最新美国发明专利第2010-03-16期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US07678284B2	Tertiary filter A filter cloth of long pile fiber bundles is used as a tertiary filter in a wastewater processing method. The filter may be backwashed by a rotating suction head which does not touch the filter cloth. A combination of countercurrent and horizontal flow dislodges entrained solids from the filter cloth. Mounting of the filter media as modular components permits increased capacity within a single tank while avoiding down time in changeover of filter media.
US07678279B2	Metal compound removal The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one metal compound and/or a component thereof from a mixture, said process comprising contacting the said mixture with a heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion, thereby producing a precipitate comprising the heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion and the metal compound and/or a component thereof. The present invention further relates to a process for the purification of a mixture containing at least one metal compound, said process comprising contacting the said mixture with a heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion, thereby producing a precipitate that is substantially insoluble in the said reaction mixture and recovering the reaction mixture.
US07678278B2	Method of treating water with an inorganic powder reagent A process for treating water is provided where the water is mixed with an inorganic reagent powder such as powder activated carbon. Organics and micropollutants are absorbed by the reagent powder. After the reagent powder has been mixed with the water, the water is directed to a setting tank and sludge from the water settles to produce a clarified effluent. Forming a part of the sludge is the reagent powder previously added. Sludge is collected and directed to a separator that separates the reagent powder from the sludge. Separated reagent powder is recycled and mixed with the water being treated.
US07678277B2	Materials for processing non-aqueous mixtures and methods for their preparation The invention provides porous matrices that comprise one or more anionic surfactants that can be used in non-aqueous environments.
US07678274B2	Wastewater treatment system Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.
US07678268B2	Wastewater treatment system The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating wastewater. The wastewater treatment system includes a bioreactor including activated carbon and a first biological population. The wastewater treatment system may also include a membrane bioreactor and/or a wet oxidation unit.
US07678265B2	Arrangement for separating environmentally harmful substances from a polluted mass The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for separating environmentally hazardous substances, such as heavy metals and oil, from a contaminated mass, such as sewage sludge or soil from industrial sites. According to the process, an aqueous metal hydroxide solution comprising Na, K or Ca is added to the contaminated material in form of high-pressure jets, in order to disintegrate the material and provide a homogeneous mixture. Thereafter, liquid containing the hazardous substances is separated from the washed material and subsequently filtrated. The essentially pure water resulting from the filtration step may be used for producing new metal hydroxide solution to be used in the process.
US07678264B2	Systems, methods, and catalysts for producing a crude product Methods and systems for contacting of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that includes a crude product are described. At least one of the catalysts is an uncalcined catalyst. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. The crude product has a nitrogen content of at most 90% of the nitrogen content of the crude feed. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US07678263B2	Gas stripping process for removal of sulfur-containing components from crude oil High rate gas stripping for removal of sulfur-containing components such as mercaptans from crude oil may be conducted by feeding sweet gas to the bottom of a tower containing pre-heated mercaptan-containing crude oil feed. The gas bubbles up through the crude becoming enriched with H2S, mercaptans, CO2 and/or hydrocarbons. The rich gas exits the tower, and is treated to produce a sweetened gas, a portion of which is recycled to the tower, and an acid gas. The remainder of the sweetened and/or the acid gas may be used as a fuel or processed to recover a portion of any hydrocarbons that may have been stripped out of the crude oil with the mercaptans, sulfur-containing components, CO2, used for enhanced oil recovery or disposed.
US07678259B2	Method of anodizing valve metal derived anode bodies and electrolyte therefore An electrolyte solution for anodizing a metal and a capacitor comprising the anodized metal. The electrolyte comprises more than about 5%, by weight, and less than about 30%, by weight, water; about 0.1 to 20%, by weight, ionogen and an aprotic polar solvent. The ionogen comprises phosphoric acid and an alkanol amine in an amount, and ratio, sufficient to maintain a pH of about 4 to about 9.
US07678258B2	Void-free damascene copper deposition process and means of monitoring thereof An improved method of stabilizing wet chemical baths is disclosed. Typically such baths are used in processes for treating workpieces, for example, plating processes for plating metal onto substrates. In particular, the present invention relates to copper plating baths. More particularly, the present invention relates to the stability of copper plating baths. More particularly, the present invention relates to prevention of void formation by monitoring the accumulation of deleterious by-products in copper plating baths.
US07678257B2	Copper electrolytic solution containing quaternary amine compound polymer with specific skeleton and organo-sulfur compound as additives, and electrolytic copper foil manufactured using the same There is obtained a low-profile electrolytic copper foil with a small surface roughness on the side of the rough surface (the opposite side from the lustrous surface) in the manufacture of an electrolytic copper foil using a cathode drum, and more particularly an electrolytic copper foil which allows fine patterning, and is superior in terms of elongation and tensile strength at ordinary temperatures and high temperatures. The present invention provides a copper electrolytic solution, containing as additives an organo-sulfur compound and a quaternary amine compound polymer obtained by homopolymerizing a compound in which the nitrogen of an acrylic type compound having a dialkylamino group is quaternized, or copolymerizing the compound with another compound having an unsaturated bond, and an electrolytic copper foil manufactured using this electrolytic solution.
US07678256B2	Insulator-based DEP with impedance measurements for analyte detection Disclosed herein are microfluidic devices for assaying at least one analyte specie in a sample comprising at least one analyte concentration area in a microchannel having insulating structures on or in at least one wall of the microchannel which provide a nonuniform electric field in the presence of an electric field provided by off-chip electrodes; and a pair of passivated sensing electrodes for impedance detection in a detection area. Also disclosed are assay methods and methods of making.
US07678255B2	Mask and method for electrokinetic deposition and patterning process on substrates A mask for application to a substrate to facilitate electrokinetic deposition of charged particles onto the substrate, the mask comprising a conducting layer, a dielectric layer, and mask openings. A method for applying a pattern of charged particles to a substrate comprising applying the foregoing the substrate to yield a masked substrate; immersing the masked substrate in a bath containing the charged particles; and establishing an electrical potential between the conducting layer of the mask and a counter-electrode thereby electrokinetically depositing the particles through the mask openings onto areas of the substrate exposed in the mask openings. Products made by this method.
US07678253B2	Atmospheric corrosion sensor An electrochemical sensor for corrosive gases that contains at least two electrodes is described. The presence of a target corrosive gas results in the formation of metal ions that can be reduced at an electrode producing an electrical current that depends on the instantaneous corrosive gas concentration and deposition of the metal on the electrode. Extension of this deposit to a second electrode through further deposition will result in a short circuit, the longer the time to the short circuit, the lower the cumulative corrosive gas concentration.
US07678247B2	Cathode edge support device for a remote identifier in electro-winning and electro-refining process A device that supports a remote identifier for permanent cathodes in the electro-winning process. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a support for a proximity identification device for permanent cathodes that, when interconnected with a remote system, provides for a record of its behavior and position in time of each cathode during its useful life in an electro-winning process.
US07678245B2	Method and apparatus for electrochemical mechanical processing Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for processing a substrate in an electrochemical mechanical planarizing system. In one embodiment, a cell for polishing a substrate includes a processing pad disposed on a top surface of a platen assembly. A plurality of conductive elements are arranged in a spaced-apart relation across the upper planarizing surface and adapted to bias the substrate relative to an electrode disposed between the pad and the platen assembly. A plurality of passages are formed through the platen assembly between the top surface and a plenum defined within the platen assembly. In another embodiment, a system is provided having a bulk processing cell and a residual processing cell. The residual processing cell includes a biased conductive planarizing surface. In further embodiments, the conductive element is protected from attack by process chemistries.
US07678241B2	Film forming apparatus, substrate for forming oxide thin film and production method thereof The invention provides a film forming apparatus that is capable of forming films sequentially with two types of film forming mechanisms in the same chamber. The film forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a Pt target disposed at one side within a film forming chamber, a sputtering output mechanism to supply to the Pt target, a Pt vapor deposition source disposed at an other side within the film forming chamber, a vapor deposition output mechanism to supply to the Pt vapor deposition source, a substrate holder disposed between the Pt target and the Pt vapor deposition source within the film forming chamber to mount a substrate, a rotating mechanism to move the substrate holder so that the substrate directs to the Pt target or to the Pt vapor deposition source, a heating mechanism to heat the substrate when the substrate is subjected to a sputtering film forming, and a cooling mechanism to cool the substrate when the substrate is subjected to vapor deposition film forming.
US07678239B2	Sliding anode magnetron sputtering source A magnetron sputtering source includes a plurality of electrodes and a switching circuit. The switching circuit sequentially connects each of the plurality of electrodes to a ground reference, making it anodic, while connecting the remaining of the plurality of electrodes as cathodes. A method of operating the magnetron sputtering source includes steps of: providing a plurality of target arrangements; causing each of the plurality of target arrangements to act as a cathode; and sequentially causing each of the plurality of cathodes to temporarily act as an anode.
US07678231B2	Process for increasing the basis weight of sheet materials Sheet-like products are disclosed containing an additive composition. In accordance with the present disclosure, the additive composition is applied to a creping surface. The additive composition includes at least an aqueous dispersion containing a thermoplastic polymer. A base sheet is then pressed against the creping surface for contact with the additive composition. The base sheet is then creped from the creping surface causing the additive composition to transfer to the base sheet. In particular, the additive composition is transferred to the base sheet in amounts greater than about 1% by weight, such as from about 2% to about 50% by weight. The additive composition may further include a lotion, a debonder, a softener, or mixtures thereof.
US07678228B2	Binders curable at room temperature with low blocking Topically-applied binder materials for imparting wet strength to soft, absorbent paper sheets, such as are useful as household paper towels and the like, include an azetidinium-reactive polymer, such as a carboxyl-functional polymer, an azetidinium-functional polymer and, optionally, a component useful for reducing sheet-to-sheet adhesion (blocking) in the product. These binder materials can be cured at ambient temperature over a period of days and do not impart objectionable odor to final product when wetted.
US07678227B2	Multi-stage flash evaporator The present invention provides tube bundle configurations for multi stage flash cross tube type evaporators using concepts with parallel and counter current coolant flow. Those tube bundle configurations allow to build the evaporators more compact and provide the possibilities to lower the thermal and electrical energy consumption for a multi stage flash desalination plant by maintaining or reducing the distilled water generation cost as achievable with cross tube evaporators utilizing single pass tube bundles in serial flow communication.
US07678225B2	Focus ring for semiconductor treatment and plasma treatment device A focus ring for a plasma processing apparatus has an inner region, middle region, and outer region, disposed in this order from the inner side to surround a target substrate. On the side to be exposed to plasma, the surfaces of the inner region and outer region consist essentially of a dielectric, while the surface of the middle region consists essentially of a conductor. The middle region is arranged to shift the peak of plasma density to the outside of the peripheral edge of the target substrate. If there is no middle region, the peak of plasma density appears substantially directly above the peripheral edge of the target substrate.
US07678220B2	Method of making a bonded hem using an elastic strip with a raised fleece surface A method of making a bonded hem includes sandwiching a body member between a first adhesive film and a second adhesive film, placing a fabric sheet upon the first adhesive film and fusing the first adhesive film to bond onto the body member and the fabric sheet, flipping the fabric sheet to form a first fold line and a second fold line, and fusing the second adhesive film to bond onto the fabric sheet to form the bonded hem.
US07678218B2	Production method of an electroacoustic transducer diaphragm, electroacoustic transducer diaphragm, and an electroacoustic transducer A production method for an electroacoustic transducer diaphragm includes producing an adhered sheet by adhering a sheet member on a surface of a wooden sheet having a thickness of from 0.01 mm to 3 mm, and the sheet member being made of a material different from the wooden sheet, immersing the adhered sheet into one of a solution including 0.01-1 wt % of a penetrating agent and a solution including 0.01-1 wt % of penetrating agent and 0.01-20 wt % of a wetting agent, and molding the adhered sheet obtained by the immersing step so that the immersed adhered sheet has a predetermined shape of the electroacoustic transducer diaphragm.
US07678217B2	Method for manufacturing an endovascular graft section A device and method for the manufacture of medical devices, specifically, endovascular grafts, or sections thereof. Layers of fusible material are disposed upon a shape forming member and seams formed between the layers in a configuration that can produce inflatable channels in desired portions of the graft. After creation of the seams, the fusible material of the inflatable channels may be fixed while the channels are in an expanded state. A five axis robotic seam forming apparatus may be used to create the seams in the layers of fusible material.
US07678216B2	Tire filled with core and curable elastomeric material and method A tire having a core located in a tire cavity and a cured and foamed elastomeric material located in the tire cavity adjacent the core. The core is made of a solid material, a precured and foamed elastomeric material or a hollow rigid structure. The core may be a single piece or fabricated from multiple pieces.
US07678215B2	Installation method for non-slip sanitary flooring A method of installing flooring and resulting structure are disclosed. The method is particularly useful for sanitary nonslip applications such as kitchens. The method includes the steps of positioning a first sheet of polymer flooring material with an upwardly-facing step cut along one edge of the first sheet on a floor to be covered, and applying a second sheet of polymer flooring material with a complementary downwardly-facing step cut along one edge of the second sheet to the upwardly facing step cut of the first sheet and to the floor adjacent the first sheet while concurrently sealing the respective faces to one another in a step lap joint.
US07678211B2	Device and method for joining substrates A device for joining substrates (11) is provided inside a clean booth (12). a single axis robot (46) and a five axis robot (47) convey a wafer (25) and a glass substrate (33). A transcribing station (91) obtains a transcribing film (112) on which adhesive is applied from a film supplying section (113), and presses the transcribing film (112) to the glass substrate (33) so as to transcribe the adhesive to the glass substrate (33). A peeling station (92) peels the transcribing film (112) from the glass substrate (33). A joining station (57) positions the wafer (25) and the glass substrate (33), adjusts parallelism of joining surfaces of the wafer (25) and the glass substrate (33), and joins these substrates together. Since the handling and the joining of the wafer (25), the glass substrate (33) and the transcribing film (112) are performed in the clean booth, it is prevented that a yield ratio of the product decreases because of the adhesion of foreign matters.
US07678207B2	Steel product for induction hardening, induction-hardened member using the same, and methods producing them We provide a steel product that includes, by mass %, C: 0.35-0.7%, Si: 0.30-1.1%, Mn: 0.2-2.0%, Al: 0.005-0.25%, Ti: 0.005-0.1%, Mo: 0.05-0.6%, B: 0.0003-0.006%, S: 0.06% or less, P: 0.02% or less, Cr: 0.2% or less, and the balance Fe and inevitable impurities, and has a structure of bainite and/or martensite, the total volume fraction of bainite and martensite being 10% or more, and an induction hardened member that is made of the steel product having a hardened surface layer formed by induction hardening and has a prior austenite grain size of 12 μm or less through the layer thickness. The member has high fatigue strength and therefore is suitable for an automobile drive shaft, an automobile constant velocity joint or the like.
US07678206B2	Manufacturing method of rocker arm bearing apparatus Quenching heat treatment is performed on a whole rocker arm bearing assembly in which shaft ends of a supporting shaft are fixed to inner peripheral edges of shaft end insertion holes of a pair of opposite sidewalls, and by the outer ring is rotatably supported on a raceway portion of an shaft intermediate portion of the supporting shaft through a plurality of rolling elements or directly, thereby manufacturing a rocker arm bearing apparatus.
US07678205B2	Aluminum alloy products having improved property combinations and method for artificially aging same Aluminum alloy products, such as plate, forgings and extrusions, suitable for use in making aerospace structural components like integral wing spars, ribs and webs, comprises about: 6 to 10 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.9 wt. % Mg; 1.2 to 2.2 wt. % Cu, with Mg≦(Cu+0.3); and 0.05 to 0.4 wt. % Zr, the balance Al, incidental elements and impurities. Preferably, the alloy contains about 6.9 to 8.5 wt. % Zn; 1.2 to 1.7 wt. % Mg; 1.3 to 2 wt. % Cu. This alloy provides improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness in thick gauges. When artificially aged per the three stage method of preferred embodiments, this alloy also achieves superior SCC performance, including under seacoast conditions.
US07678202B2	Drip shield for a drawer-type dishwasher A drip shield is mounted to a drawer of a drawer-type dishwasher so as to extend along an outer rear surface of the drawer and catch droplets of washing fluid falling from a lid of the dishwasher. The drip shield includes a shelf that extends between up-turned wall portions. The shelf is angled away from the tub so that any droplets of washing fluid that may fall onto the drip shield will migrate away from the drawer. The shelf is also formed such that first and second end portions are positioned higher than a central or intermediate portion. This construction forces the droplets of washing fluid to collect in a centralized drain point from where the droplets of water can be guided to a controlled location.
US07678201B2	Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates The invention relates to a chemical composition and a process for using the chemical composition to remove and recover petroleum hydrocarbons from a contaminated substrate including an ammonia compound; a nitrogen-containing compound; and an aqueous carrier solution.
US07678200B2	Technique on ozone water for use in cleaning semiconductor substrate An ultra-pure ozone water comprising an increased amount of an organic carbon capable of suppressing the reduction of the half-life period of ozone; and a method for producing the ultra-pure ozone water which comprises adding an organic solvent containing the above organic carbon to an ultra-pure ozone water containing a trace amount of the organic carbon. The above ultra-pure ozone water exhibits an increased half-life period of ozone, and thus, when used in cleaning a semiconductor substrate, allows the cleaning with an ozone water having an enhanced content of ozone, which results in exhibiting an enhanced cleaning capability and cleaning efficiency for an organic impurities, metallic impurities and the like adhered to the substrate, due to enhanced oxidizing action of ozone.
US07678199B2	Substrate cleaning method A method is provided for reducing the amount of film fragments discharged into a processing liquid circulation system during removal of films from wafers, thereby reducing the frequency of filter cleaning or filter replacement. The method includes exposing a wafer containing a film formed thereon in a process chamber of a substrate processing system to a processing liquid, where the wafer is not rotated or is rotated at a first speed and the processing liquid is discharged from the process chamber to a processing liquid circulation system. Subsequently, exposure of the wafer to the processing liquid is discontinued and the wafer is rotated at a second speed greater than the first speed to centrifugally remove fragments of the film from the wafer. Next, the wafer is exposed to the same or a different processing liquid and the processing liquid is discharged from the process chamber to a processing liquid drain.
US07678193B2	Product for treating reinforced concrete constructions The invention relates to the use of lithium glycerophosphate for treating structures made of a cement-based product and having steel rebars, making it possible to inhibit rebar corrosion, to prevent the alkali reaction and to avoid the presence of alkalis and sulfates in the structure.
US07678192B2	Method of solidifying and detoxifying soil, incinerated ash and coal ash and method of detoxifying polluted water containing dioxins and PCB A method of solidifying and detoxifying a soil, incinerated ash and coal ash to yield a solidified substance detoxified to a level complying with the environmental standards and a method of detoxifying polluted water containing dioxins and polluted water containing PCB are provided. First solidifying and detoxifying agent contains light burnt magnesite as component (1) and chrysolite powder as component (2), in which a ratio by weight of the component (1) and the component (2) is 1:5 to 5:1, preferably 1:3 to 3:1, more preferably 1:2 to 2:1 and is the solidifying and detoxifying agent applied to one kind selected from soil, incinerated ash and coal ash as well as polluted water containing dioxins and polluted water containing PCB. Other solidifying and detoxifying agent further contains as an additional component a fused phosphate fertilizer and titanium dioxide powder as well as anhydrous gypsum powder, light burnt dolomite and/or calcined lime powder.
US07678185B2	Anthrapyridone compound or salt thereof, magenta ink composition containing the same, and colored product The present invention relates to an anthrapyridone compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group, a cyclohexyl group or a (mono- or di-alkylamino) alkyl group, X represents a cross-linking group represented by the formula: —NH—(CH2)n-NH— (201) wherein, n is 2 to 8 and another cross-linking group, respectively or a salt thereof, a magenta ink composition containing the anthrapyridone compound, and a colored product therewith; said compound has a hue having a high vividness suitable for inkjet recording, a recorded matter therewith has strong fastnesses particularly such as light fastness and ozone fastness, and the ink composition has an excellent storage stability, whereby said compound is useful as a magenta coloring matter suitable for inkjet recording.
US07678178B2	Method and system for treating metal-containing fluid emissions A system and associated method for removing metal, including metal in vapor form, from high temperature fluid emissions such as may occur at the exhaust of furnaces or thermal treatment equipment. One embodiment is the Integrated Metal Emissions Control System (IMECS™) incorporating both a Steel Screen Particulate (SSP) Filter System and a Perlite Based Sorbent (PBS) System. IMECS™ uses the SSP Filter System, with pore sizes down to one micron, to capture toxic metal particulate materials and the PBS System to capture vapor phase metals using surface-modified perlite. Using the IMECS™, EPA-listed heavy metals have been removed from representative high-temperature emissions in field tests to easily meet the NESHAP standards.
US07678174B2	Soft magnetic material, compressed powder magnetic core and method for producing compressed power magnetic core A soft magnetic material has an iron based powder that has an insulating coating on the surface and an ester wax. The ester wax is added in an amount not less than 0.02% by weight and not more than 0.6% by weight in relation to the soft magnetic material. Consequently, seizure between a metal mold and a material to be molded at the time of molding can be suppressed and the arising of a black residue can be prevented.
US07678173B2	Pb-free copper-alloy sliding material In a Pb-free copper-based sintered alloy containing from 1 to 30% of Bi and from 0.1 to 10% of hard matter particles having from 10 to 50 μm of average particle diameter, the Bi phase has a smaller average particle diameter than that of the hard matter particles and is dispersed in the Cu matrix, or the hard matter particles having 50% or less of a contact length ratio with the Bi phase based on the total circumferential length of the hard particle, which are in contact with said Bi phase, are present in a ratio of 70% or more based on the entire number of the hard matter particles.
US07678172B2	Microwave treatment of ores A method of treating ore particles to facilitate subsequent processing of the ore particles to recover valuable components from the ore is disclosed. The method includes exposing the ore particles to microwave energy and causing structural alteration of the ore particles. In one embodiment structural alteration is achieve without significantly altering the mineralogy, i.e., composition, of the ore. In another embodiment structural alteration is achieved with minimal change to the sizes of the ore particles. In another embodiment the method includes exposing the ore particles to short duration, high energy pulses of microwave energy.
US07678171B2	Process of preparing soil additive of fertilizer from fish A process for preparing fertilizer from fish, and a fertilizer prepared from said process, is disclosed. The fertilizer is for use on soil and plants. The process involves hydrolysis of fish with a phosphorus containing acid, preferably an inorganic phosphorus based acid, under normal ambient conditions. Typically, phosphoric acid is used. The fertilizer prepared from the disclosed process contains 1 to 10% by weight of the phosphorus based acid.
US07678170B2	Filter system A filter element, especially for filtering intake air for an internal combustion engine, which filter element is composed of a coiled filter, through which a flow of air passes axially, and which has an annular gasket on at least one end face, the annular gasket being connected to the filter element by a welded, glued, extruded or fused connection, such that the annular gasket is inserted into a suitably constructed receptacle in a filter housing and radially and/or axially positions the coiled filter. The annular gasket is arranged directly on the end face of the coiled filter and is pressed axially and/or radially into the receptacle of the housing.
US07678158B2	Compositions for oxidatively dyeing keratin fibers and methods for using such compositions Compositions for dyeing keratin fibers comprise (a) at least one keratin dyeing compound selected from aromatic systems which comprise at least one boronic acid or boronic ester moiety and which are capable of forming upon oxidation a nucleophile or an electrophile, (b) at least one additional keratin dyeing compound selected from the group consisting of auxiliary developers and auxiliary couplers, and (c) a cosmetically suitable medium. Methods for oxidatively dyeing keratin fibers comprise the steps of applying such compositions in the presence of an oxidizing agent and rinsing the hair. A hair coloring product in kit form comprises a first separately packaged container comprising a composition as described above and a second separately packaged container comprising an oxidizing agent.
US07678155B2	Water- and oil-repellent treatment of textile Excellent water- and oil-repellency and soil releasability can be obtained by a method of preparing a treated textile, having steps of: (1) preparing a treatment liquid containing a water- and oil-repellent agent and a stain blocking agent, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the water- and oil-repellent agent contains at least one fluorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing polymer and a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, and the water- and oil-repellent agent or the treatment liquid contains a cationic emulsifying agent.
US07678150B2	Total shoulder prosthesis of an inverted type A total shoulder prosthesis includes a glenoidal component a substantially hemispherical convex articular surface and of which a center of curvature is adapted, when the prosthesis is implanted, to be located in the glenoid cavity or in the immediate vicinity thereof, and a humeral component defining a concave articular surface adapted to cooperate with the convex articular surface of the glenoidal component. The concave humeral articular surface is defined by a metallic part of the humeral component to thereby reduce a space requirement of the prosthesis.
US07678146B2	Polyacrylamide hydrogel and its use as an endoprosthesis A biocompatible hydrogel comprises a specified content of polyacrylamide and pyrogen-free water. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydrogel and an injectable or implantable endoprosthesis. The hydrogel may also be used to treat a cosmetic or functional defect. Hydrogels specified according to their polyacrylamide content may be used for medical indications, such as an implantable or injectable endoprostheses for mammoplastic reconstruction, implantable or injectable endoprostheses for treating (reflux) oesophagitis, and for body contouring of various body parts.
US07678145B2	Devices and methods for heart valve treatment Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.
US07678143B2	Ethylene-carboxyl copolymers as drug delivery matrices A coated stent is provided including a coating composed of one or more co-polymers of ethylene with carboxylic acid wherein the carboxylic acid co-monomer content is 5-50 wt %.
US07678138B2	Two piece cross-pin graft fixation In one aspect of the invention, a cross-pin includes a distal portion having an axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. A proximal cylindrical portion includes a threaded exterior surface. A junction may be interposed between the distal and proximal portions to enable the proximal portion to rotate relative to the distal portion. In another aspect of the invention, a graft retaining system for retaining a graft in a bone tunnel includes a graft block having a proximal end and a distal end, and sized to fit within the bone tunnel. A cross pin transverse to the bone tunnel attaches the graft block adjacent the tunnel. An intermediate connector is attached to the graft block at a point distal to the cross pin and connects the graft to the graft block so as to apply compressive forces to the graft block.
US07678137B2	Pedicle screw constructs for spine fixation systems A pedicle screw coupling construct for a pedicle screw construct provides fixation of angular orientation thereof relative to a pedicle screw independent of fixation of a received spinal rod to the coupling construct. The pedicle screw construct forms one component or element in a spinal fixation system. The independent fixation coupling construct also provides for fixation of the angular orientation of the coupling construct while the coupling construct has received the spinal rod. In another form, a coupling head or construct is configured to allow a pedicle screw shaft to pass therethrough but retain the pedicle screw head for rotation of the coupling head about the pedicle screw head. The coupling head or construct is also configured to allow at least a 45° arc of pivot or articulation about a pedicle screw shaft relative to a longitudinal axis of a spinal rod received in the body. This allows the head with a received spinal rod to fold, bend or pivot relative to the pedicle screw shaft, particularly to a greater degree than the prior art.
US07678131B2	Single-wire expandable cages for embolic filtering devices A single-wire expandable cage for an embolic filtering device includes a single cage wire coupled to an elongated member, such as a guide wire, and adapted to expand from an unexpanded position to an expanded position in a patient's body vessel. The wire includes a first end and a second end which are coupled to the guide wire. A filter element is attached to the single-wire cage. The single-wire cage may be rotatably mounted to the guide wire or may be slidably disposed on the guide wire to allow the composite cage and filter element to be slid over the guide wire in an over-the-wire fashion once the guide wire is delivered to the target location in the patient's vasculature. One embodiment of the single-wire cage utilizes an offset arrangement in which the guide wire remains extended along the wall of the body vessel once the single-wire cage is deployed. Another embodiment of the device centers the guide wire within the body vessel.
US07678129B1	Locking component for an embolic filter assembly A locking component for locking a medical device onto a guide wire. Such medical devices include, for example, an embolic filter assembly used to capture embolic material that may be created and released into a patient's vasculature during a stenting or angioplasty procedure. The embolic filter assembly tracks along the guide wire, and is delivered to a treatment site where it is locked in place and deployed. The locking component enables the filter assembly to lock onto any standard guide wire, and does not require a modified guide wire that has a specially-designed fitting or stop to accomplish the locking function.
US07678127B2	Multi-lancet device with sterility cap repositioning mechanism A lancing device has a carousel of lancets removably received in a housing. In exemplary embodiments, the lancing device includes a sterility cap positioning mechanism that removes sterility caps from the lancets for actuation and afterwards replaces the sterility caps onto the lancets. Preferably, the lancing device includes a lancet advancing mechanism that automatically advances sequential lancets of the lancet carousel for charging and actuating, and a drive mechanism for actuating the lancets. Also provided are replacement lancet carousels, which include a cylindrical carrier with axial openings and a plurality of the lancets axially oriented in the openings.
US07678126B2	Lancet depth adjustment assembly A lancet depth adjustment assembly structured to be used use with a lancet device of the type including a lancet disposed movably within a housing so as to pass into a piercing orientation wherein a piercing tip of the lancet protrudes from a piercing aperture defined in the housing. The lancet depth adjustment assembly includes a depth adjustment element movably secured in overlying relation to the piercing aperture of the housing and having a piercing access including one or more openings structured to permit passage of the piercing tip of the lancet therethrough. The depth adjustment element is structured to be interposed between a finger of a patient and the piercing aperture so as to define a spacing therebetween, and accordingly define a depth to which the piercing tip, which protrudes a defined amount from the housing, penetrates the body part. Furthermore, the depth adjustment element is constructed of a varying thickness so as to vary the spacing between the body part and the piercing aperture in accordance with a thickness of a portion of the depth adjustment element disposed in overlying relation to the piercing aperture at a time of operation of the lancet device.
US07678122B2	Method of performing a treatment for gastroesophagheal reflux disease (GERD) A method of performing a treatment for gastroesophagheal reflux disease (GERD) includes providing a distal end of a shaft of a medical instrument with a proximally facing end effector having a laterally offset clevis defining a shaft-clevis plane and opposing mutually rotatable jaws proximally directed and laterally displaced relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The jaws hold parts of a two-part fastener, respectively, and are offset and separated from the shaft. Significantly, the jaws operate in a plane at an angle to the shaft-clevis plane. The shaft is inserted with the proximally facing end effector through the esophagus in a first direction. The shaft is retracted in a second direction substantially opposite the first. The end effector contacts a stomach wall at a location near the esophagus and the stomach wall is manipulated with the end effector.
US07678118B2	Releasable basket A medical retrieval device includes a basket formed of two or more loops. The basket may be used to retrieve material (e.g., a urinary stone) from a body. The basket opens and closes for end-encapsulation of a stone and is strengthened by support members that interconnect the basket loops. A captured stone may be released from the basket with the basket still in the body by opening the loops.
US07678115B2	Unicondylar knee implants and insertion methods therefor A method of preparing a knee joint for receiving a unicondylar knee implant includes preparing a first seating surface at a proximal end of a tibia, and providing a combination bur template and spacer block, the bur template having an upper end, a lower end and a curved surface extending between the upper and lower ends thereof that is adapted to conform to a femoral condyle of a femur and the spacer block extending from the lower end of the bur template and having top and bottom surfaces. The method includes flexing the knee joint so that the prepared first seating surface at the proximal end of the tibia opposes a posterior region of the femoral condyle and inserting the combination bur template and spacer block into the knee joint so that the top surface of the spacer block engages the posterior region of the femoral condyle and the bottom surface of the spacer block engages the first seating surface at the proximal end of the tibia. While the spacer block is maintained between the femur and the tibia, the knee joint is extended until the curved surface of the bur template engages the femoral condyle of the femur. The bur template is anchored to the femur and used to guide burring of the femoral condyle for preparing a second seating surface on the femur. After burring the distal end of the femoral condyle, the posterior region of the femoral condyle is resected.
US07678111B2	Device and method for ablating tissue An electrosurgery medical device is enhanced with unique solution-assistance, and comprises, in combination, co-operating device jaws including jaw portions for manipulating tissue, and a plurality of solution infusion openings defined and spaced along each of the jaw portions, for receiving electrolytic solution and infusing the solution onto and into tissue to be manipulated, along said jaw portions. As preferred, the device further comprises at least one, and most preferably, many, longitudinal groove(s) along at least one and most preferably, both, of the jaw portions, with the solution infusion openings located in the groove or grooves. The solution is energized with RF energy and contributes to the functions and beneficial effects of the instrument. The solution exits the openings in the grooves at sufficient flow rates to separate substantially all the operative surfaces of the device from tissue, thereby substantially completely preventing adherence between the operative surfaces and tissue. The solution is further energized to a range of energy densities such that tissues to be affected are sealed against flow of blood, lymphatic fluids, air, and other bodily fluids and gases.
US07678109B2	Ablation device and method comprising movable ablation elements A device for ablating tissue includes an elongate body, which may be flexible to wrap about a cardiac structure, and at least one movable ablation element coupled to the body. The movable ablation element is adjustable relative to the body to form an angle with a longitudinal axis thereof between about zero degrees and about 180 degrees. The movable ablation element may be a two element array, and a pivot pin may depend from an underside thereof to pivotably connect the array to the body via a mating pivot hole in the body. The body may be formable into both a substantially flat configuration and a generally curved configuration. In other embodiments, the body is wand-shaped. The device may further include at least one non-movable ablation element coupled to the body and forming an angle of about zero degrees with the longitudinal axis of the body.
US07678108B2	Loop ablation apparatus and method Embodiments of the invention provide an ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation apparatus can include a tube capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins to form a loop. The tube can receive or include electrodes to ablate target tissue. Some embodiments provide a loop ablation device, which may include a cannula and two or more electrode rods carrying two or more bipolar electrodes. The electrode rods can be advanced through the distal ends toward the proximal ends of the loop and toward the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes can receive energy to ablate the target tissue. The bipolar electrodes may be surrounded by the liquid within the cannula while ablating the target tissue. The loop ablation device can further include a rotating grasping mechanism coupled to the electrode rods.
US07678103B2	Orifice device for delivering drugs at low fluid flow rates An orifice device for delivering a drug includes an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end. A winding is helically wound around the inner member. The winding and the inner member define a first channel for carrying a drug therethrough. An inlet is at the proximal end of the winding and an outlet is at the distal end of the winding.
