| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07700229B2 |
Packing, production method of crimp assembly, production method of battery housing lid, and production method of battery
Packing according to the invention includes a cylinder portion which extends in a direction of an axis, and in which a diameter of a portion in one end side is increased when the packing is fitted to an object. The cylinder portion includes a fold portion which has a tortuous periphery in a cross section orthogonal to the direction of the axis. |
| US07700228B2 |
Secondary battery
A secondary battery for electronic appliance to be installed in an electronic appliance, thereby feeding an electric power to the electronic appliance is disclosed, which includes a cell stack of plural battery cells in each of which a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte are accommodated in a pack, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal from the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively are lead out from the same side face of the pack, the battery cells being stacked such that the respective positive electrode terminals and negative electrode terminals are faced in the same direction; a metallic battery can in which one opening from which the cell stack is inserted is formed and which accommodates the cell stack therein such that the side face from which the respective positive electrode terminals and negative electrode terminals are lead out is faced towards the opening side; and a lid made of a synthetic resin in which terminal parts to be connected to the electrodes of the electronic appliance upon being connected to the respective positive electrode terminals and negative electrode terminals and being faced outwardly are provided and which plugs the opening of the battery can. |
| US07700226B2 |
Functional polymer film-coated electrode and electrochemical device using the same
The present invention provides an electrode in which an electrode active material particles as being interconnected are applied on current collector, wherein the interconnected surface of electrode active material particles is coated with a polymer, the polymer being present as an independent phase, while maintaining a pore structure formed among the interconnected electrode active material particles as well as an electrochemical device including the electrode. Also, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode coated with a polymer present on an interconnected surface of electrode active material as an independent phase, while maintaining a pore structure formed among the electrode active material particles, which comprises the steps of: (a) coating slurry for an electrode including an electrode active material on a current collector and drying it to form an electrode; and (b) dipping the electrode obtained from step (a) into a solution containing the polymer dissolved therein and a method for manufacturing an electrochemical device comprising the electrode obtained by the above method.The electrode coated with a polymer as an independent phase provides an electrochemical device with improved safety and prevents degradation of performance of an electrochemical device. |
| US07700225B2 |
Binder and electrode for lithium battery, and lithium battery containing the same
A lithium battery binder includes polyvinylidenefluoride(PVDF) having an IR absorption peak ratio of Iγ in a range from 0.35 to 1.00, wherein Iγ is equal to I820-850/I860-880 where I820-850 is a peak height resulting from a CH2 rocking band in γ-phase PVDF and I860-880 is a peak height resulting from backbones in α- and γ-phase PVDF. The lithium battery containing the cathode and/or the anode which incorporates the binder improves the charge/discharge characteristics and the lifespan characteristics of a lithium battery. |
| US07700221B2 |
Electrode assembly and lithium ion secondary battery using the same
An electrode assembly and a lithium ion secondary battery using the electrode assembly having reduced winding thickness. Active materials are coated on a first region of a negative electrode collector to which a negative electrode conductive tab is welded, and on an adjacent region overlapping the first region. Active materials are also coated on a first region of a positive electrode collector, to which a positive electrode conductive tab is welded, and an adjacent region overlapping the first region. Parts of the electrode assembly corresponding to the conductive tabs do not protrude from the electrode assembly, allowing for easy insertion of the electrode assembly into a can or pouch. |
| US07700218B2 |
Fuel cell
A simple, inexpensive and highly efficient fuel cell has boundary structures made of a photo-sensitive material in combination with selective patterning. Printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication techniques combine boundary structures with two and three dimensional electrical flow path. Photo-sensitive material and PCB fabrication techniques are alternately or combined utilized for making micro-channel structures or micro stitch structures for substantially reducing dead zones of the diffusion layer while keeping fluid flow resistance to a minimum. The fuel cell assembly is free of mechanical clamping elements. Adhesives that may be conductively contaminated and/or fiber-reinforced provide mechanical and eventual electrical connections, and sealing within the assembly. Mechanically supporting backing layers are pre-fabricated with a natural bend defined in combination with the backing layers' elasticity to eliminate massive support plates and assist the adhesive bonding. Proton insulation between adjacent and electrically linked in-plane cell elements is provided by structural insulation within the central membrane. |
| US07700208B2 |
Water trap device for fuel cell vehicle
The present invention provides a water trap device for a fuel cell vehicle, in which an anode outlet line is formed to penetrate the inside of a upper portion of a water trap and a coolant discharge pipe having a smaller diameter and extending toward the bottom of the water trap is integrally formed, such that residual coolant collected in the water trap is discharged through a coolant discharge pipe to a water trap outlet valve when residual hydrogen in the anode outlet line is discharged to the water trap outlet valve by the Bernoulli principle. |
| US07700207B2 |
Turbocompressor shutdown mechanism
Turbocompressors 1 comprise a turbine 10, a compressor 30, a rotatable shaft 20 connecting the turbine 10 and compressor 30 at opposite ends of the shaft 20, and an electric motor 50 coupled to the compressor 30. The turbine 10 comprises an inlet port 14 configured to receive an air feed, and a turbine wheel 12 connected to the shaft 20 and configured to rotate in response to a torque (τM) provided by the air feed. The rotation of the turbine wheel 12 is rotates the rotatable shaft 20 and a compressor wheel 32 of the compressor 30 connected thereto. The compressor 30 comprises an inlet port configured to receive and compress an air feed. The electric motor 50 may deliver a torque (τM) to the compressor wheel 32 in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the rotatable shaft 20 in order to shut down the turbocompressor 1. |
| US07700204B2 |
Magnetic recording medium containing particles with a core containing a FE16N2 phase
A magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic support and a magnetic layer formed on the support and containing a magnetic powder and a binder, wherein said magnetic powder comprises substantially spherical or ellipsoidal particles and at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements, silicon and aluminum, and has a Fe16N2 phase, an average particle size of 5 to 30 nm and an axis ratio (a ratio of a major axis to a minor axis) of 1 to 2. This magnetic recording medium achieves a high output and has excellent short wavelength recording properties, since it uses a magnetic powder having a very small particle size and has a very high coercive force and a saturation magnetization suitable for high density recording. |
| US07700194B2 |
High-frequency magnetic material comprising an oxide phase and method for producing the same
A high-frequency magnetic material is provided and includes: an oxide phase including: a first oxide of a first element being at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Zr, Ti, Hf, Zn, Mn, a rare-earth element, Ba, and Sr, and a second oxide of a second element being at least one selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Zn, the first oxide and at least a part of the second oxide being formed into a solid solution; and magnetic metal particles including at least one of Fe and Co and having a particle size of 1 to 100 nm, the magnetic metal particles being deposited on a surface and inside of the oxide phase, the magnetic metal particles occupying 50% of a volume of the high-frequency magnetic material exclusive of a void. |
| US07700191B2 |
Flame resistant spun staple yarns made from blends of fibers derived from diamino diphenyl sulfone and high modulus fibers and fabrics and garments made therefrom and methods for making same
This invention relates to a flame-resistant spun staple yarns and fabrics and garments comprising these yarns and methods of making the same. The yarns have 50 to 95 parts by weight of a polymeric staple fiber containing a structure derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of 4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3′diaminodiphenyl sulfone, and mixtures thereof; and 5 to 50 parts by weight of a high modulus staple fiber having a tensile modulus of 200 grams per denier (180 grams per dtex) or greater or greater, based on 100 parts by weight of the polymeric fiber and the high modulus fiber in the yarn. |
| US07700185B2 |
Insulation material, film, circuit board and method of producing them
There is provided an insulation material having a dielectric constant of 10 or more, comprising a filler having a dielectric constant of 50 or more and having two peaks in different particle size ranges in a particle size distribution and an insulating resin combined with each other; an insulation material having a dielectric constant of 10 or more comprising, as essential components, 1) at least one filler selected from the group consisting of barium titanate, strontium titanate, potassium titanate, magnesium titanate, lead titanate, titanium dioxide, barium zirconate, calcium zirconate and lead zirconate, 2) an insulating resin and 3) a dispersant containing a carboxylic group; or an insulation material comprising a filler having a dielectric constant of 50 or more, a dispersant for dispersing the filler and an insulating resin as essential components, wherein an extract of a cured product of the insulation material obtained by extraction with water at 120° C. for 20 hours using a pressure vessel has a pH of 6 or higher. |
| US07700184B2 |
Pd nanopore and palladium encapsulated membranes
Novel catalytic membranes and methods of synthesizing the membranes are disclosed herein. The technology involves the synthesis of a new type of permselective membrane that combines a hollow porous support with strategically positioned catalytic and selective transport functions to overcome thermodynamic, kinetic, and thermal obstacles, such as in the production of hydrogen. Sub-micron, dense metallic catalysts and films may be deposited within porous hollow substrates to create the membranes using the techniques of sol slip casting, film coating and electroless plating. |
| US07700179B2 |
Shaped interlayer for heads-up display windshields and process for preparing same
A self-supporting adhesive web 10 having a uniform thickness profile across at least 20% of its width as shown by areas A and B and a wedge-shaped thickness profile in areas C and D. As shown in FIG. 2, a laminate comprises sheets of glass 12 and 14 having sandwiched therebetween adhesive interlayer 16. Interlayer 16 has a uniform thickness profile extending from edge 18 to point 20 and a wedge-shaped thickness profile from point 20 to edge 22. |
| US07700178B2 |
Cleaning wipe with variable loft working surface
One aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning wipe for picking up diverse debris, such as sand, dust, hair, and food particles. In one aspect, the cleaning wipe comprises a web defining a working surface opposite a second surface, the working surface defining at least a first region having a first degree of loftiness and a first height, a second region having a second degree of loftiness and a second height, and a third region having a third degree of loftiness and a third height. The third region includes an adhesive. The first degree of loftiness is greater than the second degree of loftiness, which is greater than the third degree of loftiness. The first height is greater than the second height, which is greater than the third height. |
| US07700175B2 |
Storage disc
Various embodiments and methods relating to a storage disc having writable layer, a reflective layer and a compressive layer are disclosed. |
| US07700174B2 |
Laminate with fill layer
A laminate has alternating metal layers and at least one plastic bonding layer. The metal layers each comprise at least two metal layer sections that have mutually overlapping edges bonded to one another. To even out the differences in thickness, a fill is provided which has at least a thickness such that at the location of the fill the laminate has a thickness equal to the thickness at the location of the overlapping edges. |
| US07700170B2 |
Ink-jet recording material and method for preparing the same
There are disclosed an ink-jet recording material having at least two ink-receptive layers mainly containing fine particulate silica on a support, which comprises an ink-receptive layer positioned farthest from the support contains a water-soluble zirconium compound, and the ink-jet recording material satisfies at least one of the following requirements (a) and (b): (a) a water-soluble zirconium compound is present with a larger amount at a portion apart from the support than a portion nearer to the support, and a cationic emulsion is contained in the ink-receptive layer farthest from the support. (b) a water-soluble aluminum compound is contained in an ink-receptive layer positioned nearer to the support, and a process for preparing the same. |
| US07700166B2 |
Process for evaporating high-melting materials
A process for the evaporation of a high-melting material in an evaporator cell having a crucible for receiving the material to be evaporated, and a heating device with a heating resistor for the resistance heating of the crucible, the heating resistor being provided as an electron emitter for the electron beam heating of the crucible. |
| US07700164B2 |
Apparatus for fabricating coating and method of fabricating the coating
In an apparatus for fabricating a carbon coating, an object such as a magnetic recording medium is disposed on a side of an electrode connected to a high-frequency power supply. Ultrasonic vibrations are supplied to the object. Discharge is generated between the electrode connected to the high-frequency power supply and a grounded electrode to fabricate a carbon coating on the surface of the object. Also, an electrode interval is set to 6 mm or less, pressure between the electrodes is set to 15 Torr to 100 Torr, whereby high-density plasma is generated to form an ion sheath on an anode side. Therefore, a coating is fabricated on the surface of the object by bombardment of ions. |
| US07700163B2 |
Microwave process for porous ceramic filters with passivation and catalyst coatings
A method for base-coating a porous ceramic catalyst support includes coating the support with a passivation coating via vacuum infiltration, and subsequently exposing the support to a microwave field to dry the coating and form a polymerized film. The method further includes coating the support with a catalyst coating or washcoat, and subsequently exposing the support to a second microwave field, thereby removing water from the catalyst coating or washcoat. |
| US07700160B2 |
Process for the production of a scratch resistant vehicle coating
The invention is directed to a process for the production of a scratch-resistant vehicle coating comprising the following steps:I. applying a top coat layer of colour- and/or special effect-imparting base coat and a transparent clear coat or of a pigmented one-layer top coat onto a prior coating,II. optionally, applying a sealing layer of a transparent sealing coat onto the top coat layer applied in step I andIII. curing the top coat layer applied in step I and the sealing layer optionally applied in step II,wherein the transparent clear coat or the pigmented one-layer top coat and/or the transparent sealing coat contains modified nanoparticles based on an element-oxygen network, the elements are selected from the group consisting of aluminium, silicon, tin, boron, germanium, gallium, lead and transition metals including the lanthanides and actinides and wherein the modified nanoparticles being produced by treating the (unmodified) nanoparticles with compounds of the general formula I Me(ORI)4 and/or the general formula II Me(OCOR1)4, wherein R1 means an alkyl, aryl and/or aralkyl residue and Me means zirconium and/or titanium. |
| US07700159B2 |
Hydrophilizing wax composition
There is provided a hydrophilizable wax composition which provides a wax coating layer having a hydrophilic surface and imparts a gloss and long-lasting stain-proofing property on a substrate. The hydrophilizable wax composition can form a hydrophilizable wax coating layer by applying the composition containing a hydrophilizing agent and wax component and wiping off the composition, in which the hydrophilizing agent has hydrolyzable groups which are converted into hydrophilic groups by hydrolysis in the presence of water and are condensed to enable the hydrophilizing agent to have a high molecular weight and is, for example, an organometallic compound having a releasable group by hydrolysis, its oligomer and/or a co-oligomer comprising two or more of the compounds. |
| US07700158B2 |
Method of printing an image on a metallic surface, particularly on a coin surface
A method of printing on a metal surface includes steps of forming a plurality of macropores on at least a portion of a metal surface. A plurality of micropores are formed within and adjacent to the macropores. The metal surface is cleaned, and a first ink having a first color is applied to the macropores and micropores to form at least one image on the metal surface. Preferably, the ink is applied using an inkjet printer. The ink is dried. A second ink having a second color may also be applied to the metal surface and then dried. Additional inks may also be applied. A lacquer top coat may be applied to the metal surface on top of the first ink (and additional inks, if provided). Preferably, the metal surface is part of a coin. |
| US07700157B2 |
Method of producing regular arrays of nano-scale objects using nano-structured block-copolymeric materials
A method of forming a periodic array of nano-scale objects using a block copolymer, and nano-scale object arrays formed from the method are provided. The method for forming the arrays generally includes the steps of depositing a block copolymer of at least two blocks on a substrate to form an ordered meso-scale structured array of the polymer materials, forming catalytic metal dots based on the meso-scale structure, and growing nano-scale objects on the catalytic dots to form an ordered array of nano-scale objects. |
| US07700155B1 |
Method and apparatus for modulation of precursor exposure during a pulsed deposition process
A method of depositing material on a substrate comprises providing a reactor with a reaction chamber having a first volume, and contacting a surface of a substrate in the reaction chamber with a first precursor at the first chamber volume to react with and deposit a first layer on the substrate. The method further includes enlarging the reaction chamber to a second, larger volume and removing undeposited first precursor and any excess reaction product to end reaction of the first precursor with the substrate. |
| US07700153B2 |
Process for making water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable polymers
This invention is directed to a process for making solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material comprising coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400%, or even more preferably at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to solid (particulate) water-swellable material obtainable by the process of the invention. |
| US07700151B2 |
Process for making pressure sensitive adhesive tapes from cationic cure adhesives
A process for the preparation of pressure sensitive adhesive tapes where cationic cure is conducted against liners and substrates with low moisture content and in an environment where moisture ingress during cure is prevented. |
| US07700149B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a deposition in vacuum for laminating a circuit board
An approach is provided for depositing a material onto a printed circuit board layer. The approach includes steps of treating surface of a base film, forming a tie layer on the base film, forming a metal conductive layer on the tie layer, and depositing a metal on the metal conductive layer by radiating electronic beams to form a metal plated layer thereon. The above steps are continuously performed in a vacuum chamber. The approach also includes an unwinding roller, film guide rollers, a surface treating part, tie layer and copper conductive layer, a vacuum depositing part for depositing a metal plated layer on the metal conductive layer by radiating electronic beams, and a winding roller, all of which are provided in a vacuum chamber. |
| US07700147B2 |
Biomimetic prosthetic ligament and production method thereof
Biomimetic artificial prostheses which are made from polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate, and a method for the biomimetic functionalization of such prostheses. The method includes a step involving the grafting of biologically-active polymers or copolymers to the polyester surface of the prostheses, the grafting step consisting of the peroxidation of the surface by ozonation followed by a step including the radical polymerization of a solution of at least one monomer. The method also includes an optional step consisting in impregnating the prostheses with type I and/or II collagen and/or fibronectins. The prostheses thus obtained enable a normal and uniform regrowth of the fibroblasts, thereby significantly improving the biological integration of such polyester prostheses. |
| US07700143B2 |
Method for making a stable stacked snack food configuration
A method for making asymmetrical snack pieces that can be efficiently nested or stacked. A dough preform is mated with a mold as the preform is cooked into a snack piece. The preform takes the shape of the mold. The mold is designed such that the resultant snack piece, when resting upon a flat surface, has an apex and a base of equal height. This is achieved by making the mold such that the centroid of the snack piece lies in a plane that is parallel to a plane formed by the vertices of the snack piece. The snack pieces can then be efficiently nested or stacked. |
| US07700141B2 |
Composition
The present invention provides the use of the probiotic micro organism deposited under the accession number NCIMB 41117, in the manufacture of a composition for the treatment of non specific dietary sensitivity in a dog or a cat. The present invention also provides a method for the treatment of non specific dietary sensitivity in a dog or a cat, the method comprising administering to the dog or cat the probiotic micro organism deposited under the accession number NCIMB 41117. |
| US07700140B2 |
Bacterial autolysate
A method for producing a feedstuff or feedstuff component, e.g., a palatability-enhancing agent, said method comprising subjecting a microbial culture which comprises a methanotrophic bacterium to autolysis. |
| US07700139B2 |
Method and means for improving bowel health
A method and composition for improving one or more indicators of bowel health or metabolic health in a mammalian animal. This comprises the delivering to the gastrointestinal tract of the animal an effective amount of an altered wheat starch in the form of or derived from the grain of a wheat plant. The proportion of amylose in the starch of the grain is at least 30% and/or the grain comprises a reduced level of SBEIIa enzyme activity and/or protein relative to wild-type grain. |
| US07700138B2 |
Jucara and Açai fruit-based dietary supplements
The present disclosure relates to stable, palatable, freeze-dried, fruit-based dietary supplements. In one embodiment, the disclosures relates to compositions of Açai fruit and Jucara fruit with high antioxidant capability and cyclooxygenase-inhibitory activity, and their uses. The disclosure further provides for methods of making stable, palatable, freeze-dried, fruit-based dietary supplements from Açai fruit and Jucara fruit. |
| US07700130B2 |
Preservation of bioactive materials by spray drying
This invention provides methods and compositions to preserve bioactive materials in a matrix of powder particles. Methods provide high-pressure gas spraying and/or near supercritical spraying of formulations followed by drying in a stream of conditioned gas to form stable powder particles containing bioactive materials. |
| US07700129B2 |
Polymer actuator
To provide a polymer actuator which is light in weight and capable of linear expansion and contraction with a low voltage.The polymer actuator 1 is composed of a plurality of gel/electrode complexes arranged in an electrolytic aqueous solution 6, said gel/electrode complex being composed of a polymer gel (2a, 2b) containing at least either of acidic or basic functional groups and electrodes (3a, 3b) placed in the polymer gel, said electrodes being made of a material capable of occluding and releasing hydrogen electrochemically, such that the polymer gel (2a, 2b) in the gel/electrode complex changes in pH upon application of voltage across the electrodes (3a, 3b) of the gel/electrode complexes (4a, 4b) and each of the gel/complexes changes in volume in response to the pH change. |
