicon, a silicon oxynitride film can be formed that exhibits a nitrogen peak concentration of approximately 3 atomic % or greater. |
| US07659213B2 |
Transistor having an embedded tensile strain layer with reduced offset to the gate electrode and a method for forming the same
By incorporating carbon by means of ion implantation and a subsequent flash-based or laser-based anneal process, strained silicon/carbon material with tensile strain may be positioned in close proximity to the channel region, thereby enhancing the strain-inducing mechanism. The carbon implantation may be preceded by a pre-amorphization implantation, for instance on the basis of silicon. Moreover, by removing a spacer structure used for forming deep drain and source regions, the degree of lateral offset of the strained silicon/carbon material with respect to the gate electrode may be determined substantially independently from other process requirements. Moreover, an additional sidewall spacer used for forming metal silicide regions may be provided with reduced permittivity, thereby additionally contributing to an overall performance enhancement. |
| US07659189B2 |
Method for forming fully silicided gate electrode in a semiconductor device
A semiconductor MOS device includes a semiconductor substrate; a gate oxide layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a fully silicided gate electrode disposed on the gate oxide layer; a composite thin film interposed between the fully silicided gate electrode and the gate oxide layer; a spacer on sidewall of the fully silicided gate electrode; and a source/drain region implanted into the semiconductor substrate next to the spacer. A method for forming the semiconductor MOS device is disclosed. |
| US07659182B2 |
Method of wafer-to-wafer bonding
Methods of wafer-to-wafer bonding are disclosed. These methods use a force-transposing substrate providing redistribution of the applied force to the local bonding areas across the wafer. Certain versions of the Present Invention also provide a compliant force-distributing member along with applying bonding material to bonding areas in select locations. A predetermined sequence of external force loading and temperature steps ensure creating bonds between the wafers in the bonding areas. The disclosed methods improve wafer bonding, by increasing its uniformity and strength across the wafer, increasing both reproducibility and yield process and decreasing cost of semiconductor and MEMS devices. |
| US07659176B2 |
Tunable temperature coefficient of resistance resistors and method of fabricating same
Tunable TCR resistors incorporated into integrated circuits and a method fabricating the tunable TCR resistors. The tunable TCR resistors including two or more resistors of two or more different materials having opposite polarity and different magnitude TCRs, the same polarity and different magnitude TCRs or having opposite polarity and about the same TCRs. |
| US07659174B2 |
Method to enhance device performance with selective stress relief
A structure and method of fabrication of a semiconductor device having a stress relief layer under a stress layer in one region of a substrate. In a first example, a stress relief layer is formed over a first region of the substrate (e.g., PFET region) and not over a second region (e.g., NFET region). A stress layer is over the stress relief layer in the first region and over the devices and substrate/silicide in the second region. The NFET transistor performance is enhanced due to the overall tensile stress in the NFET channel while the degradation in the PFET transistor performance is reduced/eliminated due to the inclusion of the stress relief layer. In a second example embodiment, the stress relief layer is formed over the second region, but not the first region and the stress of the stress layer is reversed. |
| US07659172B2 |
Structure and method for reducing miller capacitance in field effect transistors
A method for forming a field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a gate conductor and gate dielectric on an active device area of a semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer including a buried insulator layer formed over a bulk substrate and a semiconductor-on-insulator layer initially formed over the buried insulator layer. Source and drain extensions are formed in the semiconductor-on-insulator layer, adjacent opposing sides of the gate conductor, and source and drain sidewall spacers are formed adjacent the gate conductor. Remaining portions of the semiconductor-on-insulator layer adjacent the sidewall spacers and are removed so as to expose portions of the buried insulator layer. The exposed portions of the buried insulator layer are removed so as to expose portions of the bulk substrate. A semiconductor layer is epitaxially grown on the exposed portions of the bulk substrate and the source and drain extensions, and source and drain implants are formed in the epitaxially grown layer. |
| US07659166B2 |
Integration approach to form the core floating gate for flash memory using an amorphous carbon hard mask and ArF lithography
Systems and methods are described that facilitate integrating ArF core patterning of floating gate structures in a flash memory device followed by KrF periphery gate patterning using a hard mask comprising a material such as amorphous carbon to facilitate core gate construction. The amorphous carbon hard mask can facilitate preparing such core gate structures while protecting periphery gate stacks such that the periphery stacks are ready for immediate KrF lithography upon completion of core gate formation without requiring additional resist deposition between core and periphery etches. |
| US07659164B1 |
Method for fabricating capacitor of semiconductor device
A method for fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device comprises forming a silicon nanowire structure having a large aspect ratio using a porous anodic alumina structure and applying the silicon nanowire structure to a bottom electrode, thereby obtaining a capacitor having secured capacitance. |
| US07659163B2 |
Semiconductor devices having recessed structures and methods of forming the same
A method for forming a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a plurality of protrusions projecting from the substrate; forming a silicon layer over the substrate and each protrusion; performing an anisotropic etching to transfer the silicon layer into a silicon spacer positioned on a side wall of each protrusion; forming an oxide layer over the silicon spacer; and etching the substrate to form a recess on the substrate by using the oxide layer as a mask. |
| US07659162B2 |
Phase change memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a phase change memory device includes forming at least one active device on a substrate, forming a bottom electrode electrically connected to the at least one active device, forming a phase change material layer and a top electrode on the bottom electrode, forming a capping layer on an upper surface of the top electrode and on side surfaces of the top electrode and phase change material layer, removing a portion of the capping layer overlapping the upper surface of the top electrode to define capping layer sidewall portions, forming an interlayer insulation film on the capping layer sidewall portions and on the top electrode, removing a portion of the interlayer insulation film from the top electrode to form a contact hole through the interlayer insulation film, and forming a contact plug in the contact hole. |
| US07659159B2 |
Method of manufacturing a flash memory device
In a method of fabricating a flash memory device, a semiconductor substrate includes a tunnel insulating layer and a charge storage layer formed in an active region and a trench formed in an isolation region. A first insulating layer is formed to fill a part of the trench. A second insulating layer is formed on the first insulating layer so that the trench is filled. The first and second insulating layers are removed such that the first and second insulating layers remain on sidewalls of the charge storage layer and on a part of the trench. A third insulating layer is formed on the first and second insulating layers so that a space defined by the charge storage layer is filled. The third insulating layer is removed so that a height of the third insulating layer is lowered. |
| US07659158B2 |
Atomic layer deposition processes for non-volatile memory devices
Embodiments of the invention provide memory devices and methods for forming memory devices. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided which includes a floating gate polysilicon layer disposed over source/drain regions of a substrate, a silicon oxynitride layer disposed over the floating gate polysilicon layer, a first aluminum oxide layer disposed over the silicon oxynitride layer, a hafnium silicon oxynitride layer disposed over the first aluminum oxide layer, a second aluminum oxide layer disposed over the hafnium silicon oxynitride layer, and a control gate polysilicon layer disposed over the second aluminum oxide layer. In another embodiment, a memory device is provided which includes a control gate polysilicon layer disposed over an inter-poly dielectric stack disposed over a silicon oxide layer disposed over the floating gate polysilicon layer. The inter-poly dielectric stack contains two silicon oxynitride layers separated by a silicon nitride layer. |
| US07659156B2 |
Method to selectively modulate gate work function through selective Ge condensation and high-K dielectric layer
A semiconductor device is provided which comprises a semiconductor layer (109), a dielectric layer (111), first and second gate electrodes (129, 131) having first and second respective work functions associated therewith, and a layer of hafnium oxide (113) disposed between said dielectric layer and said first and second gate electrodes. |
| US07659150B1 |
Microshells for multi-level vacuum cavities
Microshells for encapsulation of devices such as MEMS and microelectronics. In an embodiment, the microshells include a planar perforated pre-sealing layer, below which a non-planar sacrificial layer is accessed, and a sealing layer to close the perforation in the pre-sealing layer after the sacrificial material is removed. The sealing layer may include a nonhermetic layer to physically occlude the perforation and a hermetic layer over the nonhermetic occluding layer to seal the perforation as a function of the dimension of the perforation to form cavities having different vacuum levels on the same substrate. |
| US07659147B2 |
Method for cutting solid-state image pickup device
In a method for cutting a solid-state image pickup device of the present invention, a glass cover plate is diced with a surface thereof being protected, so that chipping of the glass cover plate can be significantly prevented. In addition, since a CCD wafer is adhered after the glass cover plate is diced, no glass fragments scattered due to chipping of the glass cover plate touch the CCD wafer, or cause damage to the CCD wafer, thereby a cutting of solid-state image pickup device can be achieved with high accuracy and high quality. |
| US07659146B2 |
Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
Performing electrolysis plating to a wiring is made possible, aiming at the increasing of pin count of a semiconductor device.Package substrate 3 by which ring shape common wiring 3p for electric supply was formed in the inner area of bonding lead 3j in device region 3v of main surface 3a is used. Since a plurality of first plating lines 3r and fourth plating lines 3u for electric supply connected to common wiring 3p can be arranged by this, the feeder for electrolysis plating can be arranged to all the land parts on the back. Hereby, it becomes possible to perform electrolysis plating to the wiring of main surface 3a of package substrate 3, and the back surface. Even if the land part of plural lines is formed covering the perimeter of the back surface, electrolysis plating can be performed to the all land parts. As a result, electrolysis plating can be performed to a wiring, aiming at the increasing of pin count of a semiconductor device. |
| US07659144B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing the same
Disclosed is a semiconductor device which makes it easy to design a wiring pattern for a wiring substrate on which the semiconductor device is to be mounted. In manufacturing plural semiconductor devices for providing different amounts of output current, arrangements and numbers of leads to which semiconductor chips for power transistors of the semiconductor devices are to be electrically connected are changed according to output current requirements for the semiconductor devices, whereas arrangements and numbers of leads to which semiconductor chips for control circuits of the semiconductor devices are to be electrically connected are fixed to be common to the semiconductor devices. In this way, the probability of malfunction of control circuits (PWM circuits) of the semiconductor devices can be reduced, so that a semiconductor device which makes it easy to design a wiring pattern for a wiring substrate on which the semiconductor device is to be mounted can be provided. |
| US07659143B2 |
Dual-chip integrated heat spreader assembly, packages containing same, and systems containing same
A method includes mating a first heat spreader and a second heat spreader, such that the first heat spreader at a mating surface and second heat spreader at a mating surface become parallel and adjacent. The mated first heat spreader and second heat spreader have at least one convection channel disposed therebetween. A process includes placing a first die in a first die recess of the first heat spreader, and placing a second die on a second die site on the second heat spreader. The process includes reflowing thermal interface material between each die and respective heat spreader. A package is achieved by the method, with reduced thicknesses. The package can be coupled through a bumpless build-up layer. The package can be assembled into a computing system. |
| US07659139B2 |
Method for destruction of metallic carbon nanotubes, method for production of aggregate of semiconducting carbon nanotubes, method for production of thin film of semiconducting carbon nanotubes, method for destruction of semiconducting carbon nanotubes, method for production of aggregate of metallic carbon nanotubes, method for production of thin film of metallic carbon nanotubes, method for production of electronic device, method for production of aggregate of carbon nanotubes, method for selective reaction of semiconducting carbon nanotubes
A method for destruction of metallic carbon nanotubes is provided. The method includes irradiating a mixture of semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes with energy beams (such as laser light), thereby selectively destroying metallic carbon nanotubes or semiconducting carbon nanotubes. The energy beams have energy components for resonance absorption by the metallic carbon nanotubes or semiconducting carbon nanotubes. |
| US07659138B2 |
Method for manufacturing an organic semiconductor element
In manufacturing a device using an organic TFT, it is essential to develop an element in which a channel length is short or a channel width is narrow to downsize a device. Based on the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an organic TFT in which characteristic is improved. In view of the foregoing problem, one feature of the present invention is that an element is baked after an organic semiconductor film is deposited. More specifically, one feature of the present invention is that the organic semiconductor film is heated under atmospheric pressure or under reduced pressure. Moreover, a baking process may be carried out in an inert gas atmosphere. |
| US07659136B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing said solid-state imaging device
It is an object to provide solid-state imaging device, which can easily be manufactured and has a high reliability, and a method of manufacturing the solid-state imaging device. In the present invention, a manufacturing method comprises the steps of forming a plurality of IT-CCDs on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, bonding a translucent member to the surface of the semiconductor substrate in order to have a gap opposite to each light receiving region of the IT-CCD, and isolating a bonded member obtained at the bonding step for each of the IT-CCDs. |
| US07659134B2 |
Microelectronic imagers and methods for manufacturing such microelectronic imagers
Microelectronic imagers and methods of manufacturing such microelectronic imagers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a microelectronic imager can include irradiating selected portions of an imager housing unit. The housing unit includes a body having lead-in surfaces and a support surface that define a recess sized to receive a microelectronic die. The method also includes depositing a conductive material onto the irradiated portions of the housing unit and forming electrically conductive traces. The method further includes coupling a plurality of terminals at a front side of a microelectronic die to corresponding electrically conductive traces in the recess in a flip-chip configuration. The microelectronic die includes an image sensor aligned with at least a portion of an optical element carried by the housing unit and at least partially aligned with the recess. The method can then include depositing an encapsulant into the recess and over at least a portion of the microelectronic die. |
| US07659133B2 |
Method for manufacturing CMOS image sensor
Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor, capable of preventing dopants implanted with high energy from penetrating into a lower part of a gate electrode when a photodiode is formed, thereby preventing current leakage of a transistor and variation of a threshold voltage. The method includes the steps of forming a gate electrode on a transistor area of a first conductive type semiconductor substrate including a photodiode area and the transistor area, forming a salicide layer on the gate electrode, and implanting second conductive type dopants for forming a photodiode in a photodiode area of the semiconductor substrate. |
| US07659132B2 |
Semiconductor element holding apparatus and semiconductor device manufactured using the same
A semiconductor element holding apparatus includes a collet for suctioning a semiconductor element by negative pressure to hold the semiconductor element. The collet has a protrusion formed at the semiconductor element-holding surface thereof, and the protrusion is provided with a plurality of suction holes. The suction holes are opened to the semiconductor element-holding surface. The surface of the semiconductor element is held by the semiconductor element-holding surface of the protrusion of the collet. |
| US07659129B2 |
Fabricating method for quantum dot of active layer of LED by nano-lithography
The present invention is to provide a “fabricating method for quantum dot active layer of LED by nano-lithography” for fabricating out a new active layer of LED of nano quantum dot structure in more miniature manner than that of the current fabricating facilities to have high quality LED with features in longer light wavelength, brighter luminance and lower forward bias voltage by directly using the current fabricating facilities without any alteration or redesign of the precision. |
| US07659126B1 |
Electrical test method and apparatus
An electrical test method and apparatus are disclosed. In the method one or more ring oscillators are formed in one or more layers prior to formation of a metal 1 layer of a semiconductor wafer. The one or more layers comprise the formulation of transistors and local interconnects. One or more test structures are formed in one or more interconnect layers at or after the metal 1 of the semiconductor wafer. Each test structure is coupled to a corresponding one or more ring oscillators. A voltage is applied to one or more non-precision contacts to cause the ring oscillators to oscillate. At-speed performance of one or more test structures is determined from one or more measured signals obtained from the test structures. The electrical test apparatus includes one or more ring oscillators formed in one or more layers prior to formation of a metal 1 comprising the formulation of transistors and local interconnects of a semiconductor wafer and one or more test structures formed in one or more interconnect layers at or after the metal 1 of the semiconductor wafer. Each test structure is coupled to one or more corresponding ring oscillators. A non-precision contact is coupled to the one or more ring oscillators for applying voltage to one or more non-precision contacts to cause the ring oscillators to oscillate. |
| US07659122B2 |
Single population of simulated leukocyte granules, calibrators comprising the same and methods of preparing the same
Disclosed is a single population of simulated leukocyte granules prepared from mammalian whole white blood cells, which is useful in calibrators for a hematology analyzer, a calibrator which includes the single population of simulated leukocyte granules. Disclosed is also a method of preparing the single population of simulated leukocyte granules. The method of preparing single population of simulated leukocyte granules includes the actions of: obtaining mammalian whole white blood cells; treating the mammalian whole white blood cells with a hemolytic agent and a leukocyte treating liquid which includes an isotonic saline solution. The isotonic saline solution may include a fixative, an oxidizer, and a carbohydrate compound; fixing the treated mammalian whole white blood cells with a fixative; and suspending the fixed cells in a preservation medium for long-term preservation of fixed cells. |
| US07659121B2 |
Human salivary gland-origin stem cell
A novel human stem cell which can be differentiated to cells constituting a plurality of human organs including human liver is disclosed. The human stem cell according to the present invention is originated from human salivary gland, which is CD49f-positive, and which can be differentiated to (1) a nestin-positive and albumin-positive cell, (2) an insulin-positive cell and (3) a glucagon-positive cell by culture in vitro. |
| US07659116B2 |
Monoclonal antibody against frizzled receptor 4
The present invention relates to a monoclonal antibody or fragment thereof, which binds specifically and/or selectively to human receptors of the Frizzled (FZD) family. It further relates to a hybridoma cell that produces the antibody according to the invention. Another object of the present invention is a method for the detection and/or isolation of receptors of the FZD family or homologs or fragments thereof in a biological sample and a method for the identification and/or isolation of biological material comprising or expressing receptors of the FZD family or homologs or fragments thereof. The invention further relates to the use of the antibody according to the invention or fragments thereof for the specific and/or selective detection and/or isolation of receptors of the FZD family, a composition comprising the monoclonal antibody according to the invention or fragments thereof, and a kit comprising the monoclonal antibody according to the invention or fragments thereof. |
| US07659115B2 |
Nucleic acid encoding human transductin-1 polypeptide
The invention provides isolated or purified nucleic molecules consisting of a nucleotide sequence encoding human transductin-1 (TDC1), such as SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention also provides vectors comprising the isolated or purified nucleic acid sequences and cells comprising such vectors. |
| US07659110B2 |
DNA amplification device
A processing block 2 is composed of a base 5, where an upper substrate 6 formed with a metal material M and a lower substrate 7 formed with the metal material M or a ceramic material E are adhered, and cells C . . . supported by this base 5; and the cells C . . . are secured to the upper substrate 6 and/or the lower substrate 7 at least via cell positioners 6s . . . established in the upper substrate 6 for positioning the cells C . . . , respectively.At the same time, at least the thickness Ld of regions Xc . . . situated under the cells C . . . in the lower substrate 7 is selected to be 1.0 [mm] or thinner, and, a thermo-module(s) comes into contact with the lower surface of the base 5. |
| US07659108B2 |
Fermenter comprising an agitator
A plug-flow operated, horizontal fermenter for anaerobic fermentation of biogenic waste includes a fermenter tank having an inlet and an outlet that is configured to be filled with a biomass material. The fermenter also includes an agitator having a shaft passing through the fermenter tank in its longitudinal direction, wherein the shaft is mounted in end regions of the fermenter tank and is designed as a closed, hollow shaft having an inner space filled with gas or air. A plurality of agitator arms are arranged on the shaft. The inner space of the shaft is monitored with respect to a gas or air pressure to ensure that a buoyancy of the shaft in the filled fermenter tank at least approximately compensates for a sagging of the shaft. |
| US07659101B2 |
Alkaline Bacillus amylase
This invention relates to an amylase derived from Bacillus horikoshii. The amylase has a preference for soluble substrates, shows substantial exo-amylase activity and has a pH optimum of about 9.8. |
| US07659097B2 |
Production of isoprenoids
The present invention provides methods for a robust production of isoprenoids via one or more biosynthetic pathways. The invention also provides nucleic acids, enzymes, expression vectors, and genetically modified host cells for carrying out the subject methods. The invention also provides fermentation methods for high productivity of isoprenoids from genetically modified host cells. |
| US07659095B2 |
Methods for determining the presence or absence of elite event RF-BN1 in Brassica plant material
This invention relates to transgenic winter oilseed rape (WOSR) plants, plant material and seeds, harboring a specific transformation event. It pertains to winter oilseed rape plants, more particularly to a pair of winter oilseed rape plants, which is particularly suited for the production of hybrid seed. More specifically, one plant is characterized by being male-sterile, due to the presence in its genome of a male sterility gene, while the other is characterized by carrying a fertility-restorer gene, capable of preventing the activity of the male-sterility gene. The invention further provides a method for producing hybrid seed, a process for producing a transgenic WOSR plant oil or plant, and a method to identify a transgenic plant, cell or tissue. A kit for identifying the transgenic plants comparing the elite event of the present invention is also described. The WOSR plants of the invention combine the ability to form hybrid seeds with optimal overall agronomic performance, genetic stability and adaptability to different generic backgrounds. |
| US07659094B2 |
Nucleic acid sequences having gene transcription regulatory qualities
The invention is concerned with the systematic elucidation and identification of regulatory sequences. The invention provides among others screenings and detection methods with which regulatory sequences can be identified. The invention further provides regulatory sequences and use thereof in various fields such as, but not limited to, protein production, diagnostics, transgenic plants and animals, and the therapeutic field. |
| US07659092B2 |
Fusion proteins
A single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a nociceptive sensory afferent; a Targeting Moiety that is capable of binding to a Binding Site on the nociceptive sensory afferent, which Binding Site is capable of undergoing endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent; a protease cleavage site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by a protease, wherein the protease cleavage site is located between the non-cytotoxic protease or fragment thereof and the Targeting Moiety; and a translocation domain that is capable of translocating the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptide fusion proteins, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described. |
| US07659091B2 |
Diagnostic marker
An inflammatory peptide can be a marker for cardiac ischemia. |
| US07659090B2 |
Methods for the separation of streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 polysaccharides
The present invention provides improved methods for the reduction or removal of protein impurities from a complex cellular Streptococcus pneumoniae lysate or centrate comprising serotype 3 polysaccharides involving steps relating to post-lysis heating or pH adjustment. In certain methods, the lysate is heated for a time and at a temperature sufficient to denature proteins present in the lysate and cause their aggregation and precipitation. In one embodiment, the lysate is heated to at least 60° C. for at least 30 minutes to cause protein aggregation and precipitation, more particularly about 60° C. to about 70° C. for about 30 to about 50 minutes, and even more particularly about 65° C. for about 40 minutes. In other methods, the pH of the lysate or centrate is increased to at least 8.0 to improve filterability, more particularly about 8.0 to 8.4, and even more particularly about 8.2. In further methods, heating and pH adjustment steps are combined to cause the aggregation and precipitation of proteins as well as to improve filterability of the lysates or centrates. In other methods, the pH of the lysate or centrate is lowered to about 3.0 to about 5.0 to cause protein aggregation and precipitation. Such methods allow for the production of substantially purified serotype 3 polysaccharide-containing lysates or centrates. |
| US07659088B2 |
Assay for inositol phosphorylceramide synthase activity
Disclosed is a simple and reproducible method for assaying inositol phosphorylceramide synthase activity that employs a fluorescence resonance energy transfer pair for measuring enzyme activity. The invention also includes a novel method for identifying IPC synthase inhibitors. |
| US07659085B2 |
Methods and compositions for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes
Methods and compositions comprising immunoassays for the detection of antigens and antibodies in a sample are described. In particular, the present invention provides assays that are useful for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple different antigens and antibodies. In preferred embodiments, the assays include fluorescent labels of multiple wavelengths or intensities, which are used to label the antigens and antibodies directly and to label beads coated with molecules specific for the antigen or antibody. The detection of a fluorescence shift indicates the presence or identity of the antigen or antibody in the sample. |
| US07659083B2 |
Device for detecting molecules, method for detecting molecules
A construct is provided that is capable of binding a plurality of molecules, the construct comprising a first moiety with a first molecule binding region and a first molecule non-binding region; and a second moiety with a second molecule-binding region and a second molecule-non-binding region, whereby the first binding region and second binding region are at opposite ends of the construct. Also provided is a method for detecting protein having certain amino acid sequences, the method comprising supplying a collection of proteins each with unknown amino acid sequences, contacting the collection with a moiety having a plurality of binding sites capable of binding with the protein having certain amino acid sequences so as to form a moiety-protein complex, and mixing the complex with a marker specific for the moiety in an amount sufficient to indicate existence of the complex. |
| US07659082B2 |
Methods for identifying analgesic agents
The present invention relates to the discovery that mutations in SCN9A are causative of Congenital Indifference to Pain (CIP) in humans. The invention also relates to methods of utilizing the SCN9A gene and expression products thereof for the screening and identification of therapeutic agents, including small organic compounds, which are selective for SCN9A, and are useful in the treatment of pain and other disorders. The invention also relates to methods of using these compounds to treat or otherwise ameliorate such disorders. |
| US07659079B2 |
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy test reagents and methods
The invention provides improved methods and compositions for selectively binding and/or detecting an aggregating abnormal form of a protein in the presence of non-aggregating normal form of the protein. |
| US07659078B1 |
Method and kit for determination of prostacyclin in plasma
A solid-phase immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin (Prostaglandin I2) is disclosed. Prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator with anti-platelet and anti-proliferative properties is an effective treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma and scleroderma-like syndrome. Levels of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α can be directly correlated with levels of prostacyclin. Therefore, 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α has become the indicator of choice to measure prostacyclin levels. The single step immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α uses the bioluminescent protein, aequorin as a label. Analyte-label conjugates were constructed by linking the carboxyl group of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α and lysine residues of aequorin by chemical conjugation methods. The binding properties of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α towards its antibody and the bioluminescent properties of aequorin are retained in the conjugate. The concentration of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α after extraction from plasma shows good correlation with the concentration of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α obtained without prior extraction of the same plasma sample. The assay allows the measurement of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α directly in plasma without any pre-treatment of the samples, which results in a much simpler method with a faster assay time. |