US07678102B1	Wound suction device with multi lumen connector Apparatus is disclosed for applying negative pressure to a wound site to promote healing. The apparatus includes a porous pad for application to the wound, a suction tube linking the porous pad to a source of negative pressure, a container for collecting fluid exudate from the wound interposed between the porous pad and the source of negative pressure and a quick disconnect connector linking a first section of the suction tube leading to the porous pad with a second section leading to the container, said connector comprising two separable and non-interchangeable parts, said first section of the suction tube comprising a multi-lumen tube, one lumen being provided for applying suction to the porous pad and another being provided for monitoring pressure, said multi-lumen tube being fixedly attached at one end to the container and at the other end to one of said separable parts, said one separable part including sealing means whereby the lumens are connected in air-tight manner to said second section of the suction tube.
US07678100B2	Apparatus for establishing access to the body An apparatus and method for access to the inside of a body includes a transparent sheath with a radiopaque marking and fastener for securing a guidewire or catheter. The transparent sheath permits objects located within and near the sheath to be visualized with an external imaging system. Objects located near the sheath can also be observed with an imaging device disposed inside the sheath. The radiopaque marker permits accurate positioning of the sheath in the body. The sheath can be inserted into the body over an interventional device. A fastener prevents migration of a guidewire or catheter during the procedure.
US07678096B2	Connector system and method of using same A connector system (10) for producing a sterile connection includes a fluid conduit (32), an engagement device (14, 22) designed to engage with a complementary engagement device (16, 24) of a complementary connector (12), a displacement device (26) with a substantially plane displacement surface (30) and a fluid conduit aperture (60) which extends through the displacement surface (30) and is connected to the fluid conduit (32), with the displacement device (26) being designed to displace the connector (12) and the complementary connector (12) relative to one another in a displacement direction (40) after the engagement device (14, 22) has engaged with the complementary engagement device (16, 24), and with the displacement direction (40) being substantially parallel to the displacement surface (30), and a sterile cover device (20, 74) designed to cover at least the fluid conduit aperture (60) in a sterile manner. The invention also relates to a method of use of the connector system (10) and of the complementary connector (12) for sterile connection of a fluid inlet of the connector (10) to a fluid outlet of the complementary connector.
US07678095B2	Pre-expanded tampon pledget The present invention provides a pre-expanded tampon pledget formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.
US07678093B2	Permeable, close to the body liner for swim wear A swimwear garment having a material which is permeable to liquid but substantially impermeable to bowel movement material. In one embodiment, the garment can comprise a stand-alone disposable pant liner in the form of a swimpant with waist elastics and leg elastics. In other embodiments, a mesh liner can be a layer within a disposable swimpant. The mesh liner can be attached to the disposable swimpant around the perimeter of the composite structure, or in swimpants containing containment flaps, to the containment flaps. The mesh liner can, optionally, further include elastic strands attached under the mesh liner to provide further lift and hold the mesh liner close to the body of the wearer.
US07678092B2	Collapsible fluid containment device with semi-rigid support members A collapsible fluid containment bag for irrigating and cleaning wounds on extremities having semi-rigid support members and an elevated lower support member attached to the bottom of the proximal end of the containment bag creating a gradient for allowing irrigation fluids and biological tissue to drain to the distal end of the bag for removal. The containment bag is collapsible, making it a convenient size for storage, transport, and disposal.
US07678091B2	Colostomy bag A colostomy bag provided with a stoma ring, a gas outlet and an external deodorizing filter in which a vertical baffle is provided intermediate the stoma ring and the gas outlet and extending from the upper marginal wall of the bag and a level slightly below the lowest point of the stoma ring. The baffle is designed to prevent feces from being squeezed sideways and upwardly into the gas outlet and clogging it.
US07678081B2	Methods and devices for transseptal access Systems and methods for penetrating a tissue membrane to gain access to a target site are disclosed. In some examples, systems and methods for accessing the left atrium from the right atrium of a patient's heart are carried out by puncturing the intra-atrial septal wall. One embodiment provides a system for transseptal cardiac access that includes a guiding catheter, an access catheter and a guidewire. The access catheter may include a tissue penetration member disposed within a housing wherein the tissue penetration member is substantially contained within the housing when in a retracted configuration. When the distal end of the access catheter is disposed adjacent the septal wall, the user can initiate an actuator switch, which may be in a proximal portion of the system, to cause the tissue penetration member to extend through the septal wall. Alternatively, the tissue penetration member can be actuated automatically by a contact trigger mechanism, without initiation by the user, upon contact with the septal wall by a distal contact member which is coupled to the contact trigger mechanism. Such a system may also include an interlock mechanism to prevent triggering of the tissue penetration member at undesirable times during a procedure.
US07678079B2	Patch-like infusion device A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir subassembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. Simple removal of an interlock allows a disk, or Belleville spring assembly to apply an essentially even and constant pressure to the contents of the fluid reservoir assembly, and allows the device to then be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact surface. A push button activation assembly is provided which can then be used to release and seat one or more spring-loaded patient needles into the skin surface, and establish a fluid communication path between the patient needles and the pressurized fluid reservoir contents thereby delivering an infusion into the skin.
US07678075B2	Infusion catheter and use thereof An infusion catheter having a distal shaft with an infusion tube extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the distal shaft, and a proximal cannula with an inner dimension and a distal end attached to a proximal end of the distal shaft to define an opening between the inner diameter of the infusion tube and the inner dimension of the proximal cannula. Also, a guidewire tube disposed within the inner dimension and the distal shaft and extending from the proximal end of the proximal cannula to the distal end of the distal shaft. The inner diameter of the infusion tube, the opening, the exterior dimension of the guidewire tube and the inner dimension cooperate and define sufficient cross sectional sizes to allow a treatment agent to be infused between the proximal end of the proximal cannula and the region of interest.
US07678073B2	Vortex feature for drug delivery system An automatic injector separately stores liquid and dry components in respective compartments. When the injector is activated, a fluid-directing member between the liquid and dry compartments causes the liquid component to form a vortex as the liquid flows into the dry compartment. This allows the two components to combine more thoroughly and quickly to form a liquid solution that is delivered to an injection site.
US07678072B2	Automatic injection device for two-chamber ampoules An injection device for holding and activating a two-chamber ampulla has components whose relative movement causes the pistons of the two-chamber ampulla to be moved in order to mix the substances, as well as devices for injecting the product which is mixed in this way. For this purpose, a receptacle (103) into which the two-chamber ampulla (111) can be inserted and secured is held in a housing (101), and the receptacle (103) can be displaced by means of a carriage (108). A tappet (104) which acts on the pistons (111A, 111B) is movably held in the receptacle (103). A traction cable (114) which is deflected by means of a roller (109) which is mounted on the carriage (108) and one of whose ends is connected to the receptacle (103) and the other end of which is connected to a tension spring (110) which is held on the housing (101) is provided in order to carry out a mixing stroke, insertion stroke, injection stroke and a return stroke. Devices which can be activated automatically and/or manually between the housing (101), receptacle (103), tappet (104) and carriage (108) control their alternating coupling to the traction cable (114) and thus the sequence of the mixing stroke, insertion stroke, injection stroke and return stroke. The invention thus provides a partially automatic injection device for two-chamber ampullas whose handling comfort and safety for the patient are substantially improved.
US07678069B1	System for electrosurgical tissue treatment in the presence of electrically conductive fluid Systems and methods are provided for applying a high frequency voltage in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to create a relatively low-temperature plasma for ablation of tissue adjacent to, or in contact with, the plasma. In one embodiment, an electrosurgical probe or catheter is positioned adjacent the target site so that one or more active electrode(s) are brought into contact with, or close proximity to, a target tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode(s), and to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the target tissue. The high frequency voltage generates electric fields around the active electrode(s) with sufficient energy to ionize the conductive fluid adjacent to the active electrode(s). Within the ionized gas or plasma, free electrons are accelerated, and electron-atoms collisions liberate more electrons, and the process cascades until the plasma contains sufficient energy to break apart the tissue molecules, causing molecular dissociation and ablation of the target tissue.
US07678065B2	Implant with intraocular pressure sensor for glaucoma treatment The invention discloses a trabecular stent and methods for treating glaucoma. The stent may incorporate an intraocular pressure sensor comprising a compressible element that is implanted inside an anterior chamber of an eye, wherein at least one external dimension of the element correlates with intraocular pressure. In some embodiments, the sensor may be coupled to the stent. Also disclosed are methods of delivery of the stent and the sensor to the eye.
US07678064B2	Apparatus for detecting tactile sensitivity An apparatus for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient includes a housing and a probe supported by the housing and having a probe tip. The probe is adapted for selective longitudinal movement relative to the housing between a first probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially extended from the housing, and a second probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially retracted into the housing. A first biasing means is adapted to urge the probe toward the first probe position. A predetermined motive force is selectively exerted between the probe tip and the patient to move the probe from the first probe position to the second probe position. The motive force is indicative of tactile sensitivity of the patient. A method for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient is also described.
US07678058B2	Apnea type determining apparatus and method An apnea classification system provides for apnea monitoring and differentiation based on several sleep apnea related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such sleep apnea related parameters allows the apnea classification system to differentiate among the different types of apnea. This information may then be used to determine the best method of therapy, or adjust current therapy parameters to more effectively treat a subject.
US07678057B2	Device and system that identifies cardiovascular insufficiency In an embodiment, the present invention provides a device that identifies cardiovascular dysfunction of a subject. The claimed device comprises a controller, a transducer, and a processor. The controller initiates collection of a plurality of data related to a physiological condition. The transducer collects data over a plurality of cycles and transfers the data to the processor, which reduces the received data signal into an output using a novel formula. In an example the data correlate with data that are directly related to cardiovascular dysfunction but that are of limited use.
US07678053B2	Delay adding device and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus The present invention aims to provide a delay device having an analog delay line adaptable to a plurality of frequencies with a less number of taps. The analog delay line has a maximum delay amount equivalent to a wavelength from over a ⅜ wavelength of a predetermined maximum wavelength of an input signal to under a 1 wavelength thereof. Tap intervals up to a delay point equivalent to ½ of a predetermined minimum wavelength of the input signal are different from tap intervals placed ahead of those. The maximum wavelength is a wavelength of a signal having a frequency of 2 MHz, for example, and the minimum wavelength is a wavelength of a signal having a frequency of 5 MHz, for example.
US07678040B2	Customized gynecological brachytherapy applicator and method A customized gynecological brachytherapy applicator is formed by placing a molded balloon, which is secured to a handle, into a vaginal cavity and then filling the mold balloon with a settable liquid material. The material may be an expanding foam or any other form of curable material that becomes solid, rigid or pliable, when set by chemical action, temperature change, oxidation, a curing means such as a light, or other curing regime. The mold balloon can be elastic or inelastic, depending on the degree to which the applicator is to conform its external surfaces to the vaginal contours. One or more lumina are provided in the set filler material to receive a radiation source, with additional lumina optionally provided for purposes such as drainage or administration of therapeutic agents. The applicator may be withdrawn and reinserted into the vagina during treatment, and selected tissues adjacent to the applicator are irradiated in accordance with a radiation prescription.
US07678039B2	Method of monitoring operation of a centrifugal separator using pressure measurement Method for supervising a centrifugal separator with a separating chamber, a radially inner outlet connected to the separating chamber and to an outlet conduit, with a flow detector disposed in the outlet conduit and adapted to detecting a flow in the outlet conduit, and an intermittently openable radially outer outlet connected to the separating chamber. In order reliably and easily to supervise the intermittent discharge of the centrifugal separator, the pressure is measured by a sensor disposed in a portion of the centrifugal separator which is pressure-transmittingly connected to a central portion of the interior of the rotor. If the supervision unit does not detect a pressure drop pulse from the sensor within a predetermined period of time from when an intermittent discharge is initiated, an alarm signal is emitted.
US07678037B2	Process for assembling a bag The invention provides a method of making a bag from a foldable pattern, comprising: a) inserting the foldable pattern into an assembly machine; b) placing a series of glue spots on designated surfaces of the pattern; c) folding the foldable pattern, in a sequence such that the resulting product is a finished bag with a glued bottom; and d) exiting the finished bag from the assembly machine.
US07678036B1	Ripple bottom pizza box and its associated method of construction A ripple bottom pizza box and the method of creating a pizza box with such a ripple bottom. A pizza box blank is provided that is made of corrugated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard has parallel corrugation waves that traverse a flat bottom section pf the pizza box blank in a first direction. A roller is provided that has multiple parallel roller heads. The flat bottom section of the pizza box blank is advanced under the rollers. The parallel roller heads press parallel depressions into the flat bottom section in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the corrugation waves. The result is that when the pizza box blank is folded into a pizza box, the bottom of the pizza box is contoured with parallel depression lines.
US07678035B2	Folded box gluing machine with improved accessibility A folded box gluing machine for the processing of folded box blanks includes at least one feeder unit arranged to transport the folded box blanks to downstream processing stations including a folding station, a glue applicator unit, a transfer station, a gathering and pressing mechanism, and a safety mechanism for a machine component presenting a danger to the human operator defined by a light curtain. The safety mechanism can be deactivated via a mobile operator unit, and the operator unit is designed such that it can only be operated with both hands.
US07678030B2	Dumbbell retail/storage rack A dumbbell retail/storage rack that has a first section with a bottom side that is designed to sit on a flat surface, and a top side that defines one or more dumbbell-receiving structures. Each of these structures has two spaced saddles for receiving the enlarged ends of a dumbbell. The retail/storage rack also has a second section that is integrally coupled to the first section and has a bottom that is essentially perpendicular to the bottom of the first section. This arrangement creates an “L”-shaped rack that can be placed on the bottom of either the first section or the second section, to display or to hold two or more dumbbells, as desired.
US07678028B1	Martial arts training device A marital arts training device comprising a barrier for creating a target zone. In a preferred embodiment, the martial arts training device includes: a barrier support; at least one barrier mounted to the barrier support for creating a target zone; and a target located within the target zone.
US07678025B2	Variable geometry flexible support systems and methods for use thereof An exercise apparatus comprises: a frame having a base portion and having first and second right support elements and first and second left support elements; a crank system comprising first and second crank coupling locations, the crank system being supported by the frame; a right foot support member; a left foot support member; a right guide element coupled to the right foot support member and; a left guide element coupled to the left foot support member; a first flexible support system comprising a first flexible element, the first flexible element coupled to the first and second right support elements and the right guide element and coupled to the first crank coupling location; and a second flexible support system comprising a second flexible element, the second flexible element coupled to the first and second left support elements and the left guide element and coupled to the second crank coupling location, wherein alternating motion of the right and left foot support members causes the first and second crank coupling locations to rotate.
US07678024B2	Trampoline The invention comprises a trampoline including a flexible mat, a plurality of resiliently flexible rods each having a lower end retained in a frame of the trampoline and an enlarged upper end, and a plurality of fittings coupled to the mat about a periphery of the mat and including on or in an underside of each fitting a socket cavity which receives the upper end of a flexible rod so that the upper ends of the flexible rods are pivotally connected to the periphery of the mat, the fitting also including an entry into the socket cavity for the enlarged upper end of the flexible rod through an upper side of the fitting and a restricted entry towards the socket cavity for a part of the flexible rod below said enlarged upper end and through which the rod upper end cannot pass, to one side of the fitting and defined between opposed side or underside parts of the fitting.
US07678018B2	Method for implementing shifts from a source gear to a target gear of an automatic shift transmission, in particular downshifts of an automatic shift transmission A method for implementing shifts from a source gear to a target gear of an automatic shift transmission includes storing a respective upshift threshold and a respective downshift threshold for each possible sequential gear shift. The respective upshift threshold and the respective downshift threshold are defined in dependence of an accelerator pedal position, such that a limit value that is valid for a respective upshift or downshift is stored as a vehicle speed value in a control device. The vehicle speed that changes while the motor vehicle is driving and a changing accelerator pedal position are measured. Downshifts are simplified for a driver by configuring at least two downshift thresholds to be substantially horizontally extending in a first region of a possible accelerator pedal position and at least partly step-shaped in a second region of the possible accelerator pedal position.
US07678016B2	Control apparatus for vehicle A vehicle having, in a power transmission path, a continuously variable transmission mechanism and a clutch mechanism, whose torque capacity is smaller than that of the continuously variable transmission mechanism. The vehicle also has a control system to prevent a large torque capacity difference with the continuously variable transmission mechanism and clutch mechanism and to prevent an unnecessary slip of the clutch mechanism by setting an engagement force of the clutch mechanism based on the torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission mechanism. There is also avoided a decline of the learning accuracy of the clutch mechanism by prohibiting a learning control of the clutch mechanism when an engagement force of the clutch mechanism is set based on the torque capacity of the continuously variable transmission mechanism.
US07678012B2	Bicycle hub gearbox A bicycle hub gearbox comprises a first planetary gear mechanism and a second planetary gear mechanism and a tubular linking member. The second planetary gear mechanism is operatively coupled with the first planetary gear mechanism. The tubular linking member include a first toothed ring part engaged with the first planetary gear mechanism at a first axial region and a second toothed ring part engaged with the second planetary gear mechanism at a second axial region such that a permanent synchronization between the at least two planetary gear mechanisms is achieved. The first and second toothed ring parts have different diameters and being axially spaced apart.
US07678011B2	8-speed transmission The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices and five fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and with a stationary member, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07678009B2	8-speed transmission The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets having six torque-transmitting mechanisms and two fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting mechanisms provide interconnections between various gear members, the transmission housing and with the input member, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07677996B2	Device for supplying a drive element The invention relates to a device for supplying a hydraulic medium to a rotatably mounted drive element in a transmission case, the hydraulic medium being routed to a channel in the drive element by way of at least one channel in a coaxially adjacent element which corresponds to the drive element. Structurally favorable and reliable supply with hydraulic medium is achieved in that the drive element is nonrotatably connected to the other element and that the contact connection is at least one unthreaded conduit which is inserted tightly into the two channels and which extends directly from the element to the drive element.
US07677995B1	Expandable arrow broadhead with cutting blade locking notch An expandable arrow broadhead used for releasable attachment to one end of a hollow arrow shaft. The broadhead includes a sliding shaft with a pointed tip and tip base having two or more of cutting blades mounted thereon. Each of the blades includes an outer cutting edge and an inner edge with a beveled cam surface and locking notch therein. A portion of the sliding shaft is slidably received inside a hollow collar. The collar is attached to a sliding shaft housing. The sliding shaft housing is attached to an arrow shaft insert. The arrow shaft insert is adapted for receipt inside one end of the arrow shaft. In a retracted position, the blades are disposed next to and parallel to the length of the sliding shaft. When the pointed tip engages a target, the sliding shaft moves inwardly and rearwardly sliding inside the collar and inside a sliding shaft bore hole in the sliding shaft housing. As the sliding shaft moves rearwardly, the beveled cam surface of the blades engages a portion of the collar, which moves the blades outwardly with locking notch securing the blades in an extended position.
US07677988B2	Training device for golfers An apparatus for assisting in training players of golf includes a platform and a first coplanar foot support member and a second coplanar foot support member on the platform, with the first coplanar foot support member being fixed in position and the second coplanar foot support member able to be moved laterally and linearly on the platform relative to the first coplanar foot support member when a golf player places one foot on each of the two coplanar foot support members. A biasing device causes the second coplanar foot support member to be adjacent the first coplanar foot support member, so that in the absence of an externally applied force, the second coplanar foot member remains adjacent to the first coplanar foot support member.
US07677987B2	Putter head A putter-type club head (20) having a main body (25) and a removable aft member (30) is disclosed herein. The putter-type club head (20) has a main body (25) that is preferably composed of an aluminum alloy. The removable aft member (30) is preferably composed of stainless steel and has a mallet shape.
US07677982B2	Dual channel vented boot A constant velocity joint and a boot for a constant velocity joint are disclosed. The boot generally includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is in fluid communication with a joint chamber of the constant velocity joint. The first channel is also in communication with the second channel and generally allows airflow therethrough while resisting clogs from lubricant. Additionally, the second channel generally allows airflow therethrough to the atmosphere while resisting passage of foreign contaminants therethrough.
US07677980B2	Membrane compensating coupling and hole anchor connection A membrane compensating coupling comprises a first compensating element made of fiber composite material with two membranes located opposite one another, a second compensating element and an intermediate tube inserted between these. The first and second compensating element in each case have on their side pointing towards the intermediate tube a radially inwardly directed connecting flange. The intermediate tube is releasably coupled to the connecting flanges. As a result, a membrane compensating coupling comprising at least two membranes made of fiber composite material is provided, which is easy to produce and install, at the same time has low inertias and allows large angle, radial and axial compensation and also a flexible axial length. A hole anchor connection which is particularly suitable for such couplings is also described.
US07677979B2	Method and system for allocating resources in a video game The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.
US07677972B2	Gaming system and method for enabling a player to select progressive awards to try for and chances of winning progressive awards The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
US07677971B2	Gaming system and method for enabling a player to select progressive awards to try for and chances of winning progressive awards The present disclosure provides a gaming device, a gaming system and a method for operating a gaming device or gaming system with a plurality of progressive awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one of the progressive awards. The player's selection of which progressive award to play for is based, at least in part, on a relative probability of the player winning the selected progressive award compared to the relative probabilities of the player winning the non-selected progressive awards. After selecting which award to play for, the gaming device either provides the selected progressive award to the player or modifies the relative probability that the player will win the selected progressive award with one or more of any award selections remaining. Such a configuration enables the player to strategically select which award to play for and the order that the player will play for the awards.
US07677963B2	Structure for enclosing and isolating a packaging machine from an outside environment An enclosing structure (S), in particular for enclosing and isolating outer environment of a packaging machine includes a plurality of enclosing panels (2), suitably and air-tightly assembled. At least one of the panels (2) defines a separating surface (1) for separating two different environments (A,B). Conveying means for conveying flows of purified air (F,F1,F2,F3,F4) are associated to the panel (2) to define, together therewith, a fluid-dynamic barrier, which avoids relative contamination between one environment (A) and the other environment (B).
US07677957B2	Polishing apparatus, method for providing and mounting a polishing pad in a polishing apparatus, and method for producing a substrate using the polishing apparatus The present invention is a polishing pad used for polishing a semiconductor substrate, wherein, at least, grooves having a radial pattern are formed on a surface of the polishing pad, and so that a groove depth of the groove parts located nearer to the center than the substrate is shallower than a groove depth of the groove parts existing immediately below the substrate, and an intersection point where the grooves overlap each other at the central part of the radial pattern of the grooves does not exist immediately below the substrate. A method for processing the pad, and a method for producing a substrate using this pad are also disclosed.
US07677956B2	Compositions and methods for dielectric CMP The invention is directed to a chemical-mechanical polishing composition comprising (a) an abrasive consisting essentially of aggregated silica, (b) an acid, and (c) a liquid carrier, wherein the polishing composition has a pH of about 5 or less. The invention is also directed to a method of polishing a substrate comprising a dielectric layer using the polishing composition.
US07677949B1	Construction kit for constructing a play structure A construction kit for constructing a play structure. The play structure for providing children a place to play includes: a square-shaped, planar horizontal support member; plurality of legs; an octagonal-shaped, concave floor member; an octagonal-shaped, planar floor member; a plurality of vertical support members; a substantially convex ceiling member; two staircases; and a flag pole, removably coupleable to a top side of the ceiling member, and configured to hang a flag thereon.
US07677948B2	System and method for toy adoption and marketing An Entertainment System in combination with a commercially purchased toy, wherein the system allows a toy user to register the toy online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various entertainment activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the toy, via a computer connected to the Internet. The system then encourages the user to purchase additional toys to enjoy additional benefits using the Entertainment System. The Entertainment System including a database subsystem, a registration subsystem, a server subsystem, and a virtual world providing subsystem.
US07677947B2	Fabric diving stick A diving stick of the type that, after being tossed into a swimming pool, sinks to the bottom while maintaining an upright posture so that it be can easily grasped by a diver. The stick includes a soft hollow shank designed to prevent accidental impalement. The stick also includes means for swapping components to vary the number of subsets of sticks within a set.
US07677944B2	Organic EL device manufacturing method and organic EL device A transparent substrate on which a transparent electrode layer is formed is prepared. An insulating layer having a first pattern for exposing a light-emitting region and a first terminal portion and covering a second terminal portion is formed on the transparent electrode layer. Then, an organic layer is formed on the entire surface of the transparent electrode layer and the insulating layer. A reflection electrode layer having a second pattern for covering the light-emitting region and the second terminal portion and exposing the first terminal portion is formed on the organic layer. After that, an exposed portion of the organic layer is removed by dry etching to expose a region of the first electrode layer in the first terminal portion. Finally, a sealing film having a third pattern for covering the light-emitting region and exposing the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion is formed on the resultant transparent substrate, thereby exposing the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.
US07677943B2	Manufacturing of a photo-radiation source by binding multiple light emitting chips without use of solder or wiring bonding A method of manufacturing a photo-radiation source comprising the steps of providing a first planar conductor; disposing a formation of light emitting chips on the first planar conductor, each chip having a cathode and an anode, one of the cathode and anode of each chip being in contact with the first planar conductor. The method of manufacturing a photo-radiation source also includes the steps of disposing a second planar conductor on top of a formation of light emitting chips so that the second planar conductor is in contact with the other of the cathode and anode of each chip; and binding the first planar conductor to the second planar conductor to permanently maintain the formation of light emitting chips without the use of solder or wiring bonding for making an electrical and mechanical contact between the chips and either of the first planar conductor and the second planar conductor.
US07677942B2	Method of making a plasma display panel and green sheet for forming dielectric layers of the plasma display panel A method of making a plasma display panel, whereby an address electrode is formed on a front substrate, a green sheet is formed to cover the address electrode, a dielectric layer pattern is formed by exposing, developing, and firing the green sheet, a composition for a display electrode is filled in the dielectric layer pattern and then fired to form a patterned display electrode, and a dielectric layer is formed to cover the patterned display electrode, thereby fabricating a front substrate. The green sheet includes a first green sheet that is formed using a dielectric composition, and a second green sheet that is formed on the first green sheet and using a photosensitive dielectric composition.
US07677940B1	Swimmer's safety apparatus The swimmer's safety apparatus is worn around a user's waist or proximal thereto and is selectively inflated. The apparatus has a small rigid case with spaced apart rigid housings, each rigid housing holding an inflation device with compressed gas therein. Upon selection, each inflation device is separately released and inflated via a separate rotating handle for each. The compact device is provided in embodiments which can be attached to clothing, included in clothing, or worn about the waist in either attachment fashion or included with an optional belt.
US07677938B2	Tiller arm A tiller arm pivotably mountable to a marine outboard engine about a pivot axis is described. First and second arms extend away from the pivot axis. A middle portion has a first end attached to the first and second arms. A handle portion extends away from the second end of the middle portion in a direction away from the pivot axis. A throttle grip is rotatably mounted to the handle portion and rotatable with respect thereto about a throttle grip axis generally perpendicular to the pivot axis. The throttle grip is operatively connectable to the marine outboard engine. The width of an aperture defined by the arms and the middle section is greater than the widths of the throttle grip and the first and second arms.
US07677927B2	High bandwidth connector Male or female connector having at least one pair of pins for a two-wire, high-speed link. The connector comprises two parallel pins, an insulating insert, a metal casing and a connection printed circuit.
US07677920B2	Adapter capable of storing and positioning cables, and adapter having a cable organizing device An adapter capable of storing and positioning cables comprises a main body, a cable, and a casing. The cable is connected to the main body, and the main body is wrapped by the casing. The casing comprises a cable organizing portion comprising a plurality of elastic loop grooves, and a guiding groove. By the above-mentioned structure, the guiding groove can guide the cable to the cable organizing portion. The plurality of elastic loop grooves is applied for organizing the cable.
US07677913B1	Plug-type connector A plug-type connector includes a connector main body having a first end formed into a plug portion and an opposite second end formed into a pull portion; a pinch unit movably coupled to the pull portion, and having at least a vertical plate corresponding to an end face of the pull portion and a pinch plate perpendicularly extended from the vertical plate and corresponding to a back face of the pull portion; and an elastic element located between the back face of the pull portion and the pinch plate. Two plug-type connectors can be plugged in a two-leveled housing back to back. The connector main bodies are normally firmly connected to the housing by the pinch units, and any one of the two connector main bodies can be easily removed from the housing simply by pulling the pinch unit thereof without being interfered by the other pinch unit.
US07677911B2	Connector connection structure, connector connection method and vehicle A connector connection structure includes: a case having a side surface and a top surface, respectively extending in directions crossing each other at a first angle, and an opening; a connector terminal portion inserted into the case from the opening; a shield plate closing the opening; a bolt fastening the case and the shield plate; and a terminal block arranged in the case and connected to the connector terminal portion. The shield plate has a first portion extending along the side surface and closing the opening, a second portion extending along the top surface, and a bent portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion and bent at a second angle being smaller than the first angle. The bolt fastens the case and the second portion of the shield plate.
US07677907B2	Card edge connector with a metallic reinforcement piece A card edge connector (100) for receiving a module (200), includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving slot (12) for receiving the module and a pair of arm portions (10) located at opposite ends thereof. Each arm portion has a pair of side walls (15) and a resilient arm (16) with a retaining embossment (162) for locking the module. The side walls are integrally formed on the insulative housing and include a projection (157). A number of terminals (2) are mounted on said insulative housing and extend into the receiving slot thereof. A pair of latches (3) are attached to the arm portions and move with the resilient arms. Each latch includes a base (31) and a stopping plate (37) extending from the base. The stopping plates engage with said projections of the side walls thereby open said resilient arms when the module detaches from the card edge connector.
US07677902B2	Extended package substrate An apparatus may include an integrated circuit package comprising a plurality of conductive pads and having a face, and a socket coupled to the integrated circuit package and to the conductive pads, the socket having a footprint. In some aspects, the footprint is smaller than the face.
US07677900B2	Back-to-back mounted electrical connectors An electrical connector assembly is provided that includes a pair of connectors configured to be mounted onto a midplane circuit board in a back-to-back orientation. Each connector includes offset engagement members that mate with corresponding engagement members on the midplane circuit board.
US07677899B2	LED light source module and LED backlight module using the same A LED light source module includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs. The printed circuit board has a plurality of through holes arranged in intervals. Each of the LEDs includes at least one LED chip and at least one metal board. The metal board has a supporting surface. The LED chip is arranged on the supporting surface. At least one of the LED chip and the metal board is contained in each through hole of the printed circuit board corresponding to the LED including the at least one of the LED chip and the metal board. Each of the LEDs electrically is connected with printed circuit board through the supporting surface of the metal board to make the LED chip be connected with the printed circuit board electrically.
US07677897B2	Models and methods of using same for testing medical devices Disclosed herein are synthetic anatomical models that are designed to enable simulated use testing by medical device companies, medical device designers, individual inventors, or any other entity interested in the performance of medical devices. These models are unique in possessing a level of complexity that allows them to be substituted for either a live animal, an animal cadaver, or a human cadaver in the testing of these devices. These models are further characterized by a similarity of geometry, individual component physical properties, and component-to-component interfacial properties with the appropriate target tissue and anatomy.
US07677896B1	System, method, and computer-readable medium for course structure design to support adaptive learning Automated system enabling educators to create and organize educational materials appealing to students' varied learning styles and cognitive capabilities. Templates conforming to five basic learning styles are provided for material creation and organization, though other templates conforming to other learning styles are definable as well. Once created, educational materials are exported to complementary systems for presentation to students via a standard electronic interface.
US07677894B2	Articles with spinning globe The articles with spinning globe include articles worn by a user and containers in which a spinning or rotating globe is disposed. The articles of apparel may be a shirt, a pair of pants a hat or other wearing apparel. The container may be a backpack, a purse, a suitcase, a lunchbox or other carrying container. The rotating globe is mounted in the articles of apparel and the containers so that a user may manually rotate the globe within the articles of apparel or the containers. The rotating globe may be placed in any of the articles and used by children as an educational tool to learn about geography, or by adults to note specific time zones when traveling or determine where a specific country is in relation to other countries.
US07677893B2	Training simulator for sharp shooting The present invention relates to training simulators for sharp shooting and introduces a number of functionalities that provide significant savings and further efficiencies such as usage of actual unmodified combat firearms for training purposes, simultaneous training of two individual shooters with individual identification and result display of the firing activity from each shooter on a computer generated concentrical target analogous to the ones used today in firearm training facilities, as well as the usage of a specialized weapon trigger contactor which is mounted on the actual weapon and that provides the usage functionalities to allow training on all single, and double action pistols as well as fully automatic weapons. The simulator also incorporates an emitting unit consisting of a laser light diode and the associated mounting mechanisms which allow the mounting of the emitting unit on any standard firearm. The training simulator is designed to provide high levels of accuracy of the registration of shots fired from any shooter with the use of a TV camera and a system of mirrors and other optical and electrical devices.
US07677892B2	Method and extractor for removing a tool fragment from a tooth root canal The method and extractor relate to dentistry and are intended for extraction of metal instruments fragments from a root canal of the tooth, as these instruments may be broken and may get stuck here, for example, during endodontic treatment. According to the invention, two insulated metal electrodes assembled as a cylinder are inserted into the root canal until electric contact with the fragment to be extracted. Then electric current impulse is ran through the circuit formed by the first electrode, metal fragment and second electrode; the intensity and duration of the electric impulse shall be sufficient for welding of the fragment to the electrodes by means of heating at the contact points; this time a heating of the surrounding tissues remains at the physiologically acceptable level; afterwards the electrodes are extracted from the root canal together with the fragment. Depending on a clinical situation, electrodes of various size and configuration are used. Electric impulse is generated by the unit comprising a capacitor chargeable by a battery and dischargeable in pulsed mode via controlled electronic switch. The unit also has an indicator of contact resistance between the fragment and the electrodes for a better alignment of their relative positions.
US07677891B2	Tapered endosseous dental implants with external multiple lead threads Endosseous dental implants tapered over at least part of their length, include two separate portions, a shorter proximal region with half the distance and half the depth between adjacent peaks of multiple lead threads as the longer distal region which has half the number of multiple lead threads as in the proximal region.