| US07700126B2 |
Tropoelastin-based protoelastin biomaterials
Biocompatible materials suitable for use in vascular applications have been engineered, combining human recombinant tropoelastin with other synthetic or natural biomaterials to form protoelastin. The materials can be in the form of elastin films on metal, bone, ceramic or polymer substrates, laminates of alternating polymer and elastin, blends of polymer and elastin, or elastin crosslinked with or tethered to polymer. The flexibility in engineering and design makes protoelastin biomaterials suited not only to the production of conduits but any number of other vascular applications that require blood contacting surfaces. Tropoelastin and the subsequently engineered biomaterial protoelastin provide the opportunity to satisfy a large unmet need for a biocompatible material adaptable enough to meet a range of diverse vascular uses. These are mechanically stable, elastic, strong and biocompatible (i.e., not thrombogenic and promoting adhesion of cells, especially human endothelial cells. |
| US07700124B2 |
Cosmetic compositions comprising a fine and porous powder
The invention is a water/oil emulsion including a porous powder, the particles of the powder having the following characteristics: an apparent specific surface of 1 to 299 m2/g, measured by nitrogen absorption according to the ISO 9277 BET method; a linseed oil absorption of between 45 g/100 g of powder and 160 g/100 g of powder, measured according to ISO 787-5. The mean diameter of the particles of the powder is between 2 μm and 100 μm, preferably from 2 to 50 μm, more advantageously still from 2 to 20 μm. The powder is chosen from a powder formed of polyamides, of polyesteramides, of polyurethanes, of poly(methyl methacrylate)s, of acrylic polymers, of polyesters, of silicones, of polyethylenes and of silicas. The invention further relates to the use of the emulsion for obtaining a make-up and/or care product for the skin which is nonshiny, nonoily, nonsticky and/or nontacky, as well as the use of the fine powder for improving the feel and/or the appearance of a cosmetic emulsion. |
| US07700123B2 |
Cosmetics
Cosmetics containing an active component comprising lactic acid bacteria fermented rice obtained by fermenting rice with lactic acid bacteria; a skin brightening and caring agent comprising lactic acid bacteria fermented rice obtained by fermenting rice with lactic acid bacteria; and an emulsifier comprising as the main component lactic acid bacteria fermented rice obtained by fermenting rice with lactic acid bacteria substantially in the absence of sodium chloride. Thus, cosmetics can be obtained, which are excellent in emulsion stability and biological safety, have a good feeling when using and after using and further have a total beautifying effect of cosmetic treatment including an improving effect on hair texture, and brightening and caring effects on the skin. |
| US07700119B2 |
85kDa neisserial antigen
An 85 kDa antigen from Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been cloned, sequenced and expressed. The antigen is common to diverse strains, serogroups and serotypes of N. meningitidis, and also to N. gonorrhoeae, N. polysaccharia and N. lactamica. The protein sequences of N. meningitidis (serogroups A and B) and N. gonorrhoeae are highly homologous. |
| US07700118B2 |
Molecular differences between species of the M. tuberculosis complex
Specific genetic deletion are identified in mycobacteria isolates, including variations in the M. tuberculosis genome sequence between isolates, and numerous deletion present in BCG as compared to M. tb. These deletions are used as markers to distinguish between pathogenic and avirulent strains, and as a marker for particular M. tb isolates. Deletions specific to vaccine strains of BCG are useful in determining whether a positive tuberculin skin test is indicative of actual tuberculosis infection. The deleted sequences may be re-introduced into BCG to improve the efficacy of vaccination. Alternatively, the genetic sequence that corresponds to the deletion(s) are deleted from M. bovis or M. tubercuosis to attenuate the pathogenic bacteria. |
| US07700112B2 |
FSH beta mutants that are glycosilated at residues N55 and T57
A novel FSH mutant with increased glycosylation and longer half-lifes for use in inducing folliculogenesis in human patients is described. The FSH mutant permits the use of lower cumulative doses of FSH to achieve the same or better clinical result. |
| US07700111B2 |
Auditory nerve protection and re-growth
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the protection and restoration of hearing. In particular, the present invention relates to treatments to facilitate the protection and re-growth of the auditory nerve. The present invention further provides methods of preventing hair cell loss and the accompanying loss in hearing. The present invention thus provides novel interventions for a variety of hearing impairments. |
| US07700110B2 |
Skin firming and lifting compositions and methods of use
Disclosed is a composition comprising a combination of: Polygonum fagopyrum seed extract, Chlorella vulgaris extract, palmitoyl wheat protein hydrolysate, algae extract, and tripeptide. The composition may further comprise one or more of the following: Citrus unshiu peel extract, Sphacelaria scoparia extract, Bambusa vulgaris extract, Pisum sativum (pea) extract, Evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract, and dipalmitoylhydroxy proline. Such compositions are useful in methods for aiding in improving skin firmness, lifting the skin, preventing or decreasing skin sagging, and preventing or decreasing visible signs of aging resulting from internal and external causes such as environmental stresses. |
| US07700105B2 |
Methods of inducing IL-10 production
The invention provides a method of inducing IL-10 production. |
| US07700103B2 |
Optimized expression of HPV 52 L1 in yeast
Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV 52 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV 52 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the nucleotide sequence of the synthetic molecule is altered to eliminate transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV 52 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV 52 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity and may also be useful for treatment of existing HPV infections. |
| US07700099B2 |
Non-immunostimulatory antibody and compositions containing the same
The present invention relates to a non-immunostimulatory antibody which lacks antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, Fc gamma receptor binding and complement-mediated cytotoxicity. In some embodiments, the antibody contains a modified immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) Fc region with at least one substitution in the B/C loop, FcRn binding domain, and the F/G loop. The antibody of the invention is useful in the preparation of therapeutic antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing the same. |
| US07700091B2 |
Modified bacteria and methods of use to transform eukaryotic cells
The present invention concerns a TGC method for inducting targeted somatic transgenesis in an animal host, whereby bacteria with a foreign DNA integrated into an episomal vector release, under the control of eukaryotic regulatory elements forulterior transcription and expression, said foreign DNA in the case of infection of a foreign organism, organ, tissue, cell line or individual cells, causing transcription and expression of foreign DNA and/or foreign protein in said location. |
| US07700081B2 |
Foaming compositions for hair care
The invention concerns a foaming composition for washing and treating hair and/or scalp essentially characterised in that it contains in an aqueous medium: at least an active principle selected among corticoids and retinoids; at least an anionic surfactant; at least an amphoteric surfactant; and a pro-penetrating agent. |
| US07700079B2 |
Therapeutic soap product with UV protection
The present invention concerns a cleansing composition that imparts sun protection for the skin through normal daily use during bathing, washing, or cleaning of the body or face. The cleansing composition of the present invention comprises a unique combination of ingredients that provides therapeutic and restorative properties for the skin. |
| US07700077B2 |
Aqueous ionic solutions and their uses in particular in ophthalmology
The invention concerns the use for treating and cleaning the eye and its appendages of aqueous ionic solutions obtained from sea water whereof the ionic composition is qualitatively that of sea water and quantitatively such that their pH ranges between 4 and 9, preferably between 7 and 8 and their osmolality ranges between 150 and 700, preferably between 250 and 350 mOsm/kg. |
| US07700076B2 |
Penetrating pharmaceutical foam
The invention relates to an alcohol-free cosmetic or pharmaceutical foam composition comprising water, a hydrophobic solvent, a surface-active agent, a gelling agent, an active component selected from the group of urea, hydroxy acid and a therapeutic enhancer and a propellant. The foam further comprises active agents and excipients with therapeutic properties having enhanced skin penetration. |
| US07700072B2 |
Catalytic hydrogen production from hydrolytic oxidation of organosilanes
A novel application of a transition metal oxo complex, a cationic oxorhenium(V) oxazoline, in the production of molecular hydrogen (H2) from the catalytic hydrolytic oxidation of organosilanes. The reaction is characterized by quantitative hydrogen yields, low catalyst loading, ambient conditions, high selectivity for silanols, water as the only co-reagent, and no solvent requirement. The amount of hydrogen produced is proportional to the water stoichiometry. For example, reaction mixtures of polysilyl organics such as HC(SiH3)3 and water contain potentially greater than 6 weight percent hydrogen. Kinetic and isotope labeling experiments reveal a new mechanistic paradigm for the activation of Si—H bonds by oxometalates. |
| US07700068B2 |
Method of making NiO and Ni nanostructures
The alpha form of nickel (II) hydroxide is formed by dissolving a compound of nickel (II), such as nickel acetate, in a water miscible dihydric alcohol (diol), such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and suitable oligomers, and adding a suitable base such as sodium carbonate. The α-Ni(OH)2 precipitate is separated from the diol-based mother liquor and dried. This stable α-Ni(OH)2 can be calcined at temperatures in the range of about 573K to about 1073K to form nanometer-size particles of NiO having, for example, fibrous shapes. And the small particles of NiO can be reduced with hydrogen to form small, fibrous nickel particles. Both the NiO particles and Ni particles have utility as catalysts and offer utility in applications requiring electronic and/or magnetic properties. |
| US07700066B1 |
Process for preparing alpha calcium sulfate hemihydrate
The invention provides a process for preparing α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate which comprises the following steps: adding aqueous solutions containing sulfate ions and calcium ions to calcium chloride solution with a range of concentration; reacting the mixture of a) at a range of temperature for an appropriate time; filtering and washing the reaction products of b) with a rising solvent to isolate the solid and liquid phases; and d) collecting and drying the solid phase to obtain α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate with high purity; wherein the relationship between the range of the concentration of calcium chloride (y) and the range of the reaction temperature (x) is shown as the following formula: −0.4x5+7.33x4−52.83x3+187.17x2−328.27x+316 |
| US07700062B2 |
Methods for synthesizing precipitated silica and use thereof
The synthesis of precipitated silica having improved chemical and physical properties of use as a reinforcing filler in polymeric matrices is described. Improvements in the properties result from the synthesis of the silica al a reduced ionic strength. In particular, the use of silicia acid during synthesis, provides a solution of reduced ionic strength, which favors the formation of improved colloidal structure via increased aggregation and reduced agglomeration. In addition, the surface of the silica precipitate formed may be modified by the addition of surface modifying agents, during synthesis to further enhance the desired reinforcing properties of the precipitated silica. The invention also embodies polymeric compositions of improved tensile and elongation strengths, with the compositions including precipitated silica, synthesized at reduced ionic strengths and having modified surfaces, in combination with a polymeric compound. |
| US07700057B2 |
Process for the production of titanium products
The invention provides a method for the Industrial purification of a titanium feed stream of purity P1, by the formation of a titanium-double-salt precipitate of purity P2 and a titanium solution with purity P3, wherein P2>P1>P3, the method comprising the steps of: i. forming, from the feed, a medium comprising water, titanium ion, a cation selected from the group consisting of ammonium, cations of alkali metals, protons and a combination thereof, and an anion selected from the group consisting of OH, SO4, HSO4, halides and a combination thereof, which formed medium is further characterized by the presence of (a) a double-salt precipitate comprising titanium ion, at least one of the cations and at least one of the anions; and (b) a titanium solution; and wherein the concentration of the anion in the titanium solution is higher than 15% and the ratio between the concentrations of the cation and the anion in the titanium solution is higher than 0.2 and lower than 1.6; and ii. separating at least a portion of the precipitate from the solution. |
| US07700056B2 |
Modular decontamination system
A decontamination system having modular components to efficiently decontaminate enclosures of various dimensions. The decontamination system includes a main unit comprising a controller, a supply of liquid decontaminant, a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid decontaminant to generate a vaporized decontaminant, and a destroyer for breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. An embodiment of the present invention includes a detachable dryer and a detachable external blower that are in fluid communication with the main unit. An optional external destroyer and an optional external dryer may be controlled by the controller of the main unit to respectively increase the destroying and drying capacity of the decontamination system. |
| US07700053B2 |
Reforming device
A reforming device includes a reforming portion generating reformed gas from a mixed gas, in which fuel and steam are mixed and including a reforming portion loop-back channel provided at the reforming portion so as to extend along an axis line thereof, a combusting portion provided at an inner circumference of the reforming portion in order to generate combustion gas, a combustion gas channel including a loop-back channel within which the combustion gas flows, an evaporating portion generating steam by heating water and supply steam to the reforming portion; and a carbon monoxide reducing portion provided at an outer circumferential wall of the evaporating portion in order to reduce a level of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas that has been exhaled by the reforming portion, and in order to supply such reformed gas to a fuel cell. |
| US07700048B2 |
Apparatus for making carbon nanotube array
An apparatus for making an array of carbon nanotubes includes a reaction chamber and a quartz-boat region. The reaction chamber having a first gas inlet configured for introducing a carbon source gas and a carrier gas thereinto, a second gas inlet configured for introducing a hydrogen gas thereinto, a guiding tube in communication with the second gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The quartz-boat region configured for accommodating a quartz boat for supporting a substrate; wherein the guiding tube extends inwardly a distance sufficient to enable the majority of the introduced hydrogen gas that reaches the substrate not to react with the carbon source gas. |
| US07700044B2 |
Chemical vapor sensor
A chemical vapor sensor is provided that passively measures a chemical species of interest with high sensitivity and chemical specificity. In an aspect, ethanol vapor in a vehicle cabin is measured, and sufficient sensitivity is provided to passively detect a motor vehicle driver that exceeds a legal limit of blood alcohol concentration (BAC), for use with vehicle safety systems. The sensor can be situated in an inconspicuous vehicle cabin location and operate independently without requiring active involvement by a driver. A vapor concentrator is utilized to amplify a sampled vapor concentration to a detectible level for use with an infrared (IR) detector. In an aspect, in comparison to conventional chemical sensors, the sensitivity of detection of ethanol vapor is increased by a factor of about 1,000. Further, a single channel of infrared detection is utilized avoiding spurious infrared absorption and making the chemical vapor sensor less costly to implement. |
| US07700042B2 |
Automated analyzer
An automated analyzer for analyzing a specific component in a specimen includes a rotor, a specimen dispenser, a temperature controlling element, a stirrer, and a data analyzer. The rotor is provided with a plurality of specimen container holders for holding the specimen container containing the specimen, and a plurality of reaction container holders that correspond with each of the specimen container holders and hold the sealed reaction containers containing the reagent for reacting with the specimen. The specimen dispenser removes the specimen from the specimen container and dispenses the specimen into the reaction container. The temperature controlling element maintains the temperatures of the reaction container at a constant temperature. The stirrer uses magnetic force to stir a mixed solution of the reagent and the specimen in the reaction container. The data analyzer analyzes the mixed solution. |
| US07700041B2 |
Indirect detection of radiation sources through direct detection of radiolysis products
A system for indirectly detecting a radiation source by directly detecting radiolytic products. The radiation source emits radiation and the radiation produces the radiolytic products. A fluid is positioned to receive the radiation from the radiation source. When the fluid is irradiated, radiolytic products are produced. By directly detecting the radiolytic products, the radiation source is detected. |
| US07700039B2 |
Microwave plasma sterilizing method and device
A microwave inlet for introducing microwaves (coaxial waveguide) and a microwave launcher for generating volume-wave plasma are arranged on one side in a vacuum chamber, and a movable metal plate is arranged opposite to the microwave launcher on the other side in the vacuum chamber. The microwave launcher has a sandwiched structure where a quartz plate is sandwiched by a perforated plate having many holes of a specified diameter. Microwaves are introduced from an external microwave generator to the microwave launcher in, for example, oxygen gas, a mixture of helium gas and oxygen gas, a mixture of argon gas and oxygen gas, or a mixture of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas to change the spatial distribution of the electric field intensity, whereby the volume-wave plasma discharge is diffused to the entire inner space of the vacuum chamber by microwaves leaking through the holes in the perforated plate. The sterilizing method and the device of this invention use microwave discharge plasma that enables sterilization inside a perforated resinous package, such as a package of medical instruments in a vacuum chamber. |
| US07700037B2 |
Martensitic chromium-nitrogen steel and its use
A steel material having a good resistance to corrosion, consisting of an alloy containing in % by weight: max 0.12 C 0.5-1.5 N 12-18 Cr max 0.5 Mn max 0.5 Ni 1-5 (Mo+W/2) max 1.5 (V+Nb/2+Ti) 0.1-0.5 Si from traces and up to max 2.0 Co from traces and up to max 0.1 S balance iron and essentially only impurities at normal contents. |
| US07700036B2 |
Launder for casting molten copper
The invention relates to a launder construction for the conveyance of molten metal. The metal flows in the lower part of the launder construction in a channel defined by a refractory mass, the launder being heat-insulated so that, in operating conditions, the metal forms a solid zone in the porous refractory mass. The essential features of the launder construction include a cover part that is provided with electrical resistors, ensuring that the metal remains melted and the launder sufficiently hot throughout the process, and a gas burner that prevents the metal from cooling under the effect of the gas flowing in the launder channel. |
| US07700034B2 |
Slip containing zirconium dioxide and aluminum oxide and shaped body obtainable therefrom
Slip containing at least one aluminium oxide powder and at least one unstabilized zirconium dioxide powder, wherein a) the zirconium dioxide powder i) has a mean particle diameter of less than 300 nm, ii) shows only the monoclinic phase and the tetragonal phase in the X-ray diffraction pattern, with the proportion of tetragonal phase at room temperature being from 20 to 70%, and iii) is present in a proportion of from 2 to 20% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip, b) the aluminium oxide powder i) has a mean particle diameter of more than 300 nm and ii) is present in a proportion of from 80 to 98% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip, and c) the solids content, as the sum of aluminium oxide and zirconium dioxide, is from 50 to 85% by weight, based on the total amount of the slip. |
| US07700031B2 |
Mold for injection molding and molding method using the same
A mold for injection molding and a molding method using the same, in which multiple gates are provided to a curved runner, thereby easily molding a product having a complicated shape and a large width, and in which a plurality of curved runners are provided, thereby easily ejecting forms that are filled in the runners. The mold includes first and second molds defining a mold cavity, a first gate disposed at a first position of the mold cavity, a second gate disposed at a second position of the mold cavity spaced apart from the first position, a first curved runner provided to the second mold so as to be connected to the first gate, and a second curved runner provided to the second mold so as to be connected to the second gate. The first and second curved runners have inlets that are connected with each other, and cross-sectional areas that are gradually reduced from the inlets to the first and second gates. |
| US07700025B2 |
Microporous polyolefin film
A microporous polyolefin film which comprises 5 to 95 wt. % polyethylene (A) having a viscosity-average molecular weight (Mv) of 2,000,000 or higher, a first-melting-peak signal height as determined by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) of 3.0 mW/mg or higher, a specific surface area of 0.7 m2/g or larger, and an average particle diameter of 1 to 150 μm and 95 to 5 wt. % polyethylene (B) having an Mw of 10,000 to 200,000, excluding 10,000 and 200,000, wherein the ratio of the Mv of the compound (A) to that of the compound (B), (A)/(B), is 10 or higher, the film as a whole has a molecular weight of 300,000 to 1,500,000, and the film has a fuse temperature of 120 to 140° C., a breaking temperature of 150° C. or higher, and a ratio of the piercing strength at 25° C. to the piercing strength at 140° C. of from 0.01 to 0.25. |
| US07700024B1 |
Corrugated concrete wall panel form and method of construction thereof
The present disclosure provides a corrugated concrete wall panel form and a method of constructing a prefabricated concrete wall panel thereof. The method comprises the steps of placing a layer of insulation boards horizontally on a flat surface on site or in pre-cast plant; laying and attaching one layer of corrugated metal thin sheets, as the bottom concrete form, on top of the horizontally placed insulation boards; closing the sides of the corrugated metal sheets by peripheral angles as side forms; and then pouring concrete on top of the metal sheets. After concrete hardens the wall structure is ready for erection. This low cost lightweight wall panel system is self-containing and requires only one pour of concrete. It requires no complicated form structure and less labor work for form installation. |
| US07700022B2 |
Woven articles from synthetic self twisted yarns
A woven panel is formed from at least one first polymer yarn and at least one second polymer yarn wherein the second polymer yarn has a core. The core yarns provide mechanical strength for the woven material in supporting the coreless yarns when used in load bearing articles such as the seat or back portions of an article of furniture. |
| US07700017B2 |
Method for producing materials from recycled glass and cement compositions
A method of producing material from recycled glass comprising: preparing a mixture of glass in a cementitious matrix, and an alkali-silica reaction suppressant; providing a mold of the material and coating said mold with a release agent; casting said mixture into said mold; curing said mold; and removing the material from said mold. The recycled glass and concrete compositions are: 25-79% by weight glass; 8-35% by weight cement and up to 22% by weight of an alkali-silica reaction suppressant. |
| US07700011B2 |
Disk forming method
A boundary lubricant film 1 is formed on a stamper 22 contact portion of a stationary mirror 21 and/or a stationary mirror 21 contact portion of the stamper 22. The boundary lubricant film 1 contains one of kinds of phosphate esters. A material is injected into a cavity 14. As a result, a disc substrate for an optical disc is molded. |
| US07700004B2 |
Solvent compositions comprising unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons
This invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons. The invention further relates to use of said cleaning compositions in methods to clean, degrease, deflux, dewater, and deposit fluorolubricant. The invention further relates to novel unsaturated fluorinated hydrocarbons and their use as cleaning compositions and in the methods listed above. |
| US07699997B2 |
Method of reclaiming silicon wafers
A method of reclaiming silicon wafers including a film removal process, a polishing process, and a cleaning process, wherein a heating/removal process for removing a silicon wafer surface part by heating at 150-300° C. for 20 minutes to 5 hours is further included between the film removal process and the polishing process is provided. The present invention provides a useful method of reclaiming silicon wafers that removes Cu not only deposited on a surface but also penetrated inside of a silicon wafer, and does not give Cu contamination inside of the silicon wafer. |
| US07699995B2 |
Water treatment method
A method for treating water in a closed cooling system, having a pH of at least 7 and a temperature of at least 25° C., by adding a composition comprising 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; wherein the composition is substantially free of non-aqueous solvents, volatile organic compounds and halogenated biocides; and wherein 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one is present in an amount sufficient to produce in the water a 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one concentration from 15 ppm to 500 ppm. |
| US07699993B2 |
Methods for wirelessly operating water purification systems
Wireless methods for dispensing water supplied by a main purification unit to a remote dispensing device. The remote dispensing device is fluidly coupled with the main purification unit. A wireless transceiver is associated with the remote dispensing device and another wireless transceiver is associated with the main purification unit. The wireless transceivers communicate across a wireless communications link between the remote dispensing device and the main purification unit. The system may include multiple remote dispensing devices and/or multiple main purification units. |
| US07699992B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining a patient or treatment or apparatus parameter during an extracorporeal blood treatment
During a dialysis treatment carried out by a dialysis apparatus, in which a dialysis liquid is circulated to a clean dialysate filter (43) arranged before a dialyser (3), the conductivity of the dialysis liquid is altered according to an altering function that is a function of a mathematical model of the filter (43), in a way that will make the conductivity after the filter change more quickly. A conductivity cell (47), which is arranged after the dialyser, measures the conductivity of the spent dialysis liquid changed in response to said alteration. A control and computer system (52) evaluates the dialysance from said measured response. The conductivity can be changed for a comparatively short time period that is sufficient to allow reliable results. |
| US07699991B2 |
Apparatus and process for water conditioning
A conditioning process and equipment are provided for removing hardness from water circulated in a system. A sidestream from such system is routed to a reaction chamber and back to the system. A conditioner is added to the sidestream water and in some embodiments is routed through a sidestream inlet from the top of the reaction chamber to its lower portion in a swirling motion. A buffer is added to the sidestream exiting the reaction chamber, and in some embodiments is added upstream of a pH sensor. In some embodiments a polymer is added. A fluid bed develops in the reaction chamber consisting of conditioner, buffer, precipitated solids and sidestream water. An upper outlet on the reaction chamber regulates the height of the fluid bed, and a drain provides for periodic discharge of the lower fluid bed. In some embodiments, a corrosion inhibitor blend is pre-mixed with the buffer. |
| US07699988B2 |
Enhanced water treatment for reclamation of waste fluids and increased efficiency treatment of potable waters
Disclosed is a process for reclamation of waste fluids. A conditioning container is employed for receipt of waste material on a continuous flow for treatment within the container by immersible transducers producing ultrasonic acoustic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treated material exhibits superior separation properties for delivery into a centrifuge for enhanced solid waste removal. The invention discloses a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling of flowback, or frac water, which has been used to stimulate gas production from shale formations. The apparatus is mobile and containerized and suitable for installation at the well site. |
| US07699987B2 |
Stabilized formulation
A stabilized pharmaceutical composition of anticancer drug and a solvent like Polyethoxylated castor oil (cremophor) also containing any other suitable solubilizer suitable for human administration like dehydrated alcohol, is disclosed. Compositions prepared using this purified polyethoxylated castor oil enhance the stability of paclitaxel in such compositions. |
| US07699980B2 |
System for activated sludge wastewater treatment with high dissolved oxygen levels
An activated sludge wastewater treatment system is provided. The disclosed system includes: an uncovered activated sludge basin; a high purity oxygen aeration system; a secondary clarifier; a return activated sludge line and a waste activated sludge line; wherein the system operates at a solids loading of between about 3000 mg and about 10000 mg of suspended solids per liter of mixed liquor; a dissolved oxygen level in the aeration basin in the range of between about 5 mg to 15 mg; and a solids retention time of between about 7 days and 40 days. |
| US07699974B2 |
Method and system of heating a fluid catalytic cracking unit having a regenerator and a reactor
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method of heating a FCC unit having a regenerator and a reactor having overall CO2 reduction is provided. The method comprises compressing syngas to define compressed syngas. Separating a first stream of gas comprising CO2 from the compressed syngas. A second stream of gas comprising O2 is expanded with the first stream of gas to produce a feed gas. The feed gas is introduced to the regenerator at gasification conditions to burn coke from coke heavy spent catalyst advanced from the reactor, producing syngas and heat for operating the reactor at reaction temperatures. |
| US07699970B2 |
Production of structured hard chrome layers
A method of producing a structured hard chrome layer is described, wherein chromium is deposited from an electrolyte onto a workpiece, said electrolyte containing: (a) a Cr (VI) compound in an amount corresponding to 50 g/l to 600 g/l of chromic acid anhydride (b) 0.5 g/l to 10 g/l of sulphuric acid; (c) 1 g/l to 20 g/l of aliphatic sulphonic acid, comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and (d) 10 g/l to 200 g/l of at least one compound forming a dense cathode film, said compound being selected from among ammonium molybdate, alkali molybdate and alkaline earth molybdate, ammonium vanadate, alkali vanadate and alkaline earth vanadate, ammonium zirconate, alkali zirconate and alkaline earth zirconate. Further, the application relates to a structured hard chrome layer obtained according to said method and to an electrolyte for carrying out said method. |
| US07699968B2 |
Water purifying system
The present invention provides a water purifying system capable of efficiently producing treated water containing boron at a low concentration. Water to be treated is first fed to the RO membrane apparatus 1 and the passed water is fed through the boron absorptive apparatus 2. Water which was passed through the boron absorptive apparatus 2 and of which boron was thus removed is fed through the electrodeionization apparatus 3. In this manner, water treated by electrodeionization is taken out as treated water. The condensed water of the electrodeionization apparatus 3 may be discharged or returned to the upstream side of the RO membrane apparatus 1 through a return pipe 4 so that the condensed water is added to water to be treated. Suitably used as the absorptive agent accommodated in the boron absorptive apparatus 2 is a boron selective absorptive agent capable of selectively absorbing boron. |
| US07699967B2 |
Analysis implement with opening in insulation film
The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X) which includes a substrate (1), a flow path for moving a sample along the substrate (1), a reagent portion (14) provided in the flow path, and an insulating film (13) covering the substrate (1) and including an opening (15a) for defining a region for forming the reagent portion (14). The insulating film (13) further includes at least one additional opening (15b) positioned in a longitudinal direction (N1) relative to the opening (15a). For instance, the flow path is configured to move the sample by capillary force. |
| US07699966B2 |
Point of care heparin determination system
Methods and devices for point of care determination of heparin concentration in blood are described. Cartridges including protamine ion sensitive electrodes (ISEs) and reference electrodes and systems for automatically determining heparin concentration in the cartridges are provided. Some systems add blood to a protamine bolus sufficient to bind all heparin, leaving excess protamine. The excess protamine concentration can be determined by measuring the initial slope of the electrode potential rate of change, and comparing the slope to known protamine concentration slope values In some cartridges, an oscillating pressure source moves the blood-protamine mixture back and forth across the protamine ISE. Some systems also use a second blood sample having the heparin removed or degraded to create a blank reference sample. Protamine ISEs can include polyurethane polymer, DNNS ionophore, and NPOE plasticizer. The polyurethane may include hard segments and soft segments, where both hard and soft segments may include cyclic and straight chain aliphatic moieties having essentially no ester or ether groups. Some hard segments may include methylene diphenyl groups. Some reference electrodes have the same polymer, plasticizer, and ionophore as the measurement electrode, but with a different concentration of ionophore. |
| US07699965B2 |
Zinc oxide-based transparent conductor and sputtering target for forming the transparent conductor
Proposed is a zinc oxide-based transparent conductor characterized in having zinc oxide as its primary component, containing an element at 1 to 10 atomic % which has a smaller ion radius than zinc in the zinc oxide and serves as an n-type dopant for the zinc oxide, and containing nitrogen in which the atomicity ratio of nitrogen in relation to the n-type dopant (nitrogen/n-type dopant) is 0.3 to 0.6. In the development of a transparent conductor that does not contain In, which is an expensive raw material with concern of resource depletion, the limit of the conventional development technique known as the single-dopant method is exceeded, a guide to dopant selection as a specific means for realizing the co-doping theory is indicated, and a transparent conductor having low resistivity is provided. |
| US07699963B2 |
Internal cooling of electrolytic smelting cell
An electrolytic cell for the production of metal by electrolytic reduction of a metal bearing material dissolved in a molten salt bath, the cell including a shell, and a lining on the interior of the shell, the lining including a bottom cathode lining and a side wall lining including a plurality of fluid ducts positioned against the interior surface of the shell for conducting fluid there through, the fluid ducts extending along the sides of the shell, and communicating with pump means to flow fluid through the fluid ducts. |
| US07699958B2 |
Method for improving separation of carbohydrates from wood pulping and wood or biomass hydrolysis liquors
A method for separating carbohydrates from pulping liquors includes the steps of providing a wood pulping or wood or biomass hydrolysis pulping liquor having lignin therein, and mixing the liquor with an acid or a gas which forms an acid upon contact with water to initiate precipitation of carbohydrate to begin formation of a precipitate. During precipitation, at least one long chain carboxylated carbohydrate and at least one cationic polymer, such as a polyamine or polyimine are added, wherein the precipitate aggregates into larger precipitate structures. Carbohydrate gel precipitates are then selectively removed from the larger precipitate structures. The method process yields both a carbohydrate precipitate and a high purity lignin. |
| US07699957B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus
Disclosed is a plasma processing apparatus, in which parasitic plasma is not generated in a transfer chamber. The plasma processing apparatus has a load lock chamber, a transfer chamber, a processing chamber, and gate valves installed between the chambers for transferring a substrate and opening and closing openings of the chambers. Each of the gate valves includes a valve housing provided between the chambers such that the valve housing contacts side surfaces of the chambers by interposing sealing members therebetween, and forming a designated closed space therein; a valve including a sealing plate contacting an inner surface of the valve housing on the side of the processing chamber, and a back plate contacting the inner surface of the valve housing on the side of the transfer chamber; a valve driving unit connected to the valve for moving the valve in the vertical direction; and a ground member formed on the surface of the valve for electrically connecting the valve and the valve housing when the valve contacts the inner surface of the valve housing. |
| US07699956B2 |
Method and a machine for making a cell structure
The invention relates to a method for making a cellular structure (1) comprising a plurality of elements (2), in which method a first plurality of elements (2) is provided that form a first row (3) of elements, and that furthermore a second plurality of elements (2) is provided that form a second row (4) of elements (2). The second row (4) is parallel to the first row (3) but displaced in phase in relation to this. An adhesive is applied to the elements (2) in at least one of the two rows (3, 4) and at least one of the two rows (3, 4) is brought closer to the other, so that the two rows are brought together and thereby bonded to one another by the adhesive. The invention also relates to a machine for executing the method according to the invention. |
| US07699951B2 |
Fabrication of composite panels from cable made from oriented agricultural byproducts
A method for creating a building material that makes use of a wheeled, moveable apparatus that moves through a field after the straw or other agricultural waste has been processed into tightly bound cables. Said cables are formed into woven mats, and said mats are bonded together to form flat or curved wall sections or panels. |
| US07699948B2 |
Ta sputtering target and method for preparation thereof
A manufacturing method of a Ta sputtering target in which a Ta ingot or billet formed by melting and casting is subject to forging, annealing, rolling processing and the like to prepare a sputtering target, wherein the ingot or billet is forged and thereafter subject to recrystallization annealing at a temperature of 1373K to 1673K. As a result of improving and devising the forging process and heat treatment process, the crystal grain diameter can be made fine and uniform, and a method of stably manufacturing a Ta sputtering target superior in characteristics can be obtained thereby. |
| US07699941B2 |
Polymeric surface treatment compositions
Treated articles with improved water sheeting and soap scum repellency result from forming hydroscopic films on the surfaces of hydrophobic polymeric substrates treated with compositions, kits and methods that employ water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymers having: (i) a first monomer that is capable of forming a cationic charge on protonation; (ii) a second monomer that is acidic and that is capable of forming an anionic charge in the compositions; (iii) optionally, a third monomer having an uncharged hydrophilic group; and (iv) optionally, a fourth monomer that is hydrophobic. Treated articles exhibit a Water Sheeting Index of greater than 6. Treated articles may further exhibit improved soap scum repellency behavior compared to untreated articles. |
| US07699939B2 |
Substrate cleaning method
A substrate cleaning method including rotating a substrate at least for a period, supplying a liquid to the front surface of the substrate and cleaning the substrate, and drying the substrate is provided. Said drying of the substrate includes: reducing a rotational speed of the substrate to a first rotational speed lower than a rotational speed for cleaning the substrate; starting to move a liquid supply position from approximately the center of the substrate towards a peripheral portion when the rotational speed of the substrate is reduced down to the first rotational speed; stopping liquid supply when the second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed is reached; increasing the rotational speed from the second rotational speed; and supplying a gas towards the substrate while rotating the substrate at a higher rotational speed than the second rotational speed. |
| US07699935B2 |
Method and system for supplying a cleaning gas into a process chamber
A method and apparatus for cleaning a process chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a process chamber is provided that includes a remote plasma source and a process chamber having at least two processing regions. Each processing region includes a substrate support assembly disposed in the processing region, a gas distribution system configured to provide gas into the processing region above the substrate support assembly, and a gas passage configured to provide gas into the processing region below the substrate support assembly. A first gas conduit is configured to flow a cleaning agent from the remote plasma source through the gas distribution assembly in each processing region while a second gas conduit is configured to divert a portion of the cleaning agent from the first gas conduit to the gas passage of each processing region. |
| US07699933B2 |
Method and device for the plasma treatment of workpieces
The invention relates to a method and a device which are used for the plasma treatment of work pieces. Said work piece is inserted into an at least partially evacuatable chamber of a treatment station (3) and the work piece is positioned inside the treatment station of retaining elements. At least one operating agent is at least partially impinged upon by a transporting device (44) which is displaced together with the treatment station on a closed and rotating transport path. |
| US07699931B2 |
Solidification and hardening accelerator for hydraulic binding agents and method for the production thereof
A setting and curing accelerator for hydraulic binders comprises: Al2(SO4)3 aluminum sulfate, Al(OH)3 aluminum hydroxide and mineral acid in aqueous solution.The setting and curing accelerator preferably comprises: 10-50% of Al2(SO4)3 aluminum sulfate, 5-30% of Al(OH)3 aluminum hydroxide, 0.5-10% of a mineral acid in aqueous solution. |
| US07699928B2 |
Sprayable and pumpable phosphate cement
A sprayable and pourable cement composition is provided. The cement composition comprises about 30 to 40 percent by weight calcium silicate, about 20 to 35 percent by weight magnesium oxide and about 25 to 45 percent by weight monopotassium phosphate. |
| US07699927B2 |
SiO2 coated pearlescent pigments
The invention relates to pearlescent pigments comprising platelet-shaped substrate, comprising metal oxide, and protective layer, said metal oxide having a refractive index of more than 1.8, where the protective layer is composed of an organic chemically surface modified SiO2 layer, the organic chemical surface modification being applied on the SiO2 layer. The invention further relates to a process for preparing these pearlescent pigments and to their use. |
| US07699923B2 |
Stable non-aqueous inkjet inks
A non-aqueous ink not curable by UV radiation includes an organic color pigment and between 12 to 98 wt % of tetraethylene glycol dimethylether based on the total weight of the inkjet ink. Also, a method for preparing a non-aqueous inkjet ink is provided. |
| US07699920B2 |
Ink comprising gallium naphthalocyanine dye
An ink comprising an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I) is described: wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from —OH, halogen, —OR3, —OC(O)R4; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen or C1-12 alkoxy; R3 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl or Si(Rx)(Ry)(Rz); and R4 is selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl or C5-12 arylalkyl Rx, Ry and Rz may be the same or different and are selected from C1-12 alkyl, C5-12 aryl, C5-12 arylalkyl, C1-12 alkoxy, C5-12 aryloxy or C5-12 arylalkoxy; and W is a sulfonic acid group, including salts thereof. |
| US07699918B2 |
Reactive ink components and methods for forming images using reactive inks
A reactive ink set including three mixtures of radically polymerizable monomers. A first mixture includes a peroxide, a second mixture includes a peroxide decomposition agent, and an optional third mixture that does not include a peroxide or a peroxide decomposition agent. The first mixture and the second mixture polymerize to form a solid ink on the substrate following jetting in the liquid state. |
| US07699917B1 |
Selectively alterable intermittent tattoo ink and system
A selectively alterable intermittent tattoo ink is a type of tattoo ink that is invisible or visible until an activating chemical is applied to it, creating a chemical change in the ink pigment which results in the ink being visible, invisible, partially visible or changing color. A tattoo is formed by the injection of the selectively alterable intermittent tattoo ink such as a chemically reactive pH sensitive pigment, along with an inert carrier and a temporary activating agent, (so the ink will be temporarily visible), into the skin with a traditional tattoo gun. The invisible tattoo ink can then be activated by the application of a chemical activating agent either to the skin over the tattoo site or by a normal or abnormal physiological chemical change within the body. The activating agent is removed by washing, the application of a neutralizing agent or by the natural metabolic functions of the body resulting in the tattoo being invisible or in its deactivated state once again. |
| US07699916B1 |
Corrosion-resistant, electrically-conductive plate for use in a fuel cell stack
A corrosion resistant, electrically-conductive, durable plate at least partially coated with an anchor coating and a corrosion resistant coating. The corrosion resistant coating made of at least a polymer and a plurality of corrosion resistant particles each having a surface area between about 1-20 m2/g and a diameter less than about 10 microns. Preferably, the plate is used as a bipolar plate in a proton exchange membrane (PEMFC) fuel cell stack. |
| US07699914B1 |
Triple-effect absorption system for recovering methane gas
A method of using a triple-effect absorption system to recover methane from landfill gas contaminated with CO2 and trace contaminates such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatics involves processing the landfill gas with three absorbers and a flash system. One absorber uses a solvent to absorb the trace contaminants from the landfill gas, the second absorber in conjunction with the flash system extracts CO2 from the gas, and just a first portion of that CO2 is used for stripping the trace contaminates from the solvent in the third absorber. The rest of the extracted CO2 is vented to atmosphere to prevent dampening the combustion of the trace contaminants absorbed by the first portion of CO2. |
| US07699913B2 |
Moisture and odor adsorbing insert
An insert for sports gear and footwear has a compliant casing formed of fabric sheeting that incorporates regions of fused or otherwise integral regions of activated carbon. A desiccant such as silica gel in the form of spheroidal beads or other granules is loosely enclosed inside of the casing. The activated carbon has an affinity for odor-causing constituents such as organic compounds, and extracts airborne odor-causing constituents as air enters the casing. Inside the casing, the desiccant extracts airborne water vapor. The two-stage removal of odor-causing constituents and water vapor rapidly and effectively extracts moisture and odors. The silica gel and activated carbon are porous and have high surface areas available for adsorption, whereby the insert is adapted to maintain moisture and odors at low levels during long-term storage. |
| US07699912B2 |
Air-cleaner
The air-cleaner includes a housing. The air-cleaner includes a filter element located in the housing to filter air taken into the housing. The air-cleaner includes an adsorption element for adsorbing vaporized fuel flowing into the housing. The housing includes first and second housing components having open ends put on each other. The filter element is held between the first and second housing components, separating the housing into a clean side and a dust side. The adsorption element includes a frame at the periphery; and an adsorption portion located inside the frame. One of the first and second housing components as the clean side has an inner side back in the open end, the inner side having a mounting portion having the adsorption element mounted thereto. The mounting portion includes the adsorption element; and a support member placed thereon. |
| US07699909B2 |
Systems and methods for extraction of carbon dioxide from air