| US07659073B2 |
Forms of prostate specific antigens and methods for their detection
Inactive precursor forms of PSA (pPSA) have been identified to exist in serum and tissues of patients with prostate cancer. Antibodies specific for pPSA are provided. Methods for detecting inactive precursors of PSA in human physiological fluid and tissues are also provided, as well as diagnostic kits and methods useful in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. |
| US07659072B2 |
Methods for using riboprimers for strand displacement replication of target sequences
Methods, compositions and kits for amplifying a target sequence by strand displacement replication using strand-displacing primers. The method uses primers that have only ribonucleotides or purine ribonucleotides and at least one 2′-substituted pyrimidine-2′-deoxyribonucleotide. |
| US07659071B2 |
Methods and compositions relating to HPV-associated pre-cancerous and cancerous growths, including CIN
The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). |
| US07659064B2 |
PNA chip using zip-codes and fabrication method thereof
A PNA zip-code chip in which PNA zip-code probes are immobilized on a substrate at high density using an epoxy compound as a linker, and method for fabricating such PNA chip. The use of PNA provides the chip with superior properties to DNA chips, allowing precise diagnosis of congenital diseases or base mutations with much higher sensitivity than is achievable with a DNA chip. The use of the PNA zip-code chip enables diagnosis of gene mutations in a simple manner, using only hybridization reaction, without the difficulties associated with processes in which probes must be immobilized directly on a substrate every time the target gene changes. |
| US07659063B2 |
High throughput assay system
The present invention relates to compositions, apparatus and methods useful for concurrently performing multiple, high throughput, biological or chemical assays, using repeated arrays of probes. A combination of the invention comprises a surface, which comprises a plurality of test regions, at least two of which, and in a preferred embodiment, at least twenty of which, are substantially identical, wherein each of the test regions comprises an array of generic anchor molecules. The anchors are associated with bifunctional linker molecules, each containing a portion which is specific for at least one of the anchors and a portion which is a probe specific for a target of interest. The resulting array of probes is used to analyze the presence or test the activity of one or more target molecules which specifically interact with the probes. In a preferred embodiment, a sample to be tested is subjected to a nuclease protection procedure before it is contacted with a combination of the invention. |
| US07659060B2 |
Method for identifying nucleotide polymorphism
A method for identifying a nucleotide polymorphism, the method comprising hybridizing a labeled oligonucleotide for a wild type or a mutant type to a nucleic acid containing a specific nucleotide polymorphic site in a sample; allowing a nucleic acid-specific label to act thereon; detecting an interaction between the label of the oligonucleotide and the nucleic acid-specific label; and identifying a nucleotide polymorphism, wherein the identification utilizes a difference due to the nucleotide polymorphism in conditions under which the hybridized oligonucleotide is separated into a single strand. |
| US07659058B2 |
Method for identifying target epitopes of the T cell mediated immune response and for assaying epitope-specific T cells
The present invention relates to a method for the detection of epitope-specific T-cells and target epitopes of reactive T-cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to vectors comprising a first promoter which is specifically inducible by the epitope-specific contact with a T-cell in antigen-presenting cells, a nucleic acid which is functionally linked to this first promoter and which encodes a marker gene, a second promoter which is constitutive in antigen-presenting cells, and a nucleic acid which is functionally linked to said second promoter. Furthermore, the present invention relates to antigen-presenting cells which are transduced with the vectors according to the invention. |
| US07659054B1 |
Methods for genetic analysis of DNA to detect sequence variances
The presently claimed invention concerns a method for biasing the amplification of the DNA molecules in a sample such that a nucleic acid molecule having a specific nucleotide at a selected position (e.g., a polymorphic site) is preferentially amplified relative to an otherwise identical nucleic acid molecule not having the specific nucleotide at the selected position. The method entails amplification of target nucleic acid molecules using a pair of primers one of which causes the incorporation into the amplification product of a sequence that interferes with amplification of nucleic acid molecules not having the specific nucleotide at the selected position. The method is useful for preferentially amplifying at least a portion of one allele of a gene relative to another, different allele of the gene in a sample containing both alleles of the gene. |
| US07659053B2 |
Methods of alteration of surface affinities using non-chemical force-creating fields
The present invention provides a series of methods, compositions, and articles for altering a property of a surface (for example, the cytophilicity and/or the hydrophilicity), by exposing at least a portion of the surface to a non-chemical, force-creating field and/or force, such as an electric field. The field/force may be created by any suitable technique. For instance, the field can be created by applying a voltage across the surface, by electrical induction, etc. In certain embodiments, the surface includes molecules attached thereto that can be detached when exposed to non-chemical, force-creating fields and/or forces, thereby altering the chemical composition of at least a portion of the surface. In one set of embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include molecules forming a self-assembled monolayer on the surface. In some embodiments, the molecules attached to the surface may include thiol moieties (e.g., as in an alkanethiol), by which the molecule can become attached to the surface. In certain cases, the molecules may be terminated at the unattached end with one or more hydrophilic groups, for example, unmodified ethylene glycol moieties. In some cases, the molecules attached to the surface may include one or more moieties that can bind to various entities such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, drugs, cells, etc. In certain embodiments, the techniques are used to enable novel assays for cell motility and/or spreading and screening tests for determining drugs and/or treatments effective in increasing or decreasing cell shape changes and/or motility on surfaces. |
| US07659046B2 |
Water-developable infrared-sensitive printing plate
The present invention provides an imageable element including a lithographic substrate and an imageable layer disposed on the substrate. The imageable layer includes a radically polymerizable component, an initiator system capable of generating radicals sufficient to initiate a polymerization reaction upon exposure to imaging radiation, and a polymeric binder having a hydrophobic backbone and including constitutional units having a pendant group including a hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) segment. The imageable element can be developed using an aqueous developer solution. Alternatively, the imageable element can be developed on-press by contact with ink and/or fountain solution. |
| US07659043B2 |
Composition for conductive materials, conductive material, conductive layer, electronic device, and electronic equipment
The object of the present invention is to provide a composition for conductive materials from which a conductive layer having a high carrier transport ability can be made, a conductive material formed of the composition and having a high carrier transport ability, a conductive layer formed using the conductive material as a main material, an electronic device provided with the conductive layer and having high reliability, and electronic equipment provided with the electronic device. The composition for conductive materials of the present invention comprising a compound represented by the following general formula (A1): wherein two R1s may be the same or different and each independently represents a straight-chain alkyl group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, four R2s may be the same or different and each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or an ethyl group, Y represents a group containing at least one substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon ring or substituted or unsubstituted heterocycle, and two X1s may be the same or different and each independently represents a substituent represented by the following general formula (A2): wherein n′ is an integer of 3 to 8, m1 s an integer of 0 to 3, and Z1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or an ethyl group. |
| US07659042B2 |
Full phase shifting mask in damascene process
A full phase shifting mask (FPSM) can be advantageously used in a damascene process for hard-to-etch metal layers. Because the FPSM can be used with a positive photoresist, features on an original layout can be replaced with shifters on a FPSM layout. Adjacent shifters should be of opposite phase, e.g. 0 and 180 degrees. In one embodiment, a dark field trim mask can be used with the FPSM. The trim mask can include cuts that correspond to cuts on the FPSM. Cuts on the FPSM can be made to resolve phase conflicts between proximate shifters. In one case, exposing two proximate shifters on the FPSM and a corresponding cut on the trim mask can form a feature in the metal layer. The FPSM and/or the trim mask can include proximity corrections to further improve printing resolution. |
| US07659039B2 |
Near-field exposure mask, method of producing that mask, near-field exposure apparatus having that mask, and resist pattern forming method
Disclosed is a near-field exposure mask having a light blocking layer formed on a substrate, the light blocking layer having an opening with an opening width narrower than a wavelength of an exposure light source, wherein exposure of an object to be exposed is carried out by use of near-field light to be produced at the opening while the exposure mask and the object to be exposed are placed in contact with each other, an important feature residing in that the light blocking layer is provided by a film that contains silicon in a range from 50% to 100% in terms of mole fraction. |
| US07659037B2 |
Nonaqueous secondary cell
Using a positive electrode active material including spinel type manganese oxide as the main constituent, a novel low cost and high output power flat type nonaqueous secondary cell for HEVs that has increased safety at overcharge, and superior storage properties and cycle life is provided. A flat type nonaqueous secondary cell that has increased safety and is superior in storage and cycle properties even though the cell is a laminate type cell which does not have a blocking mechanism can be obtained by blending the spinel type lithium manganese oxide of the positive electrode and 5 wt % to 40 wt % of layered type lithium manganese oxide, to suppress storage deterioration at a high temperature and to simultaneously achieve safety when overcharged, and further, by adding a Li compound having a structure as shown in Formula (1) structure, to suppress deterioration of a mixed positive electrode active material during a high temperature cycle. |
| US07659035B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided. The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a cathode; an anode containing at least an anode active material and a conductive agent; and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the anode has an anode mixture, the anode mixture containing 1.5 wt % or more to 10 wt % or less aluminum oxide which has an average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or more to 5.0 μm or less. |
| US07659032B2 |
Cathode active material, cathode material having the cathode active material, secondary aqueous lithium-ion battery having the cathode material, and method for preparing the cathode active material
A cathode active material is provided, having d-MoS2(FeS2, ZnS) A cathode material is provided, including the cathode active material. A method for preparing the cathode active material is provided. A secondary aqueous lithium-ion battery (LIB) is provided, including the cathode material. Accordingly, it is possible to fabricate a secondary aqueous LIB which has an excellent charge/discharge performance and improves the charge/discharge cycles. |
| US07659030B2 |
Cell structure having improved heat dissipation and lower vibrations
A cell structure that can improve heat dissipation and the vibration-proofing nature of a cell without using a cooling medium while keeping the rigidity and the discharge current quantity of the cell includes at least one electrode having a positive pole active material layer, a current collector and a negative pole active material layer. The cell structure also includes a separator provided between each electrode; and a casing. The cell structure satisfies the inequality: S c × 1000 > b × 1000 S wherein b (mm) indicates a short-side length of the electrode, S (m2) indicates an electrode area, c (mm) indicates a cell structure thickness and 1000 (m2/mm) is a constant. The separators have a different Shore A hardness and the separator having the lowest Shore A hardness is placed at a center of the cell structure. |
| US07659029B2 |
Battery module with insulating plates nipping electrode tabs
A battery module has stacked therein a plurality of flat cells each formed by sealing a power generating element with a package member and deriving to the exterior electrode tabs from the package member and has the electrode tabs of the flat cells connected electrically. The battery module includes electrically insulated spacers adapted to nip the electrode tab from the opposite surface sides of the electrode tab along the stacking direction of the plurality of flat cells. The paired spacers nipping the electrode tab include an engaging member adapted to fasten the electrode tab by being passed through the electrode tab along the stacking direction. |
| US07659028B2 |
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell
This invention provides an electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell which fuel cell contains: a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; electrode layers formed respectively on both faces of the electrolyte membrane; two reinforcing members which cover respective outer surfaces of the electrode layers; and a sealing member which covers, extending from respective end faces to respective end parts of the reinforcing members, whole peripheries of the two reinforcing members, wherein the electrolyte membrane, the electrode layers and the reinforcing members are integrally formed by the sealing member. |
| US07659027B2 |
Fuel cell and fuel cell stack
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fluid unit including a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas, before the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack, and a casing for containing the fuel cell stack and the fluid unit. A first output terminal is electrically connected to one electrode, and provided adjacent to an end plate. A second output terminal is electrically connected to another electrode through a tightening member, and provided adjacent to the end plate. The fluid unit is provided adjacent to an end plate. |
| US07659024B2 |
Fuel cell having a separator with water-retaining groove portions
In a fuel cell composed of a pair of separators with a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween, gas passages having a plurality of generally linear passage portions, and bent passage portions each of which makes one end portion of the linear passage portions communicated with the other end portion of the linear passage portions, are formed so as to be communicative from a gas introducing port to a discharge port. In inner wall surfaces of the groove portions of the separators constituting the linear passage portions, water-retaining groove portions capable of retaining inside thereof at least part of water generated in the gas passage are formed in such a grooved configuration as to be substantially continuous along the passage portion. As a water drop generated within the gas passage makes contact with retained water within the water-retaining groove portions, growth of the water drop is suppressed to avoid any blockage of the gas passage, by which the anti-flooding property is improved. |
| US07659023B2 |
Multi-zone voltage fuel cell
The present invention is directed to an electrochemical fuel cell. The configuration of the fuel cell stack provides a multiple-legged current flow path therethrough. Electrically isolated zones are formed in the cells and one coupled in a serial manner. This configuration provides incremental voltage summing such that additional power converting element are not needed to match the stack output to the load. |
| US07659017B2 |
Drying method for fuel cell stacks
For various reasons, it can be desirable to subject fuel cells to drying procedures. In solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells for instance, drying may be carried out prior to storing at below freezing temperatures, or to recover cell performance lost following freeze/thaw events. An improved drying method involves drying the cell uniformly throughout. That is, the drying power over the length of the fuel cell is adjusted to be essentially uniform. This can be accomplished by using an appropriate set of operating conditions. The improved drying method can improve the lifetime of the fuel cell. |
| US07659014B2 |
Electrode assembly having super-capacitor and lithium secondary battery having the same
An electrode assembly having a super-capacitor for allowing high current charge/discharge operations and a lithium secondary battery having the same. The electrode assembly includes first and second electrode plates, a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates; and a super-capacitor. Each plate has an electrode charge collector, an activation material layer formed on at least one surface of the electrode charge collector, and an electrode tap attached to the electrode charge collector. |
| US07659013B2 |
Plastic molding type secondary battery and method of forming the same
A method of forming a plastic molding type secondary battery. A protective circuit board is electrically connected to a bare cell, both mounted in a mold. The mold is capable of receiving the protective circuit board connected to the bare cell and at least of a part of the bare cell, and has an insertable core corresponding to the surface of an external I/O terminal, which is axially movable so as to contact the terminal surface. Supporting pins are trans-axially dispersed in the mold so that a lateral part of the pin is in contact with the back surface of the protective circuit board disposed in a correct position. A resulting plastic molding type secondary battery has pinholes formed on a part made of the plastic molding in the direction parallel to the protective circuit board so as to come into contact with one surface of the protective circuit board. |
| US07659011B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device, method for manufacturing the same, and electronic appliance
An organic EL device includes a cathode, organic luminescent layers, and an electron-injection layer disposed between the cathode and the luminescent layers. The electron-injection layer contains an organic metal complex having a central atom of the same metal element as a constituent element of the cathode. A larger number of ligands than the valence of the central atom of the complex are coordinated to the central atom. |
| US07659010B2 |
Organic phosphorescent material and organic optoelectronic device
The invention provides a cyclometallated complex comprising the structure of formula I wherein: M is a d-block transition metal; B is a five- or six-membered aryl or heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted and optionally fused to one or more other aryl or heteroaryl rings; A is a five- or six-membered heteroaryl ring comprising at least three nitrogen atoms; R1 is a group other than hydrogen; n is zero or an integer equal to or greater than one; and A and B are optionally fused or linked by one or more covalent bonds. The invention also provides the use of such complexes in optoelectronic devices, and in particular in organic light emitting devices. |
| US07659009B2 |
Thermally crosslinkable materials and multi-layered devices therefrom
The invention disclosed relates to cross-linkable composites of boronic acid or a boronic acid derivative such as a boronate, and an organic or organo-metallic moiety having a functionality such as hole transporting, electron transporting and light emitting, to cross-linked composites and to methods for making same. Multi-layer materials and optoelectronic devices including such cross-linked composites are also disclosed. |
| US07659006B2 |
Laminated polyester film and manufacturing process thereof
A laminated polyester film comprising a coating layer formed on at least one side of a polyester film, this coating layer comprising a polymer binder and inorganic-organic composite particles having an average particle diameter of 200 to 2,000 nm. This film has excellent scratch resistance, adhesion, transparency and slipperiness and is useful as an adhesive film for optical use. |
| US07659005B2 |
Heat-resistant label applicable at high temperature
The present invention relates to compositions for heat-resistant labels that are attachable under high-temperature conditions of 300° C. to 1100° C., heat-resistant labels, products with the labels attached, and methods for producing the labels. The invention employs, as a sticking layer of heat resistant labels, a hardened coating film including a silicone resin (A) and at least one member selected from the group consisting of a polymetallocarbosilane resin, zinc powder, tin powder, and aluminum powder (B), thereby providing heat resistant labels that can be attached at high temperature conditions. |
| US07659003B2 |
Silicone composition and a pressure sensitive adhesive film having a pressure sensitive adhesive layer made from the composition
A pressure sensitive adhesive film comprising a substrate film and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer formed on a surface of the substrate film, said pressure sensitive adhesive layer being prepared from (A) a silicone composition comprising a diorganopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups per molecule and (C) a polyorganosiloxane having an SiH bond, characterized in that the alkenyl groups are contained in an amount of from 0.0007 to 0.05 mole per 100 g of the diorganopolysiloxane (A) and that the polyorganosiloxane (C) is contained in such an amount that a molar ratio of the SiH bond to the alkenyl group of the diorganopolysiloxane (A) ranges from 0.5 to 20. |
| US07659000B2 |
Adhesion technique for incompatible polymers using modified polymer tie layers
A coextrusion employing a tie layer between two layers of different polymer materials. The tie layer is formed in the extrusion melt of a composition comprising one of the two polymer materials and a coupling agent that includes functional groups that are reactive at least with functional groups on the second polymer. The coupling agent may be incorporated into the tie layer material in amounts above 5% by weight. |
| US07658998B2 |
Method of preparing sustained release microparticles
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an injectable composition of microparticles for the sustained release of a biologically active agent. The microparticles include a biocompatible polymer and a biologically active agent. The invention provides an improved process for the preparation of microparticles, wherein the physical characteristics of the microparticles, for example, the morphology, density and size, are independent of the process used to prepare the initially formed polymer/drug matrix. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a polymer/biologically active agent matrix; (b) compressing the polymer/biologically active agent matrix, thereby forming a compressed matrix; and (c) fragmenting the compressed matrix, thereby forming an injectable microparticle composition. The polymer/drug matrix can be provided by any suitable method. |
| US07658996B2 |
Ultrafine particle brittle material having polycrystal structure obtained by mechanical and thermal treatment
A method for forming an ultrafine particle brittle material at low temperature which includes the steps of applying a mechanical impact force or a pressure to a ultrafine particle brittle material so as to have a percentage in the ultrafine particles having a primary particle diameter less than 50 nm in all the particles of 10 to 90%, subjecting the resulting brittle material to a heat treatment at a temperature not higher than the sintering temperature thereof so as to have the above percentage of 50% or less, and then applying a mechanical impact force not less than the crushing strength to the resultant material, to crush the material, thereby joining the ultrafine particles in the brittle material with one another, to form a formed article of the ultrafine particle brittle material; and an ultrafine particle brittle material for use in the method. |
| US07658994B2 |
Substrates and compounds bonded thereto
Articles and methods for the use of such articles are described for use in immobilizing nucleophile-containing materials. In one aspect, the invention provides an article comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; and a phosphonitrilic tethering group affixed to the first surface of the substrate, the phosphonitrilic tethering group comprising a reaction product of a complementary functional group on the first surface of the substrate with a phosphonitrilic tethering compound. A method of immobilizing a nucleophile-containing material to a substrate is also described, the method comprising: providing a phosphonitrilic tethering compound; providing a substrate having a complementary functional group capable of reacting with phosphonitrilic tethering compound; preparing a substrate-attached phosphonitrilic tethering group by reacting the phosphonitrilic tethering compound with the complementary functional group on the substrate resulting in an ionic bond, covalent bond, or combinations thereof; and reacting the substrate-attached phosphonitrilic tethering group with a nucleophile-containing material to immobilize the nucleophile-containing material. |
| US07658988B2 |
Printed circuits prepared from filled epoxy compositions
Compositions and processes for the preparation of printed circuits from epoxy compositions are provided. The epoxy compositions exhibit low viscosity in the uncured state and low coefficient of thermal expansion in the cured state. The low dielectric constant compositions of the invention are well-suited for use in multi-layer printed circuit boards. |
| US07658977B2 |
Method of fabricating inkjet printhead having planar nozzle plate
A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead having a first nozzle plate comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities; (b) filling the cavities with a filler, such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface; and (c) depositing a second material onto the planar surface to form a second nozzle plate having a planar exterior surface. |
| US07658976B2 |
Method for printing of three-dimensional objects
A method to help control the quality of printed three-dimensional objects is provided. The method may include dispensing building material in consecutive slices using a building material dispensing head which dispenses material in the printing X direction; and combining printing of two or more consecutive slices to provide high resolution printed layer in the non-printing Y direction, according to a high resolution pixel map. |
| US07658974B2 |
Process for making urethane-containing structures and the structures made thereby
There is provided a two-pack composition for making urethane-containing structures, said composition comprising (a) a first pack comprising at least one reaction product of at least one polyisocyanate and at least one polyol, wherein said first pack has %NCO of 6% or greater, and (b) a second pack comprising at least one polyol and at least one amine catalyst, wherein the reactive mixture formed by admixing said first pack and said second pack is capable of curing in the absence of water; and wherein said reactive mixture comprises less than 3% solvent by weight based on the weight of said reactive mixture. Also provided are methods of making such urethane-containing structures, and the urethane structures made thereby. |
| US07658971B2 |
Method of producing carbon nanostructure
A method of producing a carbon nanostructure is provided which can increase evenness of a shape and a purity of the carbon nanostructure and can reduce a production cost. In a method of producing a carbon nanostructure, a carbon crystal is grown by vapor phase epitaxy from a crystal growth surface of a catalyst base including a catalyst material, and the catalyst base is formed by diameter-reduction processing. The catalyst base is preferably formed as an aggregate including an arrangement of a plurality of catalyst structures each formed with a non-catalyst material, a material not having a substantial catalytic function for growth of the carbon crystal, formed on at least a portion of a side surface of the catalyst material of a columnar shape having the crystal growth surface as a top surface. In addition, a non-catalyst material is preferably formed on at least a portion of a side surface of the aggregate, and the catalyst structures preferably have variations of at most CV 10% in surface areas of the catalyst material on the crystal growth surface. |
| US07658966B2 |
Balloon catheter for delivering therapeutic agents
A drug delivery device for delivering therapeutic agents and a method of making such a device is disclosed. The device includes an inflatable balloon having a plurality of holes formed in the wall of the balloon. A microporous coating covers a portion of the outer surface of the wall of the balloon. The thickness of the coating and the size of the micropores can permit controlled delivery of a substance from the micropores of the coating and into the tissue of a patient's lumen. |
| US07658965B2 |
Use of acid stable protease in animal feed
The present invention relates to acid-stable proteases homologous to those derived from strains of the genus Nocardiopsis, their use in animal feed, feed-additives and feed compositions containing such proteases, and methods for the treatment of vegetable proteins using such proteases. |
| US07658964B2 |
Dietary supplement and method for increasing the colostrum immunoglobulin levels in equine mares
A novel dietary supplement and methods for the manufacture and administration of the same are disclosed for feeding to equine mares and other animals prior to parturition to boost the colostrum immunoglobulin level in lactating equine mares and other animals and thereby enhance the passive transfer of immunity to neonatal equine foals and other neonatal animals. The dietary supplement of the present invention is effective in substantially increasing the level of colostrum immunoglobulins produced by mares and other animals, which is essential for the health of neonatal equine foals and other animals. The dietary supplement of the present invention consists of safe and natural ingredients rather than drugs, and is orally administrable. The ingredients of the dietary supplement of the present invention when combined provide a synergistic efficacy which greatly exceeds the sum of the efficacies of the individual ingredients, making the dietary supplement of the present invention highly effective in promoting the enhanced production of colostrum immunoglobulins in the equine mares and other animals. |
| US07658963B1 |
Compositions for foods, process for producing the same and functional foods and drinks containing the same
Black currant anthocyanin-containing compositions for foods comprising 1 to 25% by weight of black currant anthocyanin on the basis of solid matters; a process for producing a black currant anthocyanin-containing composition for foods characterized by purifying and concentrating black currant juice employed as a starting material by using a charged reverse osmosis membrane; functional foods and drinks characterized by containing the above compositions for foods; and the above-described compositions for foods and the above-described functional foods and drinks having an effect of improving visual function, a function of improving blood fluidity, and/or a function of lowering blood pressure. The conventional black currant anthocyanin compositions have a low black currant anthocyanin content, strong acidity and poor stability, which makes them unsuitable as additives for foods and drinks. However, the production process according to the present invention makes it possible to provide black currant anthocyanin-containing compositions for foods which have a high black currant anthocyanin content, an adequate acidity, and a high stability and can be added to foods and drinks. Moreover, functional foods and drinks containing these compositions, which have an effect of improving visual function, a function of improving blood fluidity, or a function of lowering blood pressure, can be provided. |
| US07658951B2 |
Method of improving cardiac function of a diseased heart
A method of treating heart failure and improving cardiac function by administering stem cell products to a heart in need of treatment, whereby the stem cell products improve cardiac muscle function thereby treating heart failure and improving cardiac function. A method of enriching or regenerating damaged myocardium by administering stem cell products to damaged myocardium. Stem cell products for use in treating heart failure are also provided. A composition for enriching and regenerating damaged myocardium, the composition having stem cell products in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US07658950B2 |