US07677890B2	Dental handpiece A dental handpiece is disclosed including a turbine construction creating a radial in flow of air onto the impeller blades about the whole circumference of the turbine. This generates additional torque and avoids asymmetrical thrust on the impeller wheel. A pair of axially spaced air bearings support the turbine. Air supply to the bearings is controlled in such a way that the air bearings are floated before drive air is supplied to the turbine and after drive air to the turbine has been shut off. This ensures that the air bearings are always operational irrespective of the operational state of the turbine. The handpiece has an improved ergonomic shape, especially the shape and configuration of the front or drive head, which provides additional tooth clearance and a better field of view. An angled swivel connection to the umbilical cord is provided which reduces physical strain on the dentist's wrist. A self adjusting lock and key type torque connection between the dental burr and the chuck is provided which accommodates both conventional burrs and the burr of the lock and key arrangement. An auto stop arrangement for the turbine is disclosed which prevents a vacuum buildup during run-down of the turbine. The specific construction of the auto stop valve in accordance with the invention closes both the drive and exhaust air conduits.
US07677889B2	Device and method for forming a custom oral appliance In one embodiment, a method includes: accessing a bite register with a post, upper and lower dental models, and a fixture having upper and lower plates and a clamp; coupling the register post to the fixture, such that the register post has a first orientation; coupling the upper and lower models to the register; coupling the upper and lower models to the upper and lower plates; uncoupling the register; coupling an appliance post to the fixture, such that the appliance post has a second orientation the same as the first orientation; and forming a custom oral appliance coupled to the appliance post and maintaining the second orientation of the appliance post. In one embodiment, a device is configured to couple to an articulator and to position and retain a bite register post. The device includes a lower member, first and second couplers, an upper member, and an adjustor.
US07677888B1	Combination placement tool and light A combination placement tool and light device (10, 50) is disclosed which allows the dentist or surgeon to hold a dental appliance with a vacuum supplied to a flexible skirt (18, 90), position the dental appliance, and then tack the dental appliance in place with a light source (28, 60, 62) using light activated adhesive. The device (10, 50) can also be used to provide a full cure. The device (10, 50) can also have a source of drying air to aid the procedure. The device (50) can be used with a disposable molded acrylic collimator (76).
US07677885B2	Material supply device for diffusion furnaces A material supply device for diffusion furnaces includes a main body, a fixing pedestal mechanism, a transmission mechanism and a cover mechanism for a furnace door. The main body includes a base portion and a main rod. The base portion is mounted on the main rod and the main rod extends through the base portion. The fixing pedestal mechanism is mounted on the main rod and is pivotedly mounted on a fixing pedestal. The transmission mechanism is mounted on the base portion and has a transmission rod slidably mounted on the base portion. The cover mechanism for a furnace door is fixed on an end of the transmission rod which is far away from the main body and is turnablely mounted on a cover of the furnace door. Based on the above assemblies, the present invention runs smoothly and improves production quality.
US07677879B1	Apparatus for docking dough An apparatus for docking dough includes a base member, a plurality of protrusions extending from a lower surface of the base member, and a handle secured to an upper surface of the base member. The base member is not flat, but rather has a curvature that enables the apparatus to be rocked from side to side when placed on a surface. Thus, in use, the apparatus is first placed on and manually pressed into a dough, such as an uncooked pizza dough. Then, the apparatus is rocked from side to side by the user to dock the dough, ensuring that dimples or divots are made throughout the dough.
US07677878B2	Slide having a fixing mechanism of a slide insert A slide having a fixing mechanism of a slide insert includes a slide body, a slide insert and a slide core. The slide body has a connecting portion and an inserting portion. The connecting portion defines a locating hole which stretches through the top surface to bottom surface of the connection portion. The inserting portion defines an inserting hole passing through the front and back surface of the inserting portion. A core hole is defined at the junction of the connecting portion and the inserting portion. The slide insert is located in the inserting hole. One end of the slide insert protrudes around to form a preventing part. The slide core is inserted in the core hole to fix the preventing part between the back surface of the inserting portion and the slide core. Then the slide insert is fixed in the slide.
US07677874B2	Vacuum molding apparatus A molding apparatus is provided for molding a leadframe, the molding apparatus comprising a mold having a leadframe-receiving area on its surface that is configured to receive and clamp the leadframe in the leadframe-receiving area. At least one molding cavity and a plurality of vacuum suction holes formed adjacent to the molding cavity are located within the leadframe-receiving area. The vacuum suction holes are operative to evacuate air from the mold surface, especially the molding cavity, through air vents connecting the vacuum suction holes to the molding cavity.
US07677870B1	Screw in blade/vane A turbo machine airfoil, such as a blade or a vane in a compressor, in which the airfoil root portion includes screw threads having a dove tail cross sectional shape, and the rotor disk includes holes having similar screw threads such that a blade or vane can be easily replaced by unscrewing the old blade or vane and screwing in a new blade or vane. A locking pin biased by a spring is located in the root of the airfoil to lock the airfoil in the threaded hole to prevent the airfoil from loosening due to vibrations and to lock the airfoil in place at a desired angle of attack for maximum efficiency of the turbo machine. The removable cover plate is located on the casing and over the rotor disk such that the blade can be removed through the opening without the need to disassemble the turbo machine.
US07677862B2	Vertical axis wind turbine with articulating rotor A VAWT wind engine includes a support structure, an articulating rotor mounted on the support structure for rotation about a vertically extending axis, and at least one airfoil on the rotor for rotor-powering purposes. The articulating rotor is mounted in a manner enabling tilting movement of the rotor during rotation so that the airfoil produces rotor rotation and rotor tilt as the airfoil orbits the rotational axis. At least one mechanical linkage is included to actively vary airfoil pitch according to rotor tilt. The partially articulating rotor of a teetering-rotor embodiment seesaws up and down about a horizontally extending pivotal axis. The fully articulating rotor of another embodiment supports three airfoils as it tilts in any direction by virtue of a gimbal or other rotor hub assembly providing a 360-degree swiveling action, while furling hinges help protect the airfoils against damaging winds during wind engine shutdown.
US07677860B2	Method and apparatus for transferring sheet-like objects The invention relates to a method for transferring heavy loads, such as sheet-like objects, particularly anodes and cathodes, in electrolysis, the transfer apparatus comprising a lifting device (1) to which a stationary control housing (3) is attached; along the slide surfaces (6) of said control housing (3), there moves a control frame (5), and in said control frame there are arranged control shafts (7) along which a gripping element (8) is movable by the control surfaces (16) of said gripping element (8), so that the stationary control housing (3) is suspended from the lifting device (1) by means of at least three fastening elements (2) articulated at both ends. In addition, the invention relates to a transfer apparatus (4) for shifting heavy loads, particularly sheet-like objects, such as anodes and cathodes in electrolysis, said transfer apparatus comprising a control housing (3) attached to a lifting device (1), to which control housing there is attached to a control frame (5) movable along the slide surfaces (6) of the control housing (3), and in which control frame there are arranged control shafts (7) along which a gripping element (8) is movable by means of the control surfaces (16) of said gripping element, so that the control housing (3) is suspended from the lifting device (1) by at least three fastening elements (2) articulated at both ends.
US07677859B2	Substrate loading and uploading station with buffer A substrate processing apparatus having a station for loading and unloading substrates from the apparatus, includes an aperture closure for sealing a loading and unloading aperture of the station, apparatus for removing a door of a substrate magazine and thus opening the substrate magazine, and for operating the aperture closure to open the aperture, and an elevator for precisely positioning the open substrate magazine along a vertical axis within a usable range of motion. The station may also include a sensor for mapping locations of the substrates, and a mini-environment for interfacing the station to a substrate processing system.
US07677858B2	Vertical heat treatment system and method of transferring process objects Disclosed is an improved transfer mechanism that transfers, in a vertical heat treatment system, process objects W between a container (carrier), and a holder (boat) holding plural process objects at vertical intervals. The transfer mechanism includes plural substrate support devices spaced at intervals, and each of the substrate support devices has a gripping mechanism for gripping a process object on the under side. The gripping mechanism includes a fixed engagement member on a distal end of the substrate support device, and a movable engagement member movably attached to a proximal end of the substrate support device.
US07677856B2	Drill floor device A drill floor device has two or more mouseholes for assembly and disassembly of pipe string sections. The mouseholes are arranged to be displaced underneath the drill floor by a drive system and positioned under a hole or an opening in the drill floor. At least one of the mouseholes is provided with an elevator arranged to raise and lower a pipe or a pipe string section located in the mousehole, between an upper working position in which the upper end of the pipe/pipe string section projects above the drill floor and a lower position of rest in which the upper end of the pipe/pipe string section is below the drill floor.
US07677848B2	Flexible belt having a planed seam and processes for making the same A post treatment process of a seamed belt for providing a smooth surface and substantially eliminating protrusions by using a planing blade, and a seamed belt that has undergone the post treatment.
US07677847B2	Sealing assembly for a spindle A spindle apparatus includes a housing for rotatable support of a spindle. The spindle is sealed by a brush seal in order to prevent fluid, contained in the housing, from escaping and/or to prevent ingress of a medium from outside into the housing.
US07677845B2	Drill and a drill cutting insert A drill for chip removing machining, including a drill body, and a replaceable cutting insert mounted in a pocket formed in a front tip of the drill body. A chip flute extends backwardly from the pocket along the drill body, and the cutting insert is fixed in the pocket by a screw including a head and a shank having a male thread. The cutting insert includes a through hole extending between a topside and an underside. The hole has a basic shape that is rotationally symmetrical in relation to a center axis, and is delimited by a series of surfaces including a mouth surface, converging downward from the topside, and a shoulder surface. The head of the screw is kept pressed against the shoulder surface when the male thread of the screw is tightened in a female thread included in a hole that mouths in a bottom of the pocket. The mouth surface in the hole of the cutting insert has a trumpet-like, cross section-wise convex shape adjacent to the topside of the cutting insert.
US07677841B2	Method of building a retaining wall structure A supporting member and a retaining wall structure having the same, and an associated building method are provided. The supporting member may include a pair of downward protrusions spaced apart and extending downward in the same direction, and a coupling portion that connects corresponding ends of the downward protrusions. The downward protrusions are configured to couple two or more layers of a retaining wall structure.
US07677839B2	Drilling implement and method for installing a drilling pillar in the ground The invention relates to a drilling implement for installing or erecting a drilling pillar in the ground, having a mast, a carriage displaceably mounted on the mast, a rotary drive located on the carriage for the rotary driving of a drill pipe and a pipe bunker connectable to the drill pipe with a storage area for fill material for filling a drill hole on drawing the drill pipe. According to the invention it is provided that the pipe bunker is axially adjustably mounted with respect to the carriage on said carriage. The invention also relates to a method for installing or erecting a drilling pillar, which can be implemented with a drilling implement according to the invention.
US07677836B2	In-situ surfactant and chemical oxidant flushing for complete remediation of contaminants and methods of using same The present invention relates to the removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of using same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve. The present invention is focused on remediation of high viscosity hydrocarbons, such as heating oils or coal tars, with a combination of pre-injection of bio-co-solvent and surfactant (and polymer) flush approach.
US07677831B2	Flexible marker device A flexible marker device comprises a marker body having a bottom end and a top end, and a base for supporting the marker body. The base has an aperture in a center portion thereof and a groove extending about the aperture in an upper surface of the base. The bottom end of the marker body is at least partially disposed within the groove. A cured material, preferably polyurethane, is disposed in the groove to thereby secure the marker body to the base.
US07677830B1	Furniture joinery A furniture joinery comprises a slide rail having a plurality of grooves, at least one slide block slidably disposed in the slide rail, the slide block having a plurality of slides for engaging the slide rail, at least one of the plurality of slides having a neck and a head, the grooves receiving the neck therein.
US07677828B2	Extruding container of applying filler To enhance customer satisfaction in use of an extruding container of an applying filler, a leading tube having a discharge port (101c) is formed as a filling member (101), and the filling member (101) having a filling region (101x) filled with an applying filler (L) is inserted and attached to a leading end side of a main body side assembly (140) formed by installing a movable body (106), an engagement portion (104c, 106b) for moving the movable body (106) and a rotation preventing portion (102d, 106e), whereby the applying filler (L) can be sufficiently filled in the region (101x) between the inner side of the discharge port (101c) of the filling member (101) and the movable body (106) of the main body side assembly (140), and the applying filler (L) can be rapidly discharged at a first applying time by a user.
US07677827B1	Toothbrush with toothpaste dispenser A toothbrush attached to a tube of toothpaste that includes a dispenser and means for stemming the flow of the toothpaste. The toothbrush has a toothbrush head with bristles and the head further includes a toothpaste-dispensing aperture through which toothpaste is dispensed. Extending back from the head is the toothpaste dispenser which includes a conical toothpaste tube attachment member with the point of the cone adjacent to and connected to the head of the toothbrush. At the tip of the cone is an aperture to dispense toothpaste which communicates with the aperture on the head. Extending back from the conical tube attachment member is an elongated, tapering gripping portion that extends over the toothpaste tube to assist the user in controlling and squeezing the tube. A tube of toothpaste is securely attached to a circular back edge of the toothpaste tube attachment member. A switch is positioned into a switch receiving slot, which switch is utilized to stop the flow of toothpaste out of the toothpaste aperture in the head.
US07677824B2	Slide pen Disclosed is a slide pen. The slide pen includes (a) a pen core having a nib, (b) a tubular pen core slider having an open lower end, a pen core coupler, and guide ridges formed at an upper portion thereof, so as to allow the nib of the pen core to protrude through the lower end thereof and to allow the pen core to be held and coupled therein, and (c) a body casing having a tubular upper portion formed with a guide slot so as to allow the guide ridges of the pen core slider to vertically move and be fixed, a tubular intermediate portion being partially open such that the pen core slider is held inside so as to allow the outer circumference of the pen core slider to be exposed outside, and a conical lower portion having an open lower end so as to allow the nib of the pen core to be moved in and out. Thereby, when the guide ridges of the pen core slider vertically move in the guide slot of the upper portion of the body casing, the pen core slider slides in the body casing, and the nib of the pen core coupled to the pen core coupler of the pen core slider comes in and out through the lower end of the body casing.
US07677823B2	Rolled-print-medium holder device A rolled-print-medium holder device includes an axial member, a holding member, an outer fitting portion, an inner fitting portion, and a weld portion. The holding member is fixed to at least one of both axial ends of the axial member and holds both sides of a rolled print medium. The outer fitting portion is provided at either one of the axial member and the holding member. The outer fitting portion has an inner peripheral surface. The inner fitting portion is provided at the other one of the axial member and the holding member. The inner fitting portion has an outer peripheral surface. The inner fitting portion is fitted into the outer fitting portion. The weld portion is provided at at least one of the inner fitting portion and the outer fitting portion. The weld portion at least fixes the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface by ultrasonic welding.
US07677819B2	Camera module A camera module includes a lens, a lens barrel, a lens holder, a circuit board, an image sensor, and an elastic member. The lens barrel receives the lens therein and includes a flange protruding over the lens barrel. The lens holder is affixed to the circuit board to receive the image sensor therein. The elastic member is disposed between the lens barrel and the lens holder. A rim is formed on the lens holder. The elastic member has one end contacting the rim of the lens holder and the opposite end contacting the flange. The elastic member biases the lens barrel against the image sensor.
US07677813B2	Electro-optical hybrid connection assembly An electro-optical hybrid connection assembly provides an optical connection of at least a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber that define a fiber axis and an electrical connection of at least a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor. The assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes a first ferrule that encloses the first optical fiber, a centering sleeve surrounding the first ferrule and projecting beyond at least one end of the first ferrule, and at least one electrical plug-in contact connected to the first electrical conductor. The second connector includes a second ferrule enclosing the second optical fiber, and at least one electrical plug-in contact connected to the second electrical conductor. Each of the two optical fibers has a plane fiber end aligned at right angles to the fiber axis and provided with an anti-reflection coating.
US07677810B2	Bearing washer for thrust bearing and thrust bearing Manufactured by quench hardening, a bearing washer for a thrust bearing inexpensive and excellent in durability is used without being subjected to grinding after quenching. In a bearing washer group including a plurality of bearing washers for the thrust bearing, when camber/waviness of each bearing washer constituting the bearing washer group that is randomly extracted is measured, a value obtained by adding a value three times as large as standard deviation of camber/waviness to an average value thereof is at most 40 μm.
US07677806B2	Bearing element 1. Bearing element (4) for a bearing for borne supporting of a bearing counter-element (2), whereby the bearing element (4) has a bearing segment (40) at which the bearing counter-element (2) is supportably borne with a force component (F) in the direction of the bearing segment (40), and, at least one positioning segment lateral to the bearing segment (40) for positioning the bearing element (4) at a wall (32) of the bearing for fixing and/or orienting the bearing element (4) in the bearing, whereby aligning and/or support elements (41, 42) project laterally from the bearing segment (40), whereby the aligning and/or support elements (41, 42) are physically distanced from each adjacent aligning and/or support element (41, 42), and whereby the aligning and/or support elements (41, 42) distanced from the bearing segment (40) each embody at least one positioning segment (43, 44).
US07677803B2	Quick release coupling device for a linear guideway A quick release coupling device for a linear guideway comprises a rail, a slide block, a pair of end caps and a pair of connectors. Each of the end caps has a through hole in which are annularly arranged a slant rotary abutment surface and a plurality of grooves. The connectors each has an end fixed to the slide block, and another end of the connectors is defined with a wing-shaped portion, the wing-shaped portion has an abutment surface for mating with the rotary abutment surface of the end caps.
US07677801B2	Non-invasive method and apparatus to locate incision site for spinal surgery A non-invasive means and method locates a target spinal segment on a patient prior to surgery. An apparatus comprises a frame; a plurality of laser diodes projecting planar beams and mounted on the perimeter of the frame; a radio-opaque cable attached to the frame at the location of a laser diode; optionally, a weight is attached to the cable; optionally a rod extends from the frame perimeter; and optionally a bombsight is included within the frame marked with crosshairs. The method comprises the steps of marking a patient's skin; placing the frame on the patient; turning on the laser diodes; rotating the frame until the until a line of visible light is perpendicular to the patient's spine; aligning the cable with the planar laser beam; providing an X-ray source; aligning the X-ray source with the planar laser beam and obtaining an X-ray.
US07677795B2	Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) with temperature controlled furnace A differential scanning calorimeter apparatus includes reference and sample cells and controlled temperature shields. The temperature of the shields is controlled such that baseline curvature is reduced by eliminating heat flow from the furnaces to their surroundings (quasi adiabatic conditions) and by controlling heat flow through a well defined solid state heat resistance between the furnaces and a temperature controlled heat sink. The temperature of each shield can be controlled independently to reduce differential heat flow over the whole temperature range of the scan, or maintained at a constant temperature for conventional power compensated DSC operation. The temperature/time profile for each shield can be controlled according to actual furnace temperature, obtained from an empty run, or stored in the computer memory and recalled for sample measurements.
US07677791B2	Rotary residual fuel slurrifier A rotary slurrifier of this invention comprises a pair of spinning discs, which throw a first fluid into a larger mass of second fluid in paired and flow connected impact cavities, within a counter-rotating cavity shell. The first fluid is to be largely insoluble in the second fluid. Impact of the first fluid with the larger mass of second fluid, in the impact cavities, causes atomization of the first fluid into a slurry of many small first fluid particles suspended in a continuous phase of second fluid. The final slurry flows out of the rotating cavity shell via a slowdown reaction turbine.High viscosity residual petroleum fuels and tars as first fluids can be thusly preatomized in a fuel in water slurry, and can then be cleanly and efficiently burned in small bore, high speed, diesel engines, which now require use of expensive low viscosity distillate fuels, which are in short supply.
US07677788B2	Curved blade mixing device The aim of the invention is to improve an existing mixing device in such a manner that for a predetermined reactor length, retention time is increased and the material which is to be processed is transported at essentially the same speed irrespective of the radial distance thereof from the rotational axis. As a result, at least one row of blades is arranged on each shaft and each row of blades comprises at least two individual blades and the blades are fixed to the shaft at an incidence angle α in relation to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The blades are curved in themselves, such that the blades form an angle of incidence α at the fixing point on the shaft and an angle of incidence β on the outer diameter DA. By virtue of the fact that a row of individual blades is used instead of a continuous screw, efficient mixing of charging material and coke can be achieved, the angle of incidence is reduced from the inside to the outside and the axial speed of the particles which are to be mixed is evened out on the total cross section of the reactor, thereby enabling a stop-type flow to be obtained.
US07677786B2	Method for producing concrete and standardizing system for concrete production There is provided a process for producing concrete, comprising: in producing concrete, previously providing at least one premix composition for a concrete mix, which has been measured and prepared by automatic control means according to properties required of the concrete; and kneading and mixing the previously provided premix composition for a concrete mix with cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregates, and water. There is also provided a standardizing system for concrete production, characterized by comprising: measuring constituents of a premix composition for a concrete mix with an automatic control device; mixing these constituents together essentially without through human power to prepare a premix composition for a concrete mix according to properties required of the concrete; storing the premix composition; measuring the mass of a slurry composition of the premix composition with an automatic control device essentially without through human power; and kneading and mixing the slurry composition with cement, coarse aggregate, water, and a chemical admixture. There is further provided a standardizing system for concrete production in a concrete production plant, comprising kneading and mixing the above slurry composition of the premix composition with cement, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and water in the concrete production plant.Concrete satisfying designed and planned property requirements can be provided in an easy and stable manner.
US07677783B2	Backlight module with point light source having light guide portion An exemplary point light source (20) includes a light emitting body (230), and a light guide portion (210) adjacent the light emitting body. The light emitting body includes an illuminating portion configured for providing light beams, and a shell packaging the illuminating portion. The light guide portion is configured for guiding the light beams to propagate in desired directions. A size of a cross-section of the light guide portion far away from the light emitting body is less than a size of a cross-section of the light guide portion adjacent to the light emitting body. A backlight module (200) using the point light source is also provided.
US07677782B2	LED flat lamp An LED flat lamp including a housing with a light-emitting area at the bottom thereof. The internal side thereof undergoes a reflexion treatment. At least one LED is disposed within the housing. A power connector is extended from the LED to the outside. The LED is installed on a circuit board. A light guide plate is installed at one side of the LED within the housing. The light exit side of the light guide plate is provided with a microstructure for a uniform light exit. Moreover, an optical film unit is attached to the bottom of the light guide plate such that the light-emitting area of the housing is covered with the optical film unit. The optical film unit consists of one or several brightness enhancement films and one or several diffusers. In this way, the problem of glaring light directly emitted by the prior art is resolved. The LED flat lamp in accordance with the invention can emit a non-glaring light and can be modularized into a standardized product.
US07677776B2	Lighting device for vehicle and door mirror device A lighting device for vehicle include a housing body, an outer lens provided on the housing body, a decorating wall provided between the housing body and the outer lens and a plurality of light emitting devices which are provided between the housing body and the decorating wall and disposed with intervals to each other. The decorating wall includes a plurality of light transmitting portions, each of which is disposed to face each of the plurality of light emitting devices. The light transmitting portion is disposed to set light emitted from the corresponding light emitting device within a range of a predetermined light distribution angle.
US07677773B2	Vehicle room lamp A vehicle room lamp includes a box-like body, a light source received within the box-like body, a switch provided within the box-like body so as to control the turning-on and -off of the light source, a light-transmitting portion which is provided at the box-like body at an opening thereof so as to move toward and away from the switch, and allows light from the light source to pass therethrough to the exterior of the box-like body, and an abutment member which is movable together with the light-transmitting portion, and can operate the switch in accordance with the movement of the light-transmitting portion toward the switch. The abutment member is disposed outside a light distribution range of light directed from the light source toward the light-transmitting portion.
US07677772B1	Navigation light system using spatially separated partial arc navigation running lights A navigation light system for a watercraft including multiple lights of a common color and that are spatially separated on the watercraft to collectively operate as a navigation running light that has a specified horizontal beam sector of less than 360 degrees. Each light is separately masked to emit light outwardly from the watercraft within a partial arc horizontal beam sector which is less than the specified horizontal beam sector. The navigation light system may include first and second running lights of first and second colors, respectively, where each running light includes multiple commonly-colored lights that are separately masked within a corresponding one of mutually exclusive partial arc horizontal beam sectors within the specified horizontal beam sector.
US07677770B2	Thermally-managed LED-based recessed down lights An LED down light replacement apparatus is disclosed for insertion into a recessed-light housing can, which includes an LED light source, a means for mounting said LED light source within the housing can, an LED driver circuit electrically connected to the LED light source, a heat sink in thermal contact with the LED light source, and means for removing heat generated by the LED light source. The means for removing heat generated by the LED light source can include a fan and/or ventilation holes in the top of the housing can.
US07677768B2	LED lamp having a convenient replacement structure An LED lamp for providing a relatively large luminous flux, includes a housing and a pair of LED units mounted in the housing. The two LED units are separated from each other by a clapboard set in the housing. Each LED unit includes a plate, a plurality of LED modules disposed on the plate and a cover laying on the plate and cover the LED modules. The cover forms a plurality of vents to expose LEDs of the LED modules therein. A plurality of first screws extends through the LED modules and the plate to secure them together, while a plurality of second screws extends through the plate, the cover and the housing to fix the whole LED unit to the housing. Each LED module has a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs on the printed circuit board.
US07677766B2	LED lamp device and method to retrofit a lighting fixture A device and method for retrofitting a light fixture from use with a lamp socket that employs a conventional incandescent or metal halide lamp, to use with a light emitting diode (LED)-based lamp assembly. The lamp fixture has a collar with a base and an annular outer wall extending out from the base. The LED lamp device includes a neck base having an annular outer wall having a shaped outside surface that is placed into direct surface contact with the inner surface of the annular outer wall of the collar, to establish an effective heat-transferring interface. The shaped outer surface of the neck base provides proper fitting of the LED lamp device into the lighting fixture, and provides a heat-transferring interface over substantially all of the outer surface of the neck base, to dissipate heat away from the LED module. Aluminum material provides high thermal conductivity, light weight, availability, and low cost.
US07677756B2	Backlight module A backlight module including a plurality of lamps, a first circuit board, and a second circuit board is provided. Each lamp has a first electrode and a second electrode. The first circuit board has a plurality of first openings and first conductive clips. The first electrode is disposed to extend through the first opening and to be clamped by the first conductive clip. Furthermore, a plurality of current adjustment devices is disposed on the first circuit board. The current adjustment device is electrically coupled to the first electrode through the first conductive clips. In the backlight module, the conductive clips or clamping pins of the current adjustment devices are used to hold the electrodes of lamps, thereby facilitating the assembly process of backlight module.
US07677754B2	Directional input device with knob A controller with a dial for manipulating objects in a computer environment. The dial is in communication with an optical encoder system using the reflective method. A knob is attached to the dial and provides both a reference point for the rotational position of the dial and a tactile element allowing the user to rotate the dial.
US07677750B2	Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same A backlight assembly includes a circuit board and a plurality of point light source groups. The plurality of point light source groups includes N point light sources that generate different respective colors and being arranged on the circuit board. Here, N is a number of point light sources. One light source group of the light source groups is rotated by an angle of predetermined degrees in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction with respect to another light source group that is adjacent to the one point light source group.
US07677749B2	Optical plate and backlight module using the same An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of through holes and at least one lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. Each of the through holes communicates the light output surface with the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07677745B2	Light device with EL elements A light device with EL element(s) includes non-illuminated conductive-piece(s) and connectors in addition to illuminated element to provide an economical, attractive, and neat illumination arrangement. The EL elements may be combined with a bend-and-shape member to enable the EL element(s) to be bent into any geometric configuration and maintain the shape into which it has been bent. The thus formed EL element(s) can be applied to an EL light device with a lamp base, a night light with bend-n-shape properties, and/or outdoor lighting at a most reasonable cost and utilizing any desired power source such as a wall outlet, battery, solar, or any other energy sources for people to use anywhere with lowest power consumption and incredible light effects. The said EL element(s) may also include electric signal delivery parts, reinforced mesh tube, and coil spring kits to deliver digital signals, current, data, images, or sound from end(s) to end(s).
US07677742B2	Micromirror array The invention relates to a microstructured technological system and, in particular, micromirror arrangements. The aim of the invention is to produce facade elements for buildings having large areas in square centimetres and above, at reduced cost. The entire micromirror arrangement can be produced as a flat, architectonically useable structural element in a modularly replicable manner. According to the invention, the control electronic system, which contains the logics which are controlled as mirror elements, is arranged in the centre of a control device at a specific, remote distance from which an addressing network is used to control the individual mirror elements or modules. Said addressing network is already integrated into the flat modules during production and to a large degree, in the form of printed lines. As a result, the necessity of incorporating silicon-based chip technology into the facade elements, which is expensive, is no longer necessary. Also, essentially less expensive materials than highly pure silicon are used in the production of the micromirror arrangements. Production costs, which are at least in the same size order as other, traditional, high quality façade elements, result therefrom.
US07677740B2	Optical diaphragm and projector An optical diaphragm for adjusting a light quantity of an incident light beam includes: a plurality of light-shielding vanes attached to a circumferential portion of an aperture of a base plate in a manner rotatable along a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the light beam. The light-shielding vanes may be rotated to change an aperture area of the aperture of the base plate for transmitting the light beam. The plurality of light-shielding vanes each include a vane plate for intercepting the incident light beam; and a bearing integrally provided to the vane plate, the bearing each allowing a rotary shaft to be inserted therein so as to be supported by the rotary shaft. The vane plate is perpendicularly attached to the bearing. The plurality of light-shielding vanes move parallel to each other in an opening and closing direction thereof without crossing with each other.
US07677738B2	Image projector According to the present invention, an image projector includes a reflecting light valve, a group of refracting lenses forming a projecting optical system that enlarges and projects an optical image given from the light valve, a power mirror having a power and forming the projecting optical system together with the group of refracting lenses, and a transmissive screen for displaying the optical image that is given from the light valve and enlarged by the projecting optical system, wherein the exit pupil position is set such that the minimum angle of view θmin exceeds 40°, and the Petzval partial sum of lenses is set larger than a value determined by the minimum angle of view.
US07677737B2	Projector adaptation for self-calibration A device includes a projector to project an image onto a surface. The device also includes a camera to capture a picture of the image, while it is being projected onto the surface, and a portion of an area surrounding the projected image. The device identifies a lightest portion in the projected image. The device adjusts a setting of the projector based on a comparison of an intensity of the identified lightest portion to an intensity of the portion of the area surrounding the projected image.
US07677735B2	Projecting apparatus A projecting apparatus for protecting an image onto a screen includes an image module, a first light reflection device and a lens. The image module is for providing a beam of first light. The first light reflection device has a first reflection surface disposed movably relative to the image module for reflecting the first light to form a beam of second light. The lens is for projection the image on the screen according to the second light. Moving the first light reflection device along the beam of first light or second light can adjust the location of the image on the screen in a first direction.
US07677734B2	Audiovisual distraction in patients undergoing surgery with regional anesthesia Systems and methods provide audio-visual distraction to a patient while the patient is undergoing a surgical or other such medical procedure. When used in the context of a surgical procedure, local anesthetics are used to eliminate the pain of the procedure, autonomic blockade (beta blockers and/or alpha-2 agonists) is used to control autonomic responses, and audio-visual distraction is provided to distract the patient. The system allows reduction in the need for pharmacologic sedation.
US07677733B2	Method of designing a matched light guide for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display A method of designing a backlight light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display includes specifying a backlight having a light guide thickness and extractor angle and a light transmission surface having a predetermined width value and a predetermined length value. Then, the method includes selecting a plurality of design parameter value pairs, where each parameter value pairs includes a light guide thickness value and a prism angle value, and each design parameter value pair is different from each other. Then the method includes executing an ray tracing optical model on the light guide for each parameter value pair to calculate output data for each parameter value pair, the output data including a single pass light extraction efficiency value, an average minimum light angle value emitted from the second surface, and a maximum flux/minimum flux value emitted from the second surface; and selecting a parameter value pair based on the output data to manufacture the light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display.
US07677732B2	Stereoscopic image display apparatus The present invention provides a stereoscopic image display apparatus. The stereoscopic image display apparatus includes a first projection element group, a second projection element group, and a reflecting optical system. The first projection element group includes a plurality of first projection elements operable to project first light fluxes in a first direction. The second projection element group includes a plurality of second projection elements operable to project second light fluxes in a second direction which is different from the first direction and in which the second light fluxes are directed to the first light fluxes. The reflecting optical system is operable to reflect the second light fluxes toward the first direction.
US07677727B2	Eye refractive power measurement apparatus An eye refractive power measurement apparatus capable of performing analysis of an examinee's eye for irregular astigmatism with accuracy comprises a measurement optical system comprising an optical system projecting measurement light onto an examinee's fundus and an optical system photo-receiving the measurement light as a ring or substantially-ring fundus reflection image, a light deflection member placed in the optical systems, a unit rotating the deflection member, a memory storing the photo-received image as a measurement image, an analysis unit performing analysis of the measurement image, and an output unit, wherein the analysis unit detects the number of images or a width of an image in each meridian direction in the measurement image and judges the eye has irregular astigmatism when a portion in which the number of the images is two or a portion in which the width of the image goes beyond a predetermined level is detected.
US07677719B2	Inkjet recording apparatus An inkjet recording apparatus includes a holding face, an inkjet head including plural nozzles arranged along a predetermined direction correspondingly with a predetermined resolution, a first moving mechanism which performs a first movement of moving at least one of the inkjet head and the holding member in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, a second moving mechanism which performs a second movement of moving the holding member in the predetermined direction, and a first movement controlling unit which controls the first moving mechanism to perform the first movement first and second times. In the second time, the inkjet head and the holding member are moved in directions that are opposite to directions in the first time. A second movement controlling unit controls the second moving mechanism to, after the first movement for the first time, perform the second movement by one half of a distance corresponding to the predetermined resolution.
US07677718B2	Flexible member having tensioning members Several embodiments of apparatus and methods are disclosed. One or more of the disclosed example devices includes a flexible member having first and second tensioning members.