The present invention describes methods and systems for extracting, capturing, reducing, storing, sequestering, or disposing of carbon dioxide (C02), particularly from the air. The CO2 extraction methods and systems involve the use of chemical processes. Methods are also described for extracting and/or capturing CO2 via exposing air containing carbon dioxide to a solution comprising a base—resulting in a basic solution which absorbs carbon dioxide and produces a carbonate solution. The solution is causticized and the temperature is increased to release carbon dioxide, followed by hydration of solid components to regenerate the base. |
| US07699908B2 |
Method for displacing acid gas constituents inside a natural gas network
A method for displacing acid gas constituents from natural gas to acid gas removal installations equipped with Claus installations with free capacities utilizes a portion of the acid gas which is removed from a first flow of natural gas containing acid gas. The acid gas removed from the first flow of natural gas is fed to at least one other acid gas removal installation, whereby this feeding results in the acid gas removed from the first flow of natural gas being mixed with at least one second flow of natural gas with which it is transported to at least one other acid gas removal installation. |
| US07699907B2 |
Apparatus and methods for gas separation
Methods and systems for producing hydrogen are provided. In one embodiment, a method of producing hydrogen comprises reacting a feed source with steam to produce a gas mixture containing hydrogen and a residue gas; introducing the gas mixture into a purification unit; adsorbing the residue gas; and discharging at least a portion of the hydrogen. The method further comprises depressurizing the purification unit; discharging at least a portion of the residue gas during the depressurization; recycling the residue gas to the feed source; and discharging the residue gas remaining in the purification unit. In another embodiment, the method includes discharging a portion of the residue gas during the depressurization such that the residue gas discharged has a higher hydrocarbon content than the secondary product remaining in the purification unit. |
| US07699905B1 |
Dispersoid reinforced alloy powder and method of making
A method of making dispersion-strengthened alloy particles involves melting an alloy having a corrosion and/or oxidation resistance-imparting alloying element, a dispersoid-forming element, and a matrix metal wherein the dispersoid-forming element exhibits a greater tendency to react with a reactive species acquired from an atomizing gas than does the alloying element. The melted alloy is atomized with the atomizing gas including the reactive species to form atomized particles so that the reactive species is (a) dissolved in solid solution to a depth below the surface of atomized particles and/or (b) reacted with the dispersoid-forming element to form dispersoids in the atomized particles to a depth below the surface of said atomized particles. The atomized alloy particles are solidified as solidified alloy particles or as a solidified deposit of alloy particles. Bodies made from the dispersion strengthened alloy particles, deposit thereof, exhibit enhanced fatigue and creep resistance and reduced wear as well as enhanced corrosion and/or oxidation resistance at high temperatures by virtue of the presence of the corrosion and/or oxidation resistance imparting alloying element in solid solution in the particle alloy matrix. |
| US07699894B2 |
Nucleus pulposus trial device and technique
A nucleus pulposus trial device for assessing the size, shape and location of a disc space. |
| US07699891B2 |
Method and system for treatment of regurgitating heart valves
A system and process for correction of regurgitation of heart valves. With mitral valves in particular, the anterior leaflet is advanced through use of a D-plasty patch and a narrow annuloplasty ring which compresses the lateral dimension of the valve. The sizes of the patch and ring are selected to provide a sufficient advancement of the leaflet to restore the surface of coaptation. |
| US07699889B2 |
Poly(ester amide) block copolymers
Provided herein is a copolymer that includes a soft block (A) and a hard block (B) comprising a tyrosine di-peptide. The copolymer can be any of AB, ABA or BAB type block copolymers. The soft block can include a PEA polymer. A coating formed of the copolymer may also include a bioactive agent. The implantable device can be implanted in a patient to treat, prevent, or ameliorate a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, and/or tumor obstruction. |
| US07699887B2 |
Stent-graft with bioabsorbable structural support
The invention relates to a stent-graft with a bioabsorbable structure and a permanent graft for luminal support and treatment of arterial fistulas, occlusive disease, and aneurysms. The bioabsorbable structure is formed from braided filaments of materials such as PLA, PLLA, PDLA, and PGA and the graft is formed from materials such as PET, ePTFE, PCU or PU. |
| US07699878B2 |
Method for locking an artificial facet between two vertebral bodies
A bone screw (1) is used for locking an articular facet between the superior and inferior articular processes of two vertebral bodies and is provided with a threaded shaft (2), a screw head (3) and a central axis (4). The screw head (3) is further provided with a number of grooves (5) on the periphery of the screw head (3) which run essentially parallel to said central axis (4). |
| US07699877B2 |
Method of securing vertebrae
A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624). |
| US07699875B2 |
Spinal stabilization device with weld cap
A weld cap is configured and dimensioned to interact with a resilient element, e.g., a spring, and a structural member, e.g., an end cap, so as to securely position the spring relative to the end cap. The weld cap functions to distance the welding process and associated welding energy from the spring, thereby avoiding and/or minimizing any potentially undesirable annealing effect associated with securing/welding the spring relative to the end cap. A first weld cap interacts with the spring at a first end region thereof, and a second weld cap interacts with the spring at a second end region thereof, thereby effectively securing the spring with respect to opposed end caps at either end of an elongated spinal stabilization device. Alignment grooves or channels may be provided for orienting or aligning the spring with respect to the end caps and weld caps. The end regions of the spring may also include bend regions that facilitate the assembly process and/or further minimize the freedom of movement of the spring relative to the end cap/weld cap combination. The dynamic stabilization device and associated system provide advantageous clinical results in spinal applications. |
| US07699868B2 |
Medical gripping and/or cutting instrument
The invention relates to a medical gripping and/or cutting instrument with an instrument shaft (1), with a handle (3) that can be fixed movably on the instrument shaft (1), and with a tool (2) mounted on the distal end of the instrument shaft (1) and consisting of two jaw member (2a, 2b), where at least one jaw member (2a or 2b) of the tool (2) can move in relation to the other jaw member (2b or 2a). In order to provide a medical instrument that, along with good cleaning properties and compact structure, also ensures simple and safe operation, the invention proposes that the handle (3) should include a coupling mechanism both to fix the handle (3) to the instrument shaft (1) and also to operate the at least one movable jaw member (2a or 2b) of the tool (2). |
| US07699864B2 |
Expandable medical access device
An access device comprises a thin-walled sheath that is insertable into a patient through a small surgically created incision. The incision may be created using a cutdown or a percutaneous method such as that known as the Seldinger technique. Once inserted and advanced to the target surgical site, the sheath is selectively, and controllably, expanded to a desired diameter. The thin wall of the sheath is fabricated from a rectangular piece of material such as metal or plastic with two cut edges. The rectangular piece of metal or plastic is rolled tightly to create the small diameter configuration that is inserted into the patient. A cam or control member is affixed to the innermost edge of the rectangular piece of metal or plastic. The control member extends to the proximal most portion of the sheath. By rotating the control member, the operator causes the thin wall piece of rolled material to unfurl into a larger or smaller diameter, depending on the direction of rotation. A mechanical lock at the distal end of the sheath permits the control member to be selectively constrained from rotation and thus lock the sheath diameter in place. |
| US07699862B2 |
Resheathing tool
The resheathing tool includes a flexible tubular body with a wall, an inner bore, and an aperture formed in the wall. The tool can be used to facilitate the unsheathing of the vasoocclusive device from the reloadable slotted introducer sheath by threading a proximal portion of the sheath out the aperture of the tool while sliding the vasoocclusive device distally through the sheath. The tool facilitates resheathing of the vasoocclusive device by introducing the vasoocclusive device through the slot of a reloadable slotted introducer sheath into the sheath by threading the reloadable slotted introducer sheath through the aperture and into the inner bore of the tool while threading the vasoocclusive device through the inner bore of the tool. At the same time, the resheathing tool prevents the elongated vasoocclusive device from moving out of the reloadable slotted introducer sheath through the slot. |
| US07699860B2 |
Surgical clip
A clip is provided that can be used for ligating tissue, such as vessels, other tubular ducts, and the like. The clip has opposed first and second leg members having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of each leg member is connected by an apex having a notch formed therein. Moreover, each leg member has an inner tissue-contacting surface and an outer compression-receiving surface, both of which include features to provide a more secure ligation of the vessel or duct. A method of ligating vessels is also provided. |
| US07699856B2 |
Method, apparatus, and kit for thermal suture cutting
A novel suture removal instrument, kit and technique are described herein. The invention utilizes a newly designed thermal filament to allow the tip of the suture removal instrument to be slipped under the stitch in order to heat and cut the stitch. Current suture removal techniques utilize scissors, forceps, and/or scalpels. These techniques, which are well known in the art, are problematic because they exert tension on the stitch and are associated with patient discomfort. Small stitches add to the difficulty of suture removal because they have less suture laxity for scissor insertion. The present invention therefore allows for more rapid suture removal with less patient discomfort and at a competitive or lower cost. |
| US07699853B2 |
Method and instruments for positioning humeral component during shoulder arthroplasty
The present invention relates to a set of tools and accessories used for properly positioning a stemmed humeral component, and/or a humeral stem provisional, within a canal in the humerus. The set of tools and accessories includes one or more fin clamps that are configured to be temporarily attached to a fin on the humeral component or the provisional; a ruler that is configured to be attached to the arm of the fin clamp, a fixation pin and pin driver configured to be used with the other tools for marking a position on the humerus; and one or more sleeves that are configured to slide over the stem of the humeral stem provisional to maintain it in the desired position. |
| US07699847B2 |
Guide clamp for guiding placement of a guide wire in a femur
A guide clamp for clamping a femur and guiding placement of a guide wire relative to the femur. The guide clamp includes a body supporting a pair of clamping surfaces at the end of a pair of clamping arms that are spring-biased to move with respect to each other into a closed position to grip the femur. Defined by the body is a guide opening that guides insertion of the guide pin once the femur has been gripped. One of the clamping arms of the guide clamp may have proximal and distal portions that are slidably adjustable with respect to each other to allow a controlled repositioning of the guide opening with respect to the femur. The guide clamp may also include an engagement member which is supported by the body of the clamp and is capable of advancing into abutting contact with the head of the femur. |
| US07699842B2 |
Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes and method thereof
A system and method for heat ablation of tissue in which energy is sequentially applied to at least two electrodes inserted into tissue. The system is comprised of a radiofrequency (RF) source for supplying RF energy, at least two electrodes configured to apply RF energy to tissue, at least one return electrode for returning the RF energy to the RF source, and a controller configured to sequentially apply the RF energy to each of the at least two electrodes. The sequential delivery of energy is determined by the measured current and voltage, the calculated impedance at each of the electrodes and the timing for each electrode. An internal load may be activated with the previously activated channel and remain on until the next channel is activated to avoid the generator from having an open circuit. |
| US07699837B2 |
Method and system for improving vision
Methods and apparatus for improving vision incorporate the effects of biodynamical and biomechanical (biological) responses of the eye. The eye produces a biological response to trauma, such as a LASIK keratectomy or other necessary traumatic procedure in preparation for refractive surgery. By observing the biological response, a prospective treatment to correct higher order aberrations is adjusted to compensate for the biological effects. An improved photorefractive surgery system incorporates one or more suitable diagnostic devices that provide biological response information in such a manner that the patient need not change position from that assumed for the surgical procedure. |
| US07699828B2 |
Container for receiving a blood sample
A holder for receiving a sampling tube of a blood sampling system is disclosed. The holder has an interior pocket which can be conformed from a closed position to an open position for receiving the sampling tube. |
| US07699827B2 |
Pant-shaped article with improved fit
A pant shaped garment having a rear portion, a front portion, and a crotch portion, a waist opening with a waist edge and two leg openings bordered by a leg edge having a front part located generally on the front portion and a rear part located generally on the rear portion and on the crotch portion. Front and rear portions are mutually connected in two side joins which run from the waist opening to each leg opening. An elongated elastic element is pre-stretched along the rear part of the leg edge of each leg opening. The front portion comprises an elastically extensible material and the elongated elastic element constricts the rear part of the leg edge, thereby stretching the elastic material along the front part of the leg edge. The side joins exhibit a curvature in a direction towards the rear portion that increases in a direction from the waist opening towards the leg opening. |
| US07699826B2 |
Article having a continuous thermoplastic coating
This invention relates to a non-contact coating method for producing a continuous coating and articles constructed therefrom. This invention further relates to a method for producing a textile material with a moisture-impermeable barrier layer and to a method for producing a moisture-absorbing article of hygiene which has such a barrier layer. This invention particularly relates to a textile material and hygienic disposable articles comprising a body fluid impermeable barrier layer produced from said coating method. Preferably, the thermoplastic composition used in the method for producing the barrier layer exhibits certain rheological characteristics. |
| US07699824B2 |
Adapter, lid and connector for ostomy bags
The invention relates to an adapter attached to a human or animal body at a stoma, a detachable lid on the adapter, and a connector for connecting an ostomy bag to the adapter. The adapter includes a protruding section extending from the stoma, and a member for mounting a detachable lid onto the end of the protruding section. The adapter and lid are arranged such that the lid can be slid onto and off the adapter in a direction relatively perpendicular to the axis of the protruding section of the adapter. The connector is arranged to connect the ostomy bag to the adapter and to slide the lid off the adapter. In this way, there is no risk of odors or waste leaking from the adapter or the ostomy bag while the bag is being connected to the adapter. |
| US07699823B2 |
Wound dressing with vacuum reservoir
A wound dressing apparatus includes a wound dressing member dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed. The wound dressing member including an internal vacuum reservoir and has a port in communication with the vacuum reservoir for applying subatmospheric pressure to the vacuum reservoir to facilitate removal of fluid from the wound bed. The wound dressing member includes a visual pressure indicator associated therewith for indicating a level of pressure within the vacuum reservoir. The visual pressure indicator includes color indicia having a plurality of colors corresponding to a condition of the pressure within the vacuum reservoir. The wound dressing member includes a lower absorbent member positionable adjacent the wound bed and an upper member which at least partially defines the vacuum reservoir. At least one of the top member and the lower absorbent member has the visual pressure indicator mounted thereto. The preferred visual pressure indicator includes an electronic position sensor. The visual pressure indicator further includes circuit means and visible alarm means. The circuit means is adapted to actuate the visible alarm means when the position sensor detects a relative positioning of the top member of the wound dressing member to provide a visual indication of the condition of the subatmospheric pressure within the vacuum reservoir. |
| US07699816B2 |
Injection device with priming stroke
A device for administering metered doses of an injectable product, including a housing, a drive member with a plunger, a drive button which, when displaced, moves the drive member relative to the housing, and at least one delaying member, which can be moved from a first position into a second position by displacing the drive button relative to the drive member in the longitudinal direction of the device, the drive member remaining stationary relative to the housing, whereby the at least one delaying member establishes a contact with the drive member in the first or second position so that when the drive button is displaced, the drive member can be moved in the forward direction before or after the at least one delaying member is moved relative to the drive member. |
| US07699809B2 |
Catheter positioning system
A system for positioning a catheter includes a nerve stimulator needle carried within the lumen of the catheter. A microelectrode is configured as a needle tip precisely protruding beyond a tapered distal end of the catheter. The catheter and needle are fixed against axial movement relative to one another to maintain the precise configuration of the microelectrode needle tip conductive surface by a releasable clamp which is grasped by the practitioner to compress the catheter lumen against the needle without permanent deformation of the needle shaft while simultaneously advancing the needle and the catheter toward a target nerve. |
| US07699808B2 |
Subcutaneous infusion device and method
An infusion device including a site and a set for delivery of a substance to a patient. The site can include a cannula that is introduced into a subcutaneous layer of skin of the patient. The set can be coupled to the site by, for example, placing the set over the site and moving the set from an unlocked to a locked position. The substance can then be delivered through the set to the site, and from the site into the patient through the cannula. The set can be oriented at multiple rotational orientations with respect to the site, and can be coupled and uncoupled with the site multiple times. |
| US07699794B2 |
Massager with shock absorption, multiple contact surfaces and visual therapy effects
A handheld massager is disclosed having a spring and dampener provided between a massage head portion and a handle portion of a massager. A massage mechanism is provided in the massage head portion for application of a massage effect to the user. Resulting shock and vibrations caused by the massage effect are absorbed and dampened by the spring and dampener for minimizing these effects upon the hand and wrist of the user. Additionally, variable vibrational contact surfaces and various visual therapy effects are disclosed in combination with the massage effect. |
| US07699789B2 |
Method for monitoring lung collapse
A method for measuring lung collapse and for providing information regarding recruitment and successfulness of actions taken to recruit the lung is provided. Alveolar- and proximal pressures are determined at different lung pressures or volumes. Patient airway resistance is calculated combining these measurements with flow measurement. Plotting the resistance against the lung pressure or volume gives a within-breath distribution of the resistance. Increase of this resistance at end-expiration volume or pressure indicates lung collapse. |
| US07699786B2 |
Electronic blood pressure monitor
An electronic blood pressure monitor includes an activation controller for exerting control in response to a signal representative of an instruction received from a user to selectively activate a plurality of functions included in first and second function groups of the electronic blood pressure monitor. The first function group includes a measurement function provided by a blood pressure measurement unit and the second function group includes an information changing function associated with erasing a measured value or changing a set value. The activation controller includes a determining unit for determining whether the electronic blood pressure monitor is started by a specific function, and a setting unit driven by a decision made by the determining unit to set the second function group in an activatable state or an inactivatable state. |
| US07699783B2 |
Method for imaging and treating a breast
A method for imaging and treating a breast of a patient includes: disposing the breast into a bath of medium; physically securing the breast and maintaining the breast in a repeatable position and in a repeatable shape with respect to a chest wall of the patient; scanning the breast with ultrasound signals from transducer arrays to create a three-dimensional image of the breast and to locate a position of a tumor or a lesion in the breast with respect to the three-dimensional image; and further treating the tumor or the lesion of the breast while maintaining the position and the shape of the breast with respect to the chest wall of the patient as during scanning. |
| US07699782B2 |
Extended, ultrasound real time 3D image probe for insertion into the body
An ultrasound imaging probe for real time 3D ultrasound imaging from the tip of the probe that can be inserted into the body. The ultrasound beam is electronically scanned within a 2D azimuth plane with a linear array, and scanning in the elevation direction at right angle to the azimuth plane is obtained by mechanical movement of the array. The mechanical movement is either achieved by rotation of the array through a flexible wire, or through wobbling of the array, for example through hydraulic actuation. The probe can be made both flexible and stiff, where the flexible embodiment is particularly interesting for catheter imaging in the heart and vessels, and the stiff embodiment has applications in minimal invasive surgery and other procedures. The probe design allows for low cost manufacturing which allows factory sterilized probes to be disposed after use. |
| US07699780B2 |
Focused ultrasound system with adaptive anatomical aperture shaping
A method of treating tissue within a body includes directing an ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements towards target body tissue, and delivering ultrasound energy towards the target tissue from the transducer elements such that an energy intensity at the target tissue is at or above a prescribed treatment level, while an energy intensity at tissue to be protected in the ultrasound energy path of the transducer elements is at or below a prescribed safety level. |
| US07699779B2 |
Ultrasonic treatment equipment
Ultrasonic treatment equipment is provided which repeats therapeutic ultrasound exposure while measuring a degree of vessel constriction on a therapeutic ultrasound exposure basis. This equipment includes: a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 2 which exposes a blood vessel of an affected part to a focused therapeutic ultrasonic wave for a specified period of exposure time; an imaging ultrasonic probe 3 which images an ultrasound tomographic image of the affected part; a display unit 24 which displays the ultrasound tomographic image; means 21 for detecting a blood flow signal from a signal received by the imaging ultrasonic probe and determining the blood flow velocity of the blood vessels of the affected part; means 21 for calculating a rate of change in blood flow velocity during the exposure to the therapeutic ultrasonic wave or before and after the exposure to the therapeutic ultrasonic wave; and means 23 for controlling exposure conditions of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave on the basis of the rate of change in blood flow velocity, and thereby controlling the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer. |