Material for treating mammalian joint maladies by biological fluid transplantation
Disclosed is a product and method for transplanting biological fluids into a host animal (including humans) that have been collected from donor animals. These biological fluids have been purified and processed so that they are acellular, sterile, pathogen free, and a form that can be stored for considerable periods of time without degradation. In one embodiment, synovial fluid is harvested from a large number of donors to produce the transplantation compound. Donor fluid is collected from a number of joints per animal, and initially screened for obvious abnormalities (clarity, color, viscosity . . . etc.) and accepted or rejected on a joint-by-joint basis at the time of collection. The collected fluid is frozen in the field. Once in a laboratory setting, the fluid is warmed and spun down in a centrifuge. The supernate is collected, filtered, and mixed in large batches while the permeate is discarded. The supernate is re-frozen, lyophilized (freeze-dried) to form a cake and packaged as an individual dose under vacuum. The product is sterile, stable, has a long shelf life and can be readily reconstituted and injected into a joint. |
| US07658949B2 |
Surface modification of lactose excipient for use in powders for inhalation
The invention relates to a process for the surface-energy passivation of lactose which is intended for use as an excipient in the production of inhalable powders, and the use of such optimised carrier materials in the manufacture of inhalable powders. |
| US07658948B2 |
Foaming granule and method for making same
A foaming granule is provided that includes an acid, a gas-evolving acid neutralizing agent, a surfactant foaming agent, and an active agent that is a plant growth enhancer, pest control agent, de-icer or anti-icer. Upon wetting a granule, the acid and neutralizing agent are brought into contact releasing gas that is trapped in the surfactant to form a foam that disperses the active agent to a greater area and more uniformly than a conventional nonfoaming granule containing a like amount of active agent. Dispersal of granules followed by sufficient time for foaming to occur represents a typical use methodology. |
| US07658941B2 |
Warming and nonirritating lubricant compositions and method of comparing irritation
This invention relates to substantially anhydrous warming, non-toxic and nonirritating lubricating compositions containing polyhydric alcohols and an insulating agent as well as gel and jelly compositions related thereto. The invention also relates to methods of using such compositions for lubrication, administration of active ingredients and for preventing or treating dysmenorrhea. |
| US07658940B2 |
Calcium phosphate cements comprising autologous bone
Aspects of the invention include methods for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate containing products, where the products include autologous bone. Aspects of the invention further include compositions produced by the methods, as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including hard tissue repair applications. |
| US07658935B2 |
Methods and compositions for stimulating the immune system
Methods for stimulating the immune system of an individual to produce and release antimalignin antibody are disclosed. The method comprises administering an amount of a composition containing malignin, recognin M, recognin L, or a peptide having the immunological specificity thereof. Also disclosed is a device for removing cancer cells from the body of a subject. |
| US07658933B2 |
Non-cytotoxic protein conjugates
The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the protein conjugates, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described. |
| US07658930B2 |
Kit for detecting the antibody of HCV and its preparing method
A kit and its preparing method concerning dual-antigen sandwich method are used for detecting the antibody against HCV, and its detecting mode is ‘carrier-first antigen-antibody against HCV to be detected-second antigen-marker-distinguishable signal’. The kit ant its preparing method characterize in that the second antigen is the complex of a HCV and a tag. |
| US07658919B2 |
Compositions and methods for inhibiting H. pylori adhesion and infection
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing bacterial infections. Also provide by the invention are genetically modified cell expressing Lewisb carbohydrate epitope. |
| US07658918B1 |
Stable digestive enzyme compositions
Compositions of the present invention, comprising at least one digestive enzyme (e.g., pancrelipase) are useful for treating or preventing disorders associated with digestive enzyme deficiencies. The compositions of the present invention can comprise a plurality of coated particles, each of which is comprised of a core coated with an enteric coating comprising at least one enteric polymer and 4-10% of at least one alkalinizing agent, or have moisture contents of about 3% or less, water activities of about 0.6 or less, or exhibit a loss of activity of no more than about 15% after six months of accelerated stability testing. |
| US07658917B2 |
Modulators of amyloid aggregation
Compounds that modulate the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides are disclosed. The modulators of the invention can promote amyloid aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural amyloid aggregation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds modulate the aggregation of natural β amyloid peptides (β-AP). In a preferred embodiment, the β amyloid modulator compounds of the invention are comprised of an Aβ aggregation core domain and a modifying group coupled thereto such that the compound alters the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural β amyloid peptides when contacted with the peptides. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural β-AP aggregation when the natural β-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed. |
| US07658915B2 |
Selected cell delivery for heart failure
This invention provides methods of increasing blood flow to tissue in a subject in need thereof, methods of regenerating tissue in a subject, methods of treating diseased tissue in a subject, methods of forming new blood vessels in tissue and new tissue, such as myocardial tissue, in a subject in need thereof, methods of increasing angiogenesis in diseased tissue in a subject, and methods of preventing heart failure in a subject, which methods comprise: a) isolating autologous mononuclear cells from the subject; b) selecting from the isolated autologous mononuclear cells of step (a) lineage negative (Lin−) mononuclear cells; and c) transplanting locally into or adjacent to the tissue an effective amount of the Lin− autologous mononuclear cells, resulting in formation of new blood vessels in the tissue and formation of new tissue. Additional methods provided for such uses further select from the isolated autologous mononuclear cells of step (a) lineage negative (Lin−) mononuclear cells a subset of Lin− mononuclear side population (SP) cells and transplant locally into or adjacent to the tissue an effective amount of the Lin− SP cells. In other aspects, methods using tissue other than mononuclear cells for these uses are provided, which comprise (a) obtaining a cell suspension from the tissue or a second tissue of the subject; (b) selecting from the cell suspension step (a) side population (SP) cells; and (c) transplanting locally into or adjacent to the tissue an effective amount of the SP cells, resulting in formation of new blood vessels in the tissue and formation of new tissue. |
| US07658912B2 |
Spatial evolution of neural activity
A method for identifying a candidate drug includes administering a test compound to test subjects and having the test subjects perform a sustained task. A first evolution of neural activity in the test subjects is then determined and compared with a second evolution of neural activity. This second evolution of neural activity is obtained from control subjects performing the sustained task in the absence of the test compound. The test compound is then designated to be a candidate drug when a difference between the first and second evolutions of neural activity is above a difference threshold. |
| US07658910B2 |
Preparation of radiolabelled haloaromatics via polymer-bound intermediates
According to a first aspect of the invention, a process is disclosed for the preparation of radiolabelled haloaromatic compounds. According to a second aspect of the invention, intermediate precursor insoluble polymer compounds used in the preparation of the radiolabelled haloaromatics are disclosed, as well as processes for the preparation of the intermediate precursor insoluble polymer compounds. |
| US07658908B2 |
Method of removing carbon monoxide and operating a fuel cell system
A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide. |
| US07658906B2 |
Sulfur recovery plant
Novel sulfur recovery plants, and processes utilizing these plants are disclosed. These apparatuses eliminate the use of a condenser between the waste heat boiler and first Claus catalytic reactors, and also eliminate the use of reheaters in between Claus catalytic reactors. |
| US07658905B2 |
Method of preparing cadmium sulfide nanocrystals emitting light at multiple wavelengths, and cadmium sulfide nanocrystals prepared by the method
A cadmium sulfide nanocrystal, wherein the cadmium sulfide nanocrystal shows maximum luminescence peaks at two or more wavelengths and most of the atoms constituting the nanocrystal are present at the surface of the nanocrystal to form defects. |
| US07658899B2 |
Production method of nanoparticle
A production method of nano-sized silicon crystal particles comprising the step of allowing monosilane to be oxidized in a bulk liquid phase to form the nano-sized silicon crystal particles within the bulk liquid phase, wherein a liquid of the bulk liquid phase is an unsaturated hydrocarbon free from an oxidizing gas; and isolating the nano-sized silicon crystal particles from the bulk liquid phase. |
| US07658897B2 |
Process and apparatus for treating flue gas from sintering plants
The invention reveals a process and an apparatus for treating flue gas from sintering plants, in which dry additive consisting at least of adsorbent and recirculated material is added by the entrained-flow process to the flue gas from a sintering plant in a flue gas duct, and the additive is then separated out of the flue gas by fabric filters and at least partially recirculated. In this context, it is provided that additive is introduced at least one location in the opposite direction to the direction of flow of the flue gas. |
| US07658896B2 |
Method for attacking bauxite enhancing filterability of sludge in attack output
Process for the treatment of bauxite (10) by alkaline digestion, typically using the Bayer process in order to obtain alumina hydrate, characterized in that ground bauxite (11, 15) is added directly into an alkaline solution (21a) that is drawn off and that will be reinserted into the Bayer aluminate liquor circuit (20), the said alkaline solution (21a) being heated at a temperature such that after the said ground bauxite (11, 15) and the said alkaline solution have been brought into contact, the temperature of the slurry resulting from this mix is greater than a temperature close to the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure, in other words typically greater than 95° C. and preferably greater than or equal to the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure. |
| US07658895B2 |
Process for recovering base metals from spent hydroprocessing catalyst
A method for recovering metals from a spent dispersed catalyst originating from a Group VIB metal sulfide catalyst containing at least a Group VB and Group VIII metal for hydrocarbon oil hydroprocessing is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: contacting the spent dispersed catalyst with a leaching solution containing ammonia and air to dissolve the group VIB metal and the Group VIII metal into the leaching solution at sufficient temperature and pressure; forming a slurry containing at least a group VIB metal complex and at least a group VIII metal complex, ammonium sulfate and solid residue containing at least a Group VB metal complex and coke; separating and removing the solid residue containing ammonium metavanadate and coke from the pressure leach solution (PLS); precipitating from the PLS at least a portion of the Group VIB metal and at least a portion of the Group VIII metal by controlling the pH at a pre-selected pH to selectively precipitate as metal complexes the Group VIB and Group VIII metals. |
| US07658890B2 |
Perfluoride processing apparatus
A plurality of etchers such as poly-etchers 3 or the like are installed within a clean room 2. A duct 7 that is connected to all the etchers is connected to a PFC decomposition device 9, which is installed outside of the clean room 2. An exhaust gas which contains PFC as drained out of all the etchers within the clean room 2 is supplied by the duct 7 to the inner space of PFC decomposition device 9. After having heated up within the PFC decomposition device 9, the PFC is decomposed by the action of a catalyst which is filled within the PFC decomposition device 9. It is no longer required to provide a space for installation of the PFC decomposition device 9 in the clean room 2 with the semiconductor fabrication apparatus or the liquid crystal manufacturing apparatus installed therein, thus enabling size reduction or “downsizing” of the clean room. It is possible to reduce the size of a clean room in which a semiconductor fabricating apparatus or a liquid crystal manufacturing apparatus is installed. |
| US07658889B2 |
Device for redistribution of catalyst in the FCC risers
In a catalytic FCC cracking unit comprising a vertically disposed riser housing a reaction zone, the improvement comprising at least one device for redistribution of catalyst inside said reaction zone, the catalytic cracking unit being equipped at a plane with feedstock injectors, and an upper plane, with mixed temperature control (MTC) injectors, wherein said device has the general shape of a continuous ring adjacent the riser wall and along the inside periphery of said wall, said device creating a restriction in the cross section of the riser ranging between 30% and 45%, having a profile section at least partially rectilinear, and being located a) either in a zone encompassed between the plane of the feedstock injectors and the plane of the MTC injectors, b) or at a height of between 0.1 and 5 meters above the plane of the MTC injectors. |
| US07658886B2 |
Universal filtration plate
The present invention relates to a multiwell plate having a series of wells, each well having an inner bore, an open top and a bottom, the bottom being sealed with a liquid permeable filter, and an insert contained within the inner bore of each well, each insert having an outer dimension the same or larger than that of the inner bore and a through bore of a dimension less than that of the outer dimension of the insert. The use of inserts allows one to take a standard one-piece plate design with a heat sealed membrane and arrange for a universal plate format. The insert may act as a base for an extension plate that can be adhered, heat sealed or overmolded over the plate top and insert top to form a deep well plate. The plate conforms to the Society of Biological Standards Microplate Standards. Additionally, the inserts may be configured to give one a different well diameter (smaller, tapered, etc), to include various media such as chromatography resins, to include multiple layers of membrane and the like. A variety of inserts may be used in the same plate to create a minilab on a plate that is capable of conducting several steps of a process on the same (e.g (e.g. filter, wash, bind, elute, label, etc). |
| US07658883B2 |
Interstitially strengthened high carbon and high nitrogen austenitic alloys, oilfield apparatus comprising same, and methods of making and using same
Novel carbon-plus-nitrogen corrosion-resistant ferrous and austenitic alloys, apparatus incorporating an inventive alloy, and methods of making and using the apparatus are described. The corrosion-resistant ferrous and austenitic alloys comprise no greater than about 4 wt. % nickel, are characterized by a strength greater than about 700 MPa (100 ksi), and, when being essentially free of molybdenum (<0.3 wt. %), have minimum Pitting Resistance Equivalence (PRE) numbers of 20 and minimum Measure of Alloying for Corrosion Resistance numbers (MARC) of 30 because of the use of both carbon and nitrogen. The ferrous and austenitic alloys are particularly formulated for use in oilfield operations, especially sour oil and gas wells and reservoirs. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US07658877B2 |
Manufacturing micro-structured elements
According to the invention, a micro-structured element is manufactured by replicating/shaping (molding or embossing or the like) a 3D-structure in a preliminary product using an replication tool (1). The replication tool comprises a spacer portion (1c) protruding from a replication surface (1a). The replica (the micro-structured element, for example the micro-optical element or micro-optical element component) may be made of epoxy, which is cured—for example UV cured—while the replication tool is still in place. The replication process may be an embossing process, where the deformable or viscous or liquid component of the preliminary product to be shaped is placed on a surface and then the replication tool is pressed against this surface. As an alternative, the replication process may be a molding process. |
| US07658876B2 |
Method to fabricate a seamless tube
The present disclosure relates to a process for making a seamless tube from a liquid. A mandrel may be provided having a longitudinal axis, an outer surface and a length. A liquid material may be applied to the outer surface of the mandrel by one or more doctor blades, spaced apart from the mandrel outer surface and inclined at an angle α with respect to the mandrel longitudinal axis, which may be moved along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel while rotating the mandrel around its longitudinal axis. One or a plurality of fingers may overly the mandrel and be positioned upstream of the one or more of blades, relative to the direction of movement of the blades along the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The liquid material may then be converted to form a seamless tube. |
| US07658875B2 |
Biaxially-oriented metallocene-based polypropylene films having reduced thickness
A polymer film having a thickness of 10 microns or less and improved barrier characteristics to both water vapor and oxygen is formed from a biaxially-oriented polypropylene film of isotactic polypropylene. The polypropylene is prepared by the polymerization of propylene in the presence of an isospecific metallocene catalyst. The film has a permeability to water vapor of less than about 2.5 g/m2 day/25 μm and a permeability to oxygen of less than about 2200 cc/m2 day/25 μm. The film also has a haze properties of less than about 1%. The polypropylene contains 0.1 to 1% 2,1 insertions and has an isotacticity of at least 96% meso pentads. The isotactic polypropylene thus produced is then extruded into a sheet that is biaxially-oriented by stressing the sheet in the transverse and longitudinal directions to a draw ratio of at least about 6:1 in the transverse direction, and at least about 4:1 in the longitudinal direction. |
| US07658870B2 |
Polymer matrix composites with nano-scale reinforcements
Embodiments of the present invention provide polymer matrix nanocomposites reinforced with nano-scale materials such as nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes and methods of fabricating. The nanomaterials are provided within relatively low weight fractions, for example in the range of approximately 0.01 to about 0.4% by weight and distributed within the matrix by a magnetic mixing procedure to provide substantially uniform reinforcement of the nanocomposites. Advantageously, these nanocomposites provide significantly enhanced tensile strength, strain to failure, and fracture toughness over corresponding neat matrices. |
| US07658867B2 |
Membrane-electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell
A membrane-electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells, in which a sulfonic acid is an ion exchange group, and the heat resistance is superior, is provided. The membrane-electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells contains a polymer including a principal chain that forms polyphenylene structure, a branched chain having a sulfonic acid group, and a branched chain having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group. It is preferred that a branched chain having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group is a structure expressed by the general formula (D) below. |
| US07658865B2 |
Conducting liquid crystal polymer matrix comprising carbon nanotubes, use thereof and method of fabrication
Conducting liquid crystal polymer matrix comprising carbon nanotubes aligned in the matrix is provided, along with use thereof and method of fabrication. |
| US07658864B2 |
Liquid crystal composition, optical compensation film and liquid crystal display device
An optical compensation film capable of contributing to improvement in a viewing angle characteristic of a liquid crystal display device, especially an IPS mode liquid crystal display device is proposed. A composition comprises at least one onium salt, at least one rod-like liquid crystalline compound, and at least one additive capable of promoting a vertical alignment of molecules of the rod-like liquid crystalline compound at an air interface; and an optical compensation film comprising an optically anisotropic layer formed of the composition are disclosed. |
| US07658862B2 |
Dust suppressant composition
The present invention relates to a dust suppressant composition comprising a aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol, acrylic-based latex, glycerin, silicone based surfactant and a polysiloxane-based wetting agent. Preferably, the composition comprises from about 10 to about 46% of polyvinyl alcohol, from about 20 to about 60% of an acrylic-based latex, from about 0.6 to about 7.0% of glycerin, from about 0.1 to about 1.5% of silicone-based surfactant and from about 0.001 to about 0.5% of polysiloxane-based wetting agent. The composition provides a polymer film over a dusting material thus forming a homogeneous and resistant layer. The instant composition, which is applied over the dusting material (preferably sprayed over the material) and dried at room temperature, presents a low surface tension resulting in better wetting of the particulates and agglomeration of the material. The latter two properties ensure that there is less breakage of the polymer film during continuous use or application (e.g. during transportation of the dusting materials). Said surface tension is between about 20 and about 27 dynes/cm, and preferably of about 25 dynes/cm. |
| US07658861B2 |
Corrosion-inhibiting deicer composition
A deicing composition comprises a mixture of a deicing agent and a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor comprises an effective amount of a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid, preferably an aldaric or aldonic acid. The salts of aldaric and aldonic acids are much more potent corrosion inhibitors for deicing than agricultural by-products or refined sugars that are today commonly used as corrosion inhibitors, and therefore can be used at lower concentrations to obtain the same effect as a higher concentration of a simple sugar. The deicing composition can be used as a deicer, anti-icer, or a pre-wetting agent. The deicing agent can include a deicing salt such as sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, and/or calcium chloride. Further, a method of making a deicing composition includes mixing a deicing agent and a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor can be dissolved in a liquid, such as brine, which can be sprayed on a solid deicing salt. |
| US07658855B2 |
Apparatus and process for water conditioning
A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system, such as an evaporative cooling system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream water and in some embodiments is routed through a sidestream inlet from the top of the reaction chamber to its lower portion. A buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber, and in some embodiments is added upstream of a pH sensor. A fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In another embodiment, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer. |
| US07658852B2 |
RO membrane cleaning method
Direct-osmosis (DO) method for cleaning a semi-permeable membrane in a RO separation module, the membrane having a feed side with foulant located thereon, and an opposite permeate side. A normal RO separation process in the same module includes: feeding, under gauge pressure PGr, raw saline solution having osmotic pressure POr to the membrane feed side; collecting permeate (solvent) having osmotic pressure POp from the permeate side, under gauge pressure PGp; and removing residual brine from the membrane feed side. The method comprises feeding to the feed side of the membrane, for a predetermined injection time, super saline solution having osmotic pressure POs>POr, such that backward flow of permeate towards the feed side of the membrane is provided so as to lift the foulant from the feed side. |
| US07658843B2 |
Deep sea water harvesting method, apparatus, and product
Sea water is extracted from a depth in excess of 400 meters below the sea surface and desalinated to produce potable water. A system to extract, desalinate and store the desalinated sea water is mounted aboard a ship. |
| US07658834B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating hypochlorous acid (HOCL)
A hypochlorous acid generator includes a brine tank for holding salt and a brine solution, the brine tank having a water inlet in fluid communication with a source of pressurized water, a brine solution outlet and a salt fill port to allow salt to be added to the brine tank. The generator also includes an anode chamber in fluid communication with the brine solution outlet of the brine tank for receiving brine solution therefrom, and for generating anolyte, the anode chamber having an outlet for providing hypochlorous acid therefrom, and a cathode chamber in fluid communication with the brine solution outlet of the brine tank for receiving brine solution therefrom and for generating catholyte. The generator further includes a catholyte recirculating pump in fluid communication with the cathode chamber and the anode chamber, the recirculating pump being responsive to a control signal to recirculate catholyte generated by the cathode chamber to the anode chamber. |
| US07658828B2 |
Regeneration of adsorption media within electrical purification apparatuses
The present disclosure generally relates to methods, systems, and devices for electrically purifying liquids containing species such as minerals, salts, ions, organics, and the like. One aspect of the invention provides methods of regenerating media within an electrical purification device, for example, exposing the media to one or more eluting solutions, and/or selectively desorbing ions, organics, and/or other species from the media by exposing the media to certain eluting conditions. In yet another aspect, methods of selectively removing one or more ions, organics, and/or other species from a liquid to be purified are provided, e.g., by selective removal of one or more ions, or organics, and the like from solution that can easily precipitate, and/or cause scaling or fouling to occur. In still another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a solution containing ions, organics, and/or other species using an electrical purification apparatus in a continuous or semi-continuous fashion, while also performing regeneration of media contained within the apparatus. |
| US07658827B2 |
Rapid assembly casting system for slab gels
Flat plates serving as molds and enclosures for slab gels are held together by a clamping frame in which the side edges of the plates slide into facing channels and are clamped by lever-operated cams that compress the channel walls against the plate surfaces. The joined plates are held on a vertical support rack containing a finger-operated spring-loaded notched clamp that presses down on the plates to seal the opening at the bottom edges of the plates against a gasket. A well-forming comb for insertion between the plates contains flexible outwardly angled fingers to seal against the spacers between the plates. |
| US07658823B2 |
Interdigitated electrochemical gas generator
The invention relates to an electrochemical gas generator including a substrate for providing a surface for electrode deposition, a first electrode deposited on the surface for providing an electrical connection with a conducting medium, a second electrode deposited on the substrate for generating a gas, and a plurality of members extending from at least one side of the first electrode placed alternately with a plurality of extensions protruding from at least one side of the second electrode for improving generator efficiency. |
| US07658815B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus capable of controlling plasma emission intensity
An antenna electrode having a substantially circular shape, is arranged on a plane of a processing vessel, which is located opposite to a stage for mounting a sample within the processing vessel, and positioned parallel to the stage. An emission monitor monitors emission intensity of plasma present in at least 3 different points along a radial direction of the antenna electrode. A control unit adjusts an energizing current supplied to an external coil for forming a magnetic field within the processing vessel. The control unit adjusts the energizing current supplied to the external coil based upon the monitoring result obtained from the emission monitor so as to control the emission intensity of the plasma to become uniform emission intensity. |
| US07658814B2 |
Irrigation pipe splice sleeve and method
An irrigation pipe splice is formed from two sub-assemblies, each sub-assembly including a sleeve mated to a pipe section. Each sleeve has an inner wall and an outer wall connected by a rim, the outer wall surrounding at least a portion of the inner wall and forming a gap therewith. In the pipe splice, the inner and outer walls sandwich a pipe wall within the gap. |
| US07658812B2 |
System for producing pressure sensitive intermediate web assembly having regularly occurring discontinuous segments produced in a continuous fashion
A continuous manufacturing system is provided for producing an intermediate web assembly having a series of regularly occurring preprinted segments that are disposed on a surface of the web. The segments are initially produced in a sheet form which is prepared by rendering high quality images in discrete areas representative of the portions to be subsequently separated to form the segments. The individual segments are cut from the sheet and then are provided to a placer mechanism that sequentially places the segments individually on the web to create an intermittently laminated web assembly. |
| US07658810B2 |
Method for sealing edges of a core of a composite sandwich structure
A composite sandwich structure is produced by providing a core structure, applying cover layers on opposite sides of the core structure, and forming an edge seal. The core structure has a folded cell structure with fold valleys forming continuous open channels with open ends and/or open channel sides at edges of the core structure. The channels extend along and are bounded between the fold valleys and the cover layers. The edge seal is formed to have a limited spatial volume in an edge region at an edge of the core structure, to close and seal open ends and/or open channel sides of the channels of the core, without an uncontrolled penetration of the seal material from the edge region to a greater depth into the open channels. |
| US07658809B2 |
Tire and method of securing an object thereto
A tire and a method of securing an object thereto includes a two-piece fastening system having a first portion which is applied to an innerliner of a green tire prior to the green tire being cured and a second portion which includes an object, such as a radio frequency identification chip, attached thereto. The first portion of the two-piece fastening system is attached to the innerliner of the tire with an adhesive or by curing. The green tire is then cured and the second portion of the two-piece fastening system with the object attached thereto is then attached to the first portion of the two-piece fastening system. In an alternative embodiment, the object may be sandwiched between the first and second portions of the fastening system. |
| US07658806B2 |
Dishwasher having avatar display portion
A dishwasher having an avatar display portion is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub for housing dishes, a pump for forcing wash water into the tub, a system microcomputer for controlling loads of the dishwasher including the pump and controlling an avatar image display operation, and a display unit including an avatar display portion for displaying a selected avatar image according to an operating state and a load state of the dishwasher under control of the system microcomputer. |
| US07658805B2 |
Concrete cleaning and preparation composition
A concrete cleaning and preparation composition is described, which includes urea hydrochloride, surfactant, water, and one or more glycol ethers. Also described is a method of preparing a concrete surface, including pre-wetting a concrete surface, using a cleaning and preparation composition, including urea hydrochloride, a surfactant, water, and one or more glycol ethers, and rinsing the concrete surface. Furthermore, a kit for cleaning, preparing, and coating concrete including a cleaning and preparation composition including urea hydrochloride, and a coating is also described. |