US07677717B2	Drum maintenance system for an imaging device and method and system for maintaining an imaging device A maintenance system and method for maintaining an imaging member of an imaging device includes a pre-cleaning device to clean the imaging member; an applicator to apply release agent to the imaging member; a metering device to meter release agent on the imaging member; a reservoir to remotely store release agent; and a pump to supply the applicator with release agent from the reservoir. The saturation level of the applicator is monitored and maintained within a predetermined range. The applicator, pre-cleaning device and metering device may be independently actuated to engage the imaging member. Release agent collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be recycled. Debris collected by the pre-cleaning device and/or metering device may be stored and/or removed.
US07677716B2	Latent inkjet printing, to avoid drying and liquid-loading problems, and provide sharper imaging Ejected liquid forms a latent image on a charged transfer surface. In some invention aspects electrostatic charge is first applied to the surface; inkjet devices eject the image-forming liquid; voltage is established between the devices and surface; another, separate substance associated with the latent image actuates it. In other aspects hydrophobic or hydrophilic material in the surface stabilizes the image on it; electrostatic apparatus, associated with the surface, cooperates with the stabilizing material, further controlling image-droplet position and size. In other aspects a desired image forms on a final printing medium, based on an input electronic image-data array; the liquid ejection is onto an intermediate transfer surface, based on detailed incremental control by the data, forming a latent image representing the desired image. An actuating substance, initially discrete from the liquid, is associated with the image, and a reaction initiated to modify that substance—which is transferred from surface to final medium.
US07677714B2	Inkjet inks providing improved wet smudge on porous print media A printing system for use in inkjet printing. The printing system includes an inkjet ink having a free binder, an additional free binder, and a chemically modified pigment, a fixer fluid and a porous print medium.
US07677706B2	Electrostatic actuator and fabrication method In one embodiment a method of making an electrostatic actuator includes: forming a first conductor over a first substrate to form a first structure; forming a flexible second conductor over a second substrate to form a second structure; forming an etch stop over the first conductor as part of the first structure or over the second conductor as part of the second structure; forming a spacer on the etch stop, the spacer selectively etchable with respect to the etch stop; etching the spacer through to the etch stop at a location of a gap between the first conductor and the second conductor; and bonding the first structure and the second structure together such that the first conductor is located opposite the second conductor across the gap.
US07677705B2	Ink jet head for providing stable ink discharge, method of manufacturing the ink jet head, and ink jet recording device An ink jet head with a plurality of ink jetting units enabling the easy filling of ink and an operation for recovering from defective jetting, a method of manufacturing the ink jet head, and an ink jet recording device. The ink jet head comprises a nozzle plate in which a nozzle jetting the ink is formed, a pressure application means applying a pressure to the ink, a wall member holding the nozzle plate, a head plate holding the plurality of ink jetting units, sealing members sealing clearances between the ink jetting units and the head plate so that air is not passed there through and movably supporting the ink jetting units on the head plate by deforming by itself, and fixing members fixing the ink jetting units to the head plate.
US07677704B2	Printhead unit cell having welled heater element A unit cell of a printhead is provided having a multi-layer substrate defining an ink inlet, one or more side walls extending from the substrate around the ink inlet, a nozzle plate supported by the side walls to define a chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet, where the nozzle plate defines an aperture through which ink in the chamber can be ejected, and a looped and elongate heater element suspended within the chamber, which can be heated so that bubbles are generated in ink within the chamber and ink is ejected from the aperture. The elongate heater element terminates in a peripheral well in which the side walls are received.
US07677703B2	Thermal inkjet with multiple drop volumes per nozzle A pagewidth printhead has a controller. The printhead also has a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements controlled by the controller. Each nozzle arrangement includes side walls located on a wafer substrate with a roof portion attached to said walls to define a printing fluid chamber, the roof portion defining an ejection port. Each arrangement also includes an inlet defined in the substrate to supply the fluid chamber with printing fluid, and a plurality of heater elements suspended between the side walls in the fluid chamber, so that when electrical actuation energy is applied to respective heater elements a vapor bubble is formed in the fluid leading to a pressure increase in the chamber thereby ejecting the fluid via the ejection port. The controller is configured to actuate respective heater elements individually to facilitate weighted ink drop volumes to be ejected from the nozzle arrangement.
US07677702B2	Inkjet printhead comprising bonded heater element and dielectric layer with low thermal product A thermal inkjet printhead with generally planar heater elements disposed in respective bubble forming chambers such that they are bonded on one side to the chamber so that the other side faces into the chamber. Each heater element receives an energizing pulse to heat ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble on the side facing into the chamber, whereby the gas bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle. The chamber has a dielectric layer proximate the side of the heater element bonded to the chamber. The dielectric layer has a thermal product less than 1495 Jm−2K−1s−1/2, the thermal product being (ρCk)1/2, where ρ is the density of the layer, C is specific heat of the layer and k is thermal conductivity of the layer. The present invention reduces the drop ejection energy and the heat dissipation into the printhead IC by improving the thermal isolation between the heater and the substrate.
US07677699B2	Air expulsion arrangement for printhead assembly A printhead assembly comprises an elongate channel member of a metal alloy, a flexible elongate fluid carrier, and a series of printhead modules mounted to an external surface of the fluid carrier. The flexible elongate fluid carrier is positioned on a floor of the channel member, and defines a plurality of passages longitudinally extending along a length of the fluid carrier. The fluid carrier further defines a repeated pattern of holes on the external surface. The holes provide fluid communication from outside the fluid carrier to respective passages of the fluid carrier. Each printhead module includes an upper micro-molding and a lower micro-molding. The lower micro-molding has an air inlet slot in fluid communication with one of the plurality of passages via a hole of the repeated pattern of holes. The upper micro-molding has an exhaust hole aligned with the air inlet slot and through which air carried in one of the passages is expelled. Each repeated pattern of holes diagonally spans a width of the fluid carrier, and the repeated pattern of holes together span a length of the fluid carrier. The air expelled through the exhaust hole facilitates repulsion of a print media from the printhead.
US07677698B2	Modular printhead assembly with reservoir mounted printhead modules A modular printhead assembly is provided for an inkjet printer. The modular printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis defining a plurality of slots. An elongate ink reservoir is fast with the chassis. The ink reservoir defines: a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels for storing respective types of ink, a plurality of spaced apart sets of ink outlets with the ink outlets of each set being in fluid communication with respective ink channels, and a plurality of receiving formations located along the ink reservoir which can receive a plurality of printhead modules. The plurality of printhead modules is configured to releasably engage with respective sets of ink outlets and print ink supplied from the ink reservoir. Each printhead module includes a plurality of resilient fastening legs configured to be received within the receiving formations at particular locations during engagement so that access to the legs is thereafter enabled through the slots to facilitate disengagement of the printhead modules from the ink reservoir.
US07677693B2	Line printing type inkjet image forming apparatus and method of enhancing printed image quality A line printing type inkjet image forming apparatus and a method of enhancing printed image quality. The inkjet image forming apparatus includes a printhead having one or more subheads having nozzles and a length corresponding to a width of a print medium, a driving unit to drive the nozzles, a first feeding path, a second feeding path through which the print medium is guided to be again fed along the first feeding path, a path conversion guide unit being disposed in a position where the first and second feeding paths intersect to guide the print medium to be discharged or fed along the second feeding path, a print medium feeding unit, and a controller to synchronize operations of the driving unit, the path conversion guide unit, and the print medium feeding unit, wherein the controller drives the nozzles and the nozzles divided in groups in the same direction time-divisionally.
US07677692B2	Cradle unit for receiving a print cartridge to form a print engine Provided is a cradle unit for receiving a print cartridge to form a print engine. The cradle unit includes a main body defining an opening for receiving said cartridge, the main body having a frame structure including end plates with drive and exit rollers mounted therebetween. The cradle unit also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) pivotally mounted between the end plates for housing control electronics for controlling the operation of the print engine, and a cover assembly for securing said cartridge in the opening. The cover assembly is pivotally mounted between the end plates, with the cover assembly configured to pivot the PCB into electrical contact with a printhead controller on the cartridge when in a closed position, and to pivot the PCB out of electrical connection with said printhead controller when in an open position. Also included is a maintenance drive assembly having a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and maintenance actuator arrangement and to a wiper gear and wiper actuator arrangement, the maintenance drive assembly operated by the control electronics.
US07677691B2	Droplet jetting applicator and method of manufacturing coated body A droplet jetting applicator includes: a droplet jetting head which freely moves and includes a nozzle surface with a plurality of nozzles formed, from which droplets are jetted; a suction section which sucks the droplets jetted by the droplet jetting head from a facing position facing the nozzle surface; a support/transfer section which supports the suction section, freely moves together with the droplet jetting head, and moves the supported suction section to the facing position and a non-facing position which is apart from the facing position; and an exhaust section which evacuates the suction section to give the suction section a suction force.
US07677690B2	Liquid ejection apparatus and liquid agitation method A liquid ejection apparatus which ejects liquid toward a prescribed medium is provided. The apparatus includes a liquid ejection head which has an ejection port ejecting liquid, and an energy application element applying energy to the liquid to be ejected from the ejection port; and a liquid receiving device which is opposite to the ejection port and receives the liquid ejected from the ejection port. The liquid received by the liquid receiving device forms a liquid pool between the liquid receiving device and the ejection port and the liquid is agitated by a driving device which applies a drive signal to the energy application element.
US07677687B2	Printer including overlapping elongate printheads A printer includes a plurality of stationary printhead modules located across a print media transport path. In order to provide continuity of printheads across the transport path some, or all, of the printheads are slanted so that the ends of the printheads overlap. In one embodiment the printhead modules are each inserted into ink reservoirs that are in turn attached to a mounting frame that lies across the print media transport path.
US07677686B2	High nozzle density printhead ejecting low drop volumes A printhead assembly that has a printhead substrate having a plurality of drop generators formed thereon at an area density of at least six drop generators per square millimeter. The droplets emitted have a drop volume less than 8 pico liters. The fluid forming the droplets has a viscosity in the range of 2 to 5 centipoise. A high area density of drop generators and relatively low droplet volume of water-based ink provides high print resolutions and energy efficient operation.
US07677684B2	Ink jet printer, method for controlling an ink jet printer, and computer program product for an ink jet printer An ink jet printer is provided with an ink jet head that executes a printing action in which ink is discharged toward a print medium, a transportation device that transports the print medium, and a controller that controls the ink jet head to execute the printing action. The controller controls the ink jet head to execute the printing action when the ink jet printer has finished receiving a predetermined amount of print data. In a case where a time since a last printing action has exceeded a predetermined time, the controller prevents the ink jet head from executing the printing action against a partially printed print medium, and controls the transportation device to eject the print medium.
US07677682B2	Modular printer with substantially identical duplexed printhead assemblies A modular printer includes a frame. A housing in which the frame is housed has an operatively upper and an operatively lower cover and defines a print media inlet at one end between the covers and a print media outlet at an opposite end between the covers. An inlet roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximate the print media inlet for feeding a web of print media into the housing. A pair of opposed inkjet printhead assemblies are mounted on the frame downstream of the inlet roller assembly to define a printing zone between the printhead assemblies. The inlet roller assembly is configured to feed the web of print media between the printhead assemblies. An exit roller assembly is mounted on the frame proximate the print media outlet to feed the web of print media from the outlet. Each inkjet printhead assembly includes a series of substantially identical printhead modules, the modules of each printhead assembly being a mirrored replication of the modules of the other printhead assembly.
US07677675B2	Method and apparatus for making brushes A method and apparatus for continuously making a brush mat for brush manufacture integrates a continuous source of extruded and cut filaments with forming an extrusion of thermoplastic material on an end of the filaments to form the brush mat. The brush mat can then be cut and used in its straight configuration or shaped in a ring or other form as part of a subsequent brush making step.
US07677671B2	Passenger restraint apparatus for funfair rides A passenger restraint apparatus for funfair rides is disclosed. It includes: a restraint body (30) having a leg support surface (31) which is adapted to be placed on the thighs of the passenger, and a first guide lever (40) which is fixed at its first end to the restraint body and which is pivotably coupled with its second end in the floor region in front of a passenger seat of a funfair ride in such a way that the restraint body can be pivoted in relation to the passenger seat about a first lower axis (61) which is disposed in transverse relationship to the longitudinal axis of the thigh of the seated passenger from an opened position into a closed position, characterized in that the first guide lever is coupled at its first end to the restraint body pivotably about a first upper axis (34) which is disposed in parallel relationship with the first lower axis and arranged adjacent to the first guide lever is a second guide lever (50) which i. is spaced from the first guide lever in a direction in transverse relationship with the first lower axis and ii. is coupled at its first end to the restraint body pivotably about a second upper axis (35) which is arranged in parallel spaced relationship with the first upper axis and iii. is coupled at its second end pivotably about a second lower axis (62) arranged in parallel spaced relationship with the first lower axis in the region of the passenger footrest of a funfair ride, in such a way iv. that the restraint body is guided by the first and second guide levers (40, 50) in the manner of a parallelogram or trapezium lever arrangement.
US07677668B2	Vehicle seats having a back support lock assembly Vehicle seats having a back support lock assembly are disclosed. An example vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a back support pivotally coupled to the seat bottom. The example vehicle seat also includes a lock assembly having a locking lever rotatably coupled to the back support, wherein the locking lever has an end to engage a surface of the seat bottom to lock the back support in a folded position relative to the seat bottom.
US07677666B2	Disc recliner assembly incorporated into a seatback/seat base pivot associated with a vehicle seat A seat recliner assembly established at a hinge location between a seat bottom and a pivotally associated seat back including a base plate and an inwardly teethed and package supporting sector secured to the seat back and seat bottom, respectively and sandwiched together in selectively rotatable fashion relative to define a component receiving space therebetween. A shaft projects through an aperture of a rotatably slaved cam situated within the space. A pair of locking pawls with exteriorly toothed surfaces are displaceable to engage with inwardly teethed locations of the package supporting sector. A pair of anti-chuck pawls are selectively engagable both by the cam and with the locking pawls. The cam is biased in a first rotational locking condition to influence the anti-chuck pawls outwardly against the locking pawls. The cam is rotated in an opposite and counter-biasing direction, thereby directly contacting the locking pawls and pivoting the same such that their exteriorly toothed surfaces are inwardly disengaged from the teethed sector, permitting rotational between the base plate and package sector.
US07677665B2	Fitting for a vehicle seat A compound fitting (18) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat, comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have at least two fitting parts (11, 12, 40, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to one another, the inner fitting parts being interlinkable and the outer fitting parts being interlinkable. One of the individual fittings is a adjusting fitting (10) for adjusting the compound fitting (8), and the other individual fitting is a locking fitting (50) for locking the compound fitting (8). Two fitting parts (11, 12) of the adjusting fitting (10) can be interlinked by way of a non-self-locking eccentric epicyclic gear. At least to a large extent, the locked locking fitting (50) bridges the adjusting fitting (10) in terms of the flow of force.
US07677664B2	Motor vehicle seat with portions made from composite sheet The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat with an underframe, two side parts and one seat back that is connected to the side parts by a seat back hinge mounting. At least portions of the motor vehicle seat are made from a composite sheet.
US07677662B2	Removable, reversible, protective hammock-style seat cover The illustrative exemplary non-limiting embodiments relate to a seat cover that may include such features as a protective first side, multiple front securing straps arranged on a leading edge, and multiple rear securing straps arranged on a trailing edge. The protective cover can be held in place by securing the straps to headrests in the car. Additionally, the cover may include multiple pockets, accessible through an upwards facing side of the cover, and capable of being slid into a gap between an upper portion lower portion of the rear seats of a vehicle. One or more objects, placed within the pockets when the pockets are in position, help to hold the cover in place. The cover may also be reversible, machine-washable, and easy to remove and install.
US07677656B2	Modular seat/console for a vehicle A center seat console that moves between a forward position between front seats, an intermediate position, and a rear position between rear seats is disclosed. The seat/console may function as a seat in the rear seat position, or in the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the seat/console in the seat configuration may advantageously be used to support a child safety seat. The seat/console may also be configured as a console in either the rear seat, intermediate, or front seat positions. The seat/console is provided with an adjustable height support that permits the seat/console to be lowered to fit beneath arm rests assembled to the front seats when it is desired to place the console between the front seats.
US07677652B2	Roof inner body structure A roof structure for a vehicle can include a tailor-welded-blank, inner roof frame. The inner roof frame can include, at least in part, an elongated, transversely extending, intermediate roof rail having a first material thickness, and a plurality of reinforced roof rails. Each of the reinforced roof rails can extend away from the intermediate roof rail in a common direction toward a remote end of the inner roof frame. Each of the reinforced roof rails can have a different material thickness than the first material thickness of the intermediate roof rail.
US07677649B2	Vehicle having an interlocking floor assembly A vehicle having an interlocking floor assembly including a first floor structure having a first set of mating features and a second floor structure having a second set of mating features. The first and second sets of mating features interlock to couple the first and second floor structures together.
US07677647B2	Adjustable mounting restraint device A work vehicle includes a frame, a cab structure connected to the frame and a seat connected to the frame. A substantially rigid restraining device of unitary construction is pivotably connected behind the seat to any one of the frame, the cab structure, or the frame and the cab structure. The pivotable connection between the restraining device and the frame and/or the cab structure is adjustable.
US07677640B2	Panel assembly for a vehicle A panel assembly for a vehicle door has trim panel coupled to the door and having at least a portion thereof that is spaced from the door's outboard frame. The trim panel has first and second impact areas. A plurality of energy absorbing structures is arranged in an array between the trim panel and the door frame. Each energy absorbing structure has a base end, an outboard end, and at least one sidewall. The base end is adjacent to the trim panel. The outboard end engages the vehicle door. The sidewall may include either or both of a reinforcement structure and a weakening structure that are sized and configured so that the energy absorbing structure has a predetermined range of energy absorption against the occupant during a side-impact collision. Energy absorbing structures having different energy absorption characteristics are located adjacent to the first and second impact areas.
US07677637B2	Protective cover for motor vehicles A protective cover for motor vehicle, motor vehicle components, machines, etc., includes a cover protecting the principal part of the object, and at least one protective covering for at least one component movably affixed on the object. The protective covering for the movable component is a protective covering that is separate from the cover for the principal part of the object.
US07677630B2	Automobile In an automobile having a seat cushion and a seat back that can be stored in a non-use position located in the upper part of a vehicle interior, the seat back can be stored in the non-use position easily even when the seat back stops at any position immediately before the non-use position thereof when the seat back is lifted up to the non-use position. A guide face is formed on a locking member. The guide face brings an engaging concave portion of the locking member into engagement with a striker while being in sliding contact with the striker when a handle arm provided on the seat back is rotated from the use position to the storage position thereof to rotate the locking member from the lock releasing position toward the locking position thereof, in a situation where the seat back stops upon reaching any position immediately before the non-use position thereof.
US07677626B2	Multi-functional vehicle tailgate A deployable multi-functional tailgate apparatus forms a ramp platform and bulkhead piece, and is stowable against and deployable from an inner surface of a dual-action tailgate door which is usable as a swinging or a drop-style tailgate door. A damping mechanism controls the rate of descent of the platform. The bulkhead piece seals against the vehicle body when deployed to form a barrier, and secures a piece of cargo. A door assembly has a dual-action tailgate door and a multi-functional tailgate apparatus, with the apparatus being deployable as a ramp platform for accessing the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is used as a swinging-style tailgate door, and to form a bulkhead piece for transporting a piece of cargo external to the rear cargo area when the tailgate door is used as a drop-style tailgate door.
US07677624B1	Recreational vehicle outdoor carpet system A recreational vehicle outdoor carpet system includes a recreational vehicle that has a bottom wall. A housing is attached to the bottom wall. The housing has an open end and a casing is mounted in the housing. The casing is selectively positioned in stored position positioned within the housing or in a deployed position extending outwardly of the open end. A spindle is rotatably mounted in the casing. A flexible panel defines a rug having a first end edge and a second end edge disposed opposite of each other. The first end edge is attached to the spindle. The spindle is rotated in a first direction to position the panel in a rolled up configuration on the spindle and rotated in a second direction remove the panel from the spindle to position the panel on a ground surface.
US07677622B2	Method for operating a vacuum handling device A method is proposed for operating a vacuum handling device controlled by a programmable controller (39) which can be connected to a machine controller (10), with at least one vacuum generator (28) and with a number of gripper modules (20), which are connected to the vacuum generator and are each equipped with a first pressure sensor (46) and with a control valve (44) for the vacuum in the gripper module, and which are connected to the programmable controller. The control valve in the gripper module is closed in a first switching state (vacuum on) of the programmable controller and is detected up to the control valve (44) by means of a second pressure sensor (78) in the vacuum generator.
US07677617B2	Efficient joint for vehicle energy-absorbing device A vehicle having an energy-absorbing device mountable to a bumper of the vehicle is provided. The energy-absorbing device is attached to a vehicle rail having an inner rail surface and an edge surface. The energy-absorbing device defines a first crush surface interfacing with the inner rail surface. In a first embodiment, the energy-absorbing device defines a second crush surface positioned to directly interface with the edge surface of the vehicle rail in the event of an impact. The energy-absorbing device is configured to transmit load received from the impact directly to the edge surface of the vehicle rail through the second crush surface. This results in an efficient joint for the energy-absorbing device.
US07677615B2	Bumper beam structure for vehicle A bumper beam structure is provided. The bumper beam structure has a plurality of vertically long weak parts formed in a front surface of the bumper beam. These weak parts are formed having a predetermined interval along the lengthwise direction of the bumper beam.
US07677613B2	Bimini twist knot maker A knot making device for quickly and efficiently tying a knot in a line. The device may be portable and capable of being secured to a stable surface such as a table or railing allowing for a user, such as an angler, to utilize the device while in the field. The device may comprise an extension arm having a loop holding assembly and a standing line holding assembly disposed at opposing ends of the extension arm. Both the loop holding assembly and the standing line holding assembly may further comprise a first and second tensioning member, respectively, for securely retaining the line. The device may further comprise a twist compactor element disposed along the extension arm and between the loop holding assembly and the standing line holding assembly. The twist compactor element may function to compress at least one twist present in the line while forming the knot.
US07677609B2	Reusable fitting for corrugated tubing A fitting for use with corrugated tubing, the fitting comprising: a nut having a passage therethrough for receiving the tubing, the tubing being corrugated tubing having a series of peaks and valleys; a plurality of retainers positioned forward of the nut, the retainers having a sealing surface for placement in a valley of the corrugated tubing; a body having an annular pocket formed circumferentially around the retainers, the body having a body sealing surface, wherein upon sealing, the tubing is compressed between the sealing surface and the body sealing surface; a spring positioned within a cavity in the retainers, the spring driving the retainers into the pocket when the fitting is not sealed.
US07677605B2	Hose-clamp system for an inflatable medical device A hose-clamp system for securing a hose to an air connector that engages an inflation port of a garment for use in pump therapy for enhancing venous and arterial blood flow of a human foot. The system includes a fitting having an internal stem and an external stem, the internal stem configured to engage an inside diameter of an end of the hose, a cradle configured to received the internal stem and the end of the hose and having opposing locking protrusions, and a seal positioned from the locking protrusions at substantially the length of the internal stem and configured to engage the external stem.
US07677603B2	Seal assembly for pipe-to-structure connections A seal assembly for effecting a fluid tight seal between a pipe and an opening in the wall of a structure, particularly a relatively thin-walled structure made of a rigid plastic, fiberglass, or of metal, for example. The seal assembly generally includes a seal ring and an annular nut. The seal ring includes a relatively rigid fastener component having external threads, and a relatively resilient sealing component joined to the fastener component and including a first sealing projection for providing a compressive seal between the seal ring and one side of the structure wall, and a second annular sealing projection for providing a compressive seal between the seal ring and the outer surface of a pipe inserted through the seal ring. The seal ring is inserted through the opening in the structure, and the annular nut is threaded onto the external threads of the fastener component and into engagement with a first side of the wall to thereby compress the first sealing projection against the opposite, second side of the wall. Thereafter, a pipe is inserted through the seal ring to compress the second sealing projection between the outer surface of the pipe and the seal ring.
US07677602B2	Tube fitting A tube fitting for a tube end has a first coupling member and a second coupling member joined with the first coupling member. A tube gripping device is disposed between the first coupling member and the second coupling member such that assembly of the first coupling member with said second coupling member to a pulled-up condition causes the tube gripping device to be plastically deformed and swaged into the tube to grip and seal the tube. The first coupling member engages an internal surface of the second coupling member to provide an indication of completed pull-up.
US07677601B2	Patient starter kits A patient starter kit for distributing a product sample together with educational materials or additional product samples is disclosed. Integral to the kit is a one or a two-compartment packaging technique that provides pharmaceutical product samples in the same container as other patient drug information, disease state material and consumer product samples, coupons, other forms of media and/or related consumer products.
US07677597B2	Air bag apparatus In an air bag apparatus structured such that an air bag (11) housed in a part of a vehicle in a folded manner is inflated and deployed by a gas supplied from an inflator (14) so as to protect an occupant, the gas supplied from the inflator (14) is dispersed in a three-dimensional direction by a shower head (13a) so as to be supplied to a gas passage (11b) of the air bag (11).
US07677595B2	Curtain airbag mounting device An apparatus for mounting an airbag inflator to a vehicle includes a mounting adapter. The mounting adapter includes a base and at least one slot, wherein the base captures the inflator. A p-bracket that engages the slot is also added, wherein the p-bracket captures the inflator. A mounting tether is also looped around the p-bracket. A tether retainer or a wire harness retainer may also be added to the adapter.
US07677590B2	Stroller having extendable handle A stroller is provided including a stroller frame supported for movement on at least one wheel. The stroller frame supports at least one child seat, and includes a handle that is grasped by the operator to drive the stroller. The handle includes a main handle portion and an auxiliary handle portion that is telescopically connected to the main handle portion. The auxiliary handle portion is thus movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the main handle portion.
US07677589B2	Hitch cover The hitch cover is adaptable to several commercially available trailer hitches. The cover has a flat portion with a hexagonal recess, the recess being about 3 inches across opposite corners. A protective portion, generally perpendicular to the flat portion has a “U” shape and provides a polyurethane padding approximately 1.25 inches thick and 3 inches in depth. A steel plate, interposed between the flat portion and the perpendicular portion, has a hole, the center of which is in alignment with the center of the hexagonal recess. The semicircular portion of the “U” shaped protective portion, moreover, has a general diameter of 5.25 inches between opposite external surfaces of the protective portion and the parallel arms of the “U” shape protruding about 3.75 inches from the semicircular portion.
US07677586B2	Wheelchair drive assembly A wheelchair includes a seat carried by a frame including at least one front wheel and opposed rear wheels. A circular handrim is coupled to one of the rear wheels with spaced-apart connecting pins. A framework is secured to the handrim, and a ratchet operatively couples an inner end of a lever to the framework. The lever extends upwardly from the ratchet to the outer end allowing a user seated in the seat of the wheelchair to grasp the outer end of the lever and move the lever between a first position and a second position. The ratchet acts on the framework to impart rotation to the one of the rear wheels in response to movement of the lever between the first and second positions.
US07677585B2	Auxiliary pushchair seat An auxiliary seat (1) attachable to a pushchair (2) to enable it to accommodate two children seated side-by-side. The seat comprises a frame (10) having a backrest (22) and a base (21) and a wheel (30) in contact with the ground in an operative position. A child seated on the base is supported with their back against the backrest (22). The frame (10) is configured so that the backrest (22) and the base (21) fold substantially flat when the auxiliary seat is not in use. The auxiliary seat (1), including the base (21) and backrest (22), can pivot relative to the pushchair (2) to be folded against the side thereof in a storage position with the wheel (30) off the ground, once the base (21) and the backrest (22) of the seat have been folded substantially flat.
US07677584B2	Motorized collapsible step The present invention provides an improved collapsible step assembly for recreational vehicles. The movable step apparatus comprises a mounting frame, at least one step mounted to the frame through a linkage assembly, and a pivot assembly having a pivot rod with a longitudinal axis of rotation. In use, the pivot rod is rotatably mounted to the frame and rotates the linkage assembly and the steps between an extended position and a retracted position. Rotating the pivot rod in a first direction moves the step to the extended position, and rotating the pivot rod in the opposite direction moves the step to the retracted position. A two-part linkage is rotatably engaged between the pivot rod and the step linkage and transfers downward forces on the step when retracted and when extended to the drive unit so that the step stays in its position.
US07677578B2	Seal structure A seal structure includes a first member including a first joint surface and a flat third joint surface; a second member including a second joint surface joined with the first joint surface, a flat fourth joint surface; and a third member including a fifth joint surface joined, through a liquid seal, with the flat third and fourth joint surfaces. At least the second member includes a recessed portion. The fifth joint surface includes a flat region and a chamfered region which is recessed from the flat region and which confronts the recessed portion.
US07677573B2	Hold'Em table game A method of playing a house-banked casino card game includes dealing player cards to a player, dealer cards to a dealer, and community cards to form a player hand and a dealer hand. The players are provided with options to place wagers, wherein a number of placed wagers in play is determined according to a rank of the dealer hand. Moreover, not all wagers are required for the player to stay in the game.
US07677572B2	Pattern display device and game machine A game machines has a back side display unit composed of reels for displaying back patterns, and a front side display unit composed of transparent EL panels for displaying overlapping patterns overlapping with the back patterns. The back side display unit and the front side display unit are disposed not to produce blind spot regions of the back patterns. The game machine can provide various overlapping patterns with good visibility and a high game selection capability to a player.
US07677570B2	Competitive Sudoku board game The present invention is a board game. In a preferred embodiment, a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed. The game board is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers. In an alternative embodiment, a board game for team play is disclosed. The board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.
US07677567B2	Cubic assembly puzzle and support structure A game or puzzle including a plurality of polyomino assembly pieces and a support base. The support base aids the user in visualizing the shape of the puzzle to be assembled and provides support to the assembly pieces during puzzle assembly.
US07677566B2	Pre-shuffler for a playing card shuffling machine The invention comprises a pre-shuffler that receives a quantity of cards to be shuffled, such as nine decks of cards. One embodiment of the pre-shuffler includes a horizontal moveable box having, for example, nine compartments with vertical walls for separating the cards to be shuffled into groups. Cards are placed into all or some of the compartments in the box, and a shuffling sequence is then commenced. A motor moves the box containing the cards so that the cards in the first compartment are deposited into an input tray of the main card shuffler. The main shuffler then forwards the cards in the input tray one by one, via rollers, to selected card receptacles in the main shuffler. The process is then continued for each group of cards in the pre-shuffler until all cards are in the main shuffler. The main shuffler then shuffles the cards in a normal fashion. The cards output from the main shuffler are in a more random order than had the cards not been pre-shuffled by the pre-shuffler.
US07677553B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus An air blowing portion blows air toward an edge surface on a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction of a sheet. A presser portion presses an upper surface of the sheet at both side edge portions in a width direction of the sheet, thereby allowing, throughout an entire region of the sheets in a sheet feeding direction, a central portion in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction of the sheet to blow up with the air blown by the air blowing portion.
US07677547B2	Apparatus and method for separating flat items from stacks A holder of an apparatus for individually separating flat items from stacks comprises a first separating structure for individually separating outer flat items from one of the stacks at one end of the holder and a second separating structure for individually separating outer flat items from another stack at the opposite end of the holder. At least one urging member is at least partially positioned between the two separating structures for urging at least one of the stacks in the holder towards one end of the holder. A method for separating flat items from two stacks in a holder is also described.
US07677546B2	Validator with recycling cassette and stacker A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.
US07677543B2	Sheet handling apparatus A sheet handling apparatus is provided for collating or inserting inserts. The sheet handling apparatus has a raceway adapted to transport sets of inserts at a raceway transport rate. An insert feed line is provided adapted to feed individual inserts to the sets of inserts on the raceway at the raceway transport rate. The insert feed line has a Singulater adapted to separate the individual inserts from bundles of inserts at a separation rate. The separation rate may be varied to allow the insert feed line to feed the individual inserts to the sets of inserts on the raceway at the raceway transport rate.
US07677542B2	Vacuum-mounted clamp A vacuum-mounted clamp for clamping a first component to a second component. The clamp includes a substantially rigid body having an application face, a back face opposite the application face, a side, and a vacuum port extending between the application face and the back face. The application face has a step adjacent the side for engaging the first component. The clamp includes a flexible seal connected to the rigid body adjacent the application face. The seal has a vacuum port in fluid communication with the vacuum port in the primary body and a periphery for contacting the second component to create a vacuum area between the clamp and the second component. The vacuum port of the body and the seal are in fluid communication with a vacuum generator for generating a vacuum in the vacuum area.
US07677541B2	Spring structure for bed mattress Disclosed herein is a spring structure for a bed mattress which comprises a body spring formed in a coil shape, upper and lower end springs wound and extending horizontally at upper and lower portions of the body spring, an exposure wire spring formed integrally with the upper end spring in such a fashion as to be disposed above the upper end spring, and a connection end portion for integrally connecting the upper end spring and the exposure wire spring to each other, wherein a first contact-preventing end 30 is formed at the connection end portion in such a fashion as to be bent inclinedly upwardly from a distal end of the upper end spring positioned outwardly from an uppermost winding of the body spring.
US07677540B1	Dual pulley constant force mechanism A mechanism for converting the force from a linear extension spring into a constant force. A cable, connected to the spring, rides in a variable radius input pulley groove. A second cable rides in a variable radius output pulley groove. The dual pulley mechanism is smaller than previous spiral pulley mechanisms. The output force and stroke is a function of the sizes of both pulleys. A standardized design enables a small number of input and output pulleys to cover a large range of applications. An end plug in a helical spring can be used to make fine adjustments to the output force. The pulleys can be accurately phased relative to each other with a spline mechanism. The pulley grooves may lie in a plane, or they may advance in an axial direction as the pulley rotates. By continuously varying the rate of axial advance, the tangent to the groove can be aimed or focused at an external point. The focused groove reduces cable friction and wear. Axially advancing the groove allows the pulley to rotate more than one revolution, further reducing the size of the pulley. The input and output grooves can be combined into one continuous groove. The input and output cables can be a single continuous piece, eliminating cable terminations and reducing stress on the pulley.
US07677539B2	Force control strut A force control strut including a housing having first and second ends and an internal chamber, a rod member having an inner end reciprocally movable inside the housing and along the internal chamber, a guide member forming a bushing allowing reciprocation of the rod member in the housing, a bottom plug fixed in the internal chamber, a guide piston secured to an inner end of the rod and slidable along an inner surface of the internal chamber, a first coil spring positioned between the guide piston and one end of the housing to bias the rod member in a given direction in the housing, a first external connector fixed to the rod member, a second connector fixed to the bottom plug, and a damper that includes a plunger reciprocally mounted in a force controlling passageway inside the rod member and movable in a passageway of the rod member.