| US07699777B2 |
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
There are provided transducers, transmission pulse generators for transmitting pulses to the transducers, a transmission power source for supplying power to the transmission pulse generators, and an output side capacitor 7 for stabilizing a voltage of the transmission power source. The transmission power source includes a plurality of mode-specific power sources 1A and 1B for outputting a constant voltage, and a mode changeover switch 6 provided between the mode-specific power sources and the output side capacitor. The transmission power source further includes a power supplying power source 2 connected to the mode-specific power sources for supplying power, and a power regeneration capacitor 4 with a larger capacity than that of the output side capacitor, one electrode terminal of which is connected to a connection point between the power supplying power source and the mode-specific power sources and the mode changeover switch, and the other electrode terminal of which is connected to ground. The mode changeover switch is capable of connecting the power regeneration capacitor, instead of each of the mode-specific power sources, to the output side capacitor. There is provided an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that reuses power stored in the output side capacitor to reduce power consumption. |
| US07699774B1 |
Access platform for internal mammary dissection
An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area. |
| US07699773B2 |
Repairable endoscope
A rigid endoscope includes an outer housing subassembly that supports an optics subassembly. The outer housing subassembly includes concentric tubes with optical fiber for providing object illumination. The optics subassembly includes a tubular sheath sealed at both ends for carrying lenses and other optical elements. A slow-curing adhesive material fills an annular gap between the optics and outer housing subassemblies. The adhesive material has a tear strength that seals and positions the optics subassembly for normal use and that enables the optics subassembly to be withdrawn from the outer housing subassembly for repair. |
| US07699772B2 |
Visual means of an endoscope
A visual means of an endoscope comprising at least one optical system or composite optical system arranged at a front area of the endoscope. The at least one optical system or the at least one composite optical system realizes an aperture angle of more than 180° and is arranged such that the field of vision thereof reaches both beyond the normal to the direction of movement and beyond the longitudinal axis of the endoscope pointing ahead. |
| US07699767B2 |
Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular separation with laser steering
The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage. |
| US07699765B2 |
Method of making a bag using a vision system arrangement
A system and method for making bags in a continuous in-line process includes a central processing unit and a camera oriented to take an image of a bag based on a triggering signal. The camera provides an image to the central processing unit. The central processing unit is programmed to process the image and calculate a timing signal based on the image. A cylindrical rotatable drum having at least one seal bar provides a triggering signal to the central processing unit, to trigger when the camera should take the image. A perforation knife is controlled by a servo drive. The perforation knife is downstream of the drum. The servo drive receives the timing signal for activating the perforation knife from the central processing unit. The CPU uses the image and based on the distance between the seal region and the perforated line, counts pixels to result in an actual pixel count. The CPU then calculates a pixel count error by subtracting the actual pixel count from a predetermined pixel count setpoint. This information is then used by the CPU to either advance or retard the perforated knife in its perforation step. This results in a bag having a shorter skirt length, which reduces waste and cost. In another embodiment, the image taken is of the seal region only, and based on the image, the CPU either advances or retards the perforation knife in the perforation step, downstream of the point in which the image was taken. |
| US07699756B2 |
Arrangement for attaching an exercise device to a ladder-like frame of an exercise machine
An apparatus for removably mounting an exercise apparatus to a supporting structure such as a ladder-like structure. Various types of mounting apparatus with specially designed brackets having multiple interchangeable parts, attachments and accessories, are used to facilitate easy and quick mounting of several types of exercise apparatus to the supporting structure. |
| US07699752B1 |
Exercise activity recording system
A multiple exercise activity recording system in which each piece of equipment, exercise movement exercise area, fitness activity or biometric in a facility where exercises are preformed is assigned to an exercise identification module. Each exercise identification module is linked or coupled to a terminal with a display and a manual input device. Each user is assigned a personal identification device that is presented or inputted into the terminal before or after the exercise equipment or exercise area is used. After exercising, the user activates the exercise identification module assigned to the exercise equipment or to the exercise area. Upon activation, one or more sub-routines automatically run in the terminal. Prompts presented on the display then request user input of information pertinent to the exercise activity. The inputted information may be stored in the terminal or immediately transmitted to a permanent member data file on a local or remote server. |
| US07699751B2 |
Electric park brake system
A method for inhibiting automatic actuation of an electric parking brake (EPB) system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle has an ignition switch for receiving an ignition key so as to mobilize or immobilize the vehicle. The EPB system includes an EPB mechanism for applying an actuating force to a park brake of the vehicle, an EPB control module for automatically applying the force when at least the ignition key is detected as removed from the ignition switch and an EPB control switch. The EPB control switch can be moved towards two instable positions from a neutral position respectively a brake release position and a brake apply position so as to apply or release the park brake. To inhibit the automatic actuation of the park brake, the driver has to complete within a specific time period the cycle of turning the ignition from off to on to off, pressing and maintaining the EPB control switch into the brake release position, removing the ignition key and releasing the EPB control switch after at least a predetermined time period. Such cycle of actions will be interpreted by the EPB control module as a wish to not apply the park brake. |
| US07699748B2 |
Line pressure control apparatus and line pressure control method for automatic transmission
An ECU executes a program that includes the steps of setting a line pressure to a line pressure (1) that is appropriate for improving fuel efficiency, if an automatic transmission is not shifting, and a deceleration slip control for a lock-up clutch is not being executed; setting the line pressure to a line pressure (2) that is equal to or lower than a line pressure (3) that is appropriate when the automatic transmission is shifting, if it is determined that the automatic transmission is not shifting, and the deceleration slip control is being executed; and setting the line pressure to the line pressure (3), if it is determined that the automatic transmission is shifting. The line pressure (1) is lower than the line pressure (2). The line pressure (2) is equal to or lower than the line pressure (3). |
| US07699743B2 |
Multi-step transmission
The 8-gear multi-step transmission comprises a drive input shaft (AN), a drive output shaft (AB), four planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4), eight rotary shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) and five shift elements (A, B, C, D, E). An internal gear (HO1) of the first planetary gearset (RS1) and the drive input shaft (AN) are connected to one another as the first shaft (1). A carrier (ST4) of the fourth gearset (RS4) and the drive output shaft (AB) are connected to one another as the second shaft (2). A sun gear (SO2) of the second gearset (RS2), and a sun gear (SO3) of the third gearset (RS3) are connected to one another as the third shaft (3). An internal gear (HO2) of the second gearset (RS2) forms the fourth shaft (4). An internal gear (HO3) of the third gearset (RS3) forms the fifth shaft (5). A carrier (ST2) of the second gearset (RS2) and an internal gear (HO4) of the fourth gearset (RS4) are connected to one another as the sixth shaft (6). A sun gear (SO1) of the first gearset (RS1) and a sun gear (SO4) of the fourth gearset (RS4) are connected to one another as the seventh shaft (7). A carrier (ST1) of the first gearset (RS1) and a carrier (ST3) of the third gearset (RS3) are connected to one another as the eighth shaft (8). |
| US07699741B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A transmission is disclosed having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gear sets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets has first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with a member of the planetary gear sets. The output member is continuously interconnected with another member of the planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are produced by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms. |
| US07699739B2 |
Sliding block type stepless autoshift speed changer
A sliding block type stepless autoshift speed changer includes a holder sleeve affixed to a main transmission shaft and holding two weights by means of two torsional members, an eccentric block radially movably coupled to the holder sleeve; a driving wheel supported on a ring round the eccentric block and having radial sliding grooves on two sides, two clutch wheels respectively fastened to a wheel hub and a secondary power output shaft, each clutch wheel having an annular sliding groove respectively facing the driving wheel, sliding blocks respectively sliding in the annular sliding grooves of the clutch wheels, each sliding block having a roller respectively coupled to and movable along the radial sliding grooves of the driving wheel, a plurality of beveled guide surface portions, and a plurality of rolling cylinders rotatably supported on and movable along the beveled guide surface portions. |
| US07699736B2 |
Multi-speed transmission
A multi-speed automatic planetary transmission for a motor vehicle having an input shaft (AN), an output shaft (AB), four planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4), at least eight rotatable shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), and five shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E), the selective engagement of which produces different transmission ratios between the input shaft (AN) and the output shaft (AB), such that eight forward gears and at least one reverse gear are possible. Further, it is possible to connect an electric machine (12) as generator and/or drive, to the fifth shaft (5) by means a drive connection. |
| US07699735B2 |
Electrically-variable transmission having two forward low range electrically-variable modes and a reverse electrically-variable mode
An electrically-variable transmission is provided with input member and output member, first and second motor/generators, a first planetary gear set and multiple additional planetary gear sets as well as at least four torque-transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engagable alone or in different combinations to establish a reverse electrically-variable operating mode, at least three forward electrically-variable operating modes, including two low range forward electrically-variable modes and a high range forward electrically-variable mode. |
| US07699733B2 |
Chain transmission device
In a chain transmission, vibration reduction is improved by an elastic member, sandwiched between an inner hub of a sprocket and a toothed outer circumferential member, in combination with a sprocket tooth configuration in which two or three different tooth form pitch angles are arranged irregularly along the sprocket's pitch circle. |
| US07699723B2 |
Weighted stick practice aid
A weighted stick practice aid is provided for use with a lacrosse stick assembly including a lacrosse stick, a lacrosse head having a head neck portion, a head ball stop portion, head sidewalls, and a head lip. The weighted stick practice aid comprises a flexible padded weight donut comprising a horizontal donut portion including a first engagement end, a second engagement end, and a weighted interior center portion. The weighted interior center portion includes a plurality of weighted particulates contained within. A head engagement portion extends from the second engagement end and includes a donut loop hole formed within. The horizontal donut portion is configured to wrap around the lacrosse stick and form a primary catch by engaging the first engagement end to the second engagement end. The head engagement portion is configured to extend to sit within the head ball stop portion. An anchor assembly comprises an arched rigid anchor element including an anchor outer portion having an outer width, an anchor inner portion having an inner width, and an anchor middle portion having a middle width smaller than said outer width or said inner width to form a pair of anchor connector grooves. An elastic anchor loop is secured to the arched rigid anchor element (through center) and is configured to be positioned between the lacrosse stick and the horizontal donut portion prior to the primary catch formation such that the elastic anchor loop protrudes through an upper donut edge and the arched rigid anchor element protrudes through a lower donut edge. The elastic anchor loop is configured to pass through the donut hole loop and be brought down to engage the anchor grooves to form a secondary catch. |
| US07699721B2 |
Golf tee setter and method of manufacture
A golf tee setting device includes a generally cylindrical body having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a passage extending between the top portion and the bottom portion. The passage is sized to allow a golf tee to pass therethrough. The body has at least one opening therein between the top portion and the bottom portion. The opening defines a surface such that a line extending through the passage traverses the surface at two locations. A kit having a plurality of the devices of different lengths is also provided. Additionally, a method of manufacturing the device is also provided. |
| US07699720B2 |
Thick inner cover multi-layer golf ball
A golf ball including a core having a compression of about 50 or less and a COR of 0.800 or greater, a thermoset polyurea cover having a hardness of 64 Shore D or less and a thickness of 0.02 inches to 0.1 inches, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core and the cover, the intermediate layer having a thickness of 0.110 inches or greater and comprising a partially- or fully-neutralized ionomer. A combination of the core and the intermediate layer has a compression of 60 or greater and the golf ball has a COR of 0.805 or greater when measured at an incoming velocity of 125 ft/s and greater than 0.75 when measured at an incoming velocity of 160 ft/s. |
| US07699719B2 |
Golf club head
A golf club head comprises: a hollow main body provided with an upper opening located in a crown portion of the head; and a crown plate fitted in the upper opening and having a specific gravity less than that of the main body, wherein the main body is provided around the upper opening with a crown plate support supporting a peripheral edge part of the inner surface of the crown plate. The crown plate support has a width of not more than 5 mm. The minimum distance between the upper edge of the club face and the crown plate in the back-and-forth direction of the head is not less than 10 mm. The thickness of the crown plate is not more than 0.7 mm. |
| US07699718B2 |
Apparatus for weighting golf club shaft
An apparatus for selectively adding weight to the hollow shaft of a hand-held implement. One embodiment includes an upper cylindrical member, a lower member, and an expansion ring that fits between the upper and lower members. These components are sized slightly smaller than the inside diameter of a hollow shaft, such as a golf club shaft. Each component includes an axial bore, through which a screw with an elongated barrel extends. The axial bore of the upper member is enlarged at its upper terminus to receive the cap of the screw, and the axial bore of the lower member is threaded to receive the screw. This assembly is inserted into a hollow shaft, and as the screw is tightened, the lower member is drawn into the upper member, compressing the expander ring axially causing it to expand radially until a friction fit with the inside surface of the hollow shaft is achieved. |
| US07699715B2 |
Portable golf practice device
A portable golf practice device is disclosed that is easily transported by the golfer and simulates the response of natural turf when impacted by the club head during a golf swing. The device includes a simulated turf surface fitted in a carriage tray. The carriage tray is supported on a retraction assembly on which it can slide forward and back, and which has springs that will retract it after it has moved forward. The retraction assembly is supported on a base member. In use, when the turf surface is hit by a golf club it moves forward simulating the feel of actual turf, and then returns to its ready to use position. |
| US07699713B2 |
Scented bowling balls and methods
A bowling ball including a rubber material and at least one fragrance. The rubber material may be substantially nonporous and substantially rigid. Polyurethane may be used as the rubber material. The bowling ball may, optionally, include a pigment. A method by which the bowling ball is formed includes dissolving the fragrance in a polyol, adding a catalyst, introducing the mixture into a mold, and polymerizing the mixture. |
| US07699709B2 |
Shaft coupling mechanism for electric power steering apparatus
A shaft coupling mechanism includes a coupling base body coupled to a rotating shaft; a coupling base body coupled to a steering shaft; rotation transmitting members which are disposed between the rotating shaft and the steering shaft through the both coupling base bodies and transmit the rotation of the rotating shaft in an R direction to the steering shaft; an intermediate interposed member disposed between the rotation transmitting members; and a coupling means for coupling the rotation transmitting members to each other. |
| US07699707B2 |
Fantasy sports system and method thereof
A method of playing a fantasy sport that relates to forming at least two fantasy teams, in which each team is associated with at least one actual player from an actual sport that is played over a multiple-game schedule, selecting a plurality of scoring statistics based on actual scoring statistics associated with the actual sport to measure the performance of the fantasy team, selecting a series corresponding to a portion of an actual schedule of the sport, and determining and evaluating the scoring statistics accrued by the fantasy team during the course of the selected series. The series includes a number of games that is less than the total games in the schedule of the actual sport over a season. A system and an article of manufacture for playing the fantasy sport are also provided. |
| US07699706B2 |
Methods and systems for determining and selling outcomes for strategy games to be viewed remotely
In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes (e.g., for a blackjack game, for a video poker game) for one or more players. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to one or more players (e.g., a player may access the video presentation online). This allows one or more players to purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal yet view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). At least one player who is associated with such a video presentation may subsequently redeem it for a redemption value associated therewith. |
| US07699705B2 |
Cursor control apparatus and cursor control program
First, the coordinate position on a game screen of each point is calculated (S501). Then, a path which circulates through the coordinate positions (or their vicinities) of all the points is obtained (S502). A line segment is drawn to extend from the barycentric position of the points in a direction corresponding to an input direction, and the coordinate position of the intersection point of the obtained line segment and the path is calculated as a position on the path through which a cursor passes (S503). Finally, the image of the cursor is moved to the calculated intersection point coordinate position and is displayed (S504). |
| US07699704B2 |
Game system playable by plurality of players, game apparatus and storage medium storing game program
A game system includes, for example, a game console and a plurality of hand-held game apparatuses functioning as an operating means. In the game system, a game for causing a plurality of player characters simultaneously displayed to find a hidden item in a game field is performed. Then, when a distance between a non-displayed item hidden, which is an object to be found, and the player character comes within the range of the predetermined distance, a notification sound that varies depending on the distance, for example, is output from a speaker of the hand-held game apparatus that operates the player character. |
| US07699703B2 |
Method and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machine
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing techniques for securing a gaming machine for a player of the gaming machine using a mobile device such as a cell phone associated with the player. A player input requests securing of the gaming machine. Responsive to the player input, an access code and a security code are retrieved. The access code defines an access point of a communication system. The security code is specific to a game play session for the player at the gaming machine. The retrieved access code and security code are provided for the player. When the mobile device accesses the communications system and submits the security code, a secure signal is sent to the gaming machine, instructing the gaming machine to enter a remote game play state. The gaming machine can be released from the remote game play state responsive to a releasing event. In one implementation, a wireless interface enables communication between the mobile device and gaming machine according to a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth. |
| US07699702B2 |
Collusion detection
A system for detecting collusion in a game having a plurality of participating players comprises means for recording, for each player, an amount wagered on each turn of the game in which the player participates, and a corresponding outcome of said wager, the outcome being a complete or partial forfeit of the wager if the wager is unsuccessful, and a profit made on the wager if the wager is successful; a ranking facility operable to derive a tertiary statistic for each pair of participating players, the tertiary statistic being a function of the cumulative wagers by each player in the pair in all turns of the game in which both players have wagered, and the cumulative outcomes of the wagers made by each player in the same turns of the game; and monitoring means for monitoring the tertiary statistic of each pair of players and generating an output when the tertiary statistic exceeds a predetermined threshold, the output being an indicator of possible collusion by the respective pair of players. |
| US07699700B2 |
Motor drive device
A motor drive device is disclosed having an input-side gear through which rotation of a stepping motor is transferred to a reel with a predetermined speed reduction ratio, the reel driven by the stepping motor via the input-side gear and is formed in one-piece construction with the input-side gear, and a rotary shaft support section that rotatably supports the reel. The rotary shaft support section has one end formed with a wall portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft support section and the other end provided with a press section by which the rotatably supported reel is pressed toward the wall portion. |
| US07699690B2 |
Single point direct actuation of two air devices
An HVAC unit having a multiple air valve unit comprising two air valve devices sharing at least one common rotation axis is described.Concentric air valve device shafts interface with a common actuation device in such way to allow for rotational motion between the actuation device and the air valve device unit, and to allow to air valve devices to control or distribute air into three or more air outlets of the HVAC unit. |
| US07699689B2 |
Vending machines and coin handling apparatus
An electrical discharge produces an acoustic impulse, and a reflection of the impulse from the upper coin in a coin stack is sensed so that the level of the coin stack can be determined from the time taken for the reflection to be received. Alternatively, or additionally, the acoustic impulse can be used to detect coin jams, the presence and/or width of a coin store, the state of a coin routing gate or the quantity of a vendible product. |
| US07699684B2 |
CMP porous pad with component-filled pores
This invention provides a method for polishing pad comprising a polymeric material having pores and a component that is disposed within the pores. |
| US07699680B2 |
Method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent element
Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent element comprising a substrate and provided thereon, a light emission layer and at least one layer of a hole injecting layer, a hole transporting layer, an electron injecting layer, and an electron transporting layer, two layers of the light emission layer and the at least one layer being adjacent to each other, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a first coating solution employing a first organic solvent for one layer of the two layers and a second coating solution employing a second solvent for the other layer of the two layers, the first solvent being immiscible with the second solvent; (b) simultaneously coating the first and second coating solutions on the substrate so that the first coating solution is in contact with the second coating solution; and (c) drying the coated. |
| US07699679B2 |
Inflatable life-saving swimming garment
An inflatable life-saving swimming garment for a swimmer that comprises an inflatable part for floating the swimmer while being in distress and for creating, when inflated, volume difference between upper body part and lower body part of the swimmer. The garment includes an inflating system that consists of a gas tank with compressed gas for inflating, whenever required, the inflatable part; a controllable valve connecting between the air tank and the inflatable part, for allowing, whenever required, the compressed gas to inflate the inflatable part; a controller for analyzing the swimmer's status underwater and opening the valve after the swimmer has been in an actual or impending distress for a predetermined time; and a battery for supplying power for the operation of the controller and the valve. |
| US07699678B2 |
Binding for water sports boards
A water sport binding is disclosed having a rigid base plate that is adapted to be mounted to a board such as a wake board. A heel loop is pivotably mounted to the base plate and a flexible upper assembly is provided that includes a forward portion that attaches to the base plate and a rearward portion that attaches to the pivotable heel loop. A lever mechanism, including a lever mounted on the heel loop and a cable that attaches to either side of the base plate and extends through a channel in the lever provides a mechanism for locking the heel loop in an upright position during use. The user pivots the lever to permit the heel loop to pivot rearwardly, permitting ready entry or egress from the binding. The flexible upper assembly may include front and back panels, an instep support, an ankle support, and attachment means. |
| US07699675B1 |
Marine exhaust elbow with condensation reducing water circulation system
An exhaust system of a marine propulsion device is provided with a bifurcated cooling passage in its elbow structure in order to limit the effect of cold water being disposed in thermal communication with exhaust gas passing through the elbow structure. This thermal communication between a stream of cold water and exhaust gas passing through the elbow structure is minimized in order to reduce the likelihood that water vapor will condense out of the stream of exhaust gas as it passes through the elbow structure. An obstruction, or water dam, is used to bifurcate the coolant chamber within the elbow structure while allowing passage of coolant through the obstruction. |
| US07699672B2 |
Grouped element transmission channel link with pedestal aspects
A pedestal connector that incorporates one or more grouped element channel link transmission lines is seen to have a dielectric body and two opposing contact ends that are intended to contact opposing contacts or traces. The dielectric body has an S-shaped configuration such that the transmission lines supported thereon make at least one change in direction, thereby permitting the use of such connector to interconnect elements lying in two different planes. The transmission lines include slots that extend within the frame and which define opposing, conductive surfaces formed on the dielectric body which are separated by an intervening air gap. |
| US07699669B2 |
Screw assembly for electrical connectors
A screw assembly for use with an electrical connector securing a conductor includes a threaded body configured to be releasably coupled to a coupling portion of the connector. A contacting structure includes a plate spaced from the threaded body and has a flat contacting surface configured for contacting the conductor. The plate is coupled to the threaded body. The plate is rotatable relative to the threaded body when the threaded body is coupled to the coupling portion of the connector. The plate is restricted from movement away from said threaded body when the threaded body is not coupled to the coupling portion of the connector. A spacer may be positioned between the plate and the threaded body and is configured to urge the plate away from the threaded body. |
| US07699666B2 |
Electrical contact arrangement having a first and a second contact piece
A first contact piece and a second contact piece interact to give a contact configuration. The second contact piece is singled-sided and can be reversibly deformed. In order to increase the contact pressure of the second contact piece onto the first contact piece, an additional pressure element is provided. The pressure element generates contact pressure acting upon the second contact piece via a deflecting device. |
| US07699662B1 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector has an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals. The insulative housing has a base and a tongue. The terminals are mounted in the insulative housing by an insert-molding process. Each terminal has first and second positioning tabs formed transversely on the terminal and embedded into the tongue to prevent the terminal from inadvertently moving relative to the insulative housing. |
| US07699660B2 |
Adapter for an expresscard slot
An adapter assembly is disclosed that enables a memory card having a smaller length than a standard ExpressCard to be compatible with the standard ExpressCard slot. The adapter assembly includes an adapter having side rails configured to disable the ExpressCard slot ejector mechanisms. The adapter assembly further includes a tongue provided for rigidly connecting the adapter to a finger grip, which gets positioned outside of the opening of the ExpressCard slot upon insertion of the adapter assembly into the slot. The adapter allows a memory card having the approximate size, look and feel of a conventional CompactFlash card to be used in a conventional ExpressCard slot. |
| US07699659B2 |
Surface contact card latching assembly
A surface contact card latching assembly (100) is located in a portable electronic device (200). The latching assembly includes a receiving portion (11) and a latch portion (12). The receiving portion is configured for receiving a surface contact card (20). The receiving portion includes an aperture (113) formed at a first end thereof via which the surface contact card enters or exits, and a latching containing portion (114) formed at an opposite second end thereof. The latch portion is received in the latching containing portion. The latch portion is operable to move in the latching containing portion so as to drive the surface contact card to move out of the receiving portion through the aperture. |
| US07699657B2 |
Signal converting apparatus with a relay function wire terminal
A signal converting apparatus with a relay function connector includes a body, a signal converting unit installed in the body and having a signal connecting portion connected to an electronic device for transmitting or receiving a first signal, and at least one first signal line is extended into the body and connected to the signal converting unit. The signal connecting portion is connected to another signal converting apparatus through the first signal line, and a relay function wire terminal is installed in the body and has an end connected to a second signal line. The second signal line is connected to the electronic device or an electric equipment for transmitting/receiving a second signal to/from the electronic device or electric equipment respectively. The relay function wire terminal is connected to a third signal line, and the third signal line is connected to an electric adapter of another signal converting apparatus. |
| US07699656B1 |
Lamp holder having a wire clamp
A lamp holder for holding a lamp and supplying power into the lamp includes a pair of pins for connecting with a power supply, a pair of electric leads for connecting with the lamp, a wire clamp, and a base for accommodating the wire clamp and securing the pair of pins. The wire clamp comprises an upper wire clamp and a lower wire clamp, a pair of pinholes is defined in the upper wire clamp, and another pair of pinholes is defined in the lower wire clamp, a groove connected with each pinhole for accommodating a tail end of each electric lead is defined in the upper wire clamp, and a through opening corresponding to each groove is defined in the lower wire clamp. When the pair of electric leads passes through the pair of through openings and reaches the pair of grooves, and the pair of pins passes through the pair of pinholes, then each electric lead and each pin are electrically connected. |
| US07699651B2 |
Bulkhead socket for a co-axial plug and socket connector
A coaxial plug and socket connector includes a coaxial plug and a bulkhead socket. The socket has: an outer conductor shell, and coaxial cable and mating ends. The shell inside wall, adjacent the mating end, has a latching edge groove. The plug has: an outer conductor shell having mating and coaxial cable ends, a latching sleeve fitting round and axially displaceable relative to the plug shell. The latching sleeve has axial slots at its mating end forming elastically resilient latching tongues having, at their mating ends, a latching edge extending radially outwardly to latch onto the socket groove latching edge. An unlocking sleeve surrounding and displaceable axially relative to the latching sleeve has a ramp sloping radially outwardly toward the cable end. The ramp cooperates with a groove on an inside face of the unlocking sleeve so unlocking sleeve displacement relative to the latching sleeve bends the tongues inwardly. |
| US07699649B2 |
Electrical connecting module
The invention relates to an electrical connecting module comprising at least one connector strip for electrically connecting wires and/or cables. The connector strip has at least one catch element and a rigid front panel. This front panel has at least one opening through which the connector strip can be partially inserted and which is cut open in the area of the catch element. The connector strip rests against the face of the front panel via a stopping edge. A securing element can be locked from the rear side of the front panel by the connector strip. This securing element is situated between the catch element and the front panel, and the closed contour of the securing element forms a stopping face on the rear side of the front panel. The securing element has an at least partially elastic design whereby being elastic in the area of the catch element. The invention also relates to a securing element suitable for the electrical connecting module. |
| US07699645B1 |
Connector for multistranded insulated conductor cable
An electrical connector for a multistranded insulator conductor cable having an elastomeric compression sleeve and a clamping member configured to compress radially inwardly against the cable as a compression member is axially advanced towards the connector body to secure the cable in the connector. The compression member assembly is configured to accommodate a variety of cable insulative sleeve thicknesses and center conductor gauges. |
| US07699644B2 |
Electrical connector with protective member
A connector for connecting a card edge module to a circuit board includes a housing that extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second end portions. The housing including a card slot configured to receive a mating edge of the card edge module and a channel proximate one of the first and second end portions. A protective member is received in the channel and positioned to inhibit contact between a side edge of the card edge module and the one of the first and second end portions of the housing when the card edge module is loaded into the connector. |
| US07699633B2 |
Positioning structure for USB connector
An exemplary positioning structure is used for a USB connector assembled with an electronic device including a main body. The positioning structure includes a through hole defined in the main body, and a guiding portion configured on a periphery of an inner sidewall of the through hole. |
| US07699632B2 |
Connector
A prevention part projected forward from a rear-end surface of a hood part (12) has a first prevention piece (61) disposed within a region of a rear-end surface of the hood part (12) from which a plurality of tabs (22) is projected; and a pair of second prevention pieces (62) so disposed as to sandwich the first prevention piece (61) therebetween, with the second prevention pieces (62) and the first prevention piece (61) arranged in a row at certain intervals. The tabs (22) are disposed between the first prevention piece (61) and the second prevention pieces (62). This construction is capable of decreasing a tab-disposing region. |
| US07699628B2 |
Electrical connector having reinforcement member attached to housing
An electrical connector (200) adapted for electrically connecting an electronic package with a circuit substrate, comprises an insulative housing (3), a plurality of terminals (4) and a reinforcement member (5). The housing (3) comprising an upper surface (32) for supporting the electronic package and an opposite bottom surface (31) for being mounted to the circuit substrate. The terminals (4) comprising a soldering portion (42) extending beyond the bottom surface (31) of the insulative housing (3) adapted for electrically connecting the circuit substrate, a spring arm (41) with a mating portion (411) extending beyond the upper surface (32) of the insulative housing (3) adapted for electrically connecting the electronic package at a free end thereof. The reinforcement member (5) is made of material different from that of the insulative housing (3) and attached to the bottom surface (31) of the insulative housing (3). When heated, the reinforcement member (5) will not distort together with the insulative housing (3). Thus, the reinforcement member (5) can reinforce the insulative housing (3) to prevent the distortion of the housing (3). |
| US07699625B2 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a connector body (10) having a front end (11) and a rear end (12), a plurality of passageways (13) extending from the front end towards the rear end, and terminals (20) within the passageways. The terminal includes an extension section (26) extending a distance away from the rear end of the connector body. A supporting member (15) is disposed adjacent the rear end for supporting at least a portion of the extension section. Thus, the arrangement of the supporting member will prevent the free extension sections of the prior art from being deflected or damaged. |
| US07699622B2 |
Electronic unit and assembling method thereof
An electronic unit includes a case, a printed circuit board, a connector block, and a connector introducing portion. The case is selected from a waterproof case and a non-waterproof case. The connector block is mounted upon the printed circuit board. The connector block has a retaining projection that engages a mating connector. The connector introducing portion is integrally formed with the cases and yet separately from the connector block. The connector introducing portion of the waterproof case has a retaining projection that engages the mating connector. The electronic unit is assembled with the case selected from the waterproof case and the non-waterproof case, and with the printed circuit board and the connector blocks received in the case that has been chosen. |
| US07699620B2 |
Electrical connector assembly and clip mechanism thereof
A clip comprises two pieces of load plates. Each load plate has a pressing portion extending downwardly in a middle position thereof and two retention portions at two ends thereof, the two pieces of load plates across dispose when the load plates are secured. |
| US07699619B2 |
Socket for camera module
A socket for a camera module includes an insulative terminal assembly housing that supports a plurality of conductive terminals. The housing serves as the bottom of a socket and it is surrounded with a conductive metal shell that defines a cavity which receives a camera module. The shell has one or more elastic arms that extend into contact with the housing. The shell is movable on the housing, and the housing has one or more projections that serve as stops for the elastic arms to limit the vertical movement of the shell with respect to the housing. This vertical movement permits the shell to move relative to the housing and thereby compensate for warping and the like which may occur on circuit boards to which the socket is mounted. |
| US07699616B2 |
High density planar electrical interface
An apparatus including a substrate having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of cables, including wires and/or coaxial cables, extending through respective ones of the plurality of through holes of the substrate. Each of the cables comprises a conductor and terminates about a surface of the substrate such that the conductors of respective ones of plurality of cables are planarly aligned and available for electrical contact. A system including a cable interface extending through respective ones of a plurality of through holes of a body of the interface; an interconnection component comprising a first plurality of contact points aligned with respective ones of conductors of the plurality of cables and a second plurality of contact points aligned to corresponding contact points of a device to be tested. Also, a method of routing signals through the conductors of the plurality of cables between electronic components. |
| US07699610B2 |
Flexible denture and method to make same
A flexible denture is provided with a denture plate and a false teeth assembly. The denture plate includes a support member and a deformable member. The support member has an approximately U-shaped base, a labial wall and a lingual wall extending from the base, wherein the labial and lingual walls form an approximate U-shaped cross-section along an imaginary vertical plane to form a channel. The deformable member extending across the channel and spaced a distance from the U-shaped base to separate the channel into a gum receiving section and a fitting section, the fitting section including a plurality of ridges extending between the U-shaped base and the deformable member. The deformable member is constructed of soft and pliable material. The false teeth assembly includes a plurality of false teeth secured to the base, the false teeth assembly includes a reinforcing bar embedded within and connecting the plurality of false teeth. |
| US07699607B2 |
Locating and measuring device of facial anatomical parameters
This present invention concerns a locating and measuring device of facial anatomical parameters of a human face. It includes in particular a frame intended to be positioned in front of a face, and a bite yoke mounted on a cross member of the frame, intended to be inserted into the mouth and bitten onto by a patient. In a manner that is characteristic, the invention also includes materialization and positioning for an incisive line, materialization and positioning for a bi-pupillary line, and materialization and positioning for a Camper's plane on at least one profile of the face. The device of the invention finds a particular application in the fields of dental and periodontal reconstruction and repair in accordance with the aesthetic harmony of the face. |
| US07699606B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating an orthodontic template that assists in placement of orthodontic apparatus
A method and apparatus for generating a orthodontic template that assists in the placement of an orthodontic apparatus includes processing that begins by obtaining a digital model of an orthodontic structure of an orthodontic patient. The processing continues by obtaining a selection of one of a plurality of orthodontic apparatuses for the orthodontic structure to produce a selected orthodontic apparatus. The processing then continues by obtaining a digital model of placement of the selected orthodontic apparatus on the digital model of the orthodontic structure. The processing then continues by retrieving a digital image of a tooth mounting apparatus (e.g., a bracket, a band, a headgear tube, etc.) of the selected apparatus for a given tooth. The processing then continues by generating a orthodontic template for holding a physical embodiment of the tooth mounting apparatus based on the digital image of the tooth mounting apparatus, the digital model of the placement, and at least a portion of the digital model of the orthodontic structure. |
| US07699603B2 |
Multisensory candle assembly
A candle assembly includes a support base with a melting plate upon which a meltable solid fuel rests and a wick holder to hold a wick and engage the meltable solid fuel, and a control unit having at least one electrical component to control at least one of a sound emitting system or a light emitting system. In another aspect, a candle assembly includes a sensor configured to detect the presence of a flame disposed on the wick and controls the at least one of the sound emitting system or the light emitting system, and a lock and key mechanism. Another candle assembly includes a replaceable container to hold a meltable fuel element with a wick and a first mating surface and a control unit having at least one electrical component to control at least one of a sound emitting system or a light emitting system. In another aspect, the control unit has a second mating surface complimentary to the first mating surface and a sensor configured to detect the presence of a flame disposed on a wick. The sensor controls the at least one of the sound emitting system or the light emitting system, and the first mating surface is configured to mate with the second mating surface in a pre-selected spatial orientation to permit the sensor to detect the presence of a flame. |
| US07699602B2 |
Glassware mold lubrication burner
A burner for depositing carbon soot on a glassware mold includes a burner nozzle having an annular array of individual gas outlet ports, a fuel passage within the nozzle connected to a first plurality of the outlet ports and an oxidant passage in the nozzle connected to a second plurality of the outlet ports. The first plurality of outlet ports individually alternate with the second plurality of outlet ports around the annular array such that the array presents alternate fuel and oxidant outlet ports around the array. An ignition electrode is disposed on the burner nozzle within the annular array of outlet ports for igniting fuel and oxidant emerging from the outlet ports. The ignition electrode preferably is in the form of an elongated ignition electrode rod telescopically surrounded by an insulator and centered on the burner nozzle within the annular array of outlet ports, and a ground electrode telescopically surrounding the insulator. The ground electrode preferably is part of the burner nozzle and is electrically connected to a burner mounting block on which the burner nozzle is mounted. |
| US07699594B2 |
Method and apparatus for supplying label to pseudo-core in in-mold labeling system
A method and an apparatus for supplying a label to a pseudo-core with the label held in the right position that can reduce the rate of producing defective molded products. They also can delivery a label with reduced suction force for drawing the label so as to downsize the apparatus and reduce the cost. A label 25 that is sucked and held at least at a longitudinal central part thereof is introduced into a pseudo metal mold 23 having a hollow section 23a whose inner surface shows a profile substantially agreeing with the outer profile of a corresponding pseudo-core and an aperture section 23b communicating with the hollow section 23a by way of pseudo metal mold 23 so as to extend along the inner surface of the hollow section 23a, while it is being resiliently deformed. Subsequently, the label 25 is supplied to the pseudo-core 21 coming into the hollow section 23a of the pseudo metal mold 23. |
| US07699591B2 |
Scroll compressor with surface processed orbiting scroll plate back surface
A scroll compressor in which a scroll fixed lap rising from a fixed plate of a fixed scroll and a scroll orbiting lap rising from an orbiting plate of an orbiting scroll are combined with each other to form compression chambers therebetween, the fixed scroll is made of iron-based material, the orbiting scroll is made of aluminum-based material, at least the plate back surface of the orbiting scroll is subjected to surface processing. |
| US07699589B2 |
Scroll type fluid machine having a circulation path and inlet path for guiding refrigerant from a discharge chamber to a drive casing and to a rear-side of movable scroll
In a scroll-type fluid machine (4), a refrigerant in a discharge chamber (80) is adjusted at prescribed discharge pressure by using a discharge valve (84), discharged from a scroll unit (52), and supplied to a refrigeration circuit (2), and the machine has a circulation path (7) for introducing the refrigerant in the discharge chamber from the refrigeration circuit toward a drive casing (22) while maintaining the refrigerant pressure, and an inlet path (93) formed in a compression casing (24) and leads the refrigerant in the circulation path to the rear side of a movable scroll (54) to make the led refrigerant counteract the refrigerant discharge pressure acting on the front side of the movable scroll. |
| US07699586B2 |
Wide blade, axial flow pump