| US07658804B1 |
Duct brush and duct cleaning system
A duct cleaning apparatus and method for cleaning and maintaining the interior of most types of ducts, including chimneys, air conditioning and heating ducts, dryer ducts, vents, plumbing and rain gutter ducts. The apparatus is made up of a flexible rope (24) connected to a cleaning brush (10) or tool further connected to a retrieval parachute (30). The flexible rope (24) can be extended through the use of additional attached ropes (26) to create an infinitely long cleaning apparatus. The cleaning brush (10) may be configured in a variety of sizes with differing configurations of bristles (14) or appendages for specific applications. The cleaning appendages are connected to a rope (24) or line B, the length of which extends beyond the length of the duct (12) to be cleaned. One end of the rope (24) or line A is connected to the parachute (30) adapted with a wind-expanded periphery greater than that of the perimeter of the inside wall (22) of the duct (12) to be cleaned. A method is described for preparing the duct (12) for cleaning with the brush (10) by threading a rope or line A through the duct (12) using the parachute (30) and applying a vacuum from a machine (36). |
| US07658797B2 |
Lightweight concrete compositions
A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39. |
| US07658796B2 |
Cementitious mixtures and methods of use thereof
A cementitious mixture that is comprised of class C fly ash and other industrial waste product such as either bottom ash or economizer ash. The mixture is preferably 15-35% weight class C fly ash based on the total weight of the mixture. The mixture excludes Portland cement, or other similar cement products. The dry mixture is placed in a desired location or form. Water is then added to the mixture when desired in order to harden the mixture in place. The cementitious mixture is particularly useful for securing fence posts, or the like, in the earth as the workability of the mixture is maintained by adding the water to the mixture only after the position has been properly plumbed and placed in the hole. The cementitious mixture thus provides an inexpensive alternative to standard blended cement products, and provides a convenient and effective way of securing fence posts to the earth. |
| US07658790B1 |
Concentrated electroless solution for selective deposition of cobalt-based capping/barrier layers
An electroless solution for deposition of a cobalt-based alloy on a substrate is provided. The electroless solution may be formed by mixing first and second solutions, with the first and second solutions being prepared from concentrated precursors. In one embodiment, the first solution contains a cobalt (Co) ion source and a complexing and deposition selectivity agent. In one embodiment, the cobalt concentration in the first solution is at least 90 millimoles per liter. The second solution contains a reducing agent. In one embodiment, the reducing agent is dimethylamineborane (DMAB) having a concentration of at least 10 grams per liter. In other embodiments, the first solution also contains a tungsten (W) ion source, and either the first or second solution also contains a phosphorous (P) ion source. |
| US07658787B2 |
Exhaust filter module with mechanically positionable scan probe
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a filter module having a mechanically positionable test probe disposed therein and a method for testing a filter. In one embodiment, a filter module includes a housing adapted to receive a filter element. A sample probe suitable for leak testing the filter element is disposed in the interior volume of the housing. The sample probe may be moved to scan the filter by an actuator. In another embodiment, a method for testing a filter includes challenging a room side of a filter element disposed in a housing with a test aerosol, moving a probe disposed within the housing to obtain samples for testing and determining if the samples exceed a predefined leak criteria. |
| US07658786B2 |
Method for improving the air quality in the limited space and the equipment using thereof
The present invention provides a method for improving the air quality in the limited space and the equipment using thereof. The said method is that the air suctioned from the limited space is transferred to the outside of the limited space and acts as an air source for making oxygen. The oxygen is extracted from the said air source and the waste gas generated thereby is directly discharged to the outside of the limited space. The oxygen extracted is transferred into the limited space and offered the said space by means of the oxygen-supply controller. In addition, the atmosphere is supplemented into the limited space when the air inside is suctioned out. The equipment for the said method includes an indoor machine positioned in the limited space, an outdoor machine and an atmosphere supplement equipment. The present invention can supplement the atmosphere into the limited space while suctioning the air from the space, and can circulate, cool (heat), dehumidify and disinfect the air in the limited space at the same time. Consequently the quality of the said air in the limited space is improved effectively and the oxygen concentration in the limited space is ensured at a prescribed range. |
| US07658780B2 |
Method of treatment of wood ash residue
A method of treatment of wood ash residue. A first step involves wetting the wood ash residue. A second step involves reacting the wetted wood ash residue with carbon dioxide gas. Mineral oxides and hydroxides are converted to carbonates, thereby reducing the caustic nature of the wood ash residue. A third step involves continuing to react the wetted wood ash residue until the resulting ash residue is substantially carbonated. |
| US07658778B2 |
Ceramic filters formed from photocurable pre-ceramic polymers
A method for making high temperature filter media includes the steps of melt-spinning a plurality of fibers of pre-ceramic thermoplastic polymer to form a non-woven textile web of the fibers, curing and cross-linking the thermoplastic polymer to a thermo-set polymer and thermally decomposing the thermo-set polymer to ceramic. |
| US07658775B2 |
Method for making negative electrode component including a carbonaceous material for use in a nonaqueous secondary battery
A method for making a negative electrode component used in a nonaqueous secondary battery that includes the steps of polishing the surface of the negative electrode component by irradiating the surface with light to produce a negative electrode that includes a carbonaceous material in which the ratio RG=Gs/Gb is at least 4.5, where Gs is the degree of graphitization the carbonaceous material as determined by a surface-enhanced Raman spectrum and Gb is degree of graphitization of the carbonaceous material as determined by a Raman spectrum measured using argon laser light and both Gs and Gb are measured under set parameters. |
| US07658771B2 |
Coloring agents for keratin fibers
The present invention relates to agents for coloring keratin fibers which comprise at least one cationic azodye of the general formula (I). |
| US07658767B2 |
Hinged orthopaedic prosthesis
A hinged orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component, a tibial component, and a bearing component positioned between the femoral and tibial components. A hinge assembly is coupled to the femoral component to constrain the movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component. |
| US07658763B2 |
Heart valve holder and method for resisting suture looping
An improved holder and method for implanting a tissue-type prosthetic mitral heart valve that prevents suture looping and ma y also constrict the commissure posts of the valve. An upstanding or shaft member axially positioned on the holder causes the lengths of attachment sutures to extend axially beyond the commissure post tips to create a tent and prevent looping of any of an array of pre-implanted sutures around the tips during deployment of the valve. The shaft member may be axially movable such that it can be initially retracted and then actuated just prior to valve deployment. The shaft member may have notches on its distal tip for capturing the attachment sutures, which are crossed over along the valve axis to ensure engagement by the notches. The attachment sutures may be strands or filaments, or may be wider bands of flexible biocompatible material. If bands are used, they desirably cover the commissure post tips to further help prevent suture looping thereover. The flexible lengths of material extend directly between commissures of the valve, or may extending radially inward from each commissure to a central upstanding member. |
| US07658761B2 |
Balloon expandable superelastic stent
A balloon expandable superelastic stent is made of a Ti—Ni—Nb (the content of Nb being at least 3 at %) shape memory alloy. A shape recovery temperature of the stent is lower than a living body temperature in an unloaded state after shape memory treatment. The shape recovery temperature exceeds the living body temperature after the stent is mounted to a catheter and released from the catheter in a living body. |
| US07658760B2 |
Thermoelastic and superelastic Ni-Ti-W alloy
A radiopaque nitinol stent for implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element including tungsten. The added tungsten in specified amounts improve the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. Furthermore, the nitinol stent has improved radiopacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility. |
| US07658754B2 |
Method for the correction of spinal deformities using a rod-plate anterior system
An anterior instrumentation method of treating spinal deformities involves a combination of a spinal rod anterior system and one or two spinal plates fixed on the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae of the instrumented segment. Deformities are treated by the anterior rod system through compression, distraction and derotation. Two spinal plates are fixed to the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae respectively to prevent the end vertebrae from rotating into kyphosis. A number of cancellous screws are inserted into the cephalad and caudal end vertebrae and their adjacent vertebrae through the spinal plate to provide several points of fixation on the end vertebrae to prevent implant failure and loss of correction. |
| US07658747B2 |
Medical device for manipulation of a medical implant
This invention relates to medical devices for manipulating medical implants such as, for example, stents, distal protection filters, and septal occluders in a patient's body, and the methods of use thereof. Generally, a medical device of the invention includes a sleeve and an expandable component joined to the sleeve which transitions between a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration for capturing a medical implant in a patient's body. |
| US07658744B2 |
Multiple balloon catheter
A balloon catheter may be provided with multiple balloons. At least one of the balloons may include at least one blade. The multiple balloons may be inflated by a common inflation lumen, or by separate inflation lumens. In some embodiments, a predilation balloon may be provided to predilate a lesion prior to placement of a bladed balloon within the lesion. |
| US07658741B2 |
Multi-positionable cut guide
A multi-positionable cut guide including a bone attachment device, base, and guide member. Bone attachment device is adapted to be coupled to the bone and has a base receiving portion. Base includes a mounting portion slideably coupled to base receiving portion such that base is slideable relative to attachment device along at least one dimension. Guide housing is pivotally mounted to base and guide member is rotatably mounted to guide housing. Guide member defines an axis about which it is rotatable. Guide member defines an elongated guide slot extending along the axis and adapted to receive and guide a saw for resecting the end of the bone. Guide slot defines a cut guide plane, the position of which is adjustable relative to the bone via sliding of base along at least one dimension, pivoting of the guide housing relative to base, and rotation of guide member about the axis. |
| US07658732B2 |
Dual-layered disposable garment
The present invention relates to improvements in structure of disposable garments. The disposable garments of the invention may include an outer layer and an elastic inner layer. The elastic inner layer has an elastic inner layer perimeter and defines an opening, which may be in the form of a slit or aperture, located in an internal position to the elastic inner layer perimeter. The elastic inner layer perimeter may be bonded to the outer layer. |
| US07658724B2 |
Apparatus and method for rapid auto-injection of medication
An auto-injector for rapid delivery of a bolus of injectable medication has a generally flat, sealed housing with small peripheral dimensions, approximating those of a credit card. A syringe, configured to be contained within the flat housing is pre-filled with the medication. The housing contains a mechanism that, when triggered, automatically drives the syringe and needle forwardly to an injection position and then continues to compress the volume of the syringe to effect rapid injection. The forward injection end of the device includes an actuator that also conceals and protects the needle at all times and, prevents post-injection hazards. The flat faces of the device have graphic symbols and other visual indicia relating to the operation and condition of the device. The device enables a simple three-step operation that reduces the risk of improper use. |
| US07658721B2 |
Sublingual drug delivery device
A drug delivery device that aerosolizes a dry powder formulation so that it forms a fine coating in the oral cavity and, more specifically in the sublingual region of the oral cavity is described herein. In the preferred embodiment, the device contains five main parts: (i) a compressed gas canister, (ii) a dispenser body (also referred to herein as the main housing ), (iii) a means for storing one or more doses of a drug formulation, (iv) a means for releasing a dose of the drug formulation such as a gas canister or spring piston and (v) a mouthpiece. Preferred configurations include circular, tubular, and rectangular. The means for storing the drug formulation may be configured to separately store one or more materials. In one embodiment, the means for storing the active agent is in the form of one or more drug discs, where the drug discs contain a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose of the drug formulation. In another embodiment, the means for storing the active agent is a dosage cartridge containing a single dose of the drug formulation. In yet another embodiment, the drug formulation is stored on a ribbon containing a plurality of blister packs, each storing one dose of the drug formulation. |
| US07658718B2 |
Biopsy needle with integrated guide pin
A biopsy needle assembly for use in a biopsy gun includes coaxially slidably engaged outer needle and inner needles. The inner needle defines a cavity adjacent its distal end for receiving a tissue sample. A first hub is attached to the proximal end of the inner needle, and a second hub is attached to the proximal end of the outer needle. An elongated pin having a first end and a second end is fixedly attached to the first hub at the first end of the pin. The second end is in sliding contact with the second hub so that the second hub and the pin are slidable relative to each other. A stop engagement is provided between the second end of the pin and the second hub and is configured to prevent disengagement of the outer and inner needles and to maintain a specific physical relationship between the hubs. |
| US07658713B2 |
Synthetic elevation aperture for ultrasound systems and methods
Multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing. For greater detailed imaging, imaging is responsive to synthetic elevation aperture processes with different elevation focusing and scanning. |
| US07658712B2 |
Vaginal speculum
A speculum (1) for internal examination of a body cavity such as a vagina (25), comprising at least two spoons (3,4), each comprising a spoon blade that can be inserted in the body cavity (25), which spoons (3,4) attached to one another via a hinge pin (7) and are hingeable between a closed position in which the spoon blades (3,4) are essentially in contact with one another and a spread position in which the spoon blades (3,4) are some distance apart, and at least one operating handle (5) which is located outside the body cavity (25) during use, a body rest being provided which, in conjunction with the operating handle (5), effects spreading of the spoon blades. |
| US07658709B2 |
Shape memory alloy actuators
A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a groove formed in a surface of a shape memory alloy (SMA) substrate establishing a trace pattern for a layer of conductive material formed over an electrically insulative layer. The trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern. |
| US07658706B2 |
Vascular graft sterilization and decellularization
The present technology is related to the field of sterilization and decellularization of allografts or xenografts, specifically to processes that achieve effective removal of the cells contained within a vascular tissue matrix and an effective reduction in potential harmful organisms to create grafts suitable for human implantation. In some embodiments, vascular grafts, vascular tissue and/or blood vessels are contacted with cleaning solution under conditions suitable conditions to reduce immune reaction in patients. More specifically, the present technology is directed to sterilization and decellularization of vascular grafts. |
| US07658700B2 |
Training device for exercising muscle groups of the entire body
A training and/or exercise device and method for exercising muscle groups of the entire body is disclosed herein that is portable, easy to use, can work the muscles of the entire body, and does not have complicated integrating parts when in use. The device and method allows a free range of motion about a vertical axis without substantial resistance. The device allows a wide variety of movement using a single device, and particularly allows for balancing movements that are advantageous for strengthening the core. Further, the training device is particularly advantageous for use in a home gym and may be stored under a bed or within the overhead compartment of an airplane. |
| US07658699B1 |
Punching bag assembly
A punching bag assembly includes a support stand having a pair of spaced-apart leg assemblies and a support frame carried by the leg assemblies, a body punching bag assembly carried by the support frame and having a body punching bag and a speed bag assembly having a speed bag carried by the support frame generally adjacent to the body punching bag assembly. The body punching bag assembly and the speed bag assembly are selectively positional with respect to each other along the support frame. |
| US07658698B2 |
Variable stride exercise device with ramp
A non-impact exercise device comprising a framework, at least one ramp assembly, a pair of foot support assemblies, a foot location control assembly, and means for adjusting the maximum stride length of the foot support assemblies. The foot support assemblies may advantageously be coupled to the foot location control assembly by a flexible cable linkage. The foot support assemblies each include a foot platform for the user to stand on. The foot support assemblies are coupled to the one or more ramp assemblies of the exercise device. The user exercises by putting force into the device through the foot platforms and/or handles. This causes the foot platforms to roll along the ramps while the user is standing upon the foot platforms. The user may readily vary the length and frequency of the reciprocating stride. |
| US07658696B2 |
Multipurpose therapeutic device
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a multipurpose therapeutic device for managing musculoskeletal pain and administering traction. In one embodiment of the present invention, a multipurpose therapeutic device includes a front side, a rear side, a first end, and a second end. An outer gripping surface is positioned in proximity to each of the two ends and a number of invaginating contact surfaces extend from the perimeter of the front side and/or the rear side. In one embodiment of the present invention, a user may place his or her neck against one of the contact surfaces. The user may then grip the outer gripping surfaces with his or her hands and move the multipurpose therapeutic device superiorly and inferiorly along his or her neck while applying pressure against his or her neck to massage sore neck muscles or to stretch his or her spine. |
| US07658693B2 |
Method for the operation of a drivetrain
A method for the operation of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, having an automatic transmission and a drive motor, to improve the shift speed. Successive upshifts or successive downshifts are carried out with overlap during a first upshift or downshift. At least one shift element required for a subsequent second upshift or downshift is prepared during the first upshift or downshift, in progress, when a synchronization point is reached. The subsequent second upshift or downshift are carried out immediately. Two successive upshifts or two successive downshifts are carried out by actuation of four shift elements of the automatic transmission. |
| US07658692B2 |
Double differential assembly for a motor vehicle driven by a plurality of axles
A double differential assembly having a first differential drive (3) with a differential carrier (5) drivable around an axis of rotation (A), a plurality of first differential gears (6) rotatably supported therein, as well as two output gears (7, 8) which are coaxially arranged relative to the axis of rotation (A) and engage the first differential gears (6). It also includes a second differential drive (4) with a cage element (22) which is firmly connected to one of the output gears (8) of the first differential drive (3) and is drivable thereby around the axis of rotation (A), a plurality of second differential gears (25) which are rotatably held in the cage element (22), and two sideshaft gears (26, 27) which are arranged coaxially relative to the axis of rotation (A) and engage the second differential gears (25). At least one of the two differential drives (3, 4) is a crown gear differential. |
| US07658688B2 |
Extreme baseball game
A unique playing field and method of playing extreme baseball, a game of traditional baseball modified by rules to allow two teams to play at the same time on the same field, is disclosed. |
| US07658686B2 |
Golf club head with concave insert
A hollow golf club head with a concave portion is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a metallic portion and a light weight portion, which may be formed of plastic, composite, or the like. The concave portion allows the club designer to make a club head having very thin portions while still maintaining the requisite structural integrity. Convex bulges may optionally be provided to house weight inserts to enhance the playing characteristics of the golf club. |
| US07658682B2 |
Golf club handle grip with ball marker
A grip for a golf club and a golf club is provided. The grip has an elongate gripping handle defining a cavity sized to surround an end of a shaft of a golf club. An end surface of the grip is provided with a magnet recessed into the end surface. A ball marker having a magnetic material is magnetically held in place on the end surface by the magnet. A ridge partially defines an outline of the ball marker so that the ridge at least partially surrounds the ball marker when the ball marker is positioned on the end surface, holding the ball marker in place on the end surface of the grip of a golf club when the ball marker is not needed. |
| US07658681B1 |
Golf swing aid apparatus
A golf swing aid apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. Each of the first and second plates has a top side, a first end edge, a second end edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The top sides of each of the first and second plates are concavely arcuate. A hinging assembly hingedly couples the first end edge of the first plate to the second end edge of the second plate to substantially align the top sides of the first and second plates when the first and second plates are in an unbent orientation with respect to each other. The hinging assembly allows the first and second plates to bend with respect to each other after a predetermined amount of force is exerted on the hinging assembly. A strap assembly releasably secures the first and second plates to a golfer's arm. |
| US07658676B2 |
Game apparatus and storage medium having game program stored thereon
A game apparatus obtains acceleration data representing an acceleration vector in at least two predetermined axial directions of the input device repeatedly, then calculates a change amount of each of the acceleration vectors represented by acceleration data obtained during a predetermined swing period, and then calculates an accumulated value obtained by accumulating the calculated change amounts. A swing strength of the input device is calculated based on the accumulated value. The game processing is executed using the calculated swing strength. |
| US07658670B1 |
Combined window screen and ventilation system for vehicles
A combined window-screen and ventilation system includes first and second non-corrosive conduits that are conjoined to the vehicle's existing air circulating system. The conduits are in fluid communication with the air circulating system such that air can flow therethrough. The conduits terminate rearward of a vehicle's front window and are provided with spaced apertures so that air is discharged towards side door window openings and a sunroof opening. Window screens are interfitted within the door window and the sunroof openings. A mechanism is included for circulating stagnant air within the vehicle. The air circulating mechanism is seated within the vehicle interior, is conjoined to the sunroof, is independently and contemporaneously operable with the vehicle air-circulating system, and is remotely operable up to 50 feet away, for example. |
| US07658669B2 |
Aircraft cabin pressure controls with an open-loop motor control system: non-linear control law logic to compensate for excessive motor loads or motor degradation
A cabin pressure control system (CPCS) software control logic modification may boost the voltage applied to a motor when conditions are sensed indicating a combination of larger than normal cabin pressure and cabin rate error conditions. The motor may be part of an open-loop system for operating a butterfly valve that may regulate outflow from the aircraft cabin. The larger than normal cabin pressure and cabin rate error conditions may be an indication that the outflow valve is not responding in a normal manner, potentially caused by excessive loading to the motor or motor degradation. By boosting the motor voltage during excessive load conditions or with a degraded motor, CPCS performance and robustness may be improved. |
| US07658664B2 |
Exercise or toy foam sword and method of making same
A foam sword having a sword blade made from a flexible, soft foam material is provided. The blade includes a reinforcing rod that extends partially therethrough to provide some rigidity and to which the sword handle and hilt guard are connected. |
| US07658663B2 |
Low cost electronic toys and toy components manufactured from conductive loaded resin-based materials
Toys and toy components are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material comprises micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The percentage by weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination thereof is between about 20% and 50% of the weight of the conductive loaded resin-based material. The micron conductive powders are metals or conductive non-metals or metal plated non-metals. The micron conductive fibers may be metal fiber or metal plated fiber. Further, the metal plated fiber may be formed by plating metal onto a metal fiber or by plating metal onto a non-metal fiber. Any platable fiber may be used as the core for a non-metal fiber. Superconductor metals may also be used as micron conductive fibers and/or as metal plating onto fibers in the present invention. |
| US07658659B1 |
Hybrid water sport footwear
An apparatus includes an upper portion, a sole and a fin. The upper portion is configured to at least partially cover a foot. The sole is coupled to the upper portion and defines a cavity. The fin has a first portion and a second portion. The fin is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the fin is substantially within the cavity defined by the sole, and the first portion of the fin at least partially overlaps the second portion of the fin. When in the second configuration, the fin extends substantially outside the cavity defined by the sole. |
| US07658658B2 |
Electrical connector with depressible contact stably retained
An electrical connector (1) comprises a dielectric housing (2) and a plurality of conductive contacts (3). The dielectric housing (2) comprises a plurality of contact passages (20) having retaining means (206) therein. Each conductive contact (3) comprises a retaining portion (30) engaging corresponding the contact passage (20) and a resiliently depressible contacting portion (34). When inserting, the conductive contact (3) is respectively inserted in the contact passages (20) along an inserting direction while the retaining portion (30) along a first path, the contacting portion (34) along a second path, but the retaining means (206) is not on the first path and second path and engages the inserted conductive contact (2). |
| US07658655B2 |
Electrical splice connector
An electrical connector union coupler assembly including a coupling subassembly and a collet retainer. The coupling subassembly includes a coupling sleeve rotatably connected to a coupling body. The coupling body includes a first end with a threaded section and a first surface adapted to press against a first set of electrical connector wedges. The coupling sleeve is constrained on the coupling body for substantially only rotational movement relative to the coupling body. The collet retainer has a first end movably connected to the coupling sleeve by a threaded connection. The collet retainer includes a second end with a threaded section and a second surface adapted to press against a second set of electrical connector wedges. |
| US07658648B2 |
Method for accommodating plugs with different contact layout geometries
A method is provided for automatically accommodating plugs having different contract layouts. Steps of the method include providing a jack assembly supporting a plurality of contacts accessible to a plug-receiving space, the plurality of contacts including eight contacts in side-by-side relation and two additional contact pairs positioned in opposed corners of the plug-receiving space, four central contacts of the eight side-by-side contacts defining bi-sectional members, and at least one capacitive element being provided in electrical communication with front end portions of at least two of the bi-sectional members. Noise generated through insertion of a plug into the plug-receiving space is automatically compensated for, whether the plug is an RJ-45 plug configured to interact with the eight contacts in side-by-side relation, or an IEC 60603-7-7 compliant plug configured to interact with at least the two additional contact pairs positioned in opposed corners. |
| US07658647B2 |
Cable arrangement with shielded cables
Connector apparatus electrically connects together a plurality of shielded cables, including a housing containing a chamber including a first opening for receiving one end of a first shielded cable, and at least two second openings receiving the one ends of at least two second shielded cables, respectively. A conductive shield associated with the housing connects together the shielding layers of all of the cables, and a printed circuit board arranged in the housing connects at least one conductor of at least two of the second cables with a corresponding conductor of the first cable. |
| US07658646B2 |
High-speed electrical connector with raised supporting wall
An electrical connector assembly includes an insulative housing (10) having a forward mating port (100) in a suspension manner, a plurality of recesses (112), arranged in a matrix manner, formed in the housing (10) under the mating port (100) so as to form a plurality of corresponding partitions (111) among the recesses (112) for support of the mating port (10). The matrix array of recesses (112) is arranged to strengthen the rigid of the housing (10) under the mating port (100) so as to prevent the deformation of the mating port (100), which is influenced from the insert force under a condition when the electrical connector mates with a complementary connector. |
| US07658644B2 |
Structure of power terminal for ABS connector
The present invention features a power terminal for ABS connector. Preferably, the power terminal for ABS connector is inserted into and secured to an insertion pipe of a male connector for an ABS and has a conductive terminal body. The conductive terminal body has, at one end thereof, a mounting element for mounting a first waterproofing member and a first barrel for securing a power wire, guide projections, projectedly formed at a middle portion thereof, for guiding insertion of the conductive terminal body, and, at the other end thereof, a hook for maintaining an inserted state of the conductive terminal body using an elastic property thereof. The portion of the conductive terminal body that is positioned between the guide projections and the hook is lengthened, a second waterproofing member is mounted to the portion, and a second barrel for securing one end of the second waterproofing member is formed on the conductive terminal body. |
| US07658643B2 |