US07677536B2	Humidifier with controlled heated scent mechanism A portable appliance including a humidifier and an electrically heated scent mechanism. The heated scent mechanism includes a scent generator and an electrical heating element. The heating element and humidifier may be independently controllable such that the appliance can serve as either a humidifier or air-freshener, individually or simultaneously.
US07677535B1	Railing A railing has its posts and rails intersected with each other and fixed stably together by connecting plates hidden inside the rails. The connecting plate has a wing formed at a preset position between every two posts. The wing has a hole at its center. Each of the rails has a long space defined by three walls of its inverted U-shape, a rectangular opening bored in its top side for being correspondingly inserted by the post, and a female-threaded tube extended downward from an upper inner wall for corresponding to a hole of a wing of the connecting plate so that a screw can be inserted from under the hole to threadably engage with the female-threaded tube to keep the rails fixed with the connecting plates. The railing is thus assembled stably by means of the connecting plates and the screws that are hidden inside the rails, obtaining an aesthetic appearance.
US07677533B2	Guardrail A guardrail defined by a number of vertical supporting posts fixed successively to the ground along the edge of a road, and by one or more longitudinal members fixed successively and substantially horizontally to the vertical posts to form a longitudinal transverse retaining member extending along the edge of the road, at a predetermined height off the ground; each of the longitudinal members being defined by a rigid, controlled-deformation strip of composite material, which is bent back on itself to form a substantially S-shaped first longitudinal portion and a substantially C-shaped second longitudinal portion adjoining and covering the first longitudinal portion, so as to form a tubular, complex-section body extending from one vertical post to another and substantially parallel to and a predetermined height off the ground.
US07677530B2	Flow rate regulation valve A flow rate regulation valve comprising a housing (11) formed with a valve hole (13), a needle valve (60) moved relative to the valve seat (16) in the housing, and a flow rate adjust knob (40) mounted at the proximal end of the needle valve extending from the housing, wherein the needle valve is moved relative to the valve seat by rotating the flow rate adjust knob thereby regulating the flow rate of fluid flowing through the valve hole, the flow rate regulation valve further comprising a knob fixing means (35) for stopping the rotation of the flow rate adjust knob. As a result, the flow rate is prevented from being changed accidentally by a user or the like. Further, the value may have a seal adjust means (20) adjusting the sealed state between the housing and the needle valve. The seal adjust means may be formed as a part of the housing, and may be fixed to the housing by a fixing pin (15).
US07677529B2	Electromechanical oxygen valve and regulator An electromechanical valve assembly for controlling oxygen flow from a compressed oxygen source in an aircraft includes: a valve housing, an inlet, an outlet, a passageway allowing flow of oxygen from the inlet to the outlet, a spring-biased conical poppet movable within the passageway; a spring-biased pressure regulating piston engagable with the conical poppet to maintain it in an open position, a push rod engagable with the conical poppet to maintain it in a closed position, and a movable seat in the passageway that engages the conical poppet to regulate gas flow through the passageway. Actuation of an electric motor assembly to cause the seat to move upward results in closing of the valve assembly and shutting off of the oxygen flow. Actuation of the motor assembly to cause the seat to move downward results in opening of the valve assembly and regulation of the oxygen flow.
US07677521B2	Adjustable wall hanger assembly An adjustable hanger assembly comprises a hanger, a hanger mount, and a bracket assembly. The hanger comprises a first set of serrations, a center slot, and a hanger tab. The hanger mount comprises a second set of serrations, and a mount aperture. The hanger mount aperture is positioned in coplanar alignment with the center slot axis. The hanger and the hanger mount are assembled together by meshing the serrations in the first and second sets of serrations in a pre-selected position to accommodate users' positioning requirements. A mounting fastener extends through the hanger and the hanger mount for clamping the abutting assembly together and mounting the same to a wall. The hanger assembly is laterally positionable within, and snap-fittable to, the bracket assembly. Together the hanger assembly and the bracket assembly enable the user to adjust the target wall-hanging in two-dimensional space.
US07677520B2	Longitudinal guide for an automotive vehicle seat The invention relates to a longitudinal guide for an automotive vehicle seat with a surrounding rail (20), a surrounded rail (50), a free longitudinal channel (72) being formed between said rails and a first lateral encompassing area (68) and a second lateral encompassing area (70) located diagonally opposite said first lateral encompassing area being provided, with said surrounding rail (20) forming an outer grip around said surrounded rail (50) and the roll bodies (73-75) being disposed in a respective one of said areas, with guide channels for the roll bodies (73-75) being formed between the rails in the encompassing areas (68, 70). One guide channel (76) only is formed in the first encompassing area (68) while two guide channels (77, 78) are formed in the second encompassing area (70).
US07677517B2	Swivel stand A swivel stand of the present invention has a mechanism by which while equipment 1 such as a TV monitor or monitor camera is rotated manually, the rotation of the equipment 1 (TV monitor 1) is controlled such that a disc 4 fixed by a worm gear 8 slides on a pole 2 joined to the equipment, or by which while the equipment 1 is rotated by the motor 9, the rotation of the equipment 1 is controlled such that the disc 4 rotated by the worm gear 8 synchronizes the pole 2 joined to the equipment 1.
US07677515B2	Arm apparatus with reinforcement An extension arm apparatus is provided for mounting devices such as flat panel monitors above a workspace. The apparatus includes upper and lower channels connected to a pair of endcaps. One endcap may connect to the workspace and the other endcap may connect to an extension arm or the to device to be mounted. At least one of the channels includes a reinforcement structure providing additional support to the apparatus. The reinforcement structure is tapered. A forearm extension may also include a reinforcement structure. The endcaps may have interior spacers that provide clearance for the sidewalls of the channels, which may be fabricated without parting lines.
US07677514B1	No drill equipment support bracket The invention is an equipment support bracket that can be secured to a vehicle frame without drilling holes. The top bracket has a top tang that fits over the top web of the frame. A bottom bracket has a bottom tang that secures against the bottom web. Once installed on the frame, tensioning bolts tighten the top tang against the top web. In one embodiment, the equipment can be first attached to the support bracket and then the support bracket with equipment attached is positioned between the top bracket and the rail of the frame. In another embodiment, the equipment bracket can be attached to an I beam frame.
US07677511B2	Load-bearing frameworks Load-bearing frameworks (40), tables or the like with four feet have at least one foot being formed by a cap (1) which is associated with a cap-carrier (2). The cap (1) can be rotated about a horizontal axis (25). The cap (1) forms a standing surface (3) by way of a portion of its circumferential surface (5). For stabilizing purposes, the circumferential surface (5) runs along a helical curve around the horizontal axis (25).
US07677505B2	Arcuate saddle with partial ribs Embodiments of the present invention relate to arcuate saddles with partial ribs typically used to anchor and suspend insulated or non-insulated pipes. Partial ribs on the lower face of the saddle inhibit the saddle from sliding relative to the hanger when engaged and provide strengthening force to the saddle.
US07677504B2	Gutter cover clip A cutter clip and methods for installing a gutter cover onto a gutter system are disclosed. The gutter clip includes a mouth portion sized to provide an interference fit between the gutter cover and the mouth portion of the clip which stationarily secures the gutter cover to the gutter clip. The gutter clip is further provided with a mounting portion that fastens to the lip of a gutter. Once assembled, the gutter clip of the present invention provides minimum horizontal and vertical tolerances between the gutter and the gutter cover, such that water may flow freely into the gutter channel, but does not permit debris to be lodged therein.
US07677501B1	Store and munitions release system having deployable swaybrace claw A system for releasing an article such as a munition or store from an aircraft employs a sway brace or cradle built into the structure of a bomb rack from lateral or pitching motion before it is released. A claw mechanism is driven out of the sway braces into the article to hold the article in place on the sway braces. The claws retain the article in the sway braces until the article is no longer influenced by the sway braces.
US07677498B2	Device and method for fastening an aircraft radome A radome system for fastening an aircraft radome, wherein the system includes a plurality of first fasteners each designed to put the radome into a position along two distinct axes contained in a plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of this fastener; and a plurality of second fasteners each designed to put the radome into a position along a single axis of a plane approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of this fastener.
US07677494B2	Boarding ramp device for aircraft When a single door for opening and closing an opening in a body is opened outward with its lower part as a fulcrum, a plurality of plate-shaped steps of a foldable boarding ramp provided on an inner face of the door are swung in association with one another from a stored position along the inner face of the door to a deployed position to be used for ingress and egress of the passengers. Since the boarding ramp is folded into the stored position, it does not impair the space of a passenger compartment. Further, since the steps are folded into a position so as not to interfere with a window provided in an upper part of the door, they do not give an oppressed feeling to the passengers in the passenger compartment. The step is deployed to cover the window provided in the upper part of the door during use.
US07677490B2	Apparatus and method for unwinding rolls of elongated flexible material, such as electrical wire A dispenser is adapted to be used in unwinding a roll of elongated flexible material. The dispenser includes a support bracket, a central member rotatably mounted to the support bracket and a plurality of hinged support arm assemblies attached to the central support member and movable between an extended position and a retracted position.
US07677486B2	Assembly of an electrodynamic fractionating unit The assembly of an electrodynamic fractionating unit, for the fragmentation, milling or suspension of a brittle, mineral process material is disclosed. The energy store including the output switch/spark gap thereof, the electrodes including the supply line and the reaction vessel are each arranged at least within the protection of the electrically necessary insulating separation of regions of differing electrical potential, completely enclosed in a volume of the encapsulation, having electrically-conducting walls. The wall thickness of the encapsulation is at least equivalent to the penetration depth, corresponding to the lowest components of the Fourier spectrum of the pulsed electromagnetic field. The electrode at reference potential is connected to the ground side of the energy store through the encapsulation wall. The electrode at high voltage is connected by the shortest path to the output switch on the energy store.
US07677479B2	Fuel injection valve and manufacturing method thereof When a fuel injection valve is mounted on an engine, a distance between a core and an armature during non-energization of a coil can be prevented from becoming narrow. The coil is arranged inside the core, and a body is fixedly secured at its one end to an end of the core. A housing is arranged outside the coil with its one end abutting a cylinder head. A cap is arranged at the other end of the housing, and abuts at its side opposite to the housing with a fastening unit. The armature is arranged for reciprocation inside the body, and is magnetically attracted to the magnetized core. A gap is formed between the housing and the body, with the cap and the core being fixed to each other, and upon mounting the valve on the engine, the housing and the fastening unit abut the cylinder head and the cap, respectively.
US07677478B2	Fuel injection valve A fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes an energizable actuator, a valve needle, which is in operative connection with the actuator and acted upon by a restoring spring in a closing direction to actuate a valve-closure member, which forms a sealing seat together with a valve-seat surface formed at a valve-seat body. The valve-seat body includes at least two spray-discharge orifices. The pressure of the fuel flowing through the fuel injector is greater than 10 bar.
US07677475B2	Weighted sprinkler head apparatus The present invention relates to an irrigation sprinkler head having a removable weighted collar thereon. The sprinkler head has a tapered water inlet for wedging a weighted collar having a matching tapered opening therethrough.
US07677473B2	Spout for foaming and saving water A spout for foaming and saving water has a shell, a foaming assembly mounted in the shell, a sieving assembly mounted on a faucet end of the foaming assembly and a regulator mounted through the foaming assembly. The foaming assembly has a sleeve, a distributor mounted in the sleeve, a foaming ring mounted between the sleeve and the distributor and an inlet valve mounted on a faucet end of the sleeve. The spout is mounted on an outlet of a faucet to allow water to flow through the sieving assembly and the foaming assembly and mix with air to foam to provide foaming water flowing out of the spout. Impurities in the water do not clog the foam assembly and water flow is regulated with the regulator selectively mounted in a water flow hole of the inlet valve.
US07677467B2	Methods and devices for aerosolizing medicament Methods and devices are provided for aerosolizing medicament to be inhaled by a user. A housing is provided with an aerosol generator contained within the housing. A medicament feed system supplies medicament to the aerosol generator. A mouthpiece has separate medicament and air flow passages. The medicament flow passage provides aerosolized medicament from the aerosol generator to an outlet of the medicament flow passage, and the air flow passage has an inlet in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere. The outlets of the medicament and air flow passages are provided at an end of the mouthpiece to provide simultaneous flows of medicament and air that mix in the user's mouth upon inhalation by the user at the end of the mouthpiece.
US07677465B1	Railway crossing installation A railway crossing installation for a pair of spaced-apart elongated rails each having a transverse section, a bottom horizontal flange, a vertically extending bight and a top ball. A plurality of relatively elongated concrete gauge panels are provided, with each gauge panel having a top surface generally aligned with the ball upper surface, each gauge panel having elongated sides disposed adjacent the rails and ends disposed in confronting relation to any adjacent gauge panels. The gauge panel side adjacent a rail has an integral elongated projection spaced below the panel top surface, with the projection extending towards the bight. A resilient, elongated extrusion extends along each gauge panel side between the projection side and the rail bight, the extrusion being selectively removably secured to the projection so that the outer ends of the extrusion is closely adjacent the associated rail. The installation also includes concrete field panels positioned outwardly of each of the rails. The inner sides of the field panels have a resilient seal secured thereto which extends towards the associated rail.
US07677460B2	Smartcard method and computer system A method and computer system for determining the compatibility, for application to a smartcard, of smartcard personalization profiles, the respective smartcard personalization profiles describing respective file trees on the smartcard that are required by respective applications. The method involves determining if the sets of paths of the file trees described by the respective smartcard personalization profiles are disjoint.
US07677459B2	Dual-sided smart card reader A dual-sided smart card reader, and method for operating the same, is disclosed. The dual-sided smart card reader permits the simultaneous insertion of at least two different smart cards from opposing sides. The dual-sided smart card reader may additionally include a biometric verification device, such as a fingerprint scanner, for comparing biometric information from an operator of the reader to biometric information stored on a smart card. Also, the dual-sided smart card reader may additionally include a pulse monitor, such as a sensor, to detect a pulse of an operator of the reader.
US07677458B2	Financial transaction card with visual effect A financial transaction card includes a substrate and a visual distortion member. The substrate defines an aperture and includes an account identifier. The account identifier links the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record. The visual distortion member is positioned at least partially within the aperture and coupled with the substrate, and the visual distortion member is configured to distort images viewed therethrough. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other financial transaction card embodiments are also disclosed.
US07677454B2	Digital information recording media system including a digital information recording media device with an electronic-ink display label for displaying information related to said digital information recording media device and/or digital information recorded thereon A digital information recording media system including a digital information recording media device, and a digital information reading and writing drive unit for writing digital information to, and reading digital information from the digital information recording media device. An electronic-ink display label is provided to the digital information recording media device for displaying graphical indicia on the electronic-ink display label representative of information relating to the digital information recording media device and/or digital information recorded thereon. An activation module is arranged in communication with the digital information reading and writing drive unit, for providing instructions employed in the determination of determined graphic indicia to be displayed on the electronic-ink display label. The electronic-ink display label employs an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. The electronic-ink display label includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in communication with storage element. A signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the activation module, using the antenna structure. The electronic-ink display label displays graphical indicia representing information relating to digital information recorded on the digital information recording media device.
US07677451B2	Reducing incident infrared radiation received by one or more infrared detectors in a self checkout point of sale system A self checkout POS system including a security zone; an emitting tower including one or more infrared emitters; a detecting tower including one or more infrared detectors, the detecting tower located on a side of the security zone opposite the side on which the emitting tower is located, the infrared detectors of the detecting tower aligned for reception of infrared radiation emitted by the infrared emitters of the emitting tower; a security shield installed on one side of the detecting tower; and a security shield installed on one side of the emitting tower, the security shield installed on one side of the emitting tower including: a clear acrylic pane; and a polycarbonate film having a matte finish, the polycarbonate film laminated to the clear acrylic pane with an adhesive, the polycarbonate film capable of reducing incident infrared radiation transmitted through and reflected by the clear acrylic pane.
US07677449B2	Automatic integrated sensing and access control An access control system for sensing exposure to items of interest for a person associated with a unique identifier of a fare card or ticket is disclosed. The access control system includes the unique identifier, an exposure detector and a processor. The unique identifier associated with the person that is flagged when exposure is detected. The exposure detector detects exposure to items of interest by the person. The processor is coupled to the exposure detector. The message is communicated away from the processor to a remote location when the unique identifier is flagged.
US07677448B2	Method to prevent metered toner gray market leakage A device, such as a printer or copier, identifies the type of module being used. If the type of module requires the device to receive an unlock code, the device prompts for the unlock code (which can be a hash of the serial number of the device). Once the unlock code is received, the device can be used with modules of that type. If the unlock code is not received, the device does not operate with modules of that type.
US07677446B2	System and apparatus for transactions using prepaid cards A system, method and apparatus having the capability of issuing at least one unique identifying card, associating a payment amount and face value with each unique identifying card and receiving a payment for each unique identifying card. The method, system and apparatus are further capable of crediting the payment to one or more revenue distribution recipients in real time and updating the face value of the unique identifying card in real time to reflect its use for a transaction, and of tracking information about the card and use of the card.
US07677444B2	Cash accepting automated banking machine having user interface illumination devices A banking system controlled by data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine (10) including a card reader (16) operative to read identifying data from user cards. The identifying data is used authorize operation of the automated banking machine. The banking machine includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader, receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38), and deposit accepting opening (40). Multicolor light emitting devices (17, 31, 41, 43) are adjacent to and associated with a respective location where a user interacts with a particular transaction function device of the machine. One or more machine controllers (64) are selective to control the output color and duration of each light emitting device responsive to programming associated with the controller and an operative condition of the associated transaction function device.
US07677440B2	Point of sale terminal network implementation for transmitting data indicative of terminal changes upon switching of open close state of cash drawer Tracking at the local point of sale terminal level, changes in data associated with each terminal, such as a changed printer or POS register supporting a particular POS terminal, the identified cash drawer for the terminal, the particular changeable removable cash till in the cash drawer or the particular terminal operator. The POS terminal comprises a cash drawer including a drawer identifier, a cash till, including a till identifier, removably engagable with the drawer, as well as apparatus for reading the drawer identifier, apparatus for reading the till identifier when said till is engaged with the drawer and apparatus for transmitting the read drawer and till identifiers to the system administrator.
US07677438B2	Radio frequency certificates of authenticity Radio frequency certificates of authenticity (RFCOAs) are presented. In one implementation, a scattering agent is attached to an object to provide a reproducible radio frequency (RF) fingerprint that can be used to authenticate a tag or a seal for the object. In one implementation, the RF fingerprint is measured and digitized, combined with information associated with the object to which the RFCOA is attached, and stored in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system associated with the RFCOA. A scanner receives the fingerprint and the information and authenticates the information by comparing the fingerprint against a new fingerprint obtained from the object.
US07677437B2	Methods for determining operational settings and related devices The present invention relates to a method, applied in a mobile device, for determining operational settings of the device. Country information is retrieved on the device. An operational setting of a function, such as an output signal format, is automatically determined based on the country information.
US07677436B2	Presence system and method for presence management A presence server stores a presence that is identified by presence IDs “a1” and “a2”, as the presence of a user “A”. User “A” can pass a card that they hold through a card reader at a timing of their choosing. The card reader reads in data from the card and transmits a renewal request to the presence server. The renewal request includes a renewer ID, an object ID, category information and the presence. When the presence server receives the renewal request, it specifies the presence ID “a1” of user “A” to be the presence that is to be renewed, based on the category information, and moreover, rewrites the presence of the presence ID “a1” to a presence “meeting room A” that is included in the renewal request. Thus, the card reader can renew the presence designated by the “category information”. As for the presence that is renewed, it is notified to a watcher of the presence “a1” from the presence server.
US07677435B2	Double-walled paperboard cup Described is a double-walled heat-insulating paperboard cup which stacks with the aid of an upper stacking stopper. A particularly stable design is achieved by means of the embodiment of the upper stacking stopper, which results in good stackability and de-stackability of the cups. Furthermore a process is described which is applied for the manufacture of a cup of this type.
US07677432B2	Spot heat wirebonding Methods and systems are disclosed for forming secure wirebonds between electrical contacts in electronic device assemblies. Representative embodiments of the invention are described for forming a wirebond including system components and method steps for generating electromagnetic energy from a heat source and transmitting heat to a ball formed on a bondwire. Subsequently, pressure applied to the ball at the bonding site is used in the formation of a wirebond.
US07677429B2	Concave face wire bond capillary and method An improved wire bonding capillary used in the bonding of wires to the bond pads of a semiconductor device and the leads of a lead frame, the wire bonding capillary having a working tip having a working surface including a flat annular portion surrounding the wire feed aperture in the capillary and a concave surface extending therefrom to the intersection with the radius extending from the external tip diameter of the working tip.
US07677428B2	Motor vehicle body framing apparatus A motor vehicle body framing apparatus located at a welding station of a motor vehicle assembly line for use in precisely positioning body panels arriving at the welding station for welding. The apparatus includes a base structure positioned at the welding station and having a longitudinal extent in the direction of body panel movement and a transverse extent; a parking structure upstanding vertically from the base structure on either side of the welding station and each defining parking devices; and a pair of longitudinal side gates each carrying tooling fixtures for engagement with body side panels and each including parking devices operative in coaction with the parking devices on the upstanding parking structures to precisely position the gates on the parking structure and thereby precisely position the tooling fixtures relative to the body panels. A plurality of sets of gates each having tooling fixtures mounted thereon corresponding respectively to a plurality of motor vehicle body styles are provided and the sets of gates are selectively interchanged utilizing the coacting parking devices so as to readily exchange tooling fixtures to accommodate the plurality of body styles being produced on the assembly line.
US07677426B2	Fastener driving device A fastener driving device includes a nose assembly carried by a housing that has a reservoir. The nose assembly has a fastener drive track. At least a portion of the fastener drive track is defined by a movable portion of the nose assembly. A fastener driver is movably mounted in the housing and configured to enter the drive track and drive successive leading fasteners into a workpiece. A head valve is constructed and arranged to be actuated so as to allow the pressurized gas to move the fastener driver through an operating cycle. An actuator is constructed and arranged to actuate the head valve. The actuator includes a trigger valve constructed and arranged to allow passage of the pressurized gas from the reservoir to a chamber above the head valve, and a contact valve operatively connected to the movable portion of the nose assembly.
US07677425B2	Depth adjusting device for a power tool A fastening tool can include a housing and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member and a motor for translating the output member. A knob can be rotatably mounted in the housing around a first axis and define a plurality of locating formations arranged thereon. An adjustment rod can be operatively coupled for movement with the knob. A lower contact trip can be coupled to the adjustment rod. An indexing member can be movable along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The indexing member can be selectively biased into engagement with one of the locating formations upon rotation of the knob to resist rotation of the knob relative to the housing. Rotation of the knob can cause the contact trip to translate toward and away from the housing to define a desired penetration depth for the fastener.
US07677423B2	Sealing mechanisms for use in liquid-storage containers A container for the storage and dispensing of a liquid and which incorporates a sealing mechanism includes a blow-molded container body including a neck portion having a series of external threads and defining an annular, non-planar sealing surface, a pouring spout assembled into the body and a unitary closing lid including a series of internal threads constructed and arranged to engage the threads of the neck portion. The unitary closing lid includes the sealing mechanism in the form of a pair of annular sealing lips constructed and arranged to be compressed against the annular, non-planar sealing surface to establish a sealed interface between the closing lid and the body.
US07677422B2	Spout assembly for liquid container A spout assembly for a liquid container includes a spouting member formed on an outlet of the container, a closer coupled on the spouting member, a male seal structure formed on the spouting member, and a female seal structure formed on the closer, the female seal structure corresponding to the male seal structure.
US07677418B2	Bone cement cartridge with a releasably locked drive piston, the piston configured to be unlocked by a delivery device A bone cement mixing and delivery system is provided. The system includes a mixing cartridge for receiving liquid and powder components of bone cement, a mixing blade for mixing the components, and a delivery gun for discharging the bone cement from the mixing cartridge. The mixing cartridge comprises a cylinder having proximal and distal ends with a cylinder wall extending between the ends. A piston is locked at the distal end by a locking member that includes a pair of locking tabs protruding into slots in the cylinder wall. With the piston in the locked position, the mixing blade mixes the components. After mixing, the cartridge is placed in the delivery gun and release buttons on the locking member are engaged by a release mechanism on the delivery gun to release the piston from the locked position.
US07677416B2	In-line manually operated liquid dispenser with simplified construction A hand operated liquid dispenser has a simplified, in-line construction that reduces the number of component parts of the dispenser and thereby reduces the dispenser's manufacturing costs. The in-line construction of the liquid dispenser coaxially aligns a liquid discharge orifice, a liquid discharge passage, and a pump chamber of the dispenser. The construction provides a compact liquid dispenser that can be easily held in one hand by a user and manipulated by the fingers of the user's hand to pump liquid from a bottle attached to the liquid dispenser and dispense the liquid in a variety of different discharge patterns.
US07677415B2	Portion-delivering dispenser The invention relates to a dispenser for delivering portions of liquid to pasty substances, having a storage container and a pumping chamber, the pumping chamber having at least one valve, and having a delivery head which can be displaced relative to the storage container and the displacement of which allows the substance to be delivered, the delivery head further having formed in it a delivery channel with a delivery opening, which delivery opening can be closed by a closure part which is removable, but is held in captive fashion on the delivery head. In order to specify such a dispenser for delivering portions of liquid to pasty substances which is configured in an advantageous manner, in particular, in respect of a closure part, it is proposed that the closure part is a sliding part which also forms a delivery-channel portion and interacts with a fixed closure pin.
US07677413B2	Pierceable dispenser container and closure A dispensing container having a neck with a throat opening closed by a cap having a pierceable membrane adjacent atop of the cap, the cap having a dispensing nozzle with a lumen therethrough and an overcap for enclosing the dispensing nozzle having a moveable plunger pin extending into the lumen of the nozzle and moveable therein to pierce the membrane.
US07677411B2	Apparatus, systems and related methods for processing, dispensing and/or evaluatingl dry powders Methods, systems, and computer program products flowably process dry powders using a non-linear vibratory signal individualized or customized to a target dry powder undergoing processing to facilitate fluidic flow through a flow channel.
US07677410B2	Apparatus for discharging tissue An apparatus for discharging tissue that is folded several times and stacked is provided. The apparatus includes a cartridge that holds stacked tissue and has a through hole at one end, and a holding member that is disposed adjacent to the through hole of the cartridge and pivots on an axis to grasp and remove tissues one at a time from the top of the stack through an arm. The inventive apparatus allows a user to easily replace tissue and check the amount of tissue used and the amount left to use through visual means. The apparatus virtually eliminates the problem of tissue dispensing failure, and has increased precision and reliability and reduced dispensing time over conventional apparatuses.
US07677402B2	Closing device with integrated rotary closure for feeding bottle and bottle The invention concerns a device for hermetically and safely closing a feeding bottle to avoid any leakage of the liquid. Said closing device comprises: a rotary closure consisting of an inner ferrule and of an outer ferrule each having an offset opening respectively and, the inner ferrule being lodged in the outer ferrule. An internal thread of the inner ferrule enables the rotary closure to be fixed to the threaded neck of the feeding bottle. A nipple, inserted in a retaining ring comprising an internal thread, is fixed to the threaded neck of the rotary closure. A cap is provided, which enables the nipple to be protected. The inventive device is particularly designed for hermetically closing the feeding bottle.
US07677400B2	Cable management assembly, system and method A cable management assembly, and method related thereto, including a panel having an interface portion. The interface portion having a plurality of discrete openings, including first and second shaped apertures. The assembly further including cable management devices having securing structure including a flexible tab and a locating element. The securing structure being configured to mount the cable management devices at selected vertical and horizontal locations on the panel. The cable management assembly being configured to mount between two adjacent telecommunication racks or to an end of a telecommunication rack.
US07677398B2	Process for improving membranes The invention provides a process for improving the antifouling properties and for increasing the selectivity of commercial composite polyamide nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membranes comprising circulating a low concentration of water soluble monomers and an initiating redox couple in an aqueous solvent, without transverse pressure over the surface of the membrane thereby effecting a free-radical graft polymerization on the surface of the membrane.
US07677397B2	Sizing roller screen ore processing apparatus Discloses a mined ore processing apparatus to process mined ores, such as oil sands ore, into granular material. An ore processor bed receives the ore to be processed. The ore processor bed has a frame supporting several rotating elements each separately driven to provide independent rotation rate and direction from the other. The ore processing bed is operable as a sizing device to decimate mined ore supply into granular material and separating it from rocks and other large lump mineral materials found in situ. The ore processing bed may be oriented to provide an upward inclination, which, when combined with alternating rotating element rotation directions, provides a crushing action to the ore material to crush larger rock. Alternately, a rock crusher is also provided to disintegrate oversized materials.
US07677395B2	Recovery of reprocessable medical devices in a sharps container Reprocessable medical devices that have been disposed of in a sharps container are recovered, disinfected or sterilized, sorted, and packed for reprocessing in a generally continuous process. In one embodiment, either a sharps container or at least a portion of its contents is successively and controllably conveyed, either manually or automatically, through a plurality of processing stations that are configured to perform different operations. The operations performed by the processing stations can include, for example, detecting and identifying contents, cleaning and disinfecting, opening the sharps containers, separating and sorting their contents, and disposal of contents that are non-reprocessable. Reprocessable medical devices can be sorted by type as they move along on a conveyor.
US07677378B2	Vehicular transmission A vehicular transmission, includes: an input shaft; a drive gear, fixed to the input shaft; an output shaft; a driven gear, brought in mesh with the drive gear, and provided at the output shaft; a hub configured to rotate along with the output shaft; a sleeve configured to rotate integrally with the hub, and configured to slide in an axial direction so as to connect the driven gear to the output shaft to drive; a parking gear, integrally formed with the sleeve; a claw member, provided at a vicinity of an outer periphery of the parking gear engageably with and disengageably from the parking gear; and a sleeve restricting member, provided with the claw member, and configured to restrict the sleeve from a movement in the axial direction when the claw member is moved in a direction of being engaged with the parking gear.
US07677377B2	Multimembered core plate A core plate is provided including a plurality of stamped metal semi-trapezoidal members formed from a linear portion of planar stock material. Each member has teeth along a common edge and is connected to an adjoining member by an integral cord. The members are wound into a closed ring.
US07677375B2	Drive force transmission device A drive force transmission device has an outer clutch plate and an inner clutch plate, which are rotatable relative to each other about a common rotational axis. The inner and outer clutch plates become frictionally engaged with each other with lubricant oil provided in between. The outer and inner clutch plates each have a sliding surface. The sliding surfaces face each other. A diamond-like carbon film is formed on the sliding surface of the outer clutch plate. Fine grooves are formed in the sliding surface of the inner clutch plate. The proportion of the sliding area to the sliding surface of the inner clutch plate at the initial stage of use is 55 to 90%.
US07677371B2	Mower with automatic parking brake A normally engaged parking brake system for a mower that automatically disengages a parking brake when a steering arm is moved from a park position. Accordingly, the operator does not need to act to set or release the parking brake during normal operation. The system utilizes a hydraulic actuator that releases the parking brake when pressurized fluid is supplied thereto from a hydraulic pump of the mower. A manual pump, which can be configured to be operated by moving a steering arm of the mower, is provided for supplying pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator to release to brake in the event the hydraulic pump is not operating.
US07677370B2	Energy absorbing device An energy absorbing device, particularly for single-use occupant protection in vehicles on the action of an external force, has a free-flowing medium which is forced through a constriction by a mobile pressure element on the action of an external force. A pull device or tension device pulls on the pressure element on the action of the external force.
US07677368B2	Apparatus for controlling the coning in a brake rotor An apparatus for controlling the coning in a brake rotor in which the brake rotor comprises a central rotor portion, a first set of mounting members connected to the central rotor portion and an inboard friction section and a second set of mounting members connected to the central rotor portion and an outboard friction section where the inboard and outboard friction sections are connected by a plurality of air directing structures. A channel comprising the first set of mounting members, the second set of mounting member and the plurality of air directing structures is provided.
US07677361B2	Lubricating device and lubricating apparatus containing said device The invention relates to a lubricating device, particularly for use in an apparatus which is used to lubricate mobile lubrication points e.g. on a rotating belt or chain belt. A lubricant discharge body of a lubricating head, which when lubricant is conveyed by a feed pump into a dosing chamber which is separated from the lubricant discharge channel, is placed in a front standby position and, counter to the effect of a restoring force, is moved into a locking and lubricant release position wherein the link between the pump and the dosing chamber is blocked by a reversing piston and the dosing chamber is fluidic ally connected to the lubricant discharge channel and a predefined volume of lubricant can be pumped out of the dosing chamber into the lubricant discharge channel. The lubricant discharge body cooperates with a reversing piston in such a way that the feed pump is fluidic ally connected to the dosing chamber of a dosing piston/cylinder arrangement via an annular area of the reversing piston when the lubricant discharge body is located in a front standby position, and such that the dosing chamber is fluidically connected to the lubricant discharge channel via the angular area when the lubricant discharge body is placed in a retracted position in which the lubricant is released. The reversing piston blocks the fluidic connection between the feed pump and the dosing chamber such that the amount of lubricant provided for discharge can be pumped out of the dosing chamber in the direction of the annular area by a dosing piston which is impinged upon by the feed pump.
US07677360B2	Shock absorbing fabric structures A shock absorbing fabric structure is a one-piece webbing. The shock absorbing fabric structure has a tubular-shaped high strength sheath and a high elongation member inside of the sheath. The sheath and the high elongation member are secured together at spaced apart connection locations and the high elongation member is generally not secured to the sheath between the connection locations. Heat treatment shrinks the length of the high elongation member. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the high elongation member and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the high elongation member and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded while the high elongation member absorbs energy as it stretches or elongates.