A blood pump comprises a pump housing; a rotor positioned in the housing and comprising an impeller having a hydrodynamic surface for pumping blood; and a motor including a plurality of magnets carried by the impeller, plus a rotor stator, including an electrically conductive coil located adjacent to or within the housing. The impeller comprises radially outwardly extending, bladelike projections that define generally longitudinally extending spaces between the projections. The shape of the projections and the spaces therebetween tend to drive blood in the spaces in an axial direction as the impeller is rotated. The spaces collectively have a total width along most of their lengths at the radial periphery of the rotor, that is substantially equal to or less than the collective width of the projections along most of their lengths at the radial periphery. Thus, the bladelike projections are thicker, achieving significant advantages. |
| US07699585B2 |
Swash plate type compressor
In a swash plate type compressor, refrigerant in a discharge pressure region is introduced into a crank chamber through a supply passage while the refrigerant in the crank chamber is drawn out to a suction pressure region through a bleed passage for controlling pressure in the crank chamber, whereby inclination angle of a swash plate is changed. A heat-generating sliding portion is provided in the crank chamber. The supply passage includes a communication port that communicates with the crank chamber and a first throttle portion for throttling the refrigerant. At least parts of the supply passage and the bleed passage are formed in a drive shaft. A part of the bleed passage formed in the drive shaft is located between a part of the supply passage formed in the drive shaft and an outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft. |
| US07699581B2 |
Run-in coating for gas turbines and method for producing same
A run-in coating is for gas turbines. The run-in coating is used for sealing a radial gap between a housing of the gas turbine and rotating rotor blades of same, the run-in coating being applied onto the housing. The run-in coating is made of an intermetallic titanium-aluminum material. |
| US07699571B2 |
Over-molded compression limiter
A compression limiter includes a tubular-shaped wall having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a central passage. A plurality of perforations extend through the wall from the outer surface to the inner surface. A plastic component can be formed with the compression limiter by over-molding a plastic body over the compression coupler and extending the plastic body into the plurality of perforations. The compression limiter is thereby firmly secured to the plastic body. Different sized fastener openings can be formed within the compression limiter by extending the plastic body into the central passage of the compression limiter and/or substantially preventing the plastic body from extending into the central passage of the compression limiter. |
| US07699563B2 |
Landfill and method of decomposing refuse in a landfill
Landfills and their methods of operation are disclosed. Through the controlled introduction of septage into a wet cell having a refuse layer, refuse decomposes faster to achieve additional landfill space. |
| US07699559B2 |
Device and method for modifying the layout of a vehicle racing course
A device for modifying the layout of a vehicle racing course in a wide track section thereof including an arrangement consisting of individual elements for defining the edge of the track located in the region of the track section, which can be displaced, either individually or in groups, from an initial configuration of the track section into a new configuration for reshaping a bend in the racing course or/and for dividing the racing course. |
| US07699558B2 |
Anti-ram system and method of installation
An anti-ram system and method of construction having a shallow mounted base pad from which extend a plurality of bollards. Very little or only a shallow excavation is required for the base of the bollard system, which can be partially or fully assembled prior to bringing it to the installation site. The shallow mounting pad or base of the bollard system of this invention may be formed or constructed in various ways and of various materials, and in various configurations. The shallow mounting pad or base is constructed so as to have considerable mass. |
| US07699556B2 |
Bolted flanged connection on a basis of shape memory effect and inverse flexion flange design
A Bolted Flanged Connection (BFC) includes “negative creep” bolts with cores manufactured from Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) and “negative creep” gasket manufactured from the same SMA. The gasket is shape-memorized to the “swelling”, and bolt cores are shape-memorized to the compression. Temperature interval of reverse martensitic phase transformation of SMA is close to operational temperature interval of the assembly. The constrained shape recovery of the gasket and bolt cores is combined with inverse flexion flange design that constitutes original type of BFC with feature to inhibit flange rotation and creep of bolts and gasket under conditions of a variety of operational temperatures and internal pressures. Presented type of BFC allows increasing significantly internal pressure and leak tightness providing safe and extended service life of pressure vessels and plant/piping systems used in aerospace, submarine shipbuilding, petroleum refining, petrochemicals, fossil fuel and nuclear power generation, and other industries. |
| US07699553B1 |
Binder and multi-function binder hold down page
A binder hold down page of multifunction construction. The hold down page is equipped with at least one article holder. The hold down page has a hold down surface opposite an outer surface, at least one of which is configured with an article holder of integral construction. A plurality of article holders can be provided, each for holding a different type of article. In one preferred embodiment, both surfaces are configured with at least one article holder. In another preferred embodiment, both surfaces are configured with a plurality of article holders. A hold down page constructed in accordance with the invention is retained along one side in a binder. The hold down page preferably also is releasably latched to the binder along a side of the page that is spaced from the side captured by the binder. Rings can be used to retain the hold down page in the binder. |
| US07699550B2 |
Modular printer
A modular printer having a media take-up assembly, a support block assembly, a printhead assembly, a stepper motor assembly and a display assembly is provided. A support housing having a plurality of recesses formed on an internal wall of the modular printer is also provided. Each of the recesses is configured to receive and align one of the modular printer assemblies with the other modular printer assemblies. Each of the assemblies is configured as a module which can be easily accessed and quickly secured to or detached from the support housing. The support housing is adapted to receive assembly modules for both thermal ink printers and ribbon ink printers such that the modular printer can be easily converted from one to the other. |
| US07699547B2 |
Compact camera module
A compact camera module mainly includes an image sensor chip, a module case and a lens module. The image sensor chip has an active surface, a back surface and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein a sensor region is formed in the active surface. A plurality of lateral contact fingers is formed on the side surfaces. The image sensor chip is plugged in a cave of the module case, a plurality of electrically contact components disposed on inside walls of the cave electrically connect the lateral contacting fingers. The lens module is mounted on the module case to seal the image sensor chip. Because the electrically contact components can replace the bonding wires to electrically connect the lateral contacting fingers, the compact camera module can be reworked and tiny. |
| US07699545B2 |
Shutter device and image pickup apparatus
A shutter device includes a blade member and a detecting unit. The blade member includes a first blade, a second blade, a detection portion, and a limiting portion. The blade member controls a time of exposure, performed on a recording medium, on the basis of a magnitude of a width of a slit. The slit includes slit portions and is provided when the first and second blades travel. The slit portions are provided at the detection portion and limiting portion, respectively. The detecting unit detects a state of the slit width. A cut-away portion is provided at the blade member so that a width of the slit portion at the detection portion is greater than a width of the slit portion at the limiting portion. The detection portion is detected by the detecting unit. The limiting portion limits the exposure time. |
| US07699538B2 |
Hermetically sealing member having optical transmission means, optoelectronic apparatus, and optical transmission method
A hermetically sealing member with an optical transmission means transmits an optical signal economically and practically between the inside and the outside of a shielding member covering a printed-circuit board while sustaining the hermetically sealed state certainly. An optoelectronic device and an optical transmission method are also provided. A hermetically sealing member with an optical transmission means includes a gasket body fixed between a printed-circuit board and a sealing face of a shielding member, and a tape fiber formed integrally with the gasket body. |
| US07699535B2 |
High energy fiber terminations and methods
A ferrule and method are presented that fuses optical fibers, capillaries and the like to ferrules while reducing deformation of the fused component and the ferrule and minimizing stresses within the assembly. Reduced deformation and stress is accomplished by providing high contact angles in a symmetrical, short section of fusion in fusing the component carried by the ferrule to the ferrule. It is particularly applicable to hermetic terminations of polymer clad fiber optics where irregular glass fusion joints cause irregular light leakage at the fiber launch but benefits are significant when used for other fiber and capillary architectures as well. |
| US07699525B2 |
Support arrangement for a machine portal and method for manufacture of such a support arrangement
A support arrangement for a machine portal includes a lightweight support structure and a row of base segments supporting at least one guide rail of a linear drive on the support structure. Both the base segments and the guide rail exhibit different thermal expansion behavior from the support structure. The base segments are fixed at a distance from their edges by fixing screws to respective fastening members extending into the support structure. The base segments define at least one step on which they support the guide rail with a positive fit. The guide rail is fixed to the support structure by at least one expansion screw. The support arrangement maintains precise alignment of the guide rail while accommodating differing thermal expansions between the rail, base segments and support structure. |
| US07699524B2 |
Utility bag for promotional materials
A utility bag for carrying and distributing a plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials includes a housing having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape and including, in combination, a front panel, a rear panel, a pair of sides panels and a bottom panel, wherein the combination forms an internal compartment open at one end, and wherein the internal compartment is sized to receive such plurality of generally thin promotional sheet materials. A handle or flexible strap is connected to the housing for carrying such bag. |
| US07699520B2 |
Micro heat flux sensor array
Provided is a micro heat flux sensor array having reduced heat resistance. A micro heat flux sensor array may include a substrate, a plurality of first sensors formed on a first side of the substrate, and a plurality of second sensors formed on a second side of the substrate. Each of the plurality of first and second sensors may include a first wiring pattern layer of a first conductive material, a second wiring pattern layer of a second conductive material contacting the first wiring pattern layer, and an insulating layer in contact with the first and second wiring patterns. |
| US07699512B2 |
Vehicle fitting with light guide
A fitting, especially a roof liner for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is provided with a flat light source having a plate-shaped light guide which radiates light in the direction of the visible side of the fitting. The front surface of the plate-shaped light guide protrudes at least partially above the flat side of the interior fitting opposite the visible side and actively cooperates with a source of illumination. |
| US07699510B2 |
Vehicle interior lamp
A bracket for securing a light source to a lamp housing is provided. The lamp housing has a heat-discharge opening at a position corresponding to the light source. The bracket has a wall portion arranged between the light source and an edge of the heat-discharge opening. |
| US07699503B2 |
Light control film and backlight unit using the same
A light control film enabling improvement in front luminance, having appropriate light diffusing property and free from problems of interference pattern, glare etc. is provided.A light control film 10 having a rough surface as one surface and a substantially smooth surface as the other surface is constituted so that total light transmission of the film for lights entered from the smooth surface should be not more than 65%, total light transmission of the film for lights entered from the rough surface should be not less than 80%, as measured according to the measurement method defined in JIS K7361-1:1997, and a value obtained by subtracting the total light transmission for smooth surface incidence from the total light transmission for rough surface incidence should be not less than 30%. |
| US07699502B2 |
Optical member and lighting device having the same
An optical member (3) has an entrance bottom surface (6) opposed to LED chips (1) and the entrance bottom surface (6) is configured to receive light from the LED chips (1), an exit top surface (7) opposite to the entrance bottom surface (6) and the exit top surface (7) is configured to emit the light outside the optical member(3), and an outer peripheral side surface (8) disposed between the entrance bottom surface (6) and the exit top surface (7). The outer peripheral side surface (8) has a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves (9) each having a V-shaped sectional configuration. The grooves (9) are set at an angle at which the entered light can be totally reflected inwardly in the optical member (3). |
| US07699500B2 |
Light-emitting element mounting board, light-emitting element module, lighting device, display device, and traffic signal equipment
In accordance with the present invention, a light-emitting element mounting board is provided including an enamel layer which covers the surface of a core metal, wherein reflective cup portions for mounting light-emitting elements are provided on one face of the board, and wherein a heat radiating part is formed by at least partially removing the enamel layer on the other face of the board, and exposing the core metal. Further, a light-emitting element module including light-emitting elements mounted thereon, a lighting device including the light-emitting element, a display device, and traffic signal equipment are provided. |
| US07699497B2 |
Backlight module and a liquid crystal display module using the same
A backlight module for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a bottom plate, a plurality light sources, a light-premixing unit, and a light-mixing unit. The light sources are mounted on the bottom frame. The light-premixing unit is located above the bottom frame. The light-premixing unit includes a first diffuser. The light-mixing unit is located at a distance above the light-premixing unit. The light-mixing unit includes a second diffuser. The backlight module can effectively reduce the thickness of and meet the slim-line requirement of the LCD. |
| US07699488B2 |
Built-in light
In order further to develop a built-in light comprising a frame 1 which can be mounted to a ceiling, a retaining hoop 2 which can be fixed to the top side of the frame, a reflector 4 which can be connected to the frame 1 and a fitting carrier 3 which can also be connected to the frame 1 in such a way that it can be more easily assembled, it is proposed that the retaining hoop 2 is provided with lateral guide surfaces 2d for guiding the fitting carrier 3 and support surfaces 2e engaging thereunder for draw-like receiving the fitting carrier 3 and that there are provided latching means for connecting the fitting carrier 3 to the retaining hoop 2. |
| US07699487B2 |
Telescopic light base for coupling to diverse plant containers
A telescopic light base couples decorative light fixtures to a flower pot or other similar container. The decorative light fixture may then be used to illuminate the contents of the pot. The telescopic light base has a ground-engaging pad upon which the pot rests. The weight of the pot then serves to anchor the telescopic light base in place. A telescopic pole support of variable length is coupled at a first end to the ground-engaging pad. At an end of the telescopic pole support distal to the ground-engaging pad, a pot upper rim retention arm is provided which operatively passes within the pot sidewalls. Adjacent to the pot upper rim retention arm is a lamppost connector. The telescopic pole support may be contracted to capture a pot between the ground-engaging pad and pot upper rim retention arm, and then later expanded and separated from the pot. |
| US07699486B1 |
Illuminated eyeglass assembly
An illuminated eyeglass assembly includes one or more temple members having an integral lighting assembly structured and disposed to provide an illumination region proximate a user, for example, to illuminate an item within an arm's length of the user. Each integral light assembly includes at least one light source interconnected to a power source via a switch mechanism. Each of the light sources produce a light beam, and the light sources are structured and disposed such that the light beams provide an illumination region immediately proximate the user, thereby permitting the user to perceptively view an item in a low light environment, such as, to permit the user to read menu or a check in a restaurant or nightclub. A system is provided to retrofit an existing eyeglass assembly with one or more temple member having an integral lighting assembly. |
| US07699481B2 |
Method of wiring lighting fixtures to achieve uniform voltage drop
This invention is directed toward a method for wiring lighting systems, primarily low voltage, landscape lighting systems. The inventive method operates to equalize voltage drop across such lighting systems. The inventive method involves running a home run wire from a power source or transformer to a wiring hub. Two or more light fixtures having equal length wire leads are connected to the home run wire in the wiring hub. Each of the light fixtures are then arranged in the landscape lighting system around the wiring hub. Uniform voltage drop is achieved through the creation of equal distances between multiple light fixtures and a common power source. The common home run wire and equal length wire leads results is an equal distance from a common power source to each light fixture in the configuration. |
| US07699474B2 |
Two light source type projector
A projector includes a lighting device having two light source devices each having an ellipsoidal reflector disposed such that the ellipsoidal reflectors face each other, a reflection system that reflects illumination lights emitted from the two light source devices substantially in the same direction, an electro-optic modulating device that modulates the light released from the lighting device according to image information; and a projection system that projects light modulated by the electro-optic modulating device. The two light source devices are disposed such that the respective light source optical axes of the two light source devices are substantially perpendicular to the projection optical axis of the projection system. The reflection system is constructed such that the center axes of the respective illumination lights emitted from the two light source devices and entering a converging lens are inclined toward the illumination optical axis of the lighting device by a predetermined angle. |
| US07699463B2 |
Eyewear with adjustable retention strap
Eyewear includes a frame having a first side and a second side. The eyewear additionally includes a continuous strap. The continuous strap includes a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to the first side of the frame. The continuous strap includes a first side and a second side. The second side has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes one of a hook material and a loop material. The second portion includes the other of the hook material and loop material. The continuous strap passes through the opening proximate the second side of the frame and doubles over such that the hook material cooperatively engages the loop material. |
| US07699459B2 |
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. |
| US07699456B2 |
Security printing liquid and method using nanoparticles
The invention relates to a printing method according to which, during the printing process, one or more narrow nozzles eject a printing liquid, and to a printing liquid suitable for such a method. The invention is particularly suitable for forgery-proof printing on papers or articles. According to the invention, the printing liquid contains nanoparticles that can be induced to fluoresce or phosphoresce. Said nanoparticles are small crystalline particles that can be induced to fluoresce or phosphoresce on their own or when mixed with dopants. Individual dots (10, 12) can be printed by means of a printing liquid that contains said nanoparticles. Due to their small size of from 1 to 1000 nanometers, preferably in the range of 300 nanometers or even much smaller depending on nozzle diameter, there is no risk of very narrow ink jet nozzles getting plugged. The induction and fluorescence emission frequency ranges are narrow-band so that for a security control of the print the respective wavelength-specific induction or detection is required, thereby increasing protection against forgery. |
| US07699452B2 |
Ink cartridge and method of ink injection thereinto
An ink cartridge 1 is detachably connected to a head of a record apparatus and has a container main body 2 having an ink tank chamber 11 opened to the atmosphere in a state in which the head and the cartridge are connected and a first opening 85 through which ink can be injected into the ink tank chamber (second ink storage chamber 16, etc.,). Such an intermediate wall 301 partitioning the ink tank chamber 11 into two space parts 11a and 11b placed side by side in an ink injection direction is disposed in the ink tank chamber 11 and is formed with a through part 301a through which ink can be injected. |
| US07699449B2 |
Liquid injection apparatus and method for driving the same
A liquid ejection apparatus comprises a liquid cartridge for storing a liquid, a liquid ejection head for ejecting the liquid toward a target, a liquid supply path for guiding the liquid to the liquid ejection head from the liquid cartridge, and a capping device for drawing the liquid from the liquid ejection head. The liquid supply path comprises a plurality of wall surfaces, and a part of the wall surface is formed of a flexible member that is flexed by the inside-and-outside pressure difference of the liquid supply path. A pressure pump for adjusting the pressure of a fluid within the liquid supply path in the upstream side of the flexible member is provided. |
| US07699448B2 |
Ink refill unit with threaded incremental ink ejection for print cartridge
An ink refill unit for a print cartridge is provided. The unit includes a housing which defines a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet. The unit also includes an ink reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject ink from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by the print cartridge. The ejector assembly includes a plunger having a toothed thread which engages with a screw thread provided in an internal wall of the housing. The ejector has a drive gear so that actuation of the drive gear imparts rotation to the toothed thread so as to rotate the plunger within the screw thread of the housing to eject ink from a bellows-like reservoir. |
| US07699442B2 |
Piezoelectric inkjet printhead
A piezoelectric inkjet printhead includes a manifold, a chamber array including a plurality of chambers in connection with the manifold and arranged along at least one side of the manifold, a vibrating plate to cover the plurality of chambers, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators formed on the vibrating plate to change pressures of corresponding ones of the plurality of chambers by vibrating the vibrating plate. The plurality of chambers includes a plurality of pressure chambers disposed in a center portion of the chamber array and having corresponding ink ejecting nozzles, and at least two dummy chambers, one disposed on each side of the chamber array and having corresponding dummy nozzles that do not eject ink. A plurality of trenches may be formed in the vibrating plate between each of the piezoelectric actuators. |
| US07699441B2 |
Liquid drop ejector having improved liquid chamber
A liquid drop ejector includes a substrate and a liquid chamber for receiving a liquid. The liquid chamber is positioned over the substrate and includes a nozzle plate, a chamber wall and a liner layer. The nozzle plate and the chamber wall include an organic material. The liner layer includes an inorganic material. The liner layer is located on the nozzle plate and the chamber wall such that the inorganic material is contactable with the liquid when the liquid is present in the chamber. |
| US07699437B2 |
Array inkjet head and inkjet image-forming apparatus having the same