Connector fastening arrangement for printed circuit boards
A connector fastening arrangement locks a connector housing to a printed circuit board, thereby to effect engagement between a resilient contact on the housing and a corresponding electrical element on the adjacent top surface of the printed circuit board. A rotary locking member carried by the connector housing extends within a locking bore contained in the adjacent surface of the printed circuit board, the locking member being rotatable between locked and unlocked positions relative to the connector housing. In a preferred embodiment, the locking bore is a through bore, and the locking member extends completely through the locking bore. When the locking member is rotated toward the locked position, an eccentric locking device carried by the extremity of the locking member extends in locking engagement beneath the bottom surface of the printed circuit board. In a second embodiment, the locking device comprises a bayonet fitting arrangement. |
| US07658640B2 |
Cable connector, method of connecting a cable connector and a cable
A cable connector 1 includes a cover insulator adapted to clamp a cable. The cable has an end portion bent by a bending angle α. The cover insulator is coupled to a base insulator. The base insulator holds a terminal having an end portion bent by a bending angle β. Herein, the angles α and β satisfy the relationship given by β<π−α (rad) so that the end portion of the cable is pressed by the end portion of the terminal. |
| US07658638B2 |
Connector
A connector capable of preventing an engaging portion of an ejection mechanism from being damaged even when a card-type electronic component is inserted obliquely with respect to a card inserting/ejecting direction. A cover is mounted on a housing having a card accommodating portion for accommodating a memory card in a manner covering the card accommodating portion. The ejection mechanism ejects the memory card from the card accommodating portion. The ejection mechanism has a locking portion that is engaged with the memory card such that part of the memory card remains within the card accommodating portion during ejection of the memory card. The cover is provided with a guide for guiding a front end of the memory card in the card inserting/ejecting direction when the memory card is inserted into the card accommodating portion obliquely with respect to the card inserting/ejecting direction C. |
| US07658637B2 |
Connector having coupling guides for establishing connection with memory connector at right position
A connector installed in a casing containing an electronic device such as a car navigation device is coupled to another connector installed in a memory device such as a hard disc. The connector includes a support member composed of a back plate and side plates connected to the back plate. The connector is disposed on the back plate, and coupling guides to be coupled to guiding grooves formed on the memory device are formed integrally with the side plates. The coupling guides are slid into the guiding grooves to correctly position the connector relative to the memory-side connector when the memory device is coupled to the casing containing the connector. Thus, the connector is surely coupled to the memory-side connector at a right position to establish electrical connection between two connectors. |
| US07658636B2 |
Board mounted electrical connector
A board-to-board electrical connector assembly includes a first connector having a dielectric housing for mounting on a first printed circuit board for receiving a plug portion of a second connector mounted on a second printed circuit board. The connectors are mateable in a mating direction. A plurality of first conductive terminals are mounted on the housing of the first connector along the receptacle for engaging a plurality of second conductive terminals mounted along the plug portion of the second connector. A first retention member is mounted on one of the connectors and is engageable with a second retention member on the other connector in the mating direction. The first retention member includes a flexible engaging portion which extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction. The second retention member includes a rigid engaging portion for engaging and flexing the flexible engaging portion to hold the connectors in mated condition. |
| US07658634B2 |
Zero insertion force connector with an improved driver member
An electrical connector (1) for connecting an IC package to a printed circuit board (PCB) comprises an insulating base (10) arranged a plurality of terminals therein, a cover (11) moveable assembly on the base and a driver mechanism disposed on the insulating base and driving the cover to slide relatively to the insulating base. The driver at least comprises a hollow driver member (12) and the driver member (12) is rotated by an exterior force. |
| US07658633B1 |
Socket having clip with attaching portion
A socket adapted for electrically connecting an IC package and a PCB, comprising: a body mounted on the PCB for electrically connecting the IC package, two bolts mounted on the PCB and beside the body and a clip for retaining the IC package in the body. The bolt has a header portion on the top with biggest size, a middle portion and a screw portion engaging with the PCB. The clip has two attaching portions, each defining a hatch at a free end thereof, the clip links with the bolt by inserting the attaching portion toward the bolt to make the middle portion be received in the hatch and the header portion be upon the hatch to prevent the attaching portion from upward movement. |
| US07658631B2 |
Four wire elastomeric seal and fuel injector using same
A fuel injector includes first and second electrical actuators positioned within an injector body. First and second pairs of electrical conductors extend from a socket connector outside of the injector body to the first and second electrical actuators, respectively. The electrical conductors extend through an elastomeric sealing member that seals against fuel leakage from the fuel injector. The elastomeric sealing member provides annular sealing ridges in sealing contact with an access passage of the injector body and includes individual conductor seal passages that form seals around the outer surface of the individual electrical conductors. The elastomeric sealing member includes features that facilitate assembly of the fuel injector in a manner that reduces risk of damage to the sealing strategy. |
| US07658622B2 |
Circuit board having configurable ground link and with coplanar circuit and ground traces
A transition circuit board for transitioning a cable to a connector is provided. A circuit board has an outer surface with a circuit trace, ground plane and ground link provided thereon. A cable pad and a contact pad are provided at opposite ends of the circuit trace. The ground link is electrically common with the ground plane and is located adjacent to, and separated by a space from, the circuit trace. An insulating coating is provided over at least part of the circuit trace, the ground plane and the outer surface of the circuit board. The insulating coating has a mask aperture there-through exposing an uncoated portion of the circuit trace and the ground link. A conductive jumper material is provided on the uncoated portion of the circuit trace and the ground link to electrically join the circuit trace with the ground plane. |
| US07658616B2 |
Groups of land grid interposers of different heights having metal-on elastomer hemi-torus shapes providing for electrical contact with at least one component on an opposite side of an electrically insulating carrier plate mounting interposers
A land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and interposer groupings of different height being mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. Each interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of each hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane. |
| US07658612B2 |
Body conformable electrical network
An entirely wearable electrical connector for power/data connectivity. The principal element of a modular network is the wearable electrical connector, which is integrated into a personal area network with USB compatibility. |
| US07658608B2 |
Method of forming a candle with imbedded images
An application for a method of making a candle includes providing a candle core and adding a base layer of wax to the candle core. Next, an image area is cut out of the base layer large enough to contain an image and the base layer is peeled away from the candle core in the image area. An adhesion layer of wax is added to the candle core. An image is installed in the image area. A clear layer of wax is added to the candle core, also covering the image. An outer layer of wax is added to the candle core, also covering the image area then the image area is cut out of the outer layer and the outer layer is peeled away from the candle core in the image area. |
| US07658607B2 |
Cross-over nozzle system for stack molds
A crossover nozzle system for transferring molten plastic from an inlet at the center of the stationary platen of an injection machine to the main manifold of the molding chambers of the stack molds of the injection molding machine. The crossover nozzle system relies on molten plastic pressure within the system to actuate the primary sprue shut-off valve, and thus to open and close the flow of molten plastic to the molds. Therefore, a drool-free valve mechanism is created without needing an external actuation of the shut-off valve like, for instance, a hydraulic or a pneumatic cylinder. |
| US07658605B2 |
Edge gated injection molding apparatus
An injection molding apparatus includes an injection manifold having a melt channel. A hot runner injection nozzle includes an axial melt channel extending along a central axis and communicating with the manifold melt channel. The nozzle further includes at least two angled melt channels disposed at an angle to the central axis. At least two nozzle tips are provided, and each includes a nozzle tip melt channel in communication with one of the angled melt channels. An axial valve pin is disposed coaxially with the central axis and is disposed outside of the axial melt channel. Lateral valve pins movable within the nozzle tip melt channels are disposed at an angle to the valve pin. A linkage system connects the lateral valve pins to the axial valve pin. Movement of the axial valve pin is transmitted through the linkage system to the lateral valve pins to open and close communication between the nozzle tip melt channels and the lateral mold gates. |
| US07658604B1 |
Specific-light-cured and pressure-differential embossing apparatus
A specific-light-cured and pressure-differential embossing apparatus for embossing a specific-light-cured layer on a substrate includes a housing assembly, a mold, an elastic driving module, a pressure-difference generating module, and a specific light providing module. The substrate and the mold are disposed in a chamber of the housing assembly. The mold faces the specific-light-cured layer on the substrate. The elastic driving module is disposed in the chamber to divide the chamber into a first sub-chamber and a second sub-chamber. The pressure-difference generating module, connected to the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, generates a pressure difference between the first sub-chamber and the second sub-chamber, and drives the elastic driving module to move and thus to drive the mold to move and press the specific-light-cured layer. The specific light providing module provides specific light to the specific-light-cured layer to cure the specific-light-cured layer. |
| US07658602B2 |
Apparatus for forming a center-filled confectionery and method
The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for the continuous production of center-filled confectionery products. The apparatus may include an extruder for forming a continuous extrudate having a plurality of center-filled confectionery ropes. The apparatus may also include a forming device for forming individual confectionery pieces, and sealed center-filled confectionery pieces in particular. The forming device provides improved coordination and control of extrudate formation and extrudate feed into the forming device. The apparatus and method of the present disclosure increases product output and reduces the amount of unacceptable product. |
| US07658601B2 |
Pattern forming apparatus
A pattern forming apparatus maintaining alignment between a mold and a substrate. The pattern forming apparatus includes a press pressing the mold against the substrate in a pressing direction, and a mechanism to maintain orientation of the mold and the substrate perpendicular to the pressing direction. |
| US07658600B2 |
Scroll compressor with thrustplate peeling prevention
There is provided a scroll compressor in which reliability and durability is increased by preventing peeling of a coating layer applied to a thrust plate, to maintain a desired level of lubrication for a long period of time. The scroll compressor has a thrust plate, a coating which is applied to a surface of the thrust plate, a housing having a thrust bearing face to which the thrust plate is attached, an orbiting scroll member having a slide face which is supported by the thrust plate and which orbits while sliding, and a peeling prevention part which reduces a sliding pressure acting on an edge portion of the thrust plate from the slide face. |
| US07658592B1 |
Slots in fan housing to reduce tonal noise
A fan housing is provided with slots formed in the enclosure of the fan housing. The slots are sized appropriately to filter the noise generated during operation of the cooling fan; e.g., tonal noise produced by the rotation of the blades. The slots may either be vented to the outside of the enclosure or closed off. |
| US07658590B1 |
Turbine airfoil with micro-tubes embedded with a TBC
A turbine airfoil with a thermal barrier coating applied to the surface for protection from a hot gas flow, where the TBC includes a plurality of micro-tubes extending from a cooling hole in the airfoil substrate and passing through the TBC to provide both reinforcement to and cooling of the TBC. The micro-tubes extend out from a separate hole and open onto the surface of the TBC, or a plurality of micro-tubes extends from a common hole and spread out from the hole. The micro-tubes are formed from nickel or another high temperature resistant material and have a diameter of about 0.009 inches. |
| US07658584B2 |
Bookbinding apparatus
There are provided bookbinding apparatuses that wrap a bundle of sheets with a cover and form back corners, and have a detecting unit for detecting a wave amount of a bundle of sheets. A type of such an apparatus includes a controller to control a time period to form back corners, based on a result of detection by the detecting unit. Another type of such an apparatus includes a controller to control a pressure applied to form back corners, based on a result of detection by the detecting unit. Still another type of such an apparatus includes a controller to control a time period and pressure applied to form back corners, based on a result of detection by the detecting unit. |
| US07658582B2 |
Precise linear fastener system and method for use
The present invention provides a linear fastening system capable of rapid engagement and disengagement. More specifically, the system utilizes a cooperating collet member and a compression ring member which are constructed and arranged to slip easily over a shank member. The fastener system is secured by linearly traversing a compression member in an overlapping fashion over the collet member thereby utilizing ribbed surfaces to compress the collet member to grip the outer surface of the shank member. In this manner, the linear fastener system is capable of providing a precise, secure, and reproducible connection between multiple components without the need to apply rotational torque to the assembly. |
| US07658581B2 |
Joining assembly including a plastic support member and a plastic threaded element
A threaded element of plastic material for a joining assembly has a uniquely formed thread profile of a small profile angle between 30° and 50° and a rounded crest of a relatively large radius of curvature. The gap between the revolutions of the thread is of a volume which exceeds that of the thread. In order to provide for a specific cutting geometry of the thread profile the threaded element comprises a plurality of angular segments which are radially offset with respect to each other such that adjacent angular segments provide cutting edges. Furthermore, a tool and a method for making such a joining assembly are disclosed. |
| US07658579B1 |
Nut and retainer fastener assembly
A nut and retainer fastener assembly includes a one-piece retainer having a flat base with an opening and a plurality of retainer clips extending from the base around the opening. At least one flange nut is secured to the base between adjacent clips and offset from the opening in the base. The opening preferably is polygonal, most preferably rectangular (including square), and the clips preferably are disposed at corners of the opening. The clips preferably have integral spring fingers that extend from ends of the clips toward the base and at an angle away from the opening to capture the mounting wall between the base and the ends of the spring clips. The base preferably has an ear extending away from the opening, most preferably laterally opposed ears extending away from the opening, and a flange nut mounted on each of the ears for alignment with a fastener opening in the mounting wall when the nut and fastener assembly is secured to the wall. The preferred but exemplary embodiment of the disclosure is for securing the end of a shock absorber to the mounting wall and includes a shock absorber mount secured by fasteners that extend through fastener openings in the mounting wall into threaded engagement with the flange nuts. |
| US07658576B1 |
Hole saw having efficient slug removal
A hole saw having efficient slug removal preferably includes a saw cup, a shank portion and a pilot cutting device. A cutting surface is formed on an open end of the saw cup. An inside surface of the saw cup is given a low friction treatment and preferably an outside surface thereof. The shank portion is retained on a closed end of the saw cup. The pilot cutting device is preferably a drill, but other cutting devices may also be used. A second embodiment of a hole saw having efficient slug removal preferably includes a saw cup, a shank portion and a pilot cutting device. The saw cup includes a prior art saw cup, at least two side openings and a cutting surface. The at least two side openings are formed through the prior art saw cup to remove a substantial portion of a side wall. |
| US07658575B2 |
Machine reamer
A machine reamer has a plurality of slender blades erected on the outer peripheral part of a reamer head body. Each blade of a pair of blades facing each other in a radial direction are different in material kind from each other. One of the blades treated as a pair is made of super-hard alloy and the other blade is made of one kind of material selected from the group of sintered ceramic, cermet, and microcrystalline diamond sintered material. |
| US07658567B2 |
Automatic pencil
Au automatic pencil comprising an outer pencil tube, a pencil head, a clipping device, a guiding tube and a pencil lead cylinder, characterized in that a resilient element is mounted between the guiding tube and the clipping device allowing the guiding tube to reciprocate upward and downward within the stopper. The resilient element urges the guiding tube to rise upward if the pencil lead cylinder is not depressed, and to keep a distance from the pencil lead, and to allow another pencil lead to be inserted. The pencil lead cylinder can adapt a plurality of pencil lead. |
| US07658565B2 |
Combination tire sidewall protectant dispenser and applicator
A tire applicator for applying treatment fluid to sidewall of a vehicle tire, which is constructed with an applicator head including a dispenser housing having a bottom bearing surface and an applicator pad affixed thereto, and which may be configured to complementally and releasably receive an associated container. |
| US07658563B2 |
Image forming apparatus having unit housing permitting mechanism
An image forming apparatus including: an apparatus body; a first unit which can be pulled/pushed from/to the body along a first direction and which includes at least a part of an image forming section for forming an image and/or of a sheet transporting section for transporting a sheet onto which the formed image is transferred, and; a second unit which can be pulled/pushed from/to the first unit along a second direction in a state where the first unit is pulled from the body, the second direction being different from the first direction; and a housing permitting mechanism for permitting the first unit to be pushed into the body by a predetermined operation, the housing permitting mechanism being provided for at least one of the body and the first unit. |
| US07658562B2 |
Modified-QWERTY letter layout for rapid data entry
Data entry arrangements that include twenty-six letters of the Roman alphabet arranged in matrices including six rows of three to six letters per row and in five column matrices. The transposition of the letters of the Roman alphabet on a standard three-row QWERTY keyboard into six row matrices and five column matrices utilizes spacing between the letters wherein a vertical distance between adjacent letters is at least the same. |
| US07658561B2 |
Modified keyboard arrangement with distinct vowel keys
A key arrangement includes a plurality of keys associated with alphabetic characters that include consonants and vowels. Each key within the plurality of keys is associated with a plurality of consonants and no more than one vowel. The plurality of keys is arranged in a grid pattern having at least five keys. The consonants are arranged in a standard keyboard format. Numbers may also be associated with the keys. A mobile communication device includes the key arrangement, a display, a processor, a housing, and a plurality of toggle switches associated with the keys. A method of using a key arrangement is also described. |
| US07658560B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
An interface transport mechanism uses an upper hand when transporting a substrate from a substrate platform to an exposure device before exposure processing by an exposure device, and uses a lower hand when transporting the substrate from the exposure device to the substrate platform after the exposure processing by the exposure device. That is, the lower hand is used to transport a substrate to which a liquid is attached after exposure processing, and the upper hand is used to transport a substrate to which no liquid is attached before exposure processing. |
| US07658556B2 |
Panoramic camera mount
A panoramic device includes a base member having a flat lower surface suitable to be supported by a tripod. A clamp member has a flat upper surface rotatably interconnected within a single plane of rotation with the base that includes a first rotatable knob to selectively inhibit the rotation of the clamp member with respect to the base. The flat upper surface includes a central region that is at a different elevation than another portion of the flat upper surface. The clamp includes a pair of opposed surfaces suitable to detachably secure a camera thereto. The one of the opposed surfaces is maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the clamp member. The other one of the opposed surfaces is in a movable relationship with respect to the clamp member using a second rotatable knob. The first knob and the second knob are rotatably connected with respect to one another. The panoramic device includes a level bubble visible on an upper surface at a location exterior to the central region of the clamp. |
| US07658555B1 |
Aerial video mount
A stabilizing and vibration-isolating mount to facilitate the manual operation of a camera from mobile platforms such as aircraft, motor vehicles, and watercraft. The camera mount comprises a carriage assembly that allows the roll axis of rotation to pass through the optical axis of the camera lens, thus eliminating the pendulum or over-the-center phenomenon that characterizes moving images filmed while the camera is moving about the roll axis. Movement around all three axes of rotation can be stabilized by gyrostabilizers that can be adjustably positioned through the centerlines of the pan, roll, and tilt axes. |
| US07658550B2 |
Optical fiber, optical fiber connecting method, and optical connector
An optical fiber which, at an optical fiber connecting end having a plurality of voids around the periphery of a core, has a light-permeable substance, such as a resin or glass whose refractive index is lower than that of quartz type substances, filled in the voids adjacent to the connecting end. An optical fiber connecting section where an optical fiber having a plurality of voids in a clad around the periphery of a core is connected to another optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is connected end-to-end to aforesaid another optical fiber through a refractive index matching agent whose refractive index at the minimum temperature in actual use is lower than that of the core. |
| US07658546B2 |
Bearing assembly
A bearing assembly comprising a housing and a ball at least partially housed within the housing. The housing comprises a race having a concave bearing surface, a sleeve surrounding the race, and a resilient member disposed between the race and the sleeve. The surfaces of the race and sleeve adjacent the resilient member and the surfaces of the resilient member preferably include at least one pair of a co-operating protrusion and recess. Alternatively, or additionally, the surfaces of the race and the sleeve adjacent the resilient member have different curvatures. |
| US07658540B2 |
Imaging assembly stabilization device and method of use
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for gantry support. Certain embodiments provide a mobile imaging system. The system includes a base and a gantry member moveably attached to the base. The gantry member includes an imaging source. The system also includes a gantry support positioned on the base for supporting the gantry member. The gantry support contacts the gantry member at one or more points in a range of motion for the gantry member. Certain embodiments provide a method for gantry member stabilization. The method includes providing a gantry support on a gantry base to provide support for an imaging system gantry member. The imaging system gantry member is attached to the gantry base. The method further includes positioning the gantry support with respect to the gantry member to support the gantry member along at least a portion of a path of movement of the gantry member. |
| US07658539B2 |
Temperature sensor configuration detection in process variable transmitter
A process variable transmitter for measuring a temperature of a process includes a first, a second, third, and fourth terminal configured to couple to the temperature sensitive element. Measurement circuitry measures an electrical parameter between a pair of the terminals. A microprocess identifies a location of the temperature sensitive element coupled to at least two of the terminals based upon an electrical parameter measured by the measured circuitry between two terminals. In another configuration, the process variable transmitter measures temperature of a process using a thermocouple. A heating element is configured to heat terminals coupled to the thermocouple. A microprocessor determines polarity of the thermocoupled based upon a measured electrical parameter between the terminals in response to applied heat. |
| US07658534B2 |
Lamp holding tool, lighting device for display device using the same, display device using the same and liquid crystal display device using lighting device for display device
A lamp holding apparatus for mounting a lamp to a base member includes a mounting plate having a pair of locking portions protruding to a base side. The locking portion is inserted into a mounting hole provided at the base and capable of being locked to a peripheral edge on its back side. Abutting portions, which protrude to the base side and are capable of abutting the base at the time of mounting, are provided on a bottom surface of the mounting plate that is an opposing surface to the base. The abutting portions are provided at three spots with one of the locking portions interposed therebetween. At the time of mounting, each of the abutting portions abut the base, and the mounting plate is elastically deformed so as to be warped, whereby the locking surface of the locking portion is kept in the state in which it is locked to a peripheral edge of a back side of the mounting hole by its elastic force. |
| US07658533B2 |
Line illumination device and image input apparatus using the same
A line illumination device includes: a frame; a rod-shaped light-guiding member housed in the frame; a flexible substrate; and a light source that is provided on the flexible substrate and emits light to the light-guiding member. The flexible substrate is bent so that the light source is disposed at an end of the light-guiding member and that the flexible substrate is housed in the frame. Power is supplied to the light source through a wiring provided on the flexible substrate so that the light source emits light and the light-guiding member emits light in line-shape. |
| US07658531B2 |
Backlight unit having improved chromatic dispersion
Provided is a backlight device that includes: a light guide panel having a diffraction pattern for emitting light through an emission surface of the light guide panel by diffracting light entering the light guide panel; and a chromatic dispersion compensation member that is an optical transmitting member located on a light emission side of the light guide panel and has a lattice pattern having a depth in a direction vertical to the emission surface of the light guide panel. |
| US07658530B2 |
Backlight module
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate, a diffuser sheet positioned over the light guide plate but not directly contacting the light guide plate, and a light mixing space positioned between the light guide plate and the diffuser sheet so that light emitted from the light guide plate efficiently mixes in the light mixing space before entering the diffuser sheet and emitted out of the backlight module. |
| US07658526B2 |
Illumination system using a plurality of light sources
An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions. |
| US07658524B2 |
Vehicle mini lamp
The present invention is a small vehicle lamp comprised of: a generally cylindrically-shaped housing with an axial bore therethrough and forming a top opening and a bottom opening; a lens disposed on the top surface of the housing; a circuit board within the axial bore of the housing; at least one LED mounted on and electrically connected to the circuit board; a resistor disposed on the circuit board; a first cable wire and a second cable wire passing through the bottom opening of the housing and in electrical contact with the circuit board; and an potting compound disposed within the housing bore, in which the epoxy covers the resistor and circuit board and at least partially covers the LED and the cable wires. The lamp is configured such that it has a low profile and can be part of a system in which a plurality of the lamps are used on a vehicle. |
| US07658523B2 |
Vehicle headlight leveling device and vehicle headlight equipped with leveling device
An axial direction of an output shaft of a motor is perpendicular to an axial direction of a shaft that moves back and forth with respect to a housing unit. A plurality of power-supplying terminals is symmetrically arranged with respect to a vertical line passing through a center of the shaft. |
| US07658522B2 |
Vehicle lamp
A headlamp is provided with a lamp unit provided in a lamp housing formed by a lamp body and a transparent cover for covering a front side of the lamp body. The lamp unit is supported in the lamp housing in a suspending state in such a condition that the lamp unit can be swung in vertical and horizontal directions. An output shaft coupled to a lower end of the lamp unit can be rotated around its axis and slide in a direction perpendicular to the axis. A rotation of the output shaft around its axis is transmitted to the lamp unit. By a movement of the output shaft in the direction perpendicular to the axis, a rotation between the output shaft and the lamp unit causes. |
| US07658519B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a first light source for emitting first light in blue, a second light source for emitting second light, and a color filter. The filter has a translucent sheet, a first printed area part for passing the first light to provide a first display excluding an overlapped portion of the first display and a second display and preventing the second light from passing therethrough, a second printed area part for passing the second light to provide the second display excluding the overlapped portion and preventing the first light from passing therethrough, a third printed area part for dimming and passing the first and second lights to provide the overlapped portion, a background printed area part for preventing the first and second lights from passing therethrough, and a white light converting part for the first light passing therethrough into white light. |
| US07658517B2 |
Hinged doors for recessed light fixture
A recessed light fixture having a rotation ring allowing rotation of a lamp mounted over the fixture frame aperture, the rotation ring easily rotatable on the frame and held in place by a ring clamp. The recessed light fixture rotation ring has a mechanical brake for locking the ring in place after positioning of the lamp. The ring also has a slip disc positioned between the surface of the frame and the ring to allow easy rotation. The housing of the fixture has junction boxes mounted on side walls which are hinged to the sidewalls of the housing and which swivel into the interior of the housing for ready access after installation through the aperture of the frame. The lamp of the fixture movable about a horizontal adjustment and vertical adjustment axis while also maintaining position with respect to the reflector. |