US07677358B2	Sealed thin-multi-layer sound absorber The invention relates to a thin sound absorbing multi-layer assembly, which is intended, in particular, to reduce interior or exterior noise of a motor vehicle. The assembly according to the invention comprises at least three stacked layers consisting respectively of: a first layer (4) being impervious and having an area weight of between (20) to (100 g/m2); a second layer (3) having an air flow resistance of between (250) to (2500 Ns/m3) and an area weight of between (15) to (250 g/m2); a third layer (2) being an open pored, acoustic spring type layer having a thickness of between (2) to (30 mm) and an area weight of between (50) to (1000 g/m2).
US07677353B2	Noise suppression structure In a noise suppression structure of the present invention, a sound absorption sheet is pinched between a flange of a speaker grille and an interior trim. An opening of a space formed by the flange of the speaker grille and a sound guiding tube is covered with the sound absorption sheet.
US07677352B2	Method for steering a vehicle by means of a superimposed steering system A process for steering a motor vehicle having a superimposition steering system, in which a steering angle input by the driver and an additional angle (supplemental angle) are detected, and in which the steering angle input can be superimposed with the supplemental steering angle in accordance with additional values, particularly driving dynamic values, by a superimposition actuator, such as an electrical motor, and can be superimposed by a superimposition gear in order to adjust a resulting steering angle. A value for a gear input angle of the superimposition gear is determined in accordance with the resulting steering angle of the steering system and in accordance with a value that is directly dependent on the supplemental steering angle or describes the supplemental steering angle.
US07677344B2	Hybrid remote control lawn mower A hybrid remote control lawn mower that includes embodiments to provide use in all seasons. These embodiments include, a wagon, a spreader, a dethacher, a leaf collector, a leaf blower, a lawn trimmer, a lawn edger, an edger, a hedge trimmer, a snow plow blade, a snow blower, etc. The hybrid remote control lawn mower allows an operator to stay at a safe distance away from the hybrid remote control lawn mower in dangerous places such as on steep hills.
US07677343B2	Four-wheeled utility vehicle A four-wheeled utility vehicle including an engine unit mounted in the utility vehicle; and a vehicle body frame including a frame member that is disposed in the vicinity of the engine unit and is partially movable relative to the engine unit.
US07677342B2	Hybrid system of vehicle Disclosed is a hybrid system of vehicle capable of accurately generating an engine output in conformity to a required vehicle driving power and suppressing an electric power loss even when a battery is used for correcting electric power to prevent occurrence of overshoot or undershoot. The hybrid system of vehicle is designed to drive a generator by an engine and supply an electric power generated by the generator directly to a wheel-driving electric motor so as to drive the motor. The hybrid system of vehicle comprises required motor output setting means for setting a required output of the motor depending on a required vehicle driving power, required generator output setting means for setting a required output of the generator depending on the required motor output set by the required motor output setting means, and engine output setting means for setting an output of the engine depending on the required generator output set by the required generator output setting means.
US07677339B2	Vehicle suspension arrangement An arrangement for a suspension for a load carrying vehicle is provided. The suspension is provided with air springs and comprises at least one front axle and at least two rear axles, and each rear axle is provided with at least one pair of corresponding suspension air springs and at least one air spring is provided for lifting one of the rear axles. The suspension air springs for at least the rearmost axle is connected to the air spring for lifting one of the rear axles by a conduit for compressed air, which conduit is provided with a controllable valve, whereby the controllable valve is arranged to open during a vehicle loading process. A vehicle provided with the arrangement, and a method for carrying out a loading operation using the arrangement, are also described.
US07677332B2	Method and apparatus for managing variable density drilling mud A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore. The variable density drilling mud has compressible particles and drilling fluid. The bottom hole assembly is coupled to the drilling pipe while the drilling mud processing unit is configured to separate the compressible particles from the variable density drilling mud. The compressible particles in this embodiment may include compressible hollow objects filled with pressurized gas an configured to maintain the mud weight between the fracture pressure gradient and the pore pressure gradient. In addition, the system and method may also manage the use of compressible particles having different characteristics, such as size, during the drilling operations.
US07677331B2	AC coiled tubing rig with automated drilling system and method of using the same A method of automatic drilling of a well with coil tubing or drill pipe tubing utilizes AC motors coupled to variable frequency drives controlled by a programmable logic controller. For example, a coil tube injector is supported in a mast for injecting coil tube from a reel and into a wellbore for drilling the wellbore. The AC motors for the injector are driven for controlling a rate of injection of coil tube by the injector for maintaining at least one drilling parameter such as weight-on-bit, differential mud pressure or rate of penetration. The AC motor for the reel is also controlled for driving the reel and maintaining a relative rate of coil tube supplied from the reel to the injector. Drawworks and a top drive supported by the draworks can also be equipped with AC motors and variable frequency drives for controlling a drilling rate for maintaining at least one of the drilling parameters.
US07677330B2	Apparatus for in situ testing of a soil sample An apparatus for in situ testing of a soil sample includes an elongate body having a hollow core and an open end, an upper barrier or means for forming an upper barrier within soil across the hollow core, and means for forming a lower barrier within soil across the hollow core such that a sample zone is defined with the hollow core between the upper and lower barriers. A fluid supply means delivers a fluid to the sample zone; and a fluid exit means removes the fluid from the sample zone.
US07677328B2	Multiple flex-shaft adapter for electric drill A multiple flex-shaft adapter coupled to an electric drill has a housing assembly attaching to the drill at one end and to a plurality of flex-shafts at an opposite end. The flex-shafts have specialized drill bits attached thereto for performing different nail operations. A gear assembly is located in the housing assembly for transferring power from the drill to the plurality of flex-shafts. Preferably, an operator selects a switching member corresponding to a desired one of the plurality of flex-shafts and pushes the member horizontally into the housing. After entering the housing assembly, the switching member rises up towards the gear assembly. Subsequently, the operator inserts the desired one of the plurality of flex-shafts into the housing assembly through a receiver to engage the gear assembly. In turn, power is transferred from the drill through the gear assembly to the desired one.
US07677324B2	Turf slicer with vertical oscillator A turf slicer includes a gang of six slicer wheels that “walk” through the turf in response to the forward motion of the turf slicer. In the meantime, the power takeoff from the tractor vertically oscillates the slicer wheels out of phase with one another, so that every sixth wheel is being thrust downwardly to bear most of the weight of the turf slicer as the other five wheels in the gang of six are either being withdrawn upwardly or moved downwardly and do not bear much weight, so that the weight of the turf slicer is concentrated on the downwardly moving slicer wheel that is approaching bottom dead center of its movement, thereby amplifying the effective weight of the turf slicer against the turf below.
US07677320B2	Subsea well with electrical submersible pump above downhole safety valve A subsea well production system has a natural drive mode and a lift-assist mode using a submersible pump. The submersible pump can be installed while the well is live. The well system has a downhole safety valve in the production tubing. The operator closes the downhole safety valve and lowers an electrical submersible pump assembly into the production tubing. Once landed, the valve is opened and the pump assembly placed in operation.
US07677315B2	Degradable surfactants and methods for use The present invention provides a method of generating an acid downhole that comprise providing a degradable surfactant; introducing the degradable surfactant into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the degradable surfactant to degrade, thereby releasing an acid. Also provided are methods of degrading an acid-soluble component present within a subterranean formation, and methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid.
US07677310B2	Creating and maintaining a gas cap in tar sands formations Methods for treating a tar sands formation are disclosed herein. Methods for treating a tar sands formation may include providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation. Pressure may be allowed to increase in an upper portion of the formation to provide a gas cap in the upper portion. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from a lower portion of the formation.
US07677305B2	Ring reduction via natural anaerobic microbiological activity for transformation of crude oil-associated aromatic chemicals Methods of reducing the viscosity of crude oil in an oil well are provided. The methods comprise the introduction of at least on reductant to an injection fluid which is then injected into the well. Aromatic hydrocarbons in the oil are reduced in the presence of reductant and indigenous microbial populations to reduce the viscosity of the oil.
US07677299B2	Nearly isothermal heat pipe heat sink A nearly isothermal heat pipe heat sink is provided. The heat sink includes a flat heat pipe connected to one or more flat vapor chambers using a conduit and a heat pipe. The connected flat heat pipe and the flat vapor chambers form a common vapor domain. Fins are attached on the outer surfaces of the flat heat pipe and the flat vapor chambers. Various capillary structures are also provided for fabricating flat heat pipes. A panelized welding process is further provided for fabricating flat heat pipes or flat vapor chambers. The panelized welding process uses either friction stir welding (FSW) or plasma beam welding to transversely join the panels that form the flat heat pipes or the flat vapor chambers.
US07677293B2	Centre-pin plug The invention relates to a plug for releasable engagement with the centre-pin of a roller blind control unit wherein engagement of the plug with the pin ensures that a tip of the center-pin engages an external surface of the control unit. In addition, a releasably inter-engaging combination of this plug and center-pin wherein insertion of the center-pin through a roller blind control unit and engagement with the plug, ensures that a tip of the center-pin engages an external surface of the control unit is described. The invention also relates to a control unit for use in a window blind head rail assembly comprising: a sprocket wheel, a sprocket support and wrap spring, a splined bush for engagement with a roller blind tube, a center-pin, and a plug for releasable engagement with the center-pin.
US07677292B1	Hand-held/portable tire demounting machine A tool for pulling a first and second tire bead off of a wheel assembly. The tool is inserted between the bead to be removed and the rim edge, and engages the bead to be removed with a grappling structure and pulls the bead over the rim edge by a linear drive assembly disposed inside a tubular structure affixed to the grappling structure. Simultaneously an angled stay is positioned on the rim which is pressed in an opposite direction of the pulling motion. A second embodiment pulls the rim from a second bead of a tire. A hook is inserted between the rim edge and the second tire bead and hooks onto the lower rim edge. A linear drive assembly provides a pulling motion to pull the rim over the second bead, while a push plate simultaneously pushes the tire side wall in an opposite direction from the pulling motion.
US07677291B2	Engaging device and transfer instrument An engaging device is provided which is capable of advantageous switchover from an engaging position to an open position. Also provided is a transfer instrument employing the structure of such an engaging device. The transfer instrument (A) includes the engaging device (X) which is capable of gradually moving an engaging surface (23) widthwise of an engaging surface (13) to retract two engaging components relative to each other by pivotally moving a dangling wall (11) of a transfer instrument body (1) and a sidewall (21) of an arm (2) relative to each other to press a sliding contact edge (24) against a guide edge (14) gradually from a first end portion (14a) toward an opposite second end portion (14b) of the guide edge (14).
US07677290B2	Cleaning device for a preimpregnated carbon fiber placement machine The present invention relates to a cleaning device (5) to be used in a preimpregnated carbon fiber placement machine including at least one guiding roller (47) for guiding a band (21) of tows to an application head (25), comprising two filtering elements (11, 13) arranged such that a band (21) of tows supported by two plates (15, 17) joined with adjustable clamping means (29) for said filtering elements (11, 13) and means of fixing/separating them to/from said machine, circulates between them. The invention also relates to a preimpregnated carbon fiber placement machine with at least one cleaning device (5).
US07677289B2	Methods and apparatuses for the automated production, collection, handling, and imaging of large numbers of serial tissue sections An automatic taping lathe-microtome that produces a continuous ribbon of tissue by lathing an extremely thin strip off the surface of a cylindrical block containing a multitude of embedded tissue samples. Mechanisms are included for sandwiching this fragile ribbon of tissue between a pair of support tapes. Viewing holes are cut in the support tapes above and below each tissue slice such that the tapes act as slot grids allowing for direct viewing of each tissue slice in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The resulting tissue-tape is placed on a spooling mechanism and fed into the beam of a TEM much like the film in a movie projector. This allows for random-access imaging of any section on the tape without requiring the TEM's vacuum be broken. This system is intended to give neuroscientists a tool to ultrastructure image large volumes of neural tissue and to trace multi-scale synaptic circuits.
US07677288B2	Pneumatic tire Provided is a pneumatic tire securing better driving stability and having enhanced load stability. Carcass plies are configured on respective two plies, and the direction of the cords of the two carcass plies crosses over each other and is set at an angle of 75 to 88° to the tire circumferential direction. A first filler rubber is included in each wound-up portion of the carcass plies, and a cord reinforcement layer is arranged on an outer side of the first filler rubber in the tire width direction. A second filler rubber is arranged on an outer side of each wound-up portion of the carcass plies in the tire width direction. Out of the two carcass plies, the carcass ply located on an outer side of the tire has its wound-up end part overlaping an outer side of a main body portion of the carcass plies. A specification is given to a relationship among the height of the wound-up end part of the carcass ply on the outer side of the tire, the height of an uppermost end of the second filler rubber, the height of an uppermost end of the first filler rubber, and the height of an uppermost end of the cord reinforcement layer.
US07677285B2	Tire chain tightening apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus used for tightening tire chains. One embodiment of the present invention includes an outer portion and an inner portion. The outer and inner portions have a plurality of first and second apertures, respectively. A plurality of arms are secured onto the inner portion and extend through the second aperture and then through the first apertures. The arms have a first end which is adapted to be secured onto the inner portion, and a second end which is adapted to secure to a tire chain. A bar variably couples the outer portion and the inner portion. The distance between the outer and inner portions adds or subtracts tension in the arm which correspondingly adds or subtracts tension in the tire chain.
US07677284B2	Pneumatic tire with tread tape radially inside carcass and method of manufacturing the same A pneumatic tire including a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions, and a carcass extending between the bead portions through the tread portion and sidewall portions, wherein the tread portion is provided radially inside the carcass with a tread tape having a thickness of not more than 2.0 mm and having a tensile elastic modulus larger than any rubber existing between the tread tape and the adjacent carcass cords. A method of manufacturing the pneumatic tire includes vulcanizing a main body of the tire, excepting the tread tape, and attaching the tread tape onto the inside of the vulcanized tire main body.
US07677278B2	Fuel filler tube assembly and manufacturing method A fuel filler assembly includes a filler tube including a tube inlet having a larger diameter than a tube outlet and a transition portion disposed between the tube inlet and the tube outlet. An insert is received by the tube inlet and includes an insert inlet and an insert outlet. The insert outlet is received by the tube inlet and includes a nozzle opening axially offset from a central axis of at least one of the tube inlet, the insert inlet, and the insert outlet. The nozzle opening positions a nozzle received by the nozzle opening to direct supplied fuel toward the transition portion of the filler tube.
US07677277B2	Fuel tank cap with integrated carbon canister A fuel tank cap including a vapor storage receptacle and a discriminator that discriminates between liquid fuel and fuel vapor for protecting the vapor storage receptacle from liquid and adsorbent granulated carbonaceous material. A fuel storage system including a fuel tank cap having a vapor storage receptacle is also disclosed.
US07677276B2	Funnel with an elastic engaging opening A funnel includes a funnel body, and a narrow stem portion connected to a lower portion of the funnel body, with a half-closed damper having an elastic engaging opening being formed on a top of the funnel body. Alternatively, the funnel includes a funnel body and a narrow stem portion connected to a lower portion of the funnel body, with an elastic engaging opening and a half-opened baffle being formed at an upper portion of the funnel body at two opposite positions. In the latter case, the elastic engaging opening includes two inward curved clamping arms, and a vertical slit is formed between the two clamping arms to downward extend to the funnel body. With the elastic engaging opening, the funnel can be used with liquid containers having differently sized spouts. And, with the half-closed damper or the half-opened baffle, liquid being poured into the funnel is prevented from spilling.
US07677274B2	Portable, remote, fast-fill inflator and nitrogen converter unit A portable device for delivering nitrogen to multiple tires includes a gas source and supply line connected to a controller. The device also includes a gas delivery line comprising a manifold with a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with each other. A gas delivery line is operably connected to the controller and a plurality of extension lines with engagement chucks are operably connected to the outlets. The controller controls the supply of gas to the gas delivery line and controls a relief valve for venting the gas delivery line. The device also includes a sensor and a processor connected the controller and sensor which accepts user inputs. The controller, manifold and processor are affixed to a stand.
US07677269B2	Gravity-controlled constant-pressure and pressure-regulation device A gravity-controlled constant-pressure and pressure-regulation device includes a canister, a weight block, and a seal head. The canister includes a metal layer, an epoxy resin layer, and a plastic sheet layer. The metal layer serves as an inner lining. The epoxy resin layer surrounds an outer circumference of the metal layer. The plastic sheet layer surrounds an outer circumference of the epoxy resin layer. The weight block is movably received in the canister. The metal layer has an inner surface movably and receivingly engages the seal head. The weight block is mounted to the seal head. The weight block is movable upward and downward inside the canister by being acted upon by a gravity force of weight thereof and a lifting force induced by an internal pressure inside the canister to effect mass storage of air inside the canister and stable supply air at constant pressure.
US07677262B2	Safety valve of a high pressure storage, in particular a hydrogen storage tank A safety valve for a compressed gas storage tank (12) includes a relief conduit (16, 18) provided for fluid connection to an interior chamber (14) of the compressed gas storage tank (12), and a closing member (22) sealing the relief conduit (16, 18); a retaining device (24) being provided which, in a normal condition, locks the closing member (22) in place and which, in safety-critical conditions, opens a cross-sectional flow area (30) in such a manner that the relief conduit (16, 18) is open to the atmosphere. In accordance with the present invention, the closing member (22) is connected to an adjustor (26) which adjusts the cross-sectional flow area (30) of the relief conduit (16, 18) as a function of an upstream interior pressure.
US07677261B1	High flow, low mobile weight quick disconnect system A fluid coupling device and coupling system that may start and stop the flow of a fluid is disclosed. In some embodiments, first and second couplings are provided having an actuator coupled with each of the couplings. The couplings and actuators may be detachable to provide quick disconnect features and, in some embodiments, provide unitary actuation for the actuators of the coupling device to facilitate connection in mobile applications. Actuation may occur as the two couplings and actuators are engaged and disengaged and may occur by rotational actuation of the actuators. Rotational actuation can be provided to ensure flow through the coupling device, which in some embodiments may further provide an offset venturi feature. Upon disengagement, a compression element such as a compression spring can be provided to return the actuators to a closed position. Some embodiments further provide a seal external to the actuators and provided at incipient engagement of the couplings.
US07677259B1	Crutch walker and associated use therefor An apparatus that combines the functionality of a walker with that of a single crutch is herein disclosed. The apparatus provides for one crutch that comes up from the side support of the walker and thus the side of the user's body and is adjustable in height, as is the walker support handles, such that the invention can be customized for any sized user. The adjustment is facilitated by use of spring pin slip fittings, and thus can be adjusted in a matter of minutes without tools. The crutch support can be easily moved from the right to left hand side of the walker by use of a removable clamp system. It is also envisioned that certain models of the invention can provide crutches on both the right and left hand side of the walker simultaneously, based upon the needs of the patient. When not in use or not needed, the invention folds up in a manner similar to a conventional walker thus providing a low profile for ease of storage.
US07677251B2	Apparatus and methods for manufacturing cigarettes An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes provides for such manufacture in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus and method provide for delivering at least one charge of tobacco filler from a supply of tobacco filler onto a predetermined length of wrapping paper in a garniture. The wrapping paper can be formed about the charge of tobacco filler by a forming mechanism in the garniture to form a cigarette rod having a finite length. The formed cigarette rod can then be transferred to a cutting device where, in a separate step, the cigarette rod can be cut into a plurality of individual cigarettes. The cigarettes may have filter elements attached, and may be packaged for a consumer. The filter element and tipping paper can provide for air dilution of the cigarettes.
US07677250B2	Hemorrhoid treatment device The present application is directed to an adjustable seat having a hard, firm surface designed to treat hemorrhoids. The hard, firm surface of the seat is designed to place positive pressure on the area surrounding a hemorrhoid so as to develop a negative pressure within the body which causes the body to draw the hemorrhoids back up into the body. Many seats on the market today for hemorrhoids are designed simply to alleviate the symptoms that are associated with hemorrhoids and not treat the condition. In contrast to the seat of the present invention, these seats are usually soft cushioned seats designed to support hemorrhoids that protrudes from the anus or the surrounding area so as to reduce discomfort.
US07677246B2	Modular pressure support system A pressure support system that comprises a patient circuit, a docking assembly, and a tank. The patient circuit delivers a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient. The docking assembly has an inlet and an outlet that is adapted to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas, and is also adapted to be connected with the patient circuit. The tank is constructed and arranged to be removably connected with the docking assembly, and enables the pressurized flow of breathable gas to pass therethrough. The tank is also adapted to contain a liquid such that a humidity level of the pressurized flow of breathable gas is elevated as the pressurized flow of breathable gas passes therethrough.
US07677245B2	Helmet for artificial respiration A helmet for artificial respiration without the aid of tracheal tubes comprises a container body (12), having at least a transparent portion (14) and in which a patient's head can be housed, and a collar for air-tight application to the patient's neck, which consists of at least a rigid ring (15, 15′), equipped with a series of gas administration connection and accessory-holder fittings (17), said rigid ring (15, 15′) being the only part of the helmet (10) connected to the outside when operating, wherein an opening (31) is present on the container body (12) for rapid access to the patient, which is substantially hermetically closed by rapid coupling elements (32).
US07677241B2	Apparatus for redirecting parallel rays using rigid translation An accurate and cost effective heliostat array and method of use is disclosed. The heliostat array in the preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of mirrors arrayed in a common plane, a plurality of reflector positioning arms, and a rigid positioning plate. The positioning plate, which is coupled to each of the reflectors via a positioning arm, is adapted to simultaneously aim each reflector using as few as one or two actuators. When the positioning arms forms the base of an isosceles triangle with one leg aligned with a ray directed to the sun and the other equal length leg aligned with a ray directed to the receiver, the positioning plate has the shape of a Conchoid of Nicomedes surface of revolution, which enables the heliostat array to simultaneously orient all of the mirrors to precisely focus incident sunlight from anywhere in the celestial hemisphere onto a common focal point.
US07677236B2	Heater configured to operate with a first or second fuel Certain embodiments of a nozzle are configured to dispense a first gas, liquid, or combination thereof at a first pressure in a first mode of operation and dispense a second gas, liquid, or combination thereof at a second pressure in a second mode of operation. In some embodiments, the nozzle is integrated in a heat-producing device, such as, for example, a heater, a fireplace, or a stove. In some embodiments, the heat-producing device including the nozzle can operate with a first combustible fuel at a first pressure, or alternatively, can operate with a second combustible fuel at a second pressure. In some embodiments, the nozzle is used in applications other than heat-producing devices.
US07677234B2	Paint ball gun having paint ball dispenser with snap connector A paint ball gun is disclosed including a dispenser having a locking connector designed to lockingly engage a locking connector on a gun feed tube or one end of a hollow connecting member.
US07677232B2	Multiple projectile-firing toy gun with separate target-launching mechanism The present invention relates to a toy gun that is capable of firing multiple projectiles using an internal rotating firing assembly. The toy gun further provides a separate target launching mechanism to launch a target object into the air for use as a target when firing the projectiles. A plurality of projectiles is spring-loaded into a cartridge on a barrel of the gun, where they can then be sequentially fired from the gun in rapid succession by pulling a projectile trigger. The projectile trigger activates a rotating firing control disc inside the barrel of the gun to fire at least one projectile every time the projectile trigger is pulled. Additionally, the toy gun is capable of launching a flying object with a separate mechanism for use as a target when firing the projectiles.
US07677229B2	Adaptive oil separator An oil mist separator has a pressure regulator valve which is located in the blow-by line downstream of the oil mist separator element in the flow direction of the gas. The pressure regulator valve has a bias so that it opens above a specified pressure difference between the blow-by line and a neighboring chamber. Located around the oil mist separator element is a bypass line which has a bypass valve. The bypass valve has a bias that causes the bypass valve to close below a specified pressure difference between the suction side and the pressure side of the oil mist separation element. The pressure regulator valve and the bypass valve are connected with each other so that the pressure regulator valve, as it closes, increases the bias of the bypass valve.
US07677228B2	Crankcase vapor purification device A vapor purifier for oil recovery from and cleansing of deleterious matter carried by oil vapors in a crankcase of an internal combustion-type engine generally includes a coil member that can separate the oil from the vapors by passing the vapors over and/or through the coil member. As the vapors impinge upon the surface(s) of the coil member, oil in the blow-by vapors condenses thereon. The vapor purifier can include a flow equalization member to maintain a normal engine intake manifold pressure for driving modes of the engine. As a result, the vapor purifier of the present invention can maintain the air to fuel stoichiometric ratio of the engine system. Additional components, such as filters and/or disks can also be included in the vapor purifier to promote oil recovery and cleansing of deleterious matter from the vapors, which act as a host for the deleterious matter.
US07677224B2	Fluid pump control apparatus A fuel supply system comprises an engine control unit (ECU), a fuel pump with a built-in pump motor which is PWM controlled based on a control signal from the ECU, a pump controller for controlling supply of electric power to the pump motor, and sensors for detecting an operating state of the engine. A control section of the pump controller controls to change a frequency to be lower as a duty ratio of a PWM control signal to operate a power transistor of an output circuit is higher and inversely to change the frequency to be higher as the duty ratio is lower.
US07677219B2	Cylinder head A cylinder head includes: a bottom wall portion; an outer circumferential wall portion defining inside thereof a space; a longitudinal wall portion extending to define, in the space, an intake side where an intake camshaft is disposed and an exhaust side where an exhaust camshaft is disposed; first lateral wall portions disposed on the intake side, on which first support portions are formed for supporting the intake camshaft thereon; second lateral wall portions disposed on the intake side, on which second support portions are formed for supporting the variable valve actuating units thereon; and third lateral wall portions disposed on the exhaust side, on which third support portions are formed for supporting the exhaust camshaft thereon. The second lateral wall portions are lower than the first lateral wall portions in a height direction from the bottom wall portion. The third lateral wall portions are higher than the second lateral wall portions in the height direction. A face of the bottom wall portion which is disposed on the exhaust side is higher than a face of the bottom wall portion which is disposed on the intake side, in the height direction.
US07677218B2	Cylinder head including a stress slot with filler A seal for an engine is disclosed. The seal may include a cylinder head gasket. The seal may also include a cylinder head having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the cylinder head attached to the cylinder head gasket. The seal may also include a plurality of adjacent openings extending through the cylinder head, from the top to the bottom surface. The seal may further include one or more elongated slots in the bottom surface of the cylinder head, the one or more slots being located between at least two of the adjacent openings and extending between the openings. The seal may also include filler material filling each of the elongated slots.
US07677215B2	Power management device, control system, and control method A power management device comprises a start management control unit having a starter hold control function for actuating a starter motor and holding the actuation based on an operating signal from a button switch, a first terminating unit for terminating cranking hold when receiving a starter stop instruction signal sent from an engine control device when it is determined that an engine reached a complete explosion, a second terminating unit for terminating cranking hold when it is determined that the engine reached a complete explosion based on an engine revolution signal sent from the engine control device, and a forced terminating unit for forcefully terminating cranking hold when cranking hold cannot be terminated by those terminating units.
US07677213B2	Deactivating roller finger follower A deactivating roller follower assembly for deactivating an associated poppet valve for an internal combustion engine includes a body including a valve end, a pivot end, and a plunger bore. The valve end of the body is configured to contact the associated poppet valve and the pivot end of the body is configured to contact a pivot of the associated internal combustion engine. The assembly further includes a pivotable arm including a hinged end and a free end. The hinged end is rotatably mounted to the valve end of the body. The free end includes a curvilinear engaging surface for transmitting a force required to activate the associated poppet valve. In addition, the assembly includes a plunger including a latching end and a piston end. The plunger is disposed in the plunger bore in the pivot end of the body. The plunger moves between an extended position and a retracted position. The latching end of the plunger selectively engages the free end of the arm to place the arm in a latched state, whereby preventing the arm from moving relative to the body. And, the latching end of the plunger selectively disengages the free end of the arm to place the arm in an unlatched state, whereby permitting the arm to move relative to the body.
US07677212B2	Added motion hydraulic circuit with proportional valve A hydraulic circuit comprises a temperature sensor, an added motion valve system, and a valve. The temperature sensor detects operating temperature of fluid in the hydraulic circuit. The added motion valve system includes a valve body having an actuator fluid volume. The valve adjusts flow rate quantity of fluid to the actuator fluid volume as a function of the operating temperature of the fluid. A method for controlling the hydraulic circuit is also disclosed.
US07677203B2	Edible pet chew An edible pet chew 114 has a first casing 10 of plant base material and a second protein 12 of flavored material for example jerky that is wrapped with the first sheet to form alternating layers in the edible pet chew.
US07677202B2	Pet cleaning apparatus A pet cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning tub, a saturated solution generator and an air-bubble generating nozzle. The saturated solution generator is connected to the cleaning tub and configured to generate a saturated solution by saturating a pressurized fluid with air. The air-bubble generating nozzle is connected to the cleaning tub and the saturated solution generator and configured to generate a fine air-bubble in the saturated solution.
US07677199B2	Surface treatment system and method A surface treatment system is disclosed to form a deposition layer at a surface of an object of surface treatment by using a deposition reaction in which an electrode (110) for applying power to form a deposition reaction in the deposition chamber (100) is installed between an inner wall (120) of the deposition chamber (100) and an object of surface treatment (900) and further includes a cooling unit (200) installed at the inner wall (120) of the deposition chamber (100) facing the electrode (110) and cooling ambient thereof.
US07677196B2	Coating plant and associated method of coating an object A coating plant having a multi-axis application robot to apply a coating means to an application object, where the application robot is installed hanging at least partially into a paint booth. A method for coating an object in a coating plant is also taught.
US07677195B2	Apparatus for supplying a droplet on a substrate and method of manufacturing display apparatus using the same In an apparatus for supplying a droplet on a substrate and a method of manufacturing a display apparatus, the apparatus includes a base body, a dropping unit and a vapor supplying unit. The base body corresponds to the substrate disposed on a stage. The dropping unit is disposed on the base body. The dropping unit includes a nozzle to drop the droplet on the substrate. The vapor supplying unit is disposed adjacent to the dropping unit to supply the droplet dropped onto the substrate with a volatile solvent vapor. Therefore, an evaporation rate of the droplet dropped onto pixels is adjusted to uniformize a thickness of the layer, thereby improving the image display quality.
US07677192B2	Slot-V hull system The present invention comprises systems and methods of utilizing hull arrangements that combine aerodynamic and hydrodynamic effects to provide marine vessels with broader ranges of performance capabilities. The combination hull arrangements variously combine V-hulls, slot aspects, topographic features, and other hull characteristics that enable a vessel to retain the primary performance benefits of conventional V-hulls and achieve assorted improvements. Embodiments of the slot-V hull system employ specifically shaped hull characteristics to influence the manners in which water, air, and air/water spray mixtures interact with the vessel's hull. One principal operative effect can enable a vessel with the slot-V hull system to achieve a planing attitude more rapidly and efficiently than a standard V-hull.
US07677186B2	Apparatus for manufacturing multilayer articles An apparatus for manufacturing multilayer articles, comprising a first feeder for feeding a band made of textile material, a punching device arranged downstream of the first feeder to form slots in the band, a second feeder for feeding a strip of textile material arranged downstream of the punching device to arrange the strip so as to cover the slots, a sewing apparatus arranged downstream of the second feeder to fix the strip onto the band so as to cover the slots and provide a multilayer article, and a traction assembly arranged downstream of the sewing apparatus to actuate the advancement of the article through the sewing apparatus toward a collection unit.
US07677184B2	Flip top table A flip top table assembly including a table top member having an undersurface, a leg member having a top end, a hinge linking the top member to the top end of the leg member for pivotal movement between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially vertical position, a restrainer forming at least first and second openings and forming an edge, a slider forming at least first and second distal pin ends, the slider supported by one of the table top member and the leg member proximate the restraining member and at least a first spring biasing the slider toward the restraining member where, when the top member is in the horizontal position, the first pin end is aligned with the first opening and is biased by the spring toward a restraining position and, when the top member is in the vertical position, the second pin end is aligned with the second opening and is biased by the spring toward a restraining position received within the second opening and the first pin end is biased by the spring toward a space adjacent the edge of the restraining member outside the first and second openings.
US07677178B2	Device for controlling a platform door located on the guideway of a track-bound vehicle A device for controlling a platform door (14) located at the guideway (1) of a vehicle (2) is described. According to the invention, the device comprises, a sensor unit (17), which is mounted at the guideway (1) and which serves to detect a preselected state of the vehicle (2). An evaluating device (18) connected to the sensor unit (17) permits an opening of the platform door (14) only when the vehicle (2) is in the preselected state.
US07677176B2	Method of forming a reconfigurable relief surface using an electrorheological fluid A structure and method of using a reusable master printing plate is described. In one embodiment, the viscosity of an electrorheological fluid is adjusted using an electric field to control its flow and create the desired relief pattern in a flexible printed surface. After creating the relief pattern, the pattern is fixed and used for printing. After completion of printing, the relief pattern is removed from the master printing plate and the printing plate may be reused by applying a new pattern.
US07677171B2	Printing machine and process for printing including a chain gripper system The machine comprises at least a printing cylinder (4), an inking cylinder (5) and a chain gripper transporting system (2,3) with grippers (17). The printing cylinder (4) comprises at least one transversal pit (7) for receiving said chain gripper system (3) such that the inking cylinder (5) inks the planar object (1) while said object (1) is held by said chain gripper system (3).
US07677170B2	Placement and removal device of a doctor blade in a printing screen cylinder The present invention relates to a device for placing and removing a doctor blade in a printing screen cylinder mounted on a printing machine having a support mounted on the frame of the machine in the continuation of the cylinder, and a track mounted on the support and designed to allow a slider to move parallel only to the axis of the cylinder between a first limit position situated outside of the cylinder and a second limit position situated inside the cylinder facing the working position of the doctor blade.
US07677169B2	Apparatus and method using imaging in building a cotton module A cotton module building apparatus, utilizing imaging apparatus operable for capturing real-time images of the module building process, including accumulated cotton in the module building chamber, cotton inflow, and the in-process cotton module, and a method for building a cotton module using the images. The imaging apparatus includes a camera or cameras disposed at advantageous locations about the module building chamber, and cotton is distributed and moved within the chamber responsive to the images, for advantageous placement and distribution for forming a module having a desired consistency and top shape. Imaging apparatus can also be provided for observing unloading of a module from the chamber, and for facilitating maneuvering and positioning the unloading apparatus.