| US07658516B2 |
Decorative lamp cover
A decorative light cover for an outdoor light source includes a substantially rigid skin with a shape that defines a void within an interior of the skin, an opening in a first portion of the skin, and an ornamental design on a second portion of the skin, wherein the opening is able to accept into the void a light source affixed to a structure, the skin is able to adhere to at least a portion of the light source, and the ornamental design is able to receive light from a light-radiating portion of the light source and allow the light to project through and away from the skin. |
| US07658514B2 |
Light guide, method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, and illuminating system having the same
The present invention is directed to a light guide whose one or both sides are structured, a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the same. The present invention is also directed to an illuminating system using the light guide whose one or both sides are structured. The illuminating system comprises a light source part including a light source generating a light and an optical guide optically connected with the light source part for emitting a light inputted from the light source part to outside. The optical guide comprises a hollow outer pipe and a hollow inserted body inserted into the outer pipe, wherein its one side is extended in a substantially same direction as a longitudinal direction to the optical guide, and it is structured with a plurality of linear structures arranged side by side. |
| US07658510B2 |
System and method for power control in a LED luminaire
The present invention is directed to an LED lighting source comprising a housing adapted for coupling to an AC power source; a rectifier circuit for converting the AC power to a DC supply; a power control circuit disposed in the housing and electrically connected to the DC supply; a string of LED's electrically connected between a control node of the power control circuit and the DC supply, the LEDs in the string being connected in series and being of a number selected to produce a voltage difference across the power control circuit sufficient to power active components of said power control circuit when powered from the DC supply and the power control circuit for limiting a forward current through the string to a nominal forward current of a single LED. |
| US07658508B2 |
Backlight assembly and display device having the same
A backlight assembly includes at least one U-shaped lamp, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The U-shaped lamp includes a U-shaped lamp tube, a first external electrode covering a first end portion of the U-shaped lamp tube, and a second external electrode covering a second end portion of the U-shaped lamp tube. The U-shaped lamp tube generates light when a first driving voltage is applied to the first external electrode and a second driving voltage is applied to the second external electrode. The first connecting member is electrically connected to the first external electrode for applying the first driving voltage to the first external electrode. The second connecting member is electrically connected to the second external electrode for applying the second driving voltage to the second external electrode. Therefore, interference between a wire for applying power to the U-shaped lamp and the U-shaped lamp is reduced. |
| US07658504B2 |
Backlight device and display device comprising backlight device
In a backlight device according to the present invention including a light emitting diode substrate, which has a light emitting diode and is placed on the back side of a panel module having an image display surface on the front side, and a reflection sheet for reflecting light emitted by the light emitting diode to the panel module, the reflection sheet is placed on the front side of the light emitting diode substrate, and the reflection sheet is provided with a through-hole into which the light emitting diode is inserted, so as to reduce brightness unevenness and color unevenness on the image display surface resulting from the light emitting diode substrate. |
| US07658497B2 |
Rod integrator holder and projection type video display
A guide convex portion is formed on a base plate in parallel to an illumination optical axis. Further, a fixed-side supporting member is provided in the base plate. A first opening is formed in an upright portion of the fixed-side supporting member. A slide supporting member can be provided on the base plate. A second opening is formed in the upright portion of the slide supporting member. By inserting a tapered rod into the second opening at its light incidence side and by moving the slide supporting member along the aforementioned guide convex portion, the slide supporting member is stopped at a predetermined position and, at this position, the slide supporting member is fixed. |
| US07658496B2 |
Perimeter
A perimeter performs a kinetic visual field examination on the basis of a response as to whether a subject visually recognizes a displayed stimulus for kinetic visual field examination. The stimulus is displayed a series of times on an inner surface of a visual field dome. An operation is performed in which the subject is made aware of an operating sound of the perimeter while no stimulus is actually displayed. The operation is performed at a predetermined frequency during the display times of the stimulus, and a duration of the operation is determined in accordance with a response time by the subject to the displayed stimulus. The reliability of the kinetic visual field examination is evaluated on the basis of the response of the subject in the performed operation. |
| US07658494B2 |
Fundus camera
A fundus camera having a function of measuring a retinal function, capable of picking up (obtaining) a sharp color image of a fundus suitable for a fundus examination and measuring a retinal function with high accuracy comprises an illumination optical system comprising a visible light source, an image-pickup optical system comprising an image-pickup element, a mode selection switch for performing switching between a fundus photographing mode and a retinal function measurement mode based on variance of an intrinsic signal of a retina made by retinal stimulation, and a control unit which controls the optical systems, wherein the unit lowers, when the retinal function measurement mode is selected, illumination intensity of the illumination optical system per unit time in illuminating the fundus than that in picking up the color fundus image, and controls the element to pick up first and second visible fundus images at different points in time. |
| US07658489B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
The image forming apparatus comprises: a print head including a plurality of nozzles which eject droplets of a radiation-curable ink onto a recording medium; a conveyance device which causes the print head and the recording medium to relatively move to each other in a relative conveyance direction of the recording medium by conveying at least one of the print head and the recording medium in a direction substantially perpendicular to a width direction of the recording medium; an irradiation device which irradiates a radiation to the droplets of the ink, the droplets having landed on the recording medium; and a control device which controls the irradiation device so that the radiation is irradiated to a first ink droplet while a second ink droplet is in flight, the first ink droplet having been previously ejected from one of the nozzles in the print head and having landed on the recording medium, the second ink droplet being ejected from the same one of the nozzles so as to overlap with or make contact with the first ink droplet on the recording medium. |
| US07658488B2 |
Process for printing an aqueous ink composition
A process for printing flat substrates, in which the said substrate is printed with an ink composition including (a) a basic dye together with (b) an aliphatic carboxylic acid having at least four carbon atoms, (d) a binder resin, and water, yields water-resistant prints having a high depth of shade and high chroma. |
| US07658487B2 |
Liquid drop ejecting device, controller therefor, liquid drop ejecting method, and storage medium storing a program
A controller for a liquid drop ejecting device including a first head with plural first liquid drop ejectors, and a second head with plural second liquid drop ejectors, is provided. The controller includes: a scanning controlling section scanning at least the first head plural times a same region of a recording medium; and an ejection controlling section controlling the first and second head such that a proportion of an applied amount, per unit surface area, of the second liquid drops with respect to an applied amount, per unit surface area, of the first liquid drops in a first scan, is within a range of 0 to a first value, and the proportion in scans from a second scan on is within a range of a second value to 1, and the proportion in the first scan is smaller than the proportion in the scans from the second scan on. |
| US07658486B2 |
Phase change inks
Disclosed is a phase change ink composition including an ink carrier and a colorant, said ink being suitable for use in an indirect printing process wherein the ink is jetted from a printhead onto a heated intermediate transfer member and subsequently transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a final recording substrate, wherein: (a) the ink exhibits the characteristic of being jetted from the printhead onto the intermediate transfer member when the ink at a temperature of about 125° C. or lower; (b) the ink exhibits the characteristic of being jetted without purging from a printer maintained at a standby temperature of about 100° C. or lower; and (c) the ink has a cohesive failure temperature of at least about 56° C. |
| US07658484B2 |
Method of priming pagewidth inkjet printhead
A method of priming an inkjet printhead having ink ejection nozzles. The method includes: providing an ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles; applying inwardly directed force on at least one exterior wall of the ink bag so as to reduce an available fluid volume of the ink bag, thereby causing ink to flow from the ink bag to the nozzles along the fluid path; and arranging a biasing member in the ink bag so that the biasing member applies outwardly directed force on at least one interior wall of the ink bag to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the ink bag only once the available fluid volume of the ink bag has been reduced to a predetermined volume. The printhead is a pagewidth printhead, having a pagewidth of 100.9 millimeters. |
| US07658483B2 |
Ink storage compartment with bypass fluid path structures
The present invention relates to an ink storage compartment. The compartment includes a reservoir structure, in turn, defining a plurality of ink reservoirs from which respective ink outlets extend. Ink absorbent material is provided within respective ink reservoirs. Bypass fluid path structures extend between respective ink outlets and ink reservoirs so that, when filling the ink storage compartment by supplying ink to the ink outlets, ink can be supplied to the ink reservoirs through both the ink outlets and bypass fluid path structures. |
| US07658482B2 |
Printhead assembly with shut off valve for isolating the printhead
A printhead assembly with a printhead integrated circuit (IC) and a shut off (138) valve that has a valve body (200) defining an ink inlet (202) for connection to an ink supply, an ink outlet (67) connected to the printhead IC. A moveable valve member (212) is biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat (216) to provide a fluid seal between the ink inlet and the ink outlet. An actuator (204) for unsealing the valve member from the valve seat upon energizing and re-sealing the valve member to the valve seat when de-energized. The valve protects the ink in the ink supply from contaminants that can migrate up the ink line during shut down periods. The valve member is constantly biased to a closed position and so seals the ink supply from the printhead IC as a default condition even in the event of a power failure. The bias is strong enough to provide the fluid seal so that the seal is not compromised when the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet is small. |
| US07658481B2 |
Droplet discharge apparatus
A droplet discharge apparatus includes a droplet discharge head which discharges droplets; a liquid retention unit which is configured such that a liquid surface of a liquid retained in the liquid retention unit is located below the droplet discharge head, the liquid retention unit including an atmosphere open port; a liquid channel which couples the droplet discharge head and the liquid retention unit; a liquid tank in which the liquid is retained, the liquid tank being sealed; a liquid inflow channel which couples the liquid retention unit and the liquid tank, an inflow port of the liquid inflow channel in the liquid retention unit being located below the atmosphere open port; a liquid sending channel which couples the liquid tank and the droplet discharge head; and a pump which sending the liquid in the liquid tank to the droplet discharge head. |
| US07658480B2 |
Method of liquid filling of cartridge, liquid filling device, and cartridge
A method of refilling liquid into a cartridge according to the present invention is a method of liquid refilling, through which liquid is refilled into a used cartridge (1) in a liquid jet apparatus, comprising: a film removing process, in which an injection hole film (90) adhered around an air discharge opening (21), which communicates with the interior of the used cartridge (1), to seal the air discharge opening (21) is removed in order to make the air discharge opening (21) open; a liquid injecting process, in which liquid is injected into the used cartridge (1) through the air discharge opening (21) that has been made open in the injection hole film piercing process; and an injection hole film rewelding process, in which the film is rewelded using a surface other than an originally welded surface as a rewelded surface in order to seal again the air discharge opening (21), through which the liquid is injected in the liquid injecting process. |
| US07658479B2 |
Print engine with a refillable printer cartridge with ink refill ports
The invention provides for a print engine for a printhead assembly. The print engine has a refillable cartridge that includes a body defining a plurality of fluid chambers, the body having a lid assembly including a plurality of ink refill ports leading to respective fluid chambers and an actuator to actuate a refill unit. The cartridge also includes a number of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements configured to operatively eject printing fluid onto a printing medium, and a fluid distribution member operatively arranging the nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective fluid chambers. A refill unit is engageable with the lid assembly to actuate the refill unit. |
| US07658471B2 |
Droplet jet head and droplet jet apparatus
A droplet jet head includes a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzle holes; a cavity substrate having recesses whose bottoms serve as diaphragms, and the recesses serving as ejection chambers; an electrode substrate having separate electrodes opposed to the diaphragms; a reservoir substrate having a recess serving as a common droplet chamber for supplying droplets to the ejection chambers, through holes for transferring the droplets from the common droplet chamber to the ejection chambers, and nozzle communicating holes for transferring the droplets from the ejection chambers to the nozzle holes; and a driver IC that supplies a driving signal to the separate electrodes. The cavity substrate has a first hole, and the reservoir substrate has a second hole. The first hole and the second hole communicate with each other to form a housing. The driver IC is housed in the housing. |
| US07658470B1 |
Method of using a flexible circuit
A method of using a flexible circuit, including attaching a first portion of the flexible circuit, via an attaching surface of the flexible circuit, to a first surface of a chip carrier. Statically bending a bending portion of the flexible circuit around an edge formed at the intersection of the first surface of the chip carrier, and a second surface of the chip carrier. Adhesively attaching a second portion of the flexible circuit, via the attaching surface, to the second surface of the chip carrier, where the second portion of the flexible circuit has at least one first anchor structure formed in the attaching surface, where the at least one first anchor structure is adapted to accept an adhesive. |
| US07658469B2 |
Ink jet head and its manufacture method
An ink jet head is formed of a nozzle material composed of a condensation product containing a hydrolysable silane compound having a fluorine-containing group and a photo-polymerizable resin composition. |
| US07658468B2 |
Ink jet recording head and method of manufacturing the same
An ink jet recording head is formed by laminating a nozzle plate, ink pool plates, a through plate, an ink supply path plate, a pressure chamber plate and a vibrating plate in order. These members of the head are bonded to each other with an adhesive. An inner wall of an ink channel is covered with a channel film for continuously covering the entire inner wall. |
| US07658464B2 |
System for creating a three dimensional printed structure
A system for creating a three dimensional, printed structure comprising a plurality of layers. The system comprises: a plurality of printheads arranged in groups, the printheads in each group being configured to print voxels of material to define a respective layer of the structure, wherein a first portion of the printheads print a structure material forming the structure and wherein a second portion of the printheads print a sacrificial material to thereby form a void in the structure; and a substrate configured to be operatively displaced with respect to each group so that printed voxels from each successive group can form successive layers of the structure upon the substrate. |
| US07658463B2 |
Printhead maintenance assembly comprising first and second rollers
A printhead maintenance assembly for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance assembly comprises: (a) a printhead having an ink ejection face; (b) a first roller having an outer surface for receiving ink from the face; (c) a second roller engaged with said first roller, the second roller being configured for receiving ink from the first roller; (d) a cleaning pad in contact with the second roller; and (e) a mechanism for rotating the first and second rollers. |
| US07658461B2 |
Ink-jet recording apparatus with environmental temperature based drive-signal generation
An ink-jet recording apparatus including: (A) an ink-jet head which includes: a channel unit having a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of pressure chambers that respectively communicate with the plurality of nozzles; and an actuator unit which is disposed on the channel unit and to which drive signals are applied, thereby changing a volume of the plurality of pressure chambers; (B) a driver IC which is disposed on the ink-jet head and which includes: a drive-signal generating portion for generating the drive signals and applying the generated drive signals to the actuator unit; and a temperature sensor for detecting an environmental temperature of the actuator unit; and (C) a control device arranged to execute a low-temperature-condition control by controlling the drive-signal generating portion to generate the drive signals so as to change the volume of the plurality of pressure chambers, where the environmental temperature detected by the temperature sensor is not higher than a prescribed first temperature. |
| US07658460B2 |
Printing apparatus, method, and program comprising a plurality of printer units using synchronized, divided print data
High-density image printing can be achieved by using ink jet print heads capable of ejecting ink. A plurality of same color print heads capable of ejecting the same color ink are controlled according to the same print data. Drive timings for the same color print heads are so set that the dots printed by these same color print heads overlap each other. |
| US07658457B2 |
Inner sliding rail mounting structure for sliding track assembly for drawer
A inner sliding rail mounting structure is disclosed to include a control plate pivoted with a front side thereof to an inner sliding rail of a sliding track assembly for engagement with a stop block of an intermediate sliding rail of the sliding track assembly to secure the inner sliding rail to the intermediate sliding rail, a slide pivoted to the rear side of the control plate and coupled to the inner sliding rail by a slip joint for biasing the control plate to disengage the control plate from the stop block of the intermediate sliding rail for allowing removal of the inner sliding rail from the intermediately sliding rail, and a carriage affixed to the rear side of the slide and holding a spring member against a locating block at the inner sliding rail for pulling by the user to force the slide to bias the control plate. |
| US07658454B2 |
Vehicle motion control apparatus
A proportional pressure difference valve is disclosed between a master cylinder and normally open valves for supplying hydraulic pressure discharged from the master cylinder into wheel brake cylinders, which are connected to normally closed valves for reducing pressure. The normally open valve connected to one of the wheel brake cylinders in one hydraulic circuit is placed in its closed position, and the normally open valve connected to the other one of the wheel brake cylinders is placed in its open position and then the pressure difference valve is controlled on the basis of a monitored vehicle state variable to regulate a pressure difference between the pressure at the side of the master cylinder and the pressure at the side of the normally open valves. |
| US07658449B2 |
Safety restraint for a vehicle
Child restraint for a vehicle with a rectangular flexible sheet, a pair of attachment rings, a mating device, a seatbelt mating device, and a rigidifying strip. The attachment rings are attached to one edge of the flexible sheet so that the rings align with the back seat center and either right or left female seatbelt buckles found in most passenger cars. The seatbelt mating device capable of structurally uniting the right and left shoulder harnesses in the middle of the backrest in cars without center shoulder harnesses. The rectangular sheet having a mating device that attaches to the male buckle of the either the right or left shoulder harness which is held in the middle of the backrest by the seatbelt mating device, so that the sheet wraps around the child thereby restraining him or her during an accident or sudden deceleration |
| US07658441B2 |
Sunroof seal
A seal assembly for a sunroof of an automotive vehicle is provided that includes a seal and a bracket. The seal includes a front base and a separate rear base, both of which are attached to a bottom surface of the sunroof. The front base includes a lip integrally joined to a front portion of the front base that extends at an angle in the forward and downward direction. The bracket part is attached to both the front base and the rear base and includes a flange that extends in the angled forward and downward direction similar to that of the lip. The vertical length of the lip is longer than the vertical length of the flange such that the flange is adjacent to and behind the lip. |
| US07658440B2 |
Arrangement structure for auxiliary component of vehicle
An arrangement structure for an auxiliary component of a vehicle includes a floor panel defining the bottom surface of the passenger compartment. The floor panel includes a first kick-up portion and a second kick-up portion disposed in side-by-side relation to the first kick-up portion in a lateral direction of a vehicle body. The second kick-up portion is formed to have a height greater than that of the first kick-up portion. A first seat is disposed on the first kick-up portion, a second seat is formed to have a smaller size than that of the first seat and disposed on the second kick-up portion, and a cross member is joined along the second kick-up portion in the lateral direction to form a closed section therebetween. The arrangement structure of the present invention allows a vehicle to have a low overall-height compact body while achieving enhanced layout flexibility and assuring a passenger compartment space. |
| US07658437B2 |
Bumper skin
A bumper skin made of plastics material including a front portion, at least one side overrider, and a face of the bumper skin that is visible presenting a shape irregularity between the front portion and the overrider. The front portion and the overrider are constituted by two distinct parts, at least one of the two distinct parts is linked to the shape irregularity, and the shape irregularity includes a hole passing through the bumper skin. |
| US07658436B2 |
Weakening groove with dimple in pull cup
A deformable vehicle door pull cup is provided which is both sufficiently strong for use during closing of the door and which also deforms during a side impact collision. A deformable vehicle door pull cup includes a weakening groove and dimple system in preferred embodiments. Dimples are placed within grooves to enhance crack propagation in a side impact collision. |
| US07658435B2 |
Device for tensioning the retractable top of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a device for tensioning the retractable top of a motor vehicle (1). Said top comprises a front element (2) and a rear element (3) which are displaceable between the closed and opened positions thereof. The displacement of said elements is controlled by two articulated arms (6, 7). The inventive device is provided with arresting means (9) carried by the first arm (7) in such a way that is abuts against the second arm (6) when two elements (2, 3) of the top are relatively near to the closed position thereof. The arresting means (9) are provided with elastic means able to resist to the relative motion of the arms (6, 7) when the elements of the top (2, 3) are displaced from the relative position thereof, which is near to the closed position, and move towards said closed position. |
| US07658434B2 |
Structure of rear part in vehicle body
A structure of a rear part in a vehicle body. A rear glass window is provided at a rear end part of a roof of the vehicle, and the rear glass window is inclined downward toward the back of the vehicle. A trunk compartment is formed from a part below an attachment part of the rear glass window to a rear end part of the vehicle body. A trunk lid is attached to a lower edge of the attachment part of the rear glass window in a manner such that the trunk lid can be opened and closed freely. A visual window for observing a field on the back side of the vehicle body is provided in a wall of the trunk lid, the wall being positioned on the back side of the vehicle body. A partition wall having an interior window may be provided below the rear glass window. |
| US07658431B2 |
Stowable child seat for automotive vehicles
A child seat mount assembly, a seat for mounting a child seat, and a passenger vehicle having a stowable child seat are provided. A seat back is connected to the body for closing an access opening to a storage compartment and seating an occupant in an upright position, and for opening the access opening in a collapsed position. A child seat mounting plate is connected to the seat back such that the mounting plate and child seat extend into the storage compartment in the upright position of the seat back, and such that the child seat is in a seating position in the collapsed position of the seat back. A method is provided for converting a vehicle seat for receiving and storing a child seat in the storage compartment, and for deploying a child seat in the collapsed position of the seat back. |
| US07658429B2 |
Vehicle seat slide device
A vehicle seat slide device includes lower rails, upper rails, screw shafts, nut members, an electric motor and a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is composed of a drive reduction gear mechanism coupled directly to an output shaft of the electric motor, a pair of left and right direction conversion gear mechanisms coupled directly to the screw shafts, and a transmission shaft arranged to pass through an output gear of the drive reduction gear mechanism to be rotatably bodily with the output gear and coupled at opposite ends thereof to respective input gears of the direction conversion gear mechanisms. A lean force bracket is further provided to be secured at opposite ends thereof to the upper rails and supports the drive reduction gear mechanism and both of the direction conversion gear mechanisms. |
| US07658428B2 |
Device for attaching a backrest
Backrests of a rear seat system are attached to a cross member which extends between the wheel housings of the rear structure of a motor vehicle. Owing to this indirect attachment of the backrests, instead of a direct attachment to the rear structure, the intermediately connected cross member is in a position to absorb a large part of the impact force to which the backrests are exposed in a rear-end collision, and to dissipate this force by means of a parallelogram-like deformation. As a result, the rearward displacement of the backrests is reduced, thus improving the interior protection of the occupants. |
| US07658427B2 |
Impact absorbing tailgate
A vehicle tailgate includes a lower section carrying pivots adapted to be mounted to a vehicle bed; an upper section slidingly mounted to the lower section, so as to be able to move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the lower section; and a biasing device which urges the upper section towards the extended position. The biasing device is selected so as to permit the upper section to move towards the retracted position when a predetermined force is applied. |
| US07658426B2 |
Foam-molded member having skin and method of manufacturing foam-molded member having skin
Disclosed is a foam-molded member having a skin with which peeling or floating does not occur when the skin is wrapped. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the foam-molded member having a skin. A foam-molded member having a skin, such as a door trim, includes a core, a skin, foam and a fixing member. The core can be folded at a folding portion, and the skin faces the core. The foam is filled in a space between the core and the skin. The fixing member fixes the core that is integrally formed with the skin and the foam and is folded at the folding portion. The core is divided into a body portion and an extension portion, with the folding portion serving as a boundary. The extension portion folded at the folding portion is fixed to the body portion by the fixing member. |
| US07658422B2 |
Gardening tool
A gardening tool includes a shaft having a first end and a second end. A ground working instrument is positioned at the second end of the shaft. A generally T-shaped bifurcated handle is positioned at the first end of the shaft. The handle has two co-planar branches with extremities which are adapted for gripping to facilitate two handed use. The handle is sloped at an angle relative to the shaft. The handle has a recessed crotch portion where the branches meet the shaft. The crotch portion is adapted for gripping to facilitate one handed use. |
| US07658420B2 |
Quick-connect fitting with unlocking ring
A quick-connect coupling having a rotatable release member that is movable between a locked position whereat the plug-to-connect coupling is locked in a coupled state, and a release position whereat the quick-connect coupling can be decoupled. The coupling can be operated with one hand as the release member can remain in an unlocked position (e.g., the release position) when moved to such position and released. |
| US07658419B2 |
Fitting and method for manufacturing a fitting
A fitting for connecting pipes together. The fitting includes a press-fit connection including a ring-shaped seat configured to receive at least one of sealing and holding elements. The fitting is configured to be sealingly connected to an inserted pipe end. A threaded connection is configured to be connected to a pipe by a thread on the threaded connection. The fitting is a single piece and is devoid of weldments. |
| US07658409B2 |
Driver side air bag
An air bag usable to protect the driver of the vehicle comprising: a face panel; a rear panel of generally the same shape as the face panel and secured to the face panel along its periphery; the rear panel including a centrally located opening configured to receive an air bag inflator that introduces gas into the space formed by the face and rear panels; a tether of elongated shape having first and second ends and a center region, the center region is positioned into a Z-shaped configuration and secured to the face panel proximate a geometric center of the face panel. |
| US07658408B2 |
Airbag assembly
A cushion wrap is secured to a front panel portion of the airbag. Opposite ends of the cushion wrap are secured to the bracket, such that one portion of the cushion wrap tethers one portion of the airbag to the bracket, while another portion of the cushion wrap tethers another portion of the airbag to the bracket. Weakened portions are formed in at least one portion of the cushion wrap such that the cushion wrap restrains one portion of the airbag less than it restrains the other. This provides the ability to control the direction of the deployment of the airbag. |
| US07658406B2 |
Venting device for an airbag inflator