US07677155B2	Statically sealed high pressure fuel pump and method The invention relates to an apparatus and method of statically sealing a reciprocating-type fuel pump, such as a direct injection high pressure piston-type fuel pump. The first embodiment of the invention is a fuel pump comprising a pump body, a fuel reservoir within the pump body, wherein the fuel reservoir is capable of holding fuel and a bellows attached to the pump body, wherein the bellows is a stretchable membrane acting as a static seal. The second embodiment further comprises a diaphragm seal inside the pump body, and adjacent to the fuel reservoir, and a working fluid reservoir adjacent to the diaphragm seal, wherein the working fluid reservoir is capable of holding fluid. The diaphragm seal is a static seal separating the working fluid reservoir and the fuel reservoir.
US07677153B2	Booster and brake control device fitted with this booster A device including a master cylinder driven by a control member, an enclosure for a pneumatic booster having a rear chamber separated from a front chamber by a piston, first and second balancing valve elements place the rear chamber in communication with the front chamber, first, second and third intake valve elements place the rear chamber in communication with a pneumatic pressure source, and a tubular support. The balancing valve elements are carried by a balancing part of the support and the pneumatic piston while the intake valve elements are carried by the first part of the control member, an intake part of the support and a second part of the control member. The first and second parts of the control member are connected through a spring arrangement for adjusting the relative axial position thereof as a function of the power of the force applied to the control member.
US07677148B2	Tearless onion chopper The present invention relates to methods and devices for cutting produce, such as onions and other vegetables. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices for minimizing exposure to noxious and irritating gasses that are emitted from certain freshly cut produce, such as the syn-propanethial-S-oxide gas that is emitted by freshly cut onions. In certain preferred embodiments of the invention, a device is provided for cutting onions, which comprises (i) an open-ended container that is adapted to hold a liquid and (ii) a slicer that is capable of cutting onions when submerged in the liquid that is housed within the container.
US07677147B2	Device and method for separating the paper from the cores of trimmings of rolls or logs of ribbon-like material, of defective rolls or logs and/or of another similar product A device, for separating the paper from the cores of rolls or logs of paper or similar products, which is based on a combination of a mandrel that receives trimmings from a roll or log where the mandrel has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of a core of at least one log. The mandrel is provided with at least one axial recess that is directed along several contiguous generatrices of the mandrel. Above the axial recess is arranged a circular rotating blade which cuts both said trimmings the core.
US07677141B1	Soft-grip, low-force, hand-held spring clamp A padded spring clamping device for making hand-crafted jewelry and similar activities comprising removable padded jaws and adjustable clamping force, is herein disclosed. The padding is of a closed-cell and chemical-resistant foam applied thereto the removable jaws in order to provide a soft covering that will protect fine jewelry, wood, or other items held within the jaws. The padding further provides increased frictional gripping ensuring that an item of varying size and shape is held with little or no movement.
US07677139B2	Engine turning device An engine turning device for use in rotating the crankshaft of an engine. The device has a first structure on a first side used when coupling the device to an engine employing a harmonic balancer and a second structure on a second side used when coupling the device to an engine that does not have a harmonic balancer or if the harmonic balancer has been removed.
US07677138B2	Ratchet screwdriver A ratchet screwdriver includes a handle, a ratchet, a shaft, a finger ring and a tool. The handle has a body having a receiving chamber and a front through hole. The receiving chamber is formed in the body and communicates with the front through hole. The ratchet is mounted securely in the receiving chamber and has a driving protrusion and a drive selector. The shaft is mounted rotatably in the body and has a proximal end mounted securely on the keyed driving protrusion. The finger ring is mounted securely around the shaft outside the body and is smaller than the handle to allow quick and easy rotation of the shaft. The tool is selectively mounted securely in the shaft.
US07677135B2	Electromechanical power transfer system with multiple dynamoelectric machines An electromechanical power transfer system for a vehicle, comprises: an electrical power source; a system controller; at least two dynamoelectric machines; an electrically engageable clutch for each machine; an input shaft coupled to the jack shaft; an output shaft coupled to a load presented by the vehicle; and at least two electrically engageable transmission gear sets for coupling the input shaft to the output shaft; wherein the system controller selectively engages each machine clutch and each transmission gear set.
US07677119B2	System for using a device for picking up samples in a soil or material with powdery or granular nature The invention relates to a system for using a device for picking up samples in a soil or a material with a granular/powdery nature, said device comprising a vertical stem provided with a groove for collecting the picked-up sample, on the edge of which a lip is formed for scraping the soil or the material to be picked up.A power-driven system is provided for moving the picking-up device down into the soil/material to be picked up, guiding during this downward movement being provided by vertical guiding means of the picking-up device. A power-driven system is also provided for rotating the picking-up device in the soil/material to be picked up, in order to allow scraping of the soil or material to be picked up by the scraping lip, the upward movement and the collection of the scraped soil/material in the groove of the picking-up device.
US07677111B2	Portable test lever for testing a tractive capacity and/or an acceleration behavior of a cable-operated lift A portable test lever including a load arm and a force arm for efficient examination of the tractive capacity and/or an acceleration capacity of a lift. The test lever includes an integrated measuring value sensor, at least one cable receptacle arranged on the load arm and at a distance from the force arm, and a support. A method used to measure the tractive capacity of a lift cable and/or the acceleration capacity of a lift.
US07677110B2	Method and apparatus for measuring the elasticity of materials for lining vehicle components The invention relates to a non-destructive method for measuring the elasticity of templates of materials for lining automotive vehicle components, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: applying a tensile pre-load with a predetermined value P1 in a longitudinal direction to a template section (41); applying a tensile load with a predetermined value P2 in a longitudinal direction to said section (41) and measuring the longitudinal deformation produced; removing the load applied to said section (41) and measuring the residual longitudinal deformation produced. The invention also comprises an apparatus (11) for carrying out the method which comprises two fixing elements (15, 17) for fixing the section (41), one of which elements is a fixed element (15) and the other is a moving element (17), a device for applying a tensile load to the moving element (17) connected to a dynamometer (29), and a rule (31) for measuring the longitudinal deformation of said section (41).
US07677109B2	Pressure sense die pad layout and method for direct wire bonding to programmable compensation integrated circuit die A method for direct die-to-die wire bonding incorporates a pressure sense die and a programmable compensation IC die that can be mounted on a ceramic substrate. The two die can be positioned beside each other such that wire bond pads on the pressure sense die and bonding leads on the compensation IC die are in same order. The pressure sense die and the compensation IC can be connected directly with wire bonds in order to reduce the number of wire bonds and to improve reliability. The pressure sense die can be designed with multiple wire bond pad patterns in order to be utilized with different programmable compensation IC dies.
US07677105B2	Double-ended tuning fork type piezoelectric resonator and pressure sensor To provide a double-ended tuning fork type piezoelectric resonator that includes: a piezoelectric element having two arm portions disposed in parallel, a first supporting portion that support one ends of each of the arm portions, a second supporting portion that support the other ends of each of the arm portions; and an exciting electrode formed on a surface of each of the arm portions, and has a structure suitable for being built into a pressure sensor as a pressure sensitive element. A double-ended tuning fork type piezoelectric resonator includes: a piezoelectric element 3 having two arm portions 4 disposed in parallel and apart from each other, and a first supporting portion 5 and a second supporting portion 6 that respectively support one ends and the other ends of each of the arm portions; and an exciting electrode 7 formed on a surface of each arm portion. In the resonator, an annular linking piece 8 is provided to link the first and the second supporting portions to dispose the two arm portions in an internal space of the annular linking piece.
US07677102B2	Head with roller for pulse-echo ultrasonic inspection of parts in an automatic parts inspection facility A head for ultrasonic inspection with a semidry coupling system involving a roller (4) and an ultrasound scanner that rolls on the surface (5) of the part to be inspected, includes a first frame (1) to which the roller (4) is connected and pivots around a stationary axis (4a) in a direction that is perpendicular to the probe's movement; a second frame (2) from which linear vertical guides (6) emerge and is connected in an oscillatory manner to the first frame (1) through an oscillating axis (11a) that is perpendicular to the stationary axis (4a): a third frame (3) that slides vertically through the linear guides (6); and at least two actuators of vertical adjustment (9) anchored to the third frame (3) and to the second frame (2), their corresponding laterally aligned pivotal axes (10), connected to the first frame (1) in a rotating manner and parallel to and lower from the plane of the stationary axis (4a) and the respective ends of the stationary axis (4a).
US07677098B2	Light sensing contactless fuel level sensor A contactless, sealed fuel level sensor for determining a fuel level in a fuel tank and producing a level indicative signal includes a frame, a cover, a float arm, a float and a light-responsive sensor. The frame is configured to have a cavity formed therein. The cover is connected to the frame to enclose the cavity. The float arm is coupled to one of the frame or cover. The float is connected to the float arm and configured such that the float moves the float arm as a level of fuel increases and decreases in the fuel tank. The light-responsive sensor is configured to generate a fuel level signal indicative of a fuel level in the fuel tank based on the movement of the float arm. The fuel level sensor may also include a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED). The light-responsive sensor may be a single photoelectric sensor located in the sealed cavity, or an array of photoelectric sensors located in the sealed cavity. The fuel level sensor may also include a rotatable hub connected to the float arm for movement as the arm moves and where rotation of the hub varies an amount of light impinging on the photoelectric sensor. The light responsive sensor may also include a CMOS sensor located in the sealed cavity. The light responsive sensor may also include a digital, optical-based displacement encoder mounted on the float arm used in combination with a rotary scale applied to the cover opposite the encoder.
US07677097B2	Heating resistor-type gas flowmeter In a gas flowmeter in which a rod and a sensor element are formed as a single body, for preventing heat of the sensor element from flowing into a sensor probe through a substrate (rod) so as to suppress considerable power consumption, and for obtaining a necessary response speed with respect to a flow rate of gas to be measured or a change in temperature, the gas column (rod) is made of an insulating material on a center axis of the sensing probe and is formed with a conductor pattern on its surface, and the sensing probe connects the sensor element disposed in a pipe through which the gas to be measured flows and a harness terminal through the conductor on the surface of the rod, so as to measure a gas flow rate by using the sensing prove.
US07677090B2	Method and device for determining the occurrence of rotating stall in a compressor's turbine blade II A method and device for determining the occurrence of rotating stall in the turbine blade of a compressor, in which the blade pass frequency of at least one compressor stage and the associated vibration energy are monitored, the normal blade pass frequency being constituted by the operating speed of rotation of the compressor multiplied by the number of turbine blades in the stage, and in which incipient rotating stall in a compressor stage is indicated when, at the normal blade pass frequency of the compressor stage, the vibration energy falls below a predetermined first value at the same time as, at a blade pass frequency above the normal blade pass frequency, the vibration energy rises above a predetermined second value.
US07677089B2	Method and system for testing the overspeed protection system of a turbomachine A method and system of testing an overspeed protection system of a turbomachine may include providing an overspeed protection system on a turbomachine having at least one shaft. The method may: determine whether a permissive or permissive(s) is satisfied; initiate an overspeed test; automatically adjusting the speed of a shaft; determining if the speed exceeds an overspeed trip value; and automatically disabling the automatic adjustment of the speed after the test is complete.
US07677081B2	Method for analyzing gas components, apparatus for separating gas components and method for identifying the same The present invention provides a method for analyzing gas components, an apparatus for separating the gas components, and a method for identifying the gas components that can provide more accurate information in distribution and consumption by classifying and identifying products that have been subjected to carbon monoxide treatment. The present invention provides a method for quantitatively analyzing gas components contained in a specimen, wherein an untreated specimen having an unchanged solid state and a prescribed weight is placed in an airtight container in which a solution is accommodated; the specimen is homogenized in the airtight container; and the gas components contained the specimen are quantitatively analyzed.
US07677079B2	Method and device for sensing wear A sensor for detecting erosion of a wear surface of a component, particularly a liner attached to the mill shell of a rotating grinding mill. The sensor comprises a conductive element embedded in the component, the conductive element comprising a first end positioned at a first distance from the wear surface, at least one conductive loop comprising a wear portion positioned at a second distance from the wear surface proximate to the first end and a circuit coupled to the at least one element for determining a continuity of the conductive loop.
US07677074B2	Method for the production of hollow elements, hollow element, assembly piece, and follow-on composite tool for carrying out said method Disclosed is a method for producing hollow elements (200), such as nut elements, which are to be mounted on parts generally made of sheet metal, particularly for producing hollow elements having an at least substantially square or rectangular outer contour (202). According to said method, individual elements are cut to size from a profiled member that is provided in the form of a profiled bar or a reel after punching holes into said profiled member, optionally followed by embodying a threaded cylinder (206) using a follow-on composite tool (10) with several workstations (A, B, C, D). The inventive method is characterized in that a penetrating process, a punching process, and a flattening process are carried out in the workstations (A, B, C, D). Also disclosed are hollow elements (200), assembly pieces, and a follow-on composite tool (10).
US07677071B2	Apparatus for the fabrication of metal wall frame members and assembly of wall frames therefrom, and foldable wall frame structures An apparatus is disclosed for roll forming metal components including substantially channel-shaped members for use in a building structure. The apparatus includes a support frame assembly having front and rear portions. A mechanism is provided for selectively feeding at least one metal strip into the support frame assembly, the metal strip having a pair of side edges and a center web. A plurality of driver roll elements are mounted along the support frame assembly and are adapted to move the metal strip through the frame assembly. Finally, a plurality of spaced idler forming rolls are mounted for free rotation in pairs along the support frame assembly. The idler forming rolls are adapted to simultaneously air form the side edges of the metal strip into angularly extending side flanges by urging the side edges in opposing directions from the center web as the metal strip is moved along the frame assembly by the driver roll elements. In addition, a device for feeding metal strips to the roll forming apparatus is disclosed along with an apparatus for assembling metal wall frame structures, both stationary and foldable forms thereof, from channel-shaped members.
US07677067B2	Lock In a lock of a door or a window with a basic lock and at least an auxiliary locking device and at least a first actuation arrangement for locking the lock, a second actuation arrangement separate from the first actuation arrangement is provided for unlocking the lock.
US07677066B2	Apparatus and methods for locking and unlocking containers Apparatus and methods for locking and unlocking a lockable container that has an internal locking mechanism are disclosed. The apparatus may include a main body including a channel for receiving the container. A magnetic field source coupled to the main body may emit a magnetic field for actuating a container lock catch mechanism disposed at least partially inside the container. The apparatus may include a channel blocker that may be positioned by actuating a channel lock to selectively prevent the magnetic field source from actuating the catch mechanism of a container lock. The channel lock may be coupled to a cam configured to position at least a portion of the channel blocker in the channel. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a ramp retractor coupled to the channel blocker wherein the ramp retractor urges the channel blocker down through the channel by action of the magnetic field.
US07677065B1	Lock for a USB connector A lock for a USB connector has a shell with an end opening, multiple lock assemblies mounted rotatably through the shell and an actuator mounted pivotally in the shell. Each lock assembly has a locking notch. The actuator has multiple locking protrusions selectively engaging the locking notches. The USB connector is inserted through the end opening into the shell and is selectively locked by a mounting segment on the actuator.
US07677064B2	Door of drum type washing machine Disclosed herein is a door of a drum type washing machine. The door comprises a ring-shaped door frame hingedly connected to the front surface of the cabinet at one lateral side thereof, a door glass disposed at an open center of the door frame, a grip casing mounted inside a grip hole formed at the other lateral side of the door frame for preventing the interior of the door frame from being exposed to the outside through the grip hole, and a hook assembly disposed at the grip casing for locking the door frame to the front surface of the cabinet at the other lateral side of the door frame. The interiors of the front door frame and the rear door frame are prevented from being exposed to the outside through the grip hole by the grip casing, and the hook assembly is easily and conveniently mounted to the door frame.
US07677062B2	Washing machine with spraying device A spraying device for a washing machine includes a body including a wall having an outer surface, a water inlet and a channel defined therein. The channel is in flow communication with the water inlet, and a plurality of nozzles extend through the wall and in flow communication with the channel. The washing machine includes a wash tub and a basket mounted within the wash tub. The basket is configured to rotate. The nozzles include an inlet, an outlet, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. At least a portion of the outlet includes a surface substantially perpendicular to a flow of water through the nozzle, and the nozzles have a length longer than a thickness of the wall. At least a portion of the outlet is unitary with the wall outer surface.
US07677058B2	Process and apparatus for making glass sheet An apparatus and process for making glass soot sheet and sintered glass sheet. Glass soot particles are deposited on a curved deposition surface of a rotating drum to form a soot sheet. The soot sheet is then released from the deposition surface. The soot sheet can be sintered into a consolidated glass. The soot sheet and the sintered glass can be sufficiently long and flexible to be reeled into a roll.
US07677057B2	Multichannel heat exchanger with dissimilar tube spacing Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and heat exchangers are provided which include dissimilar tube spacing configurations. The heat exchangers include multiple sets of multichannel tubes in fluid communication with each other. One set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at one spacing while the another set of multichannel tubes contains a plurality of tubes spaced apart at a different spacing. The different spacing between the multichannel tubes allows each set of tubes to be configured to the properties of the refrigerant flowing within the tubes.
US07677054B2	Apparatus for air cooling and humidifying A constructive disposition introduced in air conditioning placed in the technological sector of air conditioning in general, that optimizes mist production as well as providing direction and non-atomized liquid flow generating a more effective and uniform mist in the gravitational area besides ensuring more security in its use avoiding accidents to users when near the equipment.Therefore, constructive disposition introduced in air conditioning is comprised by a cabinet (1) with a centrally positioned electrical motor (2) that presents a propeller (3) connected in the preceding edge of its motor shaft, which connects to the spinning disc (4) on the other edge, running centrally through the water collector calotte (5), which has peripheral radial grooves and is complemented by a condensed liquid collector (6) interconnected to a storage (7) placed inside the casing provided of a liquid entrance tubing (8) and wherein it is placed the buoy set (9) and liquid pump (10), which has tubing (11) interconnected to the regulator register (12) with liquid liberation hose (13) along with disc internal surface (4), characterized by the fact the water collector calotte (5) has peripheral radial grooves in a curve shape (14); and by the fact that the spinning disc (4) is overlapped by a protector calotte and mist filter (15), properly fixed along with water collector calotte (5).
US07677053B2	Refrigeration appliance dispenser A refrigeration appliance has an access door in which is located a recess containing a dispensing unit. The recess can include an upper surface, a rear surface and opposed side surfaces. The dispensing unit includes at least one of a dispensing outlet for dispensing a fluid such as water and a dispensing outlet for dispensing ice. The dispensing unit also includes at least one emitting source for emitting a beam of light and a respective receiver for receiving the beam of light from each of the at least one emitting source. Each of the at least one emitting source and the respective receiver comprise a light couple. The emitting source and receiver of each light couple are arranged so that the light passing between the emitting source and the receiver passes substantially vertically beneath at least one of the at least one of a dispensing outlet for dispensing a fluid and a dispensing outlet for dispensing ice.
US07677052B2	Systems for improved passive liquid cooling According to some embodiments, systems for improved passive liquid cooling may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may comprise an evaporator and a condenser. According to some embodiments, the evaporator may comprise a first side to receive heat, a second side, and one or more fins protruding from the second side. In some embodiments, the condenser may comprise an inner surface defining a cavity and one or more grooves, a first end coupled to the evaporator such that the one or more fins of the evaporator are disposed within the cavity, and a second end, wherein the one or more grooves extend at least partially between the first and second ends of the condenser.
US07677050B2	Control device for vehicle cooling fan A control device for a fan motor (7) which cools a condenser (6) of a vehicle air conditioner includes a temperature sensor (12) which detects a temperature of an air that has passed through an evaporator (10) of the vehicle air conditioner; and a controller (2). The controller (2) functioning to calculate a reference value (Ds) of an airflow generated by a rotation of the fan motor (7); calculate a correction value (DUP, DUPT) of the airflow on the basis of the detected air temperature (Tair); set a target airflow (TDR) on the basis of the reference value (Ds) and correction value (DUP, DUPT) of the airflow; and control the rotation of the fan motor to effect the target airflow (TDR).
US07677048B1	Turbine last stage blade with forced vortex driven cooling air A gas turbine engine with a turbine section having at least a first stage turbine blade and a last stage turbine blade. The first stage turbine blade includes cooling fluid passages therein in which a compressed cooling fluid, usually from the compressor section of the gas turbine engine, is passed through for cooling of the first stage blade. The last stage turbine blade includes cooling fluid passages therein, but draws the cooling air from an outside ambient pressure source instead of from a compressor. The rotation of the last stage turbine blade and rotor disk provides for a centrifugal force to drive the cooling air into the blade and through the blade for cooling thereof. No additional compression of the last stage cooling fluid is required. A cover plate with a plurality of impellers covers a back side of the last stage rotor disk and provides for an additional means to pump the ambient cooling fluid into the last stage blade.
US07677034B1	Power conversion system A diesel engine with an associated rotary pump pumps a fluid in a path of travel. A linear cylinder motor oscillates a disc. First and second multi stage cylinder pumps with associated attachment members operate in response to the movement of the disc. A hydraulic motor with a generator and pressure tank has a line for feeding fluid. An electric motor with a pressure tank and lines feeds fluid from the multi stage cylinder pumps to the pressure tank and feeds fluid from the pressure tank to the generator for powering the generator.
US07677032B2	Apparatus, system, and method for determining the distribution of particulate matter on a particulate filter An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining the distribution of particulate matter on a particulate filter. The apparatus, in one embodiment, determines a first distribution of particulate matter by comparing the pressure change across the particulate filter with a change in engine operating conditions. The apparatus may include an input module for receiving input corresponding to engine operating conditions and input from a differential pressure sensor and a feedback module to determine a first distribution of particulate matter. The apparatus may further include a feed forward module for determining a particulate distribution trend and a selection control module to combine the first distribution of particulate matter with the particulate distribution trend to determine a second distribution of particulate matter. The distribution may be defined as a uniform distribution factor in certain embodiments.
US07677031B2	Particulate loading monitoring system A particulate trap regeneration system is provided, which may include a particulate trap having a filter medium configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine and a regeneration device configured to reduce an amount of particulate matter in the particulate trap, as well as a radio frequency-based particulate loading monitoring system configured to determine an amount of particulate matter trapped by the filter medium. The particulate loading monitoring system may include at least one radio frequency probe configured to transmit radio frequency signals of predetermined magnitude and predetermined frequency toward the filter medium and at least one radio frequency probe configured to receive and measure the magnitude of received radio frequency signals that pass through the filter medium. Further, the system may be configured to transmit radio frequency signals along a length of the exhaust conduit.
US07677030B2	Apparatus, system, and method for determining a regeneration availability profile An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining a regeneration availability profile for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is configured to determine whether required regeneration conditions could be met within the system if attempted. The apparatus may include a data module for storing and retrieving a regeneration availability profile and for receiving regeneration requirements data. The apparatus may further include an input module for receiving input relative to current operating conditions of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system. The apparatus may further include a controller which uses the required regeneration conditions, the retrieved regeneration availability profile, and the input relative to current operating conditions to produce and store a new regeneration availability profile.
US07677028B2	Particulate trap regeneration temperature control system In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a particulate trap regeneration temperature control system. The system may include a particulate trap configured to remove one or more types of particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine. The system may also include a heating system configured to increase the temperature of the particulate trap. The system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the heating system during execution of a thermal regeneration event of the particulate trap. The controller may control operation of the heating system by effectuating a first temperature increase of the particulate trap at a predetermined rate up to a first predetermined temperature. The controller may also be configured to effectuate a first temperature hold by maintaining the temperature of the particulate trap at the first predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time. The controller may further be configured to effectuate a second temperature increase of the particulate trap at a predetermined rate to a higher second predetermined temperature. In addition, the controller may also be configured to effectuate a second temperature hold by maintaining the temperature of the particulate trap at the second predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time.
US07677026B2	Mixer for separate-flow nozzle A mixer for a separate-stream turbojet nozzle, the mixer comprising along a longitudinal axis (X-X′) both a fastener shroud (10) for connecting said mixer to the exhaust casing of the nozzle, and a lobe structure (20) presenting a succession of inner and outer lobes (22 and 21) distributed circumferentially around the longitudinal axis (X-X′) of the mixer. The lobe structure (20) is made of a ceramic matrix composite material and further comprises a stiffener ring (30) that forms a connection between at least some of the lobes of said structure. Thus, the major portion of the mixer, i.e. the lobe structure, is made of a ceramic matrix composite material, thereby significantly reducing the weight of the mixer, and consequently reducing the weight of the nozzle.
US07677025B2	Self-purging pilot fuel injection system A gas turbine combustor having a self-purging pilot fuel injection system and method of operation thereof is disclosed. The pilot fuel injection system comprises a radial inflow swirler, a generally axially extending centerbody, and at least one fuel injection source. In operation a fluid containing at least air passes along the centerbody outer surface clearing any remaining fuel from proximate the fuel injection source so as to prevent flame attachment proximate the fuel injection source.
US07677021B2	Replaceable reel blade system A reel mower assembly having a frame and a reel rotatably mounted to the frame. The reel is a casting having spatially separated end members and a plurality of cross members homogenously connected to the end members. One or more support rings can also be positioned between the end members and homogenously connected to the cross members. A drive is operable to rotate the reel about a reel axis.
US07677020B2	Spring system for a feeder roller of a harvester A spring system for a feeder device of an agricultural harvester having a first roller movably mounted in a casing and biased by the spring system towards a second roller in order the compress crop passing between the two rollers. The spring system comprises at least one spring surrounding a guide rod that extends in use between a movable support of the first roller and the casing of the feeder device. The guide rod is formed of two telescopically collapsible parts, one connected to the roller support and the other to the casing.
US07677019B2	Exhaust circulation lawnmower An exhaust circulation lawnmower is disclosed in which grass clippings are sent, along with carrier air, from a cutter housing to a grass bag; the grass clippings are held in the grass bag; and the carrier air is returned to the cutter housing as exhaust. A surface area A1 of a grass clippings discharge opening and a surface area A2 of a recirculation opening have a relationship of A2≦{1/(1−βN)0.5}A1, where A1 is the surface area of the grass clippings discharge opening through which the grass clippings and carrier air are discharged from the cutter housing to the grass bag, A2 is the surface area of the recirculation opening through which the carrier air is recirculated from the grass bag to the cutter housing, N is the number of bends having an angle of α degrees in the space between the grass clippings discharge opening and the recirculation opening, and β is a pressure loss coefficient for each of the bends.
US07677018B2	Belt tensioning system for a forage harvester A tensioning system for a drive belt of a blower of a forage harvester includes a tensioning roller, a rod for moving the tensioning roller towards and away from the belt, a spring surrounding the rod and acting between a first abutment mounted on the rod and a second abutment connected to the chassis of the harvester to urge the roller towards the belt. The chassis connected abutment is carried by an arm that is movable relative to the chassis and anchored by a tie bar.
US07677017B2	Modular power source for walk-behind mower A walk-behind mower includes a frame, and a cutting unit connected to the frame and at least one cutting element. Interchangeable power unit support assemblies are each adapted to support either a reciprocating engine or a battery unit. One of the power unit support assemblies is releasably connected to the frame. An electric motor is provided to displace the cutting element. An output voltage generated by either the reciprocating engine or the battery unit mounted on the power unit support assembly energizes the electric motor.
US07677015B2	Method and apparatus for forming films A process for forming filled sealed pouches, comprising: supplying a thermoformable film to an upper surface of a conveyer which includes a plurality of recessed vacuum molds in its upper surface and is mounted to slide over an elongated conveyor support through holding, forming, filling and sealing stations; holding the film on the conveyer at the holding station; forming the film to form pouches at the forming station by supplying a forming under-pressure at the forming station into the mold recesses wherein the forming under-pressure is supplied through vacuum apertures leading from a vacuum supply apparatus and discharging through the conveyer support through vacuum orifices extending through the conveyer into the vacuum molds wherein under-pressure is supplied to the mold recesses at one or more subsequent processing stations through the vacuum apertures and vacuum orifices, and wherein the under pressure at the forming station is greater than the under-pressure at one or more of the subsequent processing stations; filling the pouches at the filling station; and sealing the pouches with a sealing film at the sealing station.
US07677011B2	Crosslinked solid type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet comprising the composition, and pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet for waterproofing/airproofing comprising the sheet A solid type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition capable of being applied without the necessity of using an organic solvent or water and a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, which are excellent in both adhesive force and holding power and, in particular, undergo no decrease in low-temperature adhesive force even when the adhesive layer thickness is small. The crosslinked solid type pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising (a) a rubbery polymer, (b) a tackifier, and (c) a crosslinking agent comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of thiuram vulcanizing agents, quinoid vulcanizing agents, quinone dioxime vulcanizing agents, and maleimide vulcanizing agents.
US07677008B2	Floor panels with edge connectors Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07677007B2	Interlocking insulating firebrick A structural configuration for rapidly assembling walls and linings of insulating firebricks and prefabricated insulating modules that aligns the bricks or modules during assembly with grooves and inserts, minimizes the amount of through joints in the completed structure, and allows the full height of each brick or module to be utilized in the completed structure is provided.
US07677006B2	Modular structures and panels for constructing them A connector assembly for use in a modular structure is intended for temporary usage, and may be assembled and disassembled conveniently. The connector assembly includes a slidable bolt partly mounted within a first panel and slidable from a first position completely within that first panel to a second position partially within an adjacent second panel. Furthermore, the first panel has one male channel and one female channel, adapted to mate with the male channel on an adjacent panel. The male channel may slide into the female channel laterally i.e., without the need for lifting, or rotating either panel into place. At each corner, the structure includes a corner post which emulates the channel into which the sliding bolt moves and permits the securing of panels thereto. In addition, the structure may be mountable to an existing permanent structure by providing special brackets, which emulate the mating structure of adjacent panels.
US07676996B2	Apparatus and method for door and window head flashing A window and door head flashing assembly is fabricated at a construction site to fit specific door or window widths. A center section which may be extruded with a sloped base, a rear flange, and a front lip. End caps may be provided to snap or glue on the center section. The end caps have a perpendicular fin which serves as an end dam to block the lateral movement of water. The assembly may be inverted for use as a sill pan. The center section may be cut to a desired length and installed over arched windows or doors by bending to shape as it is installed. For arched applications, a combination of rigid and flexible PVC may be coextruded to provide a desired cross sectional profile that is flexible enough to be bent around the arch, but stiff enough to retain its cross section for drainage.
US07676995B2	Interlocking tile A polymeric interlocking tile for an adhesive-free assemblage with adjacent tiles having substantially similar, but inverted, edge interlocks thereon. The interlocks on each edge of a tile include a row of first and second sets of male-female types of alternating interlocks. The first interlock set includes a male lug projection having sidewalls forming one sidewall of a channel of U-shaped cross-section. The channel forms a female interlock cavity for the first set. The second interlock set is contiguous to the first set and includes a male projecting rib having two parallel sidewalls, one sidewall faces the edge and forms an opposite sidewall of the channel and an opposite, inwardly facing sidewall forms an enclosure for a second female cavity of the next set. At the opposite ends of each interlock row, the U-shaped channel sidewalls are wider to facilitate an initial interlock meshing between contiguous tiles of the assemblage.
US07676994B2	Greenhouse The present invention provides an improved greenhouse, improving upon the shortcomings of a typical greenhouse with difficult assembly and handling. The greenhouse is assembled by a plurality of trusses, which are combined through a plurality of erection tubes along with the covering and a plurality of angled elements. The covering directly couples onto the erection tubes, which are coupled via angled elements to form a greenhouse, thereby achieving rapid assembly/disassembly and handling of spare parts. The retaining portion of the covering is provided with layering, so that the covering could be supported and leveled by the layering to provide a smooth greenhouse with improved applicability.
US07676991B2	Fire collar A fire collar, for location in a concrete slab around a deformable conduit, has a housing with a passageway through which the conduit passes. The collar has the housing in which are located two compression springs with arms which are held against the force of the springs by fusible links. When the heat of a fire on one side of the slab causes the fusible links to soften or melt, the force of the springs causes the spring arms to rotate towards the conduit, engaging the conduit and collapsing it. An intumescent layer may be provided around the conduit to assist in collapsing it.
US07676989B2	Modular spring mounting for a sash window counterbalance arrangement A modular spring support mounting for a sash window spring counterbalance arrangement includes at least a first spring support mounting element and a second spring support mounting element each for supporting a respective coil spring. The first spring support mounting element includes a pair of wedged shaped cross section projections. The second spring support mounting element includes an interengagement fitting which engages the pair of wedged shaped cross section projections to in use securely interconnect the first and second spring support mounting elements together. Also a method of installing such a modular spring mounting includes the step of laterally slidingly engaging the spring mounting elements to securely interlock the elements together.
US07676987B2	Greening structure A greening structure comprising a plant-cultivatable planting portion on a water-reserving portion and laid on a pavement for forming a greening area. The greening structure further comprises post-shaped members provided substantially consecutively from a portion where an external force loaded on the planting portion is directly received, to the bottom of the water-reserving portion or to the pavement, so that the external force loaded on the planting portion is received on the pavement through the post-shaped members. The greening structure is excellent in the supporting strength and the stability to provide a satisfactory treading feel. The substantially consecutive post-shaped members include: first post-shaped members disposed upward from the bottom of the planting portion; and second post-shaped members disposed downward from the bottom of the planting portion.
US07676983B2	Rod and tackle carrying case A carrying case for transporting fishing equipment from one location to another. The carrying case generally comprises an external container and an insert insertedly situated within the external container. The external container is substantially cylindrical in shape with an open top and a closed bottom. The insert includes a lid, a base, and a support connecting the lid to the base. A plurality of cutouts are provided in the lid of the insert for receiving the shafts of a plurality of fishing rods. A plurality of seats are provided along the base of the insert for receiving the handles of the fishing rods. A storage space is also provided between the base of the insert and the base of the external container for storing other fishing equipment including fishing tackle. A series of ribs are provided along the walls of the external container near the base of the external container for mating with the base of the insert.
US07676982B1	Method and apparatus for venting fish A tool for saving the lives of captured fish that are swollen by expanded gases when brought to the surface includes an elongate hollow tube of rigid construction having a sharp cutting edge formed in a distal free end of the tube. A user grasps a proximal end of the tube and punctures a fish at a predetermined location in its body with the sharp cutting edge to allow gases to flow out of the body of the fish until the body returns to a substantially unswollen condition. The fish is conventionally resuscitated prior to release after the gases have been vented. The tube folds into a handle for storage when not in use.