A device for supporting a rupturable closure member of a pressure vessel, such as an airbag inflator has a hollow support with a tapered portion and an adjoining cylindrical portion. An exterior surface of the tapered portion has longitudinally extending grooves therein. An igniter is located adjacent the cylindrical portion of the support and a pyrotechnic substance is located in the cylindrical portion of the support between the igniter and the tapered portion of the support. A rupturable closure member being forced against an open first end of the tapered portion of the support by the gas in the pressure vessel such that a chamber is formed within the support. The igniter when activated ignites the pyrotechnic substance and the burning pyrotechnic substance generates gas under pressure that causes the tapered portion of the support to break along the longitudinally extending grooves and no longer support the rupturable closure member allowing the gas in the pressure vessel to rupture the unsupported rupturable closure member. |
| US07658404B2 |
Instrument panel structure with airbag unit
The airbag unit is disposed inside the rear upper face portion of the instrument panel near the difference-in-level portion. The lid portion is configured to open substantially forward around the hinge member without hitting against the difference-in-level portion. Herein, the hinge member is configured such that the lid portion can open beyond the difference-in-level portion to the position where the lid portion is substantially located on the front upper face portion of the instrument panel when the airbag is inflated to its maximum opening state. Accordingly, the proper protection of the passenger seated in the assistant seat can be performed. |
| US07658402B2 |
Curtain airbag system
An airbag is disposed over almost the entire length along a roof side rail. The airbag comprises a duct formed with a gas introduction hole and a plurality of chambers communicating with the duct. The duct comprises a long first duct part and a short second duct part arranged with the gas introduction hole being provided therebetween. The inlet of a chamber closest to the gas introduction hole in the first duct part has a shape that becomes narrower gradually from the upper part toward the lower part. The passage width of the uppermost part of the inlet of the closest chamber is greater than the depth to the narrowest part thereof, and the passage width of the narrowest part is narrower than the passage width of the first duct part around the inlet thereof. |
| US07658401B2 |
Inflatable curtain airbag systems
A curtain airbag system includes a sail panel. The sail panel may be attached with an inflatable curtain of the curtain airbag system. |
| US07658399B2 |
Stroller
A stroller includes at least one adapter, by which a first child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the stroller. The stroller further includes at least one connecting piece, by which a second child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the stroller. The at least one adapter is movable from at least a first position, in which the first child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the adapter, to at least a second position connected to the stroller, in which the second child seat is configured to be detachably connected to the connecting piece. |
| US07658395B2 |
Tip over structure for a two wheeled vehicle
A two-wheeled vehicle, a touring motorcycle, is disclosed. The touring motorcycle may include multiple fuel storage tanks arranged in a split side-by-side configuration. The touring motorcycle may include a rear suspension having a linkage which moves in a direction not parallel with a centerline plane of the motorcycle. The touring motorcycle may include a tip-over structure which prevents unwanted tip-over of the motorcycle. |
| US07658392B2 |
Suspension apparatus
Disclosed is a suspension apparatus which can be used in rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive type small automobiles, so as to rapidly absorb shock or vibration transmitted from wheels by use of four shock-absorbing devices. The suspension apparatus for a small car is mounted to front and rear axles including wheels and adapted to remove vibration or shock transmitted from the wheels. The suspension apparatus includes a plurality of shock-absorbing devices for absorbing shock or vibration transmitted from the wheels by use of the compressive restoring force of air or gas and the elasticity of tubes, or by use of the absorptive restoring force of oil and the elasticity of tubes. |
| US07658390B2 |
Extendable wheel barrow handle adapters
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a wheel barrow handle that is extendable. By way of this extension, the height of a handle portion of the adapter may be changed so as to change the effective height of the wheel barrow handle. In this way, a user of the wheel barrow can lift the wheel barrow from a more comfortable height. |
| US07658389B2 |
Child safety seat dolly assembly
An apparatus for transporting a child safety seat includes a wheeled assembly that may be clamped to the child safety seat. The wheeled assembly includes a plate member having a longitudinal axis on either side of which are formed one or more through holes. Clamping can be achieved by the use of threaded fasteners which pass through the through holes and are secured to a clamping mechanism that helps frictionally secure the plate member to the child safety seat. Suitable clamping mechanisms for this purpose may include a strap that passes through a passageway formed in the rear of the child safety seat, a clamping bracket having laterally extending arms that abut clampingly abut openings formed in the back of the child safety seat, and an structural elbow member integrally connected to the child safety seat against which a clamping force may be applied. The apparatus with attached child safety seat may be wheeled on the ground by a person using one hand. Furthermore, the apparatus is fully detachable from the child safety seat. |
| US07658388B1 |
Cart apparatus
The wheeled cart apparatus provides transport of multiple items from a vehicle to a chosen destination. The apparatus features collapsible telescopic legs of which each has a swivel wheel with wheel lock. The upper borders surround substantially the entire rectangular table top. The lower skirts provide teeth for preventing movement of the apparatus when loaded into a vehicle. The grips on the first skirt provided for lifting that side of the apparatus while the casters on the opposite skirt enable ease of apparatus movement with the first skirt lifted. The lockably hinged legs are prevented escape from the collapsed position by the c-clips and the keeper rod. Legs are spaced inwardly from the skirts to aide in apparatus support while legs are extended or collapsed. |
| US07658385B2 |
Method of playing a pursuit board game
A method of playing a board game of pursuit for at least one of a first and a second player; where the board includes a pathway made up from a number of discrete squares and includes at least a starting position. The method of play includes the steps of the first and second players taking alternating turns to determine the number of squares to move along the pathway; deciding whether to move in one of a first and a second direction along the pathway; and positioning a marker at the square so determined. The game ends when the second player is able to position their marker on the same square as the first player. The board may also be provided with a finishing position remote from the starting position. In this instance, the game ends when the first player reaches the finishing position prior to the second player being able to position their marker on the same square as the first player. The game may include hazards along the pathway that require the players to pay a penalty before resuming play. The game may further include objects positioned on squares along the pathway that need to be collected by one or both of the players during play. |
| US07658384B2 |
Die-rolling device and game
A method of playing a game. A face of a die may be selected, and a marker may be moved to a position on a game board according to the face selected. A request for a player response may be selected from a set of text-based requests, and an interval associated with the player response may be timed. |
| US07658382B2 |
Image recording apparatus that supports conveying roller via rolling bearing
An image recording apparatus includes a casing, an image recording unit, a first conveying unit, a second conveying unit, a first support member, and a second support member. The first support member is supported by the casing. The second support member rotatably supports the follow roller and has an urging member that applies an urging force to the follow roller for urging the follow roller toward the drive roller. The second support member is supported on the first support member via a rolling bearing, allowing the second support member to rollingly move to a first position when the first conveying unit nippingly conveys the recording medium and allowing the second support member to rollingly move to a second position upstream of the first position in the conveying direction when the recording medium is separated from the first conveying unit. |
| US07658378B2 |
Apparatus and method for aligning sheet stacks and sheet processing machine having the apparatus
An apparatus for aligning sheet stacks in a feeder of sheet processing machines includes a motor-driven aligning plate and a movement converter situated between a motor drive and the aligning plate. The movement converter forces a movement describing approximately a circular path onto the aligning plate. A vertical speed component of the aligning plate during aligning corresponds to an upward speed of a feeder stack. A method for aligning sheet stacks in a feeder of a sheet processing machine as well as a sheet processing machine, are also provided. |
| US07658375B2 |
Printer and dual trays for image receiver media sheets
A printer having a sheet tray, a drive for advancing sheets past a marking mechanism, and a picker to remove sheets from an aligned tray includes a load position and a pick position. The trays are selectively moved between the load and pick positions. A transmission is engagable to connect the drive to the tray moving mechanism, whereby the tray is moved between the pick position and the load position by the media sheet advancing drive. The transmission is disengagable to enable advancement of the media sheets without movement of the tray. Starting with both trays in their load positions, one of the trays is moved to its pick position whereat a sheet can be picked; moving the other of the trays to its pick position whereat a sheet of media from each of the trays can be picked; and moving the tray remaining at its pick position from its pick position to its media load position. |
| US07658370B2 |
Rope winch
A rope winch has at least one bearing support and a rope drum supported on the at least one bearing support so as to be rotatable about a drive axis. A drive motor and a gear connected to the drive motor are provided, wherein the drive motor drives the rope drum about the drive axis through the gear. At least one sensor that senses a load acting on the rope drum is provided. An exchangeably secured component that is exchangeable without dismounting the at least one bearing support is provided. The at least one sensor is arranged on the exchangeably secured component. |
| US07658367B2 |
Valve essentially gastight closing of a flow path
The invention relates to a valve, in particular a pendulum or slide gate valve, for essentially gastight closing of a flow path (F). The valve includes a valve housing (1; 1a) having a first wall (2) which has a first opening (3) and a first valve seat (4), a valve disk (5) having a closing side (6) with a sealing ring (7) and at least one drive (8). Through drive (8), the valve disk (5) is pivotable or displaceable from an opened position (A) essentially parallel to the first valve seat (4), and the perpendicular distance between the valve disk (5), and the first valve seat (4) can be reduced so that, in the closed position (C), the flow path (F) is closed essentially gastight by an axially sealing contact between the sealing ring (7) and the first valve seat (4). The valve disk (5) includes an outer disk section (9), which is connected to the drive (8) and fixes the sealing ring (7) in the perpendicular direction to the first valve seat (4), and an inner disk section (10) which has an outer circumferential area (11) and which is mounted so as to be movable relative to the outer disk section (9) in a direction (Z) essentially perpendicular to the first valve seat (4). The outer circumferential area (11) is enclosed essentially gastight with an inner seal by the sealing ring (7). Thus, in the closed position (C), a pressure difference at the valve disk (5) acts essentially on the inner disk section (10) so that the inner disk section (10), decoupled from the outer disk section (9), is supported perpendicularly on a section of the valve housing (1), in particular the first valve seat (4) or a lateral groove (27). |
| US07658364B2 |
Ocular therapeutic agent delivery devices and methods for making and using such devices
Ocular implant devices (10, 20, 121) for the delivery of a therapeutic agent to an eye (101, 301) in a controlled and sustained manner. Dual mode and single mode drug delivery devices (10, 20, 121) are illustrated and described. Implants (10, 20) suitable for subconjunctival placement are described. Implants (121, 10, 20) suitable for intravitreal placement also are described. The invention also includes fabrication and implementation techniques associated with the unique ocular implant devices (10, 20, 121) that are presented herein. |
| US07658363B2 |
Laptop security device for technology workstand
A device for securing a laptop computer to a support panel comprises a pair of security devices each including a vertical member having a pair of prongs extending laterally outwardly therefrom. The laptop computer is securable with the security devices when the laptop computer is in the open position. The security devices are configured to be mountable to the support panel at a spacing greater than the laptop width. Each of the security devices include the prongs which are located above the lower surface of the vertical member at a height greater than a height of the keyboard and which are spaced apart from one another at a distance greater than a thickness of the display monitor. The pairs of prongs extending from respective ones of the vertical members are oriented in facing relationship to one another in order to secure the laptop computer to the support panel. |
| US07658361B2 |
Window frame display stand
A window frame display stand includes a corner body having a pair of mutually perpendicular legs, and a pair of spaced feet on one of the legs for supporting the body on a support surface such that the one leg is parallel to the support surface and the other leg is perpendicular to the support surface. The legs have adjacent interior surfaces that are contoured, preferably with slots or notches, to receive and support a window frame corner. The legs on the corner body preferably are mirror images of each other. The feet preferably are removably mounted on the one leg of the corner body, most preferably by interference press fit of the corner body leg into slots on the feet. |
| US07658360B2 |
Seat sliding apparatus for vehicle
A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes multiple lock portions provided at the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a lock member provided at the upper rail and rotating about a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail so as to be engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions, and a bracket for supporting the lock member in a direction of the rotation axis. The seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle further includes a deflection preventing member for preventing a deflection of the bracket in the direction of the rotation axis and being integrally provided at the upper rail. |
| US07658359B2 |
Load compensator for height adjustable table
A force adjustment assembly for use within a telescoping subassembly that includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member that is supported by the first elongated member for sliding motion along an extension axis, the subassembly further including a force equalizer assembly that includes a strand having first and second ends that are supported by the second and first elongated members, respectively, the adjustment assembly comprising a preloader supported by at least one of the first and second elongated members and supporting at least a portion of the strand, the preloader applying a preload force via the strand when the second elongated member is in a fully extended position and an adjuster for adjusting the preload force applied by the preloader. |
| US07658357B2 |
Automotive console mounting bracket
A mounting bracket for an automotive console of an automotive vehicle having at least one sidewall which extends upwardly from the floor of a vehicle. The mounting bracket includes a base adapted for connection to the floor of the vehicle. A central leg extends upwardly from the base and has a top attached to its upper end. The top includes a portion which lies in a substantially horizontal plane and is adapted for connection to the console. In addition, a side flange is attached to and extends outwardly from the top and abuts against the console sidewall to provide additional lateral support. The mounting bracket is of a one-piece construction. |
| US07658355B2 |
Support arm
The invention provides a support arm for an apparatus, preferably for a display screen, comprising a first fastening part for attachment to a frame or a wall, a first member, at one end coupled to the first fastening part and at another end coupled to a first pivot joint which allows rotation about a first axis of rotation, a second member which, at a first end, is coupled to the first pivot joint, and, at a second end, is provided with a second pivot joint which allows rotation about a second axis of rotation, a second fastening part for attaching the apparatus to the support arm, coupled to the second pivot joint, the first and second axes of rotation essentially being parallel to one another. The second fastening part is connected to a substantially L-shaped third member via a third pivot coupled to the second pivot joint. |
| US07658354B2 |
Suction device and supporting device having the same
A suction device includes a sucking member having a connecting body connected integrally to a flexible disc body that is disposed under an upright sleeve, a connecting member disposed in the sleeve and connected to the connecting body, an operating member connected to a pivot rod extending through the sleeve, and a cam body accommodated in a cam-accommodating space in the connecting member and pivotable together with the pivot rod. The operating member is operable so as to pivot the pivot rod and the cam body such that an assembly of the connecting member and the connecting body is pulled upwardly by the cam body, thereby forming a vacant space between a central portion of the disc body and a supporting surface to which a peripheral portion of the disc body is attached sealingly. |
| US07658351B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for guiding and supporting an elongated flexible member
The present invention relates to a member for guiding and supporting elongated flexible members such as wires, cables and other flexible lines that can introduce services and utilities into a residential, commercial or similar building structures. The guiding and support members receive and support at least one of the elongated flexible members so that it can be pulled around a corner without being damaged. Additionally, the guiding and support members can be used when the elongated member is only being pulled in a straight run or to organize elongated members that have already been run. Sweeps, including roller sweeps and cradles, can be secured to the guiding and supporting members to maintain a predetermined radius in the flexible members and reduce the amount of friction on the flexible member as it is pulled. This reduction in friction results in a smoother pull of the flexible member and a reduction in the amount of force needed to pull the flexible member. |
| US07658350B2 |
Retaining member
A retaining member for holding and supporting an elongated element from a support includes a base portion and a holding portion. The base portion is attachable to the support. The holding portion is connected to the base portion and has a recess for holding the elongated element therein. The recess includes a tubular portion and a plurality of spaced ribs extending radially inwardly from the tubular portion to have different radial heights. |
| US07658347B2 |
Micro air-vehicle transport container and launch system
A Micro Air-Vehicle (MAV) starting system that provides the combined functions of: packing protection of sensitive vehicle components, a mechanical starting assembly, and a launch pad. The preferred embodiment comprises a container and a container lid with the MAV clamped to the lid. Also disposed on the container lid is a starting assembly. The lid which doubles as a launching pad with the attached MAV is removed from the container, placed on the ground, the MAV is started with the starting mechanism and launched. The arrangement minimizes the physical risk to the operator, minimizes weight of the total MAV system, consumes minimum space in the operators transport system, and eliminates dependence on supply lines for battery replacement or charging. |
| US07658343B2 |
Drum construction for a mineral breaker
A mineral breaker including a pair of breaker drum assemblies rotatably housed in a housing with their axes parallel, each drum assembly including circumferentially extending groups of teeth, the groups being spaced axially along the drum assembly to define a circumferentially extending channel between adjacent circumferential groups of teeth, the drum assemblies being arranged such that each circumferential group of teeth on one drum assembly is located to enter a circumferentially extending channel between a pair of neighboring circumferential groups of teeth on the other drum assembly, the cross-sectional shape and size of each tooth and channel being complementary such that the sides and tip of a tooth when entering a channel are closely spaced from the sides and bottom of the channel, and an elongate breaker bar extending longitudinally in a direction parallel to the axes of the drum assemblies, the breaker bar being located with its longitudinal axis positioned inbetween and beneath the axes of rotation of the drum assemblies, the breaker bar including a plurality of breaker teeth spaced along its length, each breaker tooth of the breaker bar projecting upwardly into a channel defined between a pair of circumferential groups of teeth on one of the drum assemblies, each breaker tooth being of a size and shape complementary to the channel into which it projects so as to be closely spaced from the sides and bottom of the channel. |
| US07658339B2 |
Modular fuel nozzle air swirler
A modular fuel nozzle air swirler for a gas turbine engine has a body defining a fuel passage extending between an inlet end and a discharge end of the body. An annular cap is removably secured to the discharge end of the body via cooperating interlocking members. |
| US07658338B2 |
Small fixed quantity dispenser for aerosol container
A subdivided fixed amount distributing apparatus for aerosol containers is provided in which aerosol contents exceeding a specified amount is prevented from being used in one cycle by keeping constant in total number of injection times at all times. A structure is simplified by making it possible to eject total amount to the outside every one time by means of a fixed amount injection valve, so that damage to the distributing apparatus due to outside air temperature is prevented and movement of the distributing apparatus is made smooth when it is pushed and released. The subdivided fixed amount distributing apparatus includes a lower sleeve 18 secured to an upper end of an aerosol container 1, a nozzle body 15 formed with a nozzle 16 communicating with a stem 4, a rotating body 23 disposed in a rotatable manner with respect to the nozzle body 15 and the lower sleeve 18, an annular body 34 disposed at an upper side of the rotating body 23, a pushing body 45 pushing the stem 4, and an upper sleeve 37 secured to the lower sleeve 18 at a lower end thereof, in which pushing operation of the stem 4 enables a fixed amount injection of the aerosol contents and positional movement of a fitting piece 28 while pushing operation of the stem 4 and positional movement in the same direction of the fitting piece 28 are disabled by hitting the fitting piece 28 on an upper end surface of a lower projection 21 after positional movement by pushing operation of predetermined times. |
| US07658337B2 |
Fluid vectoring nozzle
A fluid vectoring nozzle comprises flow vectoring means suitable for selectively producing a fluid dynamic throat in the nozzle in a plane oblique to the axis of the nozzle, such that in operation fluid flow passing through the throat is rotated about an axis parallel to and coincident with the plane of the throat. That is to say, the present invention comprises flow vectoring means suitable for selectively producing a fluid dynamic throat in the nozzle in a plane oblique to the axis of the nozzle, such that, in operation, fluid passing through the fluid dynamic throat is turned towards an angle perpendicular to the plane of the throat. Fluid injection means are provided to inject a control fluid into the nozzle through a perforate region provided in at least one nozzle wall, thereby generating a fluid dynamic restriction which initiates the formation of the fluid dynamic throat. |
| US07658336B2 |
Multi-zone sprinkler system with moisture sensors and configurable spray pattern
An irrigation system comprises sprinkler heads with an electrically configurable spray pattern, moisture sensors, and a controller. Based upon input signals from the moisture sensors, the controller dynamically configures the spray pattern of the sprinkler head to allow more water to fall on areas that need to be watered and less water to fall on areas that do not require additional water. The irrigation system can additionally comprise fire sensors. Based upon input from the fire sensors, the controller activates the sprinklers. |
| US07658334B2 |
System for the real time inventory and localization of refrigerating containers and related method
System (10) for remotely controlling and monitoring a food refrigerator (1), and its content, of the type intended to be given in rental or in free loan from a manufacturer to a vendor of cold products, comprising a control unit (2) for checking and storing a plurality of functioning parameters of the food refrigerator (1), an RFID reader (3) intended to read data stored in a plurality of RFID tags attached to the cold products, a communication unit (4) for interconnecting an external device, the RFID reader (3) comprising means for retrieving data from said RFID tags when the cold products are still stocked inside the food refrigerator (1) and the communication unit (4) localization means for transmitting information to the external device about a geographical localization of the food refrigerator (1). System (10) according to claim 1 wherein said means produce a radio frequency signal at predetermined time intervals for activating said RFID tags. The data stored in said RFID tag comprises a unique identification number. The communication unit (4) is a GSM/GPRS unit. The external devices might be a second food refrigerator, residing in a same local area network (LAN). The external device is a remote server (5) located outside the local area network (LAN) equipped with a management information system. |
| US07658333B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device used as an ID chip is provided, of which operation is terminated when its role is finished or expires. According to the invention, an antenna circuit, a voltage detecting circuit, a current amplifier circuit, a signal processing circuit, and a fuse are provided over an insulating substrate. When large power is applied to the antenna circuit, a voltage is detected by voltage detecting circuit and a corresponding current is amplified by the current amplifier circuit, thereby the fuse is melted down. Also, when an anti-fuse is used, the anti-fuse can short an insulating film by applying an excessive voltage. In this manner, the semiconductor device has a function for making it invalid by stopping operation of the signal processing circuit when the role of the device is finished or expires. |
| US07658329B2 |
Consumer product package bearing a remotely-alterable radio-frequency (RF) powered electronic display label employing an electronic ink layer integrated within a stacked-layer architecture
A consumer product package bearing a remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display label employing an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The display label includes an integrated circuit layer having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly and a data antenna layer. A signal transmitting layer transmits signals from the data antenna layer to a remote activator module. A signal receiving layer receives electromagnetic signals from the remote activator module, using the data antenna layer. A power antenna layer, operably connected to a power converter, supplies electrical power the integrated circuit layer, for converting received RF-power signals into electrical power signals and storing electrical charge for powering the programmed processor to process instructions and data to determine the graphical indicia to be displayed by the addressable display assembly and activate the addressable display assembly to display the determined graphical indicia. The data antenna layer, power antenna layer, integrated circuit layer, signal transmitting layer, and signal receiving layer are arranged and stacked together behind and within the spatial extent of the addressable display assembly so as to form the remotely-alterable electronic-ink based display label having a stacked-layer construction. |
| US07658321B1 |
Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
An automated banking machine (10) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels (462, 464) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine. |
| US07658311B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument with a geared return mechanism
A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and/or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and/or cutting member relative to the end effector. The firing drive can include a pawl which can be selectively engaged with the firing member in order to advance the firing member, wherein the pawl can be disengaged from the firing member when the reversing drive is engaged with the firing member. The reversing drive can include a gear train having a first gear operably engaged with the firing member and, in addition, a second gear operably engaged with the first gear, wherein the second gear can be selectively operable with the trigger such that an actuation of the trigger can retract the firing member and/or cutting element via the first and second gears. |
| US07658309B2 |
Nail presser lid structure for a nailer
The nail presser lid structure for a nailer includes a coupling end and a swinging end. The swinging end is provided with a flexible presser, formed of a presser portion and a spring. The presser portion protrudes from the swinging end to press on the closing side of the removable cover. An inclined guide plane is placed outside of the presser portion. When the removable cover presses the inclined guide plane, the presser portion is forced to return and press the spring to accumulate elastic restoring force. When the closing side of the removable cover overpasses the inclined guide plane, the presser portion will recover again and press the positioning portion of the closing side, such that the nail presser lid and removable cover of the nail box are closed flexibly, offering greater operational friendliness and practicability. |
| US07658300B2 |
Container for transporting and storing hazardous substances and method for making the container
A container for transporting and storing hazardous materials such as Chlorine includes a cylindrical body having end caps. The end caps are welded to the body to form a pressure vessel. The end caps have a peripheral edge that is recessed with respect to the ends of the body to protect the weld against damage from impact. The configuration of the juxtaposed components forms a lap joint that can be affixed together by a fillet weld. |
| US07658295B2 |
Closure with deflectable finger for retention of lid hinge shaft
A closure system is provided for a container. The system has a body for extending from the container at the container opening. The body defines a dispensing orifice. A lid is provided for covering the orifice. The body has a bearing member with two spaced-apart walls for defining a channel for receiving a pivot shaft on the lid. At least one deflectable finger projects from one of the body bearing member walls for being temporarily, elastically deflected to accommodate the insertion of the lid pivot shaft into the channel. The finger is resilient, and moves back over the lid pivot shaft to prevent removal of the lid pivot shaft from the channel. |
| US07658288B2 |
Bisulfite conversion reagent
Disclosed, among other things, are packaged bisulfite solutions comprising bisulfite reagent in an oxygen-impermeable container and methods. |
| US07658285B2 |
Article shipping and/or storage container and a shipping and/or storage container having articles
A sheet shipping and storage container includes a base supporting a stack of glass sheets in a vertical orientation, and a pair of telescoping end caps mounted on each side of the stack in facing relationship to one another. A first endless strap has its course around the end caps to bias the end caps toward one another about the stack; a second endless strap has it course around back end of each end caps and the back side of the stack to bias the back surface of the stack and the end caps downward toward the front of the base, and a third endless strap around the opposite end of the end caps and the front side of the stack to bias the end caps and the front side of the stack downward toward back side of the base to unitize the plurality of sheets, end caps and base. |
| US07658279B2 |
Medical multi-chamber container
A medical multi-chamber container (1) comprising a container body (3) having first and second chambers (10, 11) for storing medicaments, a weak partition seal (20) for portioning the charmers (10, 11) from each other, and an outlet (32) fitted into the container body (3) for allowing the medicaments to be delivered from the second chamber (11), the container body (3) further comprising a weak discharge seal (21) partitioning the second chamber (11) from the outlet (32) and unsealably formed so as to allow the chambers (10, 11) to communicate with each other when used, characterized in that the unsealing strength of the weak discharge seal (21) is less than that of the weak partition seal (20). |
| US07658275B2 |
Carrier type conveying apparatus and conveying carrier connection system of the conveying apparatus
A carrier type conveying apparatus capable of solving a problem in a conventional conveying apparatus wherein a conveying carriers (1) stop abnormally, comprising a rear-pushing traveling district (3) having, at its inlet, a rear-pushing drive means (5A) propelling the conveying carriers (1) at a constant speed and, at its outlet, a speed control drive means (5B) for sending out the conveying carriers (1) at the constant speed and a high-speed traveling district (4). The conveying apparatus comprises carrier connection systems (carrier connection means (9), connection engagement means (10), connection release means (11)). When the conveying carriers (1) travel in the high-speed traveling district (4), the connection of the conveying carriers (1) adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction by the carrier connection systems is disabled. Only when the conveying carriers (1) travel in the rear-pushing traveling district (3), the conveying carriers (1) in the longitudinal direction are connected to each other by the carrier connection system to prevent the conveying carriers (1) in contact with each other at their end parts from being separated a specified distance or longer from each other. |
| US07658274B2 |
Switcher for product supply lines
The invention relates to a switcher for product supply lines, which comprises a support frame (2), a guide channel (8) which is transversally mobile on the support frame (2) with respect to the advancing direction of the products being supplied in inlet. The switcher (1) comprises a telescopic channel (10), located at an end (9) of the guide channel (8), and being slidably mobile with respect thereto. The guide channel (8) is mobile by a support element (6), slidable on respective transversal portions (4, 5) of the support frame (2). The support element (6) is in turn activated by cooperation between a cursor (13), slidable on the support element (6), and a con rod (15), hinged both to the cursor (13) and to a fixed transversal portion (4) of the support frame (2). The guide channel (8) is further provided with a separator device (20) for controlled distancing of the products which are grouped during the input supply stage. |
| US07658273B2 |
Carriage-type conveyance device
A carriage-type conveyance device using a carriage having a vertically movable object-supporting base that is controlled by a cam rail on the floor side, in which a turntable for changing the direction of the carriage has a low-floor structure. In the carriage-type conveyance device, the object-supporting base that is vertically movable between a lowered position and a lifted position is placed on a conveyance carriage (1), a cam follower roller vertically moving in association with the movement of the object-supporting body is provided at the bottom of the conveyance carriage (1), and a cam device (58) for pushing up the cam follower roller and a work section (3A) in which the object support base is supported at the lifted position are provided in a traveling route of the conveyance carriage (1). The conveyance device further has the turntable (7) placed in a traveling route on the downstream side of the work section (3A) and changing the direction of the conveyance carriage (1), and also has a means for holding at the lifted position the object-supporting body of the conveyance carriage (1) from at least the time immediately before the object-supporting body enters into the turntable (7) until it has exited from the rotated turntable (7). |
| US07658270B2 |
Coin bin having security feature for use with a coin processing device
According to one embodiment, a security grate for limiting access to a coin bin is disclosed. The security grate comprises a plurality of generally parallel upper slats and a plurality of generally parallel slats disposed below the upper slats. The plurality of first slats receives coins and directs coins moving under the force of gravity in a first direction. The plurality of lower slats receive coins from the upper slats and direct the coins moving under the force of gravity in a second direction. |
| US07658264B2 |
Combination descender, pulley and force limiting rope brake
A combination descender, pulley, and force limiting rope brake for rope rescue has a supporting plate having a one-way pulley sheave rotatably mounted thereto for free-wheeling rotation of the sheave in only a first rotational direction. A fixed brake member is mounted rigidly to the supporting plate. A movable brake member is pivotally mounted to the supporting plate. A pinching opening is defined by the gap. The rope passes in a first direction through the gap when the sheave is free-wheeling in the first rotational direction. The movable brake member translates relative to the fixed brake member in cooperation with rotation of the sheave. Rotation-under-load of the sheave in an opposite rotational direction urges translation of the movable brake member towards the fixed brake member from an open position, wherein the pinching opening is open sufficiently to allow the rope to freely pass therethrough, to a closed position wherein the movable brake member closes the pinching opening so as to frictionally pinch the rope at a preset minimum opening of the pinching opening. |
| US07658258B2 |
All terrain vehicle swept A-frame suspension and central support truss
The present invention features an all terrain, four-wheeled vehicle frame for carrying at least two passengers in a side-by-side riding configuration, comprising a rigid, tubular frame body which provides for a forward passenger compartment having structural support members for carrying a pair of seats for the side-by-side passengers and a rearward engine compartment configured for receiving an engine, power train, and transmission for driving wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle frame also includes a vertical, load-bearing truss member extending generally along a longitudinal, central axis of the vehicle within the passenger compartment, the truss member forming a load-bearing structural member between the pair of seats. |
| US07658256B2 |
Impact detection sensor attachment structure for motorcycle
Impact detection sensors are disposed with ease for coping with an oblique collision or the like. A front wheel is disposed between left and right forks and supported by an axle. Main sensors are attached to the left and right forks at respective positions near and above the axle so as to be symmetrical. Thus, the main sensors detect impacts resulting from front and oblique collisions. In addition, backup sub-sensors are attached to the left and right front forks at respective positions above the corresponding main sensors so as to be symmetrical. This makes it possible to dispose the impact detection sensors at sensitive positions with ease while eliminating a steering component. |
| US07658252B2 |
Riding vehicles, including tricycles, with stowable push handles and hide away rear wheel storage compartment
Wheeled riding vehicles, including tricycles, with extremely thin stowed profiles are provided, which in one embodiment, include movable, collapsible tires/wheel axle assemblies, as well as folding frame parts and a unique handle that is removable and stowable within the vehicle frame when not used. The riding vehicle hangs totally flat on the wall, or fits in car trunks easily. One version is pedal powered, and a second embodiment provides for an integrated propulsion linkage providing for battery or motor power to the rear most wheels when they are moved into their operative position. The rear tire wheel assemblies also may be stowed and folded compactly inside a rear storage compartment with a lid. |
| US07658250B2 |
Energy storage and recovery for a tracked machine
A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks is disclosed. The system includes a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine, and an electric generator operably coupled to the power source. The electric generator is configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The system further includes an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator. The electric motor is configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks. The system includes an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine, and a controller configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction. |
| US07658240B2 |
Methods and apparatus for forming hole in ground
An apparatus for forming a hole in ground (10) includes a mounting plate (60) mounted to a loader (80). A probe (11) is coupled with the mounting plate (60). Two arms (32) extend radially outward from a vertical axis and from a periphery of the probe (11). The apparatus further includes two cylinders (40) each having an upper end (42) coupled to the mounting plate (60) and a lower end (44) coupled to one of the arms (32). The probe (11) is driven into the ground along the vertical axis by movement of the mounting plate (60) by the loader (80), and an upper portion of the probe (11) is simultaneously wobbled about two axes that are perpendicular to each other and to the vertical axis by moving at least one of the cylinders (40). The probe (11) is then moved out of the ground to leave a hole in the ground. |
| US07658239B2 |
Power tool, drive assembly, and method of operating the same
A power tool including a drive assembly including a first clutch assembly having an engaged configuration, in which the first clutch assembly transfers a drive force from a motor shaft to a spindle, and a disengaged configuration, in which the first clutch assembly prevents the transfer of the drive force. The first clutch assembly can be movable toward the disengaged configuration when a torque exerted on the spindle exceeds a torque limit. The drive assembly can also include a second clutch assembly having an engaged configuration, in which the second clutch assembly transmits the drive force from the motor shaft to the spindle, and a disengaged configuration, in which the second clutch assembly prevents the transmission of the drive force. The second clutch assembly can be movable toward the engaged configuration when the tool element engages a workpiece. |
| US07658238B2 |
Impact drill
An impact drill for boring a workpiece includes a main frame, a motor housed in the main frame, a spindle movably supported by the main frame and rotatable by the motor and movable in its axial direction, a first ratchet positioned fixedly with respect to the spindle, a second ratchet positioned with respect to the first ratchet, a spring biasing the second ratchet toward the first ratchet. The spring has at least one of a spring constant and a biasing force which prevents the second ratchet and the spindle from abutting against the main frame at least one of when a force ranging from 15 to 25 kg is applied to the main frame for boring the workpiece and when the spindle is moved to a retracted position. |
| US07658233B1 |
Self-propelled transportable rock picker
An improved rock picker system includes a prime mover, with an operator's cab and towing apparatus; windrows detachably and foldingly mounted to the prime mover front; a collector; a separator; a transfer apparatus; a dump trailer detachably connectable to the prime mover towing apparatus; an hydraulic power supply in fluid communication with the hydraulic loads; and, controls for controlling the hydraulic power supply and hydraulic loads individually. Controls include a plurality of remotely operated hydraulic control valves corresponding to the hydraulic loads and a control panel in electrical communication with the remotely operated hydraulic control valves, and speed controllers for controlling the speed of the hydraulic loads. |
| US07658227B2 |
System and method for sensing flow rate and specific gravity within a wellbore
A device determines the specific gravity of a wellbore fluid flowing into a submersible pump. The specific gravity of the wellbore fluid is determined by measuring the pressure increase across at least two pump stages and then using fluid flow properties and known pump characteristics to back calculate the specific gravity of the wellbore fluid. |
| US07658224B2 |
Flanged connection for heat exchanger
A heat exchanger including a plate pair having first and second plates each having an outward depression extending to a peripheral edge thereof, the first and second plates defining a fluid channel therebetween and secured to one another with the outward depressions defining a flow opening in communication with the fluid channel. An outer flange extends substantially around a periphery of the flow opening. A tubular fitting with a first end and an outer surface having an annular flange thereon spaced apart from the first end is secured to the plate pair with the first end received within the flow opening and the annular flange abutting against the outer flange. |
| US07658222B2 |
Heating a storage building
A storage building such as a garage of a residential house is heated to a low temperature above freezing but below that suitable for human habitation by connecting a closed loop pipe and a pump so as to pump heat transfer liquid through a portion of the pipe embedded in a cast concrete lid of a septic tank and through another portion of the pipe embedded in a cast concrete floor of the building. The simple system avoids use of a complex heat pump by using the limited heat available from the septic tank to directly heat the garage floor to a low temperature but above freezing. |
| US07658220B2 |
Barrier means
Barrier means are provided having a frame including a plurality of frame members, movable between a first substantially erect condition and a second substantially folded condition. At least one of the frame members including two or more telescopically mounted portions capable of relative movement to allow expansion and/or contraction of the length of the frame member. Locking means are associated with one or more of said frame portions to allow the portion or portions to be locked at a required length. The locking means are movable between the locked and/or unlocked position by relative movement of the frame portion or portions with which the locking means are associated. |
| US07658218B2 |
Window blind system
A window blind system includes a top traverse supporter adapted for affixing to a top beam of a ceiling, and two shading arrangements downwardly extended from the top traverse supporter The first shading arrangement includes a base member, a plurality of slats, a first hanging system for spacedly and suspendedly supporting the slats and for controlling a tilt angle of each of the slats, and a first operating system for selectively lifting up the base member towards the top traverse supporter and unlifting the base member to drop downwardly away from the top traverse supporter. The second shading arrangement includes a second hanging system suspendedly support a predetermined set of the slats, so that by lifting up the second hanging system, the predetermined set of the slats are capable of being lifted for selectively allowing a light of desirable intensity passing through. |
| US07658217B2 |
High temperature lamination tool
A tool for laminating a metal foil and polymer film to form a laminate structure is disclosed. A method of using the tool to form a laminate structure is also disclosed. |
| US07658216B2 |
Tire for two-wheeled vehicle comprising looped crown reinforcement
A motorcycle tire includes at least one carcass-type reinforcement structure formed of reinforcement elements, anchored on either side of the tire to a bead whose base is intended to be mounted on a rim seat, each bead being extended radially towards the outside by a sidewall. The sidewalls meet up radially towards the outside with a tread. Under the tread there is a crown reinforcement structure including at least one layer of reinforcement elements known as a working layer which has at least one continuous reinforcement cord forming portions in the central zone thereof. Those central cord portions display identical angles of between 10-80 degrees formed with the longitudinal direction, the angles being measured at points of intersection of the cord with a circumferential plane. Two adjacent cord portions are linked by a U-shaped loop. |
| US07658215B2 |
Method of operating a wood chipper and power transmission system for use therewith
A wood chipper includes a control system for controlling feed wheel rotation and engine operation to provide safety features and a fuel-saving mechanism. The control system allows the engine to start only when the feed wheel is in neutral; stops and/or reverses rotation of the feed wheel in response to an increased load on the engine; and dethrottles the engine if the feed wheel remains in neutral for a predetermined period of time. A pair of electric switches are activatable by the feed bar whereby an electronic control unit (ECU) can determine the position of the feed bar based on activation or non-activation of the switches and control the feed wheel and engine in light thereof. The ECU controls a pair of directional control valves via respective solenoids to control flow of hydraulic fluid to control rotation of a feed motor which drives the feed wheel. |
| US07658210B1 |
Loom
A loom and method of weaving, the loom having a frame and a member rotatably mounted on the frame. The rotatable member including a chin bar and a heddle. The loom is mountable on an operator's shoulders so that the operator may apply a force to the chin bar of the rotatable member, moving the heddle. Also a tandem loom having a frame supporting two rotatable members, for manipulating the two heddles by multiple operators. |
| US07658207B2 |
Hydraulic pressure reservoir
An hydraulic pressure reservoir having at least one pressure chamber with a fluid connection to a hydraulic circuit. The pressure chamber is formed between a movable partition member carried in a housing and having a pressure limiting valve, and a fixed partition. The movable partition member is in the form of a diaphragm spring. |
| US07658198B2 |
Washing system for dissolution vessels and the like
In one embodiment, a washing system including a nozzle assembly having a nozzle and having formed therein a rinse passageway and a waste passageway. Each passageway has first and second ends. The first end of the waste passageway is adapted to be coupled to a waste pump adapted to remove waste fluid via a waste aperture defining the second end of the waste passageway. The first end of the rinse passageway is adapted to be coupled to a rinse pump adapted to provide rinse fluid via a rinse aperture defining the second end of the rinse passageway. The nozzle is coupled to the rinse aperture and is adapted to rotate and direct flow of the rinse fluid outwardly while rotating. |
| US07658196B2 |
System and method for determining implanted device orientation
A system is operable to detect the orientation of an implant component. The system comprises an implantable component, an external component, and a logic component. The implantable component comprises a first coil operable to transmit a first signal having a phase. The external component comprises a second coil operable to transmit a second signal having a phase. The logic component is operable to compare the phase of the first signal with the phase of the second signal. The logic component is further configured to determine an orientation of the first coil relative to the second coil based on a comparison of the phase of the first signal with the phase of the second signal. The system may be used to determine the orientation of an injection port in an implanted gastric band system. The system may alternatively be used in a variety of other types of systems. |
| US07658185B2 |
Chamber for weapon
A barrel assembly for a device for shooting projectiles is disclosed. The barrel assembly comprises a firing chamber with first and second openings, wherein the firing chamber is capable of holding at least two projectiles. A first projectile retention device is located at the second opening of the firing chamber. A propellant injection device injects propellant into the firing chamber through a third opening. A firing control device initiates the injection of propellant into the firing chamber, wherein at least one projectile and the projectile retention device substantially seal the second opening of the firing chamber when propellant is introduced and at least one projectile is expelled out of a barrel through the first opening of the firing chamber. |
| US07658184B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing fuel to an aircraft engine
An aircraft engine includes an aircraft engine controller configured to detect an actual peak exhaust gas temperature of a cylinder assembly. The aircraft engine controller detects an intersection between a first function representing a relationship between a set of rich exhaust gas temperature signals and a corresponding set of rich fuel-air ratio values and a second function representing a relationship between a set of lean exhaust gas temperature signals and a set of lean fuel-air ratio values. Based upon the intersection between the first and second functions, the engine controller detects an actual peak fuel-air ratio value for the cylinder assembly and can determine if a correction in the fuel-air ratio of a fuel-air mixture provided to the cylinder assembly is required. Accordingly, the engine controller provides each cylinder assembly of the aircraft engine with an accurate fuel-air mixture to allow for operation of the engine with optimal fuel economy. |
| US07658180B2 |
Fuel pump and fuel feed system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a fuel pump
In a fuel pump in the form of a side-channel pump for a motor vehicle two partially annular ducts (21, 22) concentrically enclosing one another are connected to one another via a connecting duct (29). Connections (33, 34) of the connecting duct (29) to the partially annular ducts (21, 22) are laid so that at a rated speed of the fuel pump the same pressure prevails in each of them. If the speed falls below the rated speed, fuel passes from the radially outer, partially annular duct (22) into the radially inner, partially annular duct (21). A sufficient delivery capacity through the radially inner, partially annular duct (21) is thereby ensured. |
| US07658178B2 |
Engine event-based correction of engine speed fluctuations
Ignition timing for a combustion engine may be controlled by determining the roughness of current engine operation, comparing the determined roughness with a control roughness to determine if the determined roughness is within a threshold limit of the control roughness, and changing the ignition timing in a subsequent fuel delivery event as a function of the difference between the determined roughness and the control roughness. Preferably, the ignition timing is changed at least when the determined roughness is not within the threshold limit, although other factors may be taken into account when changing the ignition timing. |
| US07658174B2 |
Method for controlling glow plugs in diesel engines
The invention describes a method for controlling glow plugs in diesel engines by varying the effective electric voltage applied to the glow plugs between an initial value and a target value, which is obtained at the end of a cold start phase determined by an engine control unit and which is smaller than the initial value, wherein the increase in voltage, i.e. the voltage difference by which the effective voltage applied to the glow plugs in the cold start phase is higher than its target value, is reduced by steps from a maximum value to zero. The invention provides that the effective electric voltage is increased in the cold start phase of the engine over a predetermined period or time, which is determined by the time elapsed until a preselected number of revolutions of the engine is reached. |
| US07658170B2 |
Two-cycle engine
A stratified scavenging two-cycle engine includes: an air passage for delivering pure air to a scavenging passage; an air valve for opening and closing the air passage; and an auxiliary air passage for delivering the pure air to the scavenging passage when the air valve is completely closed. An amount of air for air-fuel mixture sucked in a crank chamber is reduced to increase the concentration of the air-fuel mixture, and air that supplements the reduced amount of the air for air-fuel mixture is fed into the scavenging passage through the auxiliary air passage, which enables the engine to be smoothly accelerated even when being suddenly accelerated from an idling state with an appropriate concentration of the air-fuel mixture sucked in a cylinder chamber during idling. |
| US07658166B1 |
Anti-bark training system for dogs
This patent discloses a system to train a dog to reduce barking while the dog is kept in an outdoor dog pen. The system may include a bark switch connected between a transformer and a power supply, a water valve operatively connected to the transformer and connected between a supply hose and a spray hose, a water supply connected to the supply hose, and a sprinkler head connected to the spray hose. Those components that may freeze may be located in a heated building. If the bark switch receives a bark of a predetermined intensity, the bark switch allows the power supply to send power to open the water valve so that water sprays a predetermined area of the dog pen. A timer may shut off the water spray and a lack of bark from the dog may keep the water spray from being turned on again. |
| US07658157B2 |
Boxed tree transporter
A transporter 16 is provided for moving a live tree which has a root ball B which is boxed or otherwise contained. A powered slide mechanism 22 is movable from an inclined position to engage the boxed tree to a horizontal transport position on the trailer or truck bed. A powered loading mechanism 26 attached to the slide mechanism engages the boxed tree to move up the inclined slide mechanism. A powered tilting mechanism 40 tilts the boxed tree to an inclined transport position. |
| US07658155B2 |
Waste treatment process and apparatus
A process for the treatment of waste, the process comprising: (i) either (a) a gasification step comprising treating the waste in a gasification unit in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce an offgas and a char, or (b) a pyrolysis step comprising treating the waste in a pyrolysis unit to produce an offgas and a char; and (ii) a plasma treatment step comprising subjecting the offgas and the char to a plasma treatment in a plasma treatment unit in the presence of oxygen and, optionally, steam. |
| US07658152B2 |
Tie plate inserting machine
A track mounted machine is capable of inserting a previously positioned tie plate between a rail and underlying cross tie of a railway. The machine preferably is also capable of lifting the rail from the tie prior to tie plate insertion and/or, is capable of operating on both rails of a railway simultaneously. The preferred embodiment includes two tie plate inserter assemblies mounted on a common workhead. Each tie plate inserter assembly includes a pusher that can be moved, under control of an operator stationed on the machine, vertically and longitudinally on the rails so as to be aligned with a field end of the tie plate. The pusher can then be actuated to push the tie plate laterally under the rail. |
| US07658148B2 |
Reactive shaped charges comprising thermal sprayed reactive components
Shaped charge liners are made of reactive materials formed by thermal spray techniques. The thermally sprayed reactive shaped charge materials have low porosity and high structural integrity. Upon detonation, the reactive materials of the shaped charge liner undergo an exothermic reaction that raises the temperature and the effectiveness of the liner. |
| US07658146B2 |
Inking-pad printing system
A pad printing system includes a pad printing machine and an object positioning device. The object positioning device is a multiple positioning device by means of which an object support may be consecutively positioned at a print station each time. |
| US07658141B2 |
Closed cartridge for preparing a beverage for extraction under pressure
The present invention relates to a closed cartridge (10), for extraction under pressure, comprising a dish (12) with a bottom (13) with a central part and a peripheral part and a side wall having substantially the shape of a frustum of a cone and a circular edge with a diameter greater at the bottom and a cover (15) welded to the periphery of the edge of the dish and the cover is intended to be torn only through the effect of the force of the extraction fluid when extraction starts, the said cartridge comprising, in the dish at the level of the bottom, a means (16) guaranteeing retention of the solid substance when it is opened, in which the means guaranteeing retention of solid substance is a sheet of fabric sealed in the bottom of the dish in two zones, on the one hand in the central part (17) and on the other hand in the peripheral part (18) of the said bottom (13). |
| US07658140B2 |
Portable rifle or shotgun aiming seat apparatus and kit
A rifle or shotgun aiming seat apparatus is portable, erectable on the ground and/or as part of a ladder or tree stand. The apparatus incorporates therewith a seat and a rifle-positioning cradle that enables the user to remain in position and simultaneously rotate and selectively and rapidly adjust the height, distance and angular orientation of the rifle barrel, depending on the shooting environment presented. Additionally, the frame structure of the apparatus is adapted to be adjusted and leveled as to sloping ground and enables a hunting blind be erected to hide the hunter while in position. |
| US07658129B2 |
Method of making a composite utility blade
A composite utility knife blade and method of making such a blade involves butt joining a tool steel wire to a front edge of an alloy steel backing strip. The wire is electron beam welded to the backing strip to form a composite strip defining a first metal portion formed by the alloy steel backing strip, a second metal portion formed by the tool steel wire, and a weld region joining the first and second metal portions. The composite strip is then annealed, and the annealed strip is straightened to eliminate any camber therein. The annealed composite strip is then hardened such that the first metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 38 Rc to approximately 52 Rc, and the second metal portion defines a surface hardness within the range of approximately 60 Rc to approximately 57 Rc. |
| US07658125B2 |
Steering device
A steering device comprises a steering shaft to which a steering wheel is attached, a steering column for housing and supporting the steering shaft so as to be rotatable, a tilt unit for tilting the steering column and the steering shaft, a main bracket fixed to a vehicle side bracket and a pressure applying member provided between the main bracket and the steering column for applying a pressure in one direction to the steering column. |
| US07658124B2 |
Compliant gear assembly and work machine using same
A compliant gear assembly includes a gear ring positioned about a hub and configured to translate responsive to a torque on the gear assembly, and biased toward co-axial alignment with the hub via at least one actuator. A method of managing loads on an idler gear in the gear train is still further provided including translating the gear ring responsive to the torque on the idler gear. A work machine includes an engine having a housing and a geartrain mounted thereon, the geartrain including a crank gear, a cam gear and a compliant idler gear assembly. |
| US07658122B2 |
Method and apparatus for measuring manual actuation of spray devices
An assembly that provides operational information about operation of a spray device, such as a nasal spray pump or metered dose inhaler. A linkage adapted to extend between a mounting assembly, connected to a stationary part of the spray device, and an adapter assembly, connected to a movable part of the spray device, is in operational relationship with a transducer to enable the transducer to indicate a mechanical relationship between the movable and stationary parts of the spray device corresponding to the operation of the spray device. A data collection and processing system may be connected to the transducer for determining information that may be used to program an automated actuation system. |
| US07658121B2 |
Flow cytometric apparatus and method
The present invention discloses a flow cytometric apparatus comprising a flow chamber to be passed through by a sample in a row in sequence, a sample storage means for metering and storing the sample, a sample syringe for driving the sample into the flow chamber, a syringe-type injection-suction means comprising a sheath liquid syringe and a liquid-path switching means connected with it, and a control unit for controlling the operations of the sample syringe and the syringe-type the injection-suction means. In a sample charging stage, the injection-suction means feeds the sample into the sample storage means so that the sample is temporarily stored in it in a ready-to-use state, and in a sheath-liquid injection stage, the injection-suction means feeds the sheath liquid into the flow chamber to form a sheath flow. A flow cytometric method performed by the flow cytometric apparatus is also disclosed. |