US07676975B2	Tactical foregrip assembly A tactical foregrip assembly for use with a firearm, the assembly having an independently rotatable grip mount assembly and an independently rotatable light mount assembly. The invention comprises a stationary mount assembly attachable to the receiver of a firearm, a grip mount assembly radially rotatable about and electrically coupled to the stationary mount assembly, and a light mount assembly radially rotatable about and electrically coupled to the stationary mount and engagable with said grip assembly. The present invention allows the operator to provide light to illuminate an area while simultaneously positioning himself in a manner so as to maximally use available cover.
US07676972B2	Portable self-defense device A non-lethal self-defense device that ejects two electrically charged streams of conductive fluid at a biological target for a period of time sufficient to have the liquid contacting both the target and the electrically charged device until incapacitation of the target occurs.
US07676970B2	Apparatus for sequentially displaying a plurality of advertisement sheets A display apparatus (10, 10′) for sequentially displacing sheets (A) to a display position, comprising a drive (20) for displacing sheets (A) in a circuit to a display position. An actuator (30) actuates the drive (20). Connector devices (40, 50) connect opposed ends of sheets (A) along the drive (20). Each connector device (40, 50) has (i) a first connector (40) securing a first edge portion (A1) of a sheet (A) to the drive (20), and (ii) a second connector device (50) having a longitudinal member (41′) secured to a second edge portion (A2) of the sheet (A) and connected to the drive (20) so as to be restrictively displaceable along the drive (20). An abutment portion (43′) is securable against the longitudinal member (41′) for retaining the edge portion (A2) of the sheet (A) therebetween. A tensioner (52) connects the longitudinal member (41′) to the drive (20) to maintain the sheet in a taut condition with a predetermined tension.
US07676969B2	Kinetic display assembly A display frame for supporting an image insert for display is provided. The display frame comprises i) an abutment structure for supporting the image insert for display; ii) an upright member including a first connection member and a second connection member; and iii) an interlocking mechanism for interlocking the first connection member and the second connection member. The upright member has a first substantially planar state and a second non-planar display state, and is operable to support the abutment structure. The interlocking mechanism is operable to interlock the first connection member and the second connection member such that the upright member is in the second non-planar display state.
US07676968B2	Roller assembly In one aspect of the invention, a roller assembly has an axle that supports opposing faces of a cylindrical body that has a plurality of pointed inserts disposed along an outer diameter of the cylindrical body. At least one of the inserts has a tip with a polycrystalline diamond bonded to a cemented metal carbide segment. The diamond has a substantially conical geometry with a 0.50 to 0.200 inch radius apex and comprises a thickness greater than 0.100 inches at the apex. The roller assembly has an internal lubrication mechanism adapted to apply lubrication between the axle and the cylindrical body.
US07676964B2	Snow plow having wear minimizing apparatus A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, the plow blade including a rubber scraper connected to the mold board and at least one wear minimizing apparatus positioned to minimize contact between the rubber scraper and the ground surface when the vehicle is moving in a direction rearward of the plow blade and the plow blade is in a working orientation.
US07676962B2	Snow plow having reinforced mold board A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, preferably, a two piece mold board being an aluminum extrusion. The mold board will preferably include a front and a back and cells or compartments partially formed by support structures that extend between the front and the back of the mold board and along the width of the plow blade.
US07676961B2	Intelligent footwear systems The invention is directed to intelligent systems for articles of footwear that adjust automatically in response to a measured performance characteristic. The intelligent systems include one or more adjustable elements coupled to a mechanism that actuates the adjustable elements in response to a signal from a sensor to modify the performance characteristic of the article of footwear. The intelligent system adjusts the performance characteristics of the article of footwear without human intervention.
US07676957B2	Automated tightening shoe An automated tightening shoe with crisscrossed laces or closure panel and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces or closure panel to tighten the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be removed from the wearer's foot. An actuating wheel partially projecting from the rear sole of the shoe provides a convenient and reliable actuating means for movement of the automated tightening mechanism in the tightening direction.
US07676944B2	Shape inspection device for curved hose A shape inspection device is adapted for a curved resin hose having a hose body including a bent portion. The shape inspection device has a first fixing portion for fixing one longitudinal end portion of the curved resin hose, a second fixing portion for fixing the other longitudinal end portion of the curved resin hose, and an inspecting portion between the first and the second fixing portions. The inspecting portion has an inspecting and verifying arrangement along a pathway of the hose body of the curved resin hose as designed. The inspecting and verifying arrangement has verifying members disposed outside the pathway and spaced from the pathway.
US07676939B2	Cross laser device for installation of plate-shaped or board-shaped floor covering elements A cross laser device for installing plate- or board-shaped floor covering elements on a flat substrate includes a housing which can be positioned on the substrate by feet, and at least one first and one second laser disposed within the housing, by which first and second laser beams emerging through first and second front light exits of the housing can be generated for the formation of first and second marking lines on the substrate, which marking lines intersect at right angles at an intersection point spaced apart from the light exits. An underside of the housing is spaced apart from the substrate such that first and second clearance zones beneath the housing extend continuously from first and second side edges of the housing up to first and second vertical planes, respectively, the first and second laser beams being located in the first and second vertical planes, respectively.
US07676938B1	Bicycle wheel and hub apparatus and method A bicycle wheel and hub apparatus capable of dynamically and precisely truing a bicycle wheel, and a method thereof, is provided. The bicycle wheel and hub apparatus includes a hub, including a hub body and a hub mounting plate, adaptable to a center hole of the bicycle wheel, a mounting device for mounting the hub onto the bicycle wheel, and a plurality of set screws for truing the bicycle wheel relative to the hub.
US07676937B2	Scribe head and scribe device A scribing head according to the present invention includes: a scribing line forming means (29) structured so as to form a scribing line on a substrate; and a moving means (502, 503) for moving the scribing line forming means such that the scribing line forming means presses the substrate with a constant magnitude, wherein the moving means includes: a rotation means (502) rotating about a rotation axis, the axial center of the rotation axis being provided so as to align with a predetermined direction in which the scribing line forming means moves, and a motive power transmission means (503) for transmitting a motive power between the motive power transmission means and the scribing line forming means such that the scribing line forming means moves on a straight line along the axial center of the rotation axis in response to the rotation of the rotation means, the motive power transmission means being provided along the predetermined direction.
US07676935B2	Angle-measurement system and method for production of an angle-measurement system In an angle-measurement system and a method for producing an angle-measurement system, the angle-measurement system includes a bearing assembly and a scanning head, the bearing assembly including a graduated ring, an outer ring and rolling bodies. Rolling surfaces are formed both on the graduated ring and the outer ring, the rolling surface of the graduated ring having a smaller path radius than that of the outer ring. Furthermore, the rolling surface of the outer ring is arranged opposite the rolling surface of the graduated ring, and the rolling bodies are disposed between the two rolling surfaces such that the bearing assembly is free of radial play. In addition, an angle scaling is applied directly onto the graduated ring such that a geometrical pattern of the angle scaling in a first region deviates from a geometrical pattern in a second region as a function of rotational eccentricities of the bearing assembly. The angle scaling is able to be scanned by the scanning head.
US07676928B2	Method for use in the manufacturing of a fluid dynamic pressure bearing Oil which will serve as a lubricating fluid of a fluid dynamic pressure bearing is degassed in a first environment under a first pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure. First and second members of the bearing are place in a second environment under a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure and higher than the pressure in the first environment. The degassed oil is supplied to the gap between bearing surfaces of the first and second members while the first and second members are in the second environment under pressure lower than atmospheric pressure and higher than the pressure in the first environment. Subsequently the pressure in the second environment is increased to force the oil into the gap between the bearing surfaces of the first and second members of the hydrodynamic fluid.
US07676925B2	Lifting construction method and raising/lowering equipment of boiler module An interference with existing structures is prevented at a time of a lifting construction of a boiler module. When the boiler module is lifted from the ground by lifting jacks provided on a steel frame main-beam and made an install construction to the main-beam, lifting jacks enabled to move laterally on the main-beam are disposed at forward and backward thereof to suspend the boiler module. The suspended module is lifted up to the main-beam and installed while changing a suspending position between an interference preventing position with existing modules and a prescribed suspending position by alternately moving the forward and backward lifting jacks laterally.
US07676924B2	Gasifier A method of constructing an inner thermal lining or jacket of a jacketed gasifier having an outer shell with an opening allowing access to an interior of the gasifier, includes inserting jacket wall segments (40) into the gasifier interior through the opening, the jacket wall segments (40) each comprising an elongate jacket plate (42) with an annulus face (44) and a plurality of transversely extending longitudinally spaced stiffener formations (46) standing proud of the annulus face (44). The jacket wall segments (40) are arranged side by side leaving an aperture or space between adjacent jacket plates. The stiffener formations (46) of adjacent spaced jacket wall segments are welded together through the aperture or space between said adjacent spaced jacket wall segments, and the apertures or spaces are closed with window plates.
US07676919B2	Method for forming a circuit board via structure for high speed signaling A method for forming a via in a printed circuit board is disclosed, which via allows for the passage of a signal from one signal plane to another in the (PCB), and in so doing transgresses the power and ground planes between the signal planes. The method comprises forming a first conductive layer on a first side of a circuit board, and forming a second conductive layer on a second side of the circuit board; forming a first hole in the first side of the circuit board; forming a first cylinder on vertical edges of the first hole and in contact with the first conductive layer; forming a second hole in the second side of the circuit board; forming a second cylinder on vertical edges of the first hole, wherein the second cylinder is surrounded by first cylinder and in contact with the second conductive layer; and forming a via in the circuit board, wherein the via is surrounded by the second cylinder.
US07676918B2	Method for forming a molded circuit board A method for forming a molded circuit board is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a circuit having a first section and a second section on a conductive substrate, the first section and the second section being coplanar; then deforming the conductive substrate by mold-pressing, so that the first section and the second section become non-coplanar; providing a plastic material to cover the circuit and the conductive substrate; curing the plastic material by injection-molding; and removing the conductive substrate to expose the circuit. The molded circuit board made by this method is also provided.
US07676915B2	Process for manufacturing an LED lamp with integrated heat sink A method for manufacturing an LED lamp assembly includes anodizing at least a portion of a surface of an electrically and thermally conductive base, such as an aluminum or aluminum alloy base, so as to form an electrically insulating coating. The base may form a heat sink or be coupled to a heat sink. Circuit traces are formed on the anodized surface of the base, which include LED landings. LEDs are electrically and mechanically attached to the LED landing by a conductive metallic solder such that heat generated from the LED is transferred efficiently through the solder and circuit traces LED landings to the base and heat sink through a metal-to-metal contact pathway.
US07676914B2	Methods for sensor having capacitor on chip In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a magnetic sensor includes forming a first conductive layer over a substrate containing circuitry, forming a dielectric layer over the first conductive layer, forming a second conductive layer over the dielectric layer such that the first conductive layer, the dielectric layer, and the second conductive layer form a first capacitor, and providing first and second terminals, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the first conductive layer and the second terminal is coupled to the second conductive layer.
US07676913B2	Wiring board, method of manufacturing wiring board, and electronic device A method of manufacturing a wiring board includes steps of: providing a substrate; forming a first wiring layer on the substrate by photolithography; forming a first insulating layer by ink jetting so as to cover a part of the first wiring layer and expose an exposed section of the first wiring layer; and forming a second wiring layer by ink jetting partly over the first wiring layer, with the first insulating layer being between the part of the first wiring layer and a part of the second wiring layer. A wider variety of conductive material and insulating material can be used for forming the wiring layers and the insulating layers on the substrate by ink jetting, while the wiring board has a first wiring layer having high density.
US07676910B2	Flexible elongate member having one or more electrical contacts A flexible elongate member such as a pressure guide wire (1000) includes an electrical device such as a pressure sensor (1002). The pressure sensor (1002) is electrically connected to conductive bands (304), (306) and (308) located on electrical connector (300). The electrical connector is attached to core wire (602) and shaft or hypotube (704). The use of electrical connector (300) helps minimize the assembly time of pressure guide wire (1000), as well as minimize some of the assembly problems associated with prior art designs such as pressure guide wire (100).
US07676908B2	Pressing member and electronic device handling apparatus A pusher 30 is composed of a pusher base 31 and a pressing body 32 attached to the pusher base 31 in a removable way. Specifically, a base portion of the pressing body 32 is provided with a flange portion 321, and the pusher base 31 is provided with a plate 33 having a U-shape when seen two-dimensionally. By sliding the pressing body 32 with respect to the pusher base 31 with the flange portion 321 of the pressing body 32 supported by the plate 33, the pressing body 32 can be attached to and removed from the pusher 30 without using any tools.
US07676907B2	Component placement device as well as a method for transporting substrates through such a component placement device A component placement device suitable for placing a component on a substrate comprises at least one component feeder, at least one substrate conveyor as well as at least one component pickup and placement device for picking up a component from the component feeder and placing said component on a substrate supported by the substrate conveyor. The substrate conveyor comprises a substrate feeding portion comprising at least two substrate feed tracks extending parallel to each other, a substrate processing portion located near the component feeder, which is connected to the substrate feeding portion and which comprises a single substrate processing track, a substrate discharging portion connected to the substrate processing portion, which comprises at least two substrate discharge tracks extending parallel to each other, as well as transfer means for transferring substrates from a second substrate feed track to a first substrate feed track and from a first substrate discharge track to a second substrate discharge track.
US07676902B2	Manufacturing method of rotor core In order to realize a method of forming a rotor core that improves the productivity and enhances the product accuracy, a forming method of a rotor that is equipped with both permanent-magnet fastener on the inner perimetric end of the magnetic pole claw of the rotor core and tapered surface on the outer perimetric end on one end of the magnetic pole claw in the circumferential direction. By constraining the inner perimetric surface of the magnetic pole claw by a die and applying a forming pressure in the radial direction, the tapered surface on the outer perimetric end of the magnetic pole claw and permanent-magnet fastener on the inner perimetric end can be formed at the same time and a rotor core with high product accuracy and mass-productivity is realized.
US07676894B2	Clasp for jewelry, especially for necklaces and bracelets The invention describes a clasp for jewelry, especially for necklaces and bracelets, comprising a push-in fastener element, a receptacle element for receiving the push-in fastener element, a latching mechanism by means of which the push-in fastener element can be latched in the receptacle element, the latching mechanism comprising a spreadable latching means which when spread comes into a form-locking engagement with the receptacle element, and a handling means that can be gripped from outside of the receptacle element, for operation of the latching mechanism.It is provided according to the invention that the handling means is attached to a slide which is provided in the receptacle element and which in a first position, hereafter described as the latched position, is in engagement with the latching means and holds the latter in spread condition while in a second position, hereafter described as the unlatched position, it does not hold the latching means in spread condition.
US07676891B2	Control knob for functional members, in particular ventilation, heating and/or air conditioning installation of a vehicle The subject of the invention is a rotary control knob (2) of a control panel in particular for a ventilation, heating and/or air-conditioning installation of a vehicle cabin. This control knob (2) consists of a cylinder (3) provided at one of its ends with a gripping member (6) intended for the user, and equipped with at least one boss (15) for limiting its rotational travel between its end positions. Said boss (15) is formed at the base of the gripping member (6) and is covered at least partially by a flexible mass (19) emanating from a flexible covering (18) of the gripping member (6).
US07676885B2	Carpet cleaner with pressed-down suction A carpet cleaner with a base, a handle, and a plurality of wheels includes a suction opening, a fulcrum, a lever, and a cable line. The suction opening is provided at a front portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The fulcrum is provided at a rear portion of the base of the carpet cleaner. The lever with an active end and a passive end is for levering the suction opening against the fulcrum. The cable line is extended from the active end of the lever toward the handle. The suction opening is pressed down to the carpet floor by the lever actuated by pulling up the cable line, and the suction opening contacts the carpet floor tight for facilitating suction of the carpet cleaner. The suction opening can be pressed down by a pressing bar attached to the base.
US07676881B2	Adapter for a wiper blade The invention relates to an adapter for adapting a main bracket of a wiper blade to the coupling section of a wiper arm of a wiper mechanism. Said adapter comprises an insertion pin, which is held at one end and which is provided for being laterally inserted into a locating opening on the main bracket, whereby said locating opening extends transversal to the wiper blade longitudinal axis. The adapter also comprises a cylindrical cavity which is provided on the insertion pin, has an insertion opening and which serves to accommodate a pivot pin of the coupling section of the wiper arm. A first bearing section is provided in the area of the insertion opening and is provided for resting against the area of the coupling section that holds the pivot pin. The adapter has a second bearing section located on the side opposite the insertion opening and is provided for resting against the stop of a projection of the coupling section, whereby said projection overlaps, at least in sections, the adapter when mounted.
US07676880B2	Direct drive windshield wiper assembly A windshield wiper assembly including at least one motor having an output shaft and a windshield wiper operatively connected to the output shaft. The motor includes a stator adapted to provide an electromagnetic flux and a rotor assembly supported for rotation about the stator. The rotor assembly includes a back iron that defines an inner circumference and a plurality of magnets disposed in spaced parallel relationship relative to one another about the inner circumference of the back iron and in radially spaced relationship about the stator. The rotor assembly is operatively connected to the output shaft and responsive to electromagnetic flux generated by the stator so as to provide a rotational force to the output shaft to drive the windshield wiper in repeated wiping motion across the windshield.
US07676879B1	Battery-powered sewer and drain cleaner A battery-powered sewer and drain cleaner comprising a frame, a rotatable drum mounted on the frame which has a flexible plumber's snake associated therewith, a DC motor mounted on the frame for driving the drum and a rechargeable battery mounted on the frame for powering the DC motor. A control is connected to the DC motor for controlling the operation thereof. The use of DC power for the cleaner eliminates the electrocution hazard associated with AC-driven sewer and drain cleaners and eliminates the need for an extension cord. The sewer and drain cleaner of this invention includes new and unique circuitry to bypass the motor high current demand around the more delicate circuitry.
US07676878B2	Barrel cleaning system Improvements are provided to an apparatus for cleaning a tubular. One set of improvements is provided by a nose shaft extending from the motor, a cone positioned on the shaft, and a brush positioned on the shaft between the nose cone and the vibratory motor. Another set of improvements is provided by a new passage and port arrangement on the piston and sleeve for the vibratory motor. Another improvement is provided by a set of passages and ports to provide oil flow to the area being cleaned. Another improvement is provided by capturing exhaust gas from the motor and exhaust of same at a location away from the operator of the unit.
US07676875B2	Multi-directional toothbrush for protective teeth Disclosed herein is a multi-directional toothbrush for protecting teeth. The multi-directional toothbrush includes a rotatable toothbrush part, a rotatable toothbrush part support frame, and a vertically moving toothbrush part. The rotatable toothbrush part is configured such that a cylindrical toothbrush part is provided on the outer surface of a cylindrical body. The rotatable toothbrush part support frame is configured such that the cam shafts of the rotatable toothbrush part are fitted into respective cam shaft holes. The vertically moving toothbrush part includes a vertically moving frame that is contained in the internal space of the rotatable toothbrush part support frame, and reciprocates up and down using a vertical moving means.
US07676873B1	Wrench and reamer tool The specification and drawing figures describe and show a wrench and reamer tool that includes two handle plates. On one handle plate a serrated ledge is formed. Beneath the ledge is an arcuate shoulder that forms a seam for positioning the wrench adjacent an opening in a pipe. On the second handle plate a tapered nose is formed with an inclined face to enable insertion into a pipe. A plurality of opposing edges is formed on the handle plates for deburring a pipe.
US07676872B2	Automated sleep system An system for providing a highly adjustable sleep system has box frame assembly and a mattress assembly with a plurality of support cylinders, where the support cylinders may be spring loaded or pneumatic. The pressure of each individual support cylinder may be automatically adjustable by changing the tension on a spring, or by modifying the internal air pressure of a pneumatic support cylinder. The box frame may have a moving tool head configured to move along a gantry and carriage assembly, and having actuators to engage valves on the bottom of each pneumatic support cylinder to add or release compressed air from a pneumatic support cylinder. Each support cylinder may have sensors or therapeutic modules, which may be controlled and monitored by a control module in the box frame assembly.
US07676871B1	Pillow assembly with adjustable girth and elastic center panel A pillow assembly with an elastic center panel and an adjustable girth. The pillow assembly comprises a C-shaped or ring-shaped pillow body and a pillow cover. The cover defines a continuous, generally tubular, ring-shaped enclosure sized to receive the pillow body. The pillow body defines a well, and the cover preferably includes a center panel that spans the well and forms a seat area. A cinch assembly on the front of the pillow cover allows the overall girth of the pillow assembly to be adjusted.
US07676866B2	Height-adjustable bedframes A bedframe for medical beds has a height-adjustable frame member and an obstruction detector on the height-adjustable frame member. The obstruction detector has a contact member which is displaceable, for obstruction detection, both upwardly and downwardly relative to the frame member. A sensor detects such displacement to stop movement of the frame member. The frame member may be a height adjustable lower frame member of a bedframe having also a height adjustable upper frame member. The bedframe also has a manually removable panel of its headboard and footboard, to allow access to a patient between columns carrying the height-adjustable upper frame member.
US07676864B2	Bedding system and method for accommodating personal temperature comfort differences A comforter is provided having a length and width dimension larger than commercially available comforters. A flexible slidable fastener is provided along the length of the comforter substantially in the middle of the width dimension of the comforter. The flexible slidable fastener may be covered to prevent irritation to the occupants of the bed on which the comforter of the present invention is placed.
US07676861B2	Stretcher The present invention relates to a stretcher which includes cot sides 160 and 162. These can be moved towards or away from the patient support to accommodate patients of greater width than average. The stretcher also includes a leg support that can be moved to a shock position by a hydraulic cylinder 152 connected to the lower end of the unshaped frame 150 at one end and at the other to the leg part of the patients support.
US07676854B2	Helmet, helmet liner and method for manufacturing the same This invention relates to a helmet, comprising an external shell (9) and an impact-absorbing helmet liner (10) in which the helmet liner comprises a layer provided with protruding, deformable and impact-absorbing hollow knobs (7) distributed on an substantial part of the surface of the helmet liner as a protective layer.The helmet is characterized in that the hollow knots (7) are arranged for deformation by crushing in case of external impact on the helmet, and that the helmet liner (10) with the hollow knots (7) exhibits undercut.The helmet may also comprise an impact-absorbing and preferably resilient layer (2) which may be arranged between the external shell (9) and an internal lining (11) being arranged to rest in contact with the head of a user.
US07676853B1	Men's underwear An article of clothing including a pair of underwear for a male adult comprises a waistband, an underwear section comprising buttocks, hips, and male package covering portions, defining a pair of leg holes therebetween, and a pouch, secured to the rear of the front portion of the waistband and suspended above the bottom of the underwear, the pouch having side edges which inwardly overly the leg holes with the bottom of the pouch tacked to the center of the underwear section. The pouch is preferably provided with a rear edge made from slightly elastic material. The pouch is preferably breathable material, even more preferably made from cotton. The pouch can be integrated into a pair of boxers, briefs, pajamas, etc.
US07676851B2	Headwear piece with ornamentation A headed piece having a crown defining an opening into which a wearer's head can be directed and a brim/bill projecting away from the crown. The crown has an inside surface for engaging a wearer's head, directed into the opening, to thereby maintain the headed piece in an operative position upon the wearer's head. The crown and brim/bill further have an exposed outside surface to which ornamentation is applied. The ornamentation includes bullion wire that is applied to the exposed outside surface so as to define at least a part of a viewable component that consists of at least one of: a) a scene; b) a logo; c) a design; d) a word; e) a letter; and f) a depiction of a: i) person; ii) place; and/or iii) thing.
US07676850B2	Toe spacer sock and corrective footwear A sock contains built-in cushions or spacers to correct or protect the toes, or to provide the wearer better comfort. The cushions or spacers may be retained between the toes in a tube, formed integrally with the sock, which is everted to a position between adjacent toes. A strap may also be built in to the sock, or into a shoe, shoe insert, boot, sandal or slipper to maintain a corrective force on the great toe.
US07676849B2	Free-size headwear Disclosed is a headwear which is mainly made of non-stretchable fiber. The headwear comprises a head receiving portion including a first stretchable fabric made of high twist yarn and a sweat band peripherally attached to the inside of the head receiving portion. Since the head receiving portion is mainly made of high twist yarn, the headwear has a fixed peripheral size but is adjustable within a predetermined range corresponding to small changes of head size. Also, the headwear can fit the head size to provide a comfortable sense of wearing.
US07681243B2	Method and apparatus for processing digital rights management contents containing advertising contents A method and apparatus for processing digital rights managements (DRM) contents having advertisement (AD) contents attached thereto in a DRM system are disclosed. When DRM contents including AD contents are selected by a DRM device, a rights issuer (RI) receives the AD contents and the DRM contents from a contents issuer (CI), generates a multipart contents format file, and downloads it to the DRM device. Then, the DRM device decodes the downloaded multipart contents format file to check whether the multipart contents format file includes AD contents-attached DRM contents, and if so, the DRM device reproduces the AD contents to use the DRM contents free of cost. Thus, the DRM contents can be provided to a user by using the AD contents without causing a burden of a charge.
US07681240B2	Trusted storage systems and methods Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a trusted database system that leverages a small amount of trusted storage to secure a larger amount of untrusted storage. Data are encrypted and validated to prevent unauthorized modification or access. Encryption and hashing are integrated with a low-level data model in which data and meta-data are secured uniformly. Synergies between data validation and log-structured storage are exploited.
US07681233B1	Method and apparatus for controlling evaluation of protected intellectual property in hardware Various techniques permit more thorough development of digital systems and devices by designers while protecting the proprietary interests of the owners of the intellectual property incorporated in such systems and devices. More specifically, systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products control use of hardware and software and IP implemented as user logic in a programmed device. The programmed device includes programmed logic that has designed logic and control logic. The designed logic includes user logic and protected logic such as IP cores, the use of which is to be controlled. The control logic includes a signal generator external to the designed logic. This signal generator contains clock means and a timeout circuit. A controller is connected to the programmed device by a tether. The controller periodically sends a keep alive signal via the tether to the signal generator. These keep alive signals may be single bit or multi-bit tokens which are processed in the programmed device by the signal generator. The signal generator disables the programmed device when the signal generator reaches a programmed time limit before receiving a keep alive signal from the controller. Disabling the programmed device can be accomplished by disabling either the user logic or the protected logic or both.
US07681228B2	Method of one time authentication response to a session-specific challenge indicating a random subset of password or PIN character positions Financial institution back office computerized transaction-processing system with embedded privacy and security layer (EPSL) enables strong transaction authentication prior to a merchant or vendor contact, based on a user account number, transaction conditions like anticipated transaction time and money, user two-factor authentication with a static transaction PIN and a transaction session-specific random partial password or PIN recognition algorithm. User enters the user name and then, challenged by server with a random session-specific subset of a password or PIN character's consecutive position numbers, enters based on cognitive association a one time authentication response. The authentication session is interactive, transaction session-specific, and followed by either a transaction denial or an alphanumeric transaction signature generated by EPSL for this specific transaction. Then, the user submits her request to a transaction counterpart along with the transaction signature. The merchant or vendor requests an authorization session with EPSL.
US07681224B2	Method and system for transmitting data of moving picture, and apparatus for delivering and receiving data of moving picture In the transmission of a moving picture, when the user switches video sources (for example, switches channels or starts reproducing a recorded program), the selected video source can be swiftly started to display. Immediately after a delivery apparatus makes a video source be selected by switching, a receiving apparatus causes a selector to select the video packets transmitted not through an error corrector and to supply them to a decoder and it controls the decoder to generate a frozen frame from the video packets and to supply it to a display where it is displayed. The selector is controlled to produce the error-corrected video data after a counter counts a delay time that the video packets undergo in the error corrector. Thus, the moving picture can be seamlessly displayed, and the delay in the error corrector can be apparently eliminated.
US07681222B1	Method of reducing disc workload in a video-on-demand system by seamlessly replacing memory-based video streams with disc-based video streams, and visa-versa In a video-on-demand system, memory-based video streams are seamlessly replaced with disc-based video streams. This is achieved by first switching each memory-based video stream to a mixed video stream; and later, switching each mixed video stream to a disc-based video stream.
US07681218B2	Digital television broadcast signal receiver When a multi-directional antenna is connected to a digital TV broadcast signal receiver, the digital TV broadcast signal receiver measures a term suitable for switching or changing an effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna corresponding to kind or specification of the multi-directional antenna. Control signals are outputted at an interval suitable for switching or changing the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna corresponding to the measured term so as to switch the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna to an optimum signal receiving direction of a channel chosen by a user. Consequently, it is possible to shorten a term necessary for switching or changing the effective signal receiving direction of the multi-directional antenna to the optimum signal receiving direction of the channel chosen by the user.
US07681215B2	Emergency alert signaling method and digital television receiver A digital television receiver includes a tuner receiving a digital television signal including a DCCT, a demodulator demodulating the digital television signal, and a demultiplexer demultiplexing the DCCT from the demodulated signal. The receiver further includes a decoder parsing channel ID information and a priority code from the DCCT, where the channel ID information specifies an emergency alert channel associated with an emergency alert event and the priority code specifies an alert priority of the emergency alert event. The receiver further includes a controller that controls operation of the tuner to automatically tune to the emergency alert channel based upon the alert priority.
US07681214B2	Outer code covered synchronous code division multiple access for cable modem channels Outer code covered synchronous code division multiple access for cable modem (CM) channels. Outer pseudo-noise (PN) code is employed, along with orthogonal codes (OCs), to spread CM signals thereby mitigating inter-code-interference (ICI) effects caused by residual multi-path propagation within CM communication systems. The added and implemented PN sequences have relatively good autocorrelation properties (when compared to the autocorrelation properties of the OCs) that mask the possible bad autocorrelation and/or cross-correlation properties of the OCs. This outer-code covered PN coding, along with the OC coding, enables much better performance in the presence of residual multi-path. The PN code's added complexity is very minimal as the PN may use the same chip rate of the orthogonal code while providing for better performance in the presence of residual multi-path components. In doing so, a relatively higher system capacity for data throughput may be realized while providing very limited added complexity to the system.
US07681212B2	Photosensitive recording medium cartridge A photosensitive recording medium cartridge comprising a cartridge body, an opening, and a shutter, the cartridge body receiving a disc type photosensitive recording medium therein so that the photosensitive recording medium can rotate, the opening being provided in the cartridge body for exposing the photosensitive recording medium to an outside, the shutter being attached to the cartridge body so that the shutter can move between a close position for closing the opening and an open position for opening the opening, wherein: the shutter includes a bent portion which is formed in an outer circumferential end portion of the shutter so as to be bent toward the cartridge body side; and the cartridge body includes a protrusion portion which is formed in a position corresponding to the outer circumferential end portion.
US07681208B1	Extractor system, method and computer program product for managing network access on a per-application basis A system, method and computer program product are provided for management of network access on a per application basis. Initially, applications are selected from a group of applications adapted for working in conjunction with a first application program interface to gain access to a network. Next, a second application program interface is utilized which is adapted for precluding all of the applications from accessing the network. In use, the selected applications are wrapped for allowing such applications to access the network via the second application program interface.
US07681202B2	Portal runtime framework Techniques that enable an application or component developed according to a first framework specification to use services provided by an application executing on a second framework that is different from the first framework. A portal architecture is described that is capable of running portal snippets developed according to different framework specifications. A J2EE framework-based portal is configured to execute portal snippets developed using Java for a Java-based framework and also to provide support for and execute portal snippets that have been developed using a language supported by another framework such as .NET framework.
US07681196B2	Providing optimal number of threads to applications performing multi-tasking using threads In an environment in which applications perform multi-tasking by using threads, the optimum number of threads to be provided to an application is determined based on historical data. Due to the use of the historical data, optimum number of threads can be accurately determined, leading to better response times for service requests, without creating unneeded overhead on system processing the service requests. In one embodiment, various status information (of potentially several prior weeks) such as number of tasks received and pending, system resources status (e.g. idle processor time and aggregate memory usage in the system), is maintained. In addition, a table may be maintained to indicate the optimum number of threads for a given combination of status information values. Thus, based on the expected status scenario, the optimum number of threads can be determined and provided at various points of time.
US07681185B2	Template-driven approach to extract, transform, and/or load System(s) and/or method(s) (“tools”) are described that enable multiple executable ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) packages to be built based on a single template. The tools also enable multiple executable ETL packages to be altered by altering a single template and/or set of data parameters. In some embodiments the tools provide many types of templates that are capable, once instantiated with data parameters, of performing many different types of processes useful in extracting, transforming, and/or loading data from databases to a data warehouse. In so doing, the tools can help users to more easily, accurately, and/or robustly build ETL packages.
US07681183B2	Method, system, and program product for checking control model and/or control program A check system aims at checking at least one of a control model in which requested specifications for controlling a target are described and a control program generated based on the control model. The system has a first establishing unit configured to establish a first monitor section at a first location in the one of the control model and the control program. The system has a first identifying unit configured to automatically identify a second location in the other of the control model and the control program to establish a second monitor section at the second location in the other thereof. The second location corresponds to the first location of the first monitor section in the one of the control model and the control program.
US07681180B2	Parameterized test driven development In one embodiment a computer system automatically generates unit tests. The computer system accesses a parameterized unit test that provides a base outline from which one or more unit tests are automatically generated, generates input parameter values for a unit of software code, automatically generates a unit test configured to assess the functionality of the unit of software code, and receives test results from a software testing program and provides feedback to a user. In other embodiments, a computer system automatically maintains a unit test database. The computer system receives a unit test at a unit test database, assigns a test identity to the received unit test, determines that the test identity assigned to the received unit test is unique when compared to other unit tests, determines that the received unit test has different functionality coverage characteristics, and adds the received unit test to the unit test database.
US07681179B2	System and method providing single application image A system and method is provided that facilitates the administration of an application in accordance with the present invention. The system includes a resource identifier that identifies resources associated with the application and a manifest that logs the resources. An aggregator is provided that aggregates a subset of the resources into the manifest to facilitate administration of the application. The aggregator can be provided by a user interface and/or an automated builder. A graphical user interface is also provided to facilitate deployment, creation and enumeration of the application.

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