An array inkjet head and an inkjet image forming apparatus having the array inkjet head. The array inkjet head is formed by sequentially combining a first member, a second member, a third member on an upper surface of which a plurality of base modules are mounted, and a cover member that covers the third member, and the cover member comprises a plurality of opening holes formed along the lengthwise direction of the cover member to expose the head chips and a plurality of concave units formed on both sides of each of the opening holes and to have a predetermined gaps between edge units of the base modules to be coated with an adhesive. |
| US07699430B2 |
Ink jet printing apparatus
The present invention is intended to make it possible to form patches that allow for a high precision measurement of a threshold of an electric energy to be supplied to nozzles of a print head, without using a high-precision sensor. To this end, this invention changes the electric energy supplied to the nozzles of the print head stepwise in printing patches that are used to measure an ink droplet ejection state of the nozzles for each level of electric energy. The patch printing involves dividing the nozzle column of the print head into a plurality of nozzle groups and scanning at least one of the nozzle groups a plurality of times over each of the plurality of patch forming areas set on a print medium. |
| US07699429B2 |
Droplet ejection device, droplet ejection device control method and storage medium storing droplet ejection device control program
The present invention provides a droplet ejection device that includes a head, a storage component and an alteration component. At the head, a plurality of nozzles, which eject droplets in accordance with image data representing an image, are arrayed over a width in a main scanning direction which is longer than a recording region width. The head forms a main scanning line with the droplets ejected from the nozzles. At the storage component, inclination information relating to an inclination of the main scanning line formed by the head with respect to a main scanning line that should ideally be formed is pre-stored. The alteration component, in accordance with the inclination information stored at the storage component, alters which nozzles are to eject droplets in accordance with the image data. |
| US07699428B2 |
Discharge amount measurement method, pattern formation method, device, electro-optical device, and electronic instrument
A discharge amount measurement method is configured to measure a discharge amount of a liquid discharged from at least one nozzle of a droplet discharge head. The discharge amount measurement method includes discharging the liquid as a droplet from the at least one nozzle of the droplet discharge head by a number of discharges that is set to obtain a measurable quantity by driving the droplet discharge head based on measurement discharge data that is substantially identical to data used when a drawing pattern is formed by discharging the liquid from the at least one nozzle of the droplet discharge head, measuring the discharge amount of the liquid discharged from the at least one nozzle of the droplet discharge head, and calculating an average discharge amount based on the discharge amount and the number of discharges. |
| US07699427B2 |
Detection of a print recording material reservoir
Control circuit 30 determines whether or not all ink cartridges CA1 through CA6 are attached in the home position based on cartridge out signals COO. Control circuit 30 carries out communication with memory devices 21 through 26 and determines the presence or absence of communication malfunctions. When a communication malfunction develops in one of memory devices 21 through 26, control circuit 30 determines if a communication malfunction is caused by ink cartridge 30 being detached and identifies detached ink cartridge CA using identifying information. When all of ink cartridges CA1 through CA6 are attached, control circuit 30 determines which of memory devices 21 through 26 has developed a communication malfunction and identifies ink cartridge CA in which a communication malfunction has developed using identifying information. |
| US07699425B2 |
Printing apparatus and method for estimating amount of ink
The present invention provides a printing apparatus which is capable of estimate an amount of remaining ink with high accuracy by using ejection of ink from a printing head while restraining a consumption of ink during the estimation of the remaining ink amount, and also provides a method for estimating an amount of ink. An amount of ink ejected per unit time during the ink ejection for estimation of the remaining ink amount is set to be larger than an amount of ink ejected per unit time during printing. |
| US07699421B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus of the invention includes a distance obtaining unit that obtains a distance between the nozzle of the head and a medium to which the liquid is ejected. The driving signal is a periodical signal including a first pulse-wave capable of ejecting a drop of the liquid having a predetermined volume at a relatively low speed, and a second pulse-wave capable of ejecting a drop of the liquid having the predetermined volume at a relatively high speed, the predetermined volume corresponding to a predetermined level data. The driving-pulse generator is adapted to generate, when the selected level data is the predetermined level data: a driving-pulse including only the first pulse-wave when a distance obtained by the distance obtaining unit is not less than a predetermined value; and a driving-pulse including only the second pulse-wave when the distance is less than the predetermined value. |
| US07699420B2 |
Voltage control device, voltage control method, and liquid injection device
A voltage control device for a liquid injection head corrects a voltage supplied to the liquid injection head. |
| US07699415B2 |
Drawer slide locating system
A drawer slide locating system includes an outer rail having a bracket at its front end, an inner rail, and a bearing carrier disposed between the inner rail and the outer rail. The bracket contains a locking piece toward the bearing carrier. Two wings extend from both sides of the locking piece to define a leverage axis. A slot is disposed on the outer rail. The locking piece having one lower end adapted with a hooking portion and another end being held against by the bearing carrier. The hooking portion raises to hold against the bottom of the bearing carrier and secure the bearing carrier in place. |
| US07699414B1 |
Drawer cover to prevent jams
A cover for a drawer to prevent objects placed therein from obstructing the movement of the drawer when it is opened or closed. The cover has a guard member in the form of a sheet with a flange member secured on one end there of. The flange member in conjunction with at least one fastener secures the cover to the drawer back. The at least one fastener may be a screw, bolt, or other similar fastener. The flange member may be provided with a number of apertures that corresponds to the number of fasteners. The at least one fastener may be a hook and loop fastener commonly known as Velcro®. The hook and loop fastener allows the user to install and remove the cover without the use of tools. |
| US07699410B2 |
Method and device for controlling a wheel brake of a motor vehicle
Method and device for controlling an automotive wheel brake, in which in a predefined operating situation, for example at a standstill, the braking force or brake pressure built up, and/or the dynamics of change, are limited. Two pressure control circuits are connected so that the pressure on the two respective wheel brakes is regulated by a pressure control circuit. A wheel brake is completely released in the predefined operating situation. |
| US07699409B2 |
Vehicle brake fluid pressure control device
The similarity groups of the pressure differential—current characteristics of solenoid valves are measured in advance, and the measurement results are used to select the solenoid valves to be used for first to fourth pressure increase control valves. Only solenoid valves in the same region in terms of their similarity group of the pressure differential—current characteristics are used for the first to fourth pressure increase control valves. A board on which the first to fourth control valves are mounted is provided with a mark unit that indicates the similarity group of the pressure differential—current characteristics of the first to forth pressure increase control valves. The mark unit includes a resistor. A brake ECU uses the resistance value of the resistor to identify the similarity group of the pressure differential—current characteristics of the first to fourth pressure increase control valves. |
| US07699408B2 |
System and method for aircraft braking system using monitoring
The system and method for monitoring wear of one or more aircraft parts, such as an aircraft brake, an aircraft tire, a standby system, and landing gear. One or more sensors are provided for sensing a parameter of usage, and an estimate of usage of the part can be determined based upon the signal indicating the sensed value of the parameter of usage of the aircraft part. A plurality of sensors can be provided for sensing usage of a plurality of parts of the aircraft, and the estimate of usage of the part can be stored for access of the estimate by ground personnel. As applied to monitoring wear of an aircraft brake, a linear brake wear indicator attached to the brake moves a discrete distance when the brake is actuated, and a linear position encoder measures the distance traveled by the linear brake wear indicator as an indication of brake usage. A wheel speed monitor may also be provided for measuring the aircraft wheel speed, for distinguishing between static brake applications and moving brake applications, based upon the wheel speed signal. |
| US07699406B1 |
Towed vehicle brake actuator assembly
A system for actuating brakes in a towed vehicle in response to actuation of brakes in a towing vehicle comprising a cylinder including an inner cylindrical wall attached to a brake pedal in the towed vehicle and an outer cylindrical wall attached to the firewall in the towed vehicle. An air line supplies positive airflow from the towing vehicle to the cylinder and to a venturi to create a vacuum in response to the airflow. The vacuum is supplied to a brake booster in the towed vehicle while the airflow is supplied to the air cylinder to move the brake pedal in the towed vehicle in proportion to the amount of braking is the towing vehicle. |
| US07699404B2 |
Wheel assemblies
Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheel assemblies and tires. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly generally includes first and second wheel pieces attachable to each other. The first and second wheel pieces may include respective first and second rim portions. Each of the first and second rim portions may include an arced portion that defines only a portion of a circumference of a rim, such that the arced portions collectively define the circumference of the rim when the first and second wheel pieces are attached. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably engagable in a first axial direction that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel assembly. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably disengagable in a second axial direction that is generally opposite the first axial direction. |
| US07699403B2 |
Method and apparatus for making toothbrushes
A method for making toothbrushes includes the steps of, providing a toothbrush, and providing an end-rounder secured to a support. The support is substantially fixed against movement. The toothbrush is moved towards the end-rounder such that free ends of bristles secured to a head of the toothbrush are rounded by the end-rounder. |
| US07699401B2 |
Apparatus and method for attaching seat belt components
An anchor for securing seat belt component to a vehicle includes a latch member for securing a tongue portion of the component within a housing. The latch member is movable between a first position wherein a protrusion on the latch member engages the tongue and a second position wherein the protrusion is displaced for releasing the tongue. A biasing member provides a biasing force to maintain the latch in the first position. The housing includes a latch-access area for allowing the latch member to be engaged for manually forcing the latch member to the second position to allow the tongue portion to be removed, so that the anchor does not have a release button. |
| US07699400B2 |
Seating apparatus, and in particular vehicle or aircraft seating apparatus
A seating apparatus, and in particular a vehicle or aircraft seating apparatus, includes a seat base bearing unit which is provided in order to mount a seat base in a movable manner. The seat base bearing unit comprises at least one movably mounted stiffening member which has at least two coupling points in the transverse direction of the seat base bearing unit. |
| US07699397B2 |
Seat reclining device
In a seat reclining device, reclining mechanisms that are respectively provided on right and left sides of a seat are constructed such that locking and unlocking motion thereof can be performed in synchronism with each other via a connection member. A connection structure of the connection member and a operation shaft is constructed as a transmission preventing mechanism for preventing transmission of the unlocking motion between the reclining mechanisms when a load is laterally disproportionately applied to the seat back in which the reclining mechanisms are in a locking condition such that a relatively different rotational displacement that permits to release the locking condition is generated between the reclining mechanisms that are arranged in rotationally synchronism with each other. |
| US07699395B1 |
High chair apparatus
The high chair apparatus focuses on safety by providing no sharp edges. External edges and features of the apparatus are rounded to avoid potential injury to a child, whether in or around the apparatus. The seat prevents a child's escape from the chair via the harness and the divider. The built-in vacuum has a substantially selectively hidden hose so that the hose is out of the way except during use. The hose extends sufficiently to clean the apparatus and any area around the apparatus. The removable tray cover and chair back cover further aid in cleanup by providing removable washability. The pedestal housing the vacuum components is insulated to negate excessive noise. Triangularly positioned wheels provide mobility. |
| US07699392B2 |
Bicycle saddle
A bicycle saddle includes a frame and a padding placed over the frame. The padding includes a leading edge, a trailing edge and a recessed supporting surface defined therein for receiving an elastic element. The elastic element includes leading and trailing edge portions for receiving the leading and trailing edges of the padding respectively. The elastic element further includes two side edges extending longitudinally between the leading and trailing edge portions exposed from the recessed supporting surface so that when the bicycle saddle is subject to a force of weight transmitted from a rider, the elastic element can extend transversely to the longitudinal direction between leading and trailing edge portions thereof without confinement. |
| US07699390B2 |
Seating system for passenger service vehicles, for aircraft in particular
In a seating system for passenger service vehicles, and for aircraft in particular, having a seat structure (19), a seat element, a backrest (5), an arm rest (7), and table element (1), the table element (1) is movable between a storage position and a use position. In the use position, the table element (1) faring a table surface (3). The table element (1) is pivotally connected to the seat structure (19, 27) by lever mechanism (23, 33), and a power drive (21) is provided, which is coupled to the lever mechanism (23, 33) to form an over-center mechanism. The power drive (21) pivots the table element (1) from the storage position into an intermediate position, which is defined by the over-center mechanism, and from the intermediate position into the use position after over-centering of the intermediate position has been overcome by application of a force to the table element (1). |
| US07699389B2 |
Powered furniture
A lift-recliner chair includes a base portion, a seat portion pivotally connected to the base portion, and a back portion pivotally connected to the seat portion. The chair further includes an actuator assembly for altering the configuration of the chair including a first actuator for moving the seat portion with respect to the base portion and second actuator for moving the back portion with respect to the seat portion. The actuator assembly is substantially enclosed on an underside of the chair, the first actuator is fixed in relation to the base portion, and the second actuator is fixed in relation to the seat portion. |
| US07699388B2 |
Seating installation concealable under the floor
A seating installation, which is concealable under the floor. The seats are mounted in articulated manner, with the possibility of swiveling between a lowered, cleared-away position and a raised position of use, on pillars which are fixed to the base floor. A number of flaps are mounted in articulated manner on the same pillars forming a raised access floor under which the seats may be concealed in the lowered position. |
| US07699385B2 |
Vehicle body structure
Provided is an automotive vehicle body structure which is light weight but demonstrates an improved mechanical strength during a frontal collision. A pair of front side frames extend in a fore-and-aft direction in a mutually spaced relationship in a front part of a vehicle body, and a pair of floor frames having forward ends joined to rear ends of the corresponding front side frames, respectively, extend in the fore-and-aft direction. A front cross member is provided with a pair of lateral ends that are joined to inboard sides of the rear end portions of the corresponding front side frames, and is arch shaped. A middle cross member is placed behind the front cross member and extends across the floor frames. Tunnel frames extend in a fore-and-aft direction in a central part of the vehicle body to join a dashboard lower panel, front cross member and middle cross member. |
| US07699384B2 |
Subframe for a chassis frame of a utility vehicle
A subframe for a utility vehicle, which is fitted on a chassis frame of the vehicle includes angle profiles which, in the assembled state, form a stable subframe. A plurality of diagonal crosses which are composed of an upper partial cross and a lower partial cross can be arranged between the longitudinal members. |
| US07699383B2 |
Pedestrian protection apparatus for vehicle
A pedestrian protection apparatus for a vehicle, including a plate member which is disposed at a front face of the vehicle, which includes front and rear portions, and which is fixed at the rear portion to the vehicle with at least a leading end part of the front portion protruded from the front face of the vehicle, the apparatus being arranged to sweep a leg portion of a pedestrian, thereby protecting the leg portion, wherein the leading end part includes at least one horizontally extending portion and a plurality of vertically extending portions each having an anterior surface substantially orthogonal to a horizontal plane, the horizontally extending portion and the vertically extending portions being formed integrally with the leading end part so as to be alternately disposed in the frontward and backward direction of the vehicle and extend in a staircase-like form. |
| US07699379B2 |
Locking device for a vehicle part
A locking device for a movable motor vehicle part (2), especially a movable roof part of a vehicle roof which can be opened, has a locking element (3) for fixing the vehicle part (2) in the end position of motion, a pivoting support (5) which can be pivoted between a rest position and an operating position. The locking element (3) is movably supported on the pivoting support (5), and is covered on the visible side by the pivoting support (5) when it is in a rest position. When the vehicle part (2) has moved into the end position of its motion, it is supported by the pivoting support which has pivoted into the operating position (5), and in this position, is fixed by the locking element. The locking element is covered on the visible side by the pivoting support when it is in the rest position. |
| US07699375B2 |
Glove compartment for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a glove compartment (3) for a motor vehicle. In order to provide a glove compartment of such a kind that allows the driver better access, the invention proposes that the glove compartment (3) have a pivotal mounting by means of which the glove compartment (3) can be pivoted towards the driver's side of the motor vehicle. |
| US07699371B2 |
Parcel shelf mounting for a parcel shelf and vehicle with such a parcel shelf and/or mounting
A movable rear parcel shelf having a storage plate for use in a vehicle, which is able to be retained by means of a detent connection, and the detent connection itself are specified, whereby the detent connection is releasable by means of an actuating element which is associated with the storage plate, and whereby the detent connection occurs between a detent spring, which is connected to a part being secured to the vehicle, and a detent element, which is connected to the storage surface. |
| US07699369B1 |
Hood scoop decoration kit
A hood scoop decoration kit includes a bezel trim member having a concave shape with first and second ends extending in a common direction from a center section thereof. The bezel trim member is attached to an exterior surface of a hood scoop adjacent a forward facing end thereof. A planar mesh member, having a trapezoidal shape, is attached to a forward facing end of a hood scoop. The kit includes an attachment device for securing the bezel trim and planar mesh members to the hood scoop. In one embodiment, an adhesive material is applied to the concave surface of the bezel trim member and to an edge of the mesh member to provide attachment of these members to the hood scoop. The adhesive material includes a fluid adhesive and/or a tape having opposed adhesive sides. Alternatively, mechanical fasteners are employed for securing the decorative members to the hood scoop. |
| US07699367B2 |
Energy absorber with crush boxes and back straps
An energy absorber includes a base flange and elongated crush boxes that to form a substantially continuously face surface on the energy absorber. Back straps are attached across a back of the crush boxes to prevent unacceptable spreading of the side walls of the crush boxes during an impact. The back straps can be integrally formed when the energy absorber is molded, and can include a living hinge at one end and a free end that can be bent over and snap attached during post-molding assembly without additional secondary operations. Alternatively, a separate wall-stabilizing thermoformed component is sandwiched between the energy absorber and beam. |
| US07699365B2 |
Sash lock with condition signal
A sash lock for a sash window assembly where the sash window assembly includes an upper sash window and a lower sash window, each of the sash windows being mounted within opposed guide rails on a master frame wherein at least one of the sash windows is slidable within the frame relative to the other sash window. The sash lock has a housing for mounting on a stile of one of the sash windows and a keeper for mounting on a stile of a second sash of the window. The housing has a locking assembly comprising an actuator and a catch. The actuator is adapted to move the catch. The catch is adapted to engage and disengage a keeper as the actuator is moved from a first position to a second position. The movement of the catch from a first position to a second position causes an indicator in the housing to signal whether the locking assembly of the sash lock is in locking position. |
| US07699363B2 |
Sliding door for a motor vehicle
A sliding door for a motor vehicle which is movable in a sliding motion into an opened and a closed position is provided with a main lock arrangement by which the sliding door can be fixed in the closed position, and an auxiliary lock arrangement which supplements the holding force of the main lock arrangement when the sliding door is in the closed position. In an improvement over conventional sliding door arrangements of this type, the auxiliary lock arrangement is used not only for supplementing the main lock arrangement when fixing the sliding door in the closed position, but also for fixing the door in the opened position. |
| US07699361B2 |
Sealed tubular joint with plastic expansion and at least one inclined surface
A tubular joint in which radial expansion caused by the passage of an expander, inclined shoulder fittings formed respectively on a peripheral surface of the female element facing radially inwards and on a peripheral surface of the male element facing radially outwards, are subjected to a relative axial displacement towards each other to be urged into sealed mutual contact with radial interference. The tubular joint is, for example, useful in hydrocarbon wells. |
| US07699353B2 |
Compliant splice
A method including providing a first umbilical, coupling an end of the first umbilical to a first end of a compliant splice system, providing a second umbilical, and coupling an end to the second umbilical to a second end of the compliant splice system. |
| US07699351B2 |
Security document with a volume hologram forming a partial motif
A security object has a substrate (1) carrying a first motif (6) and mutually aligned thereto a second motif (7). The first motif (6) is formed by a volume hologram (8) and visible under a given viewing condition only. The second motif (7) can e.g. be a dye, a surface hologram, a perforation or any other non-variable or optically variable device. The first and the second motif (6, 7) combine to form a third motif, e.g. a legible text. The combination of the first motif (6) formed by a volume hologram (8) with the second motif provides an increased level of security. |
| US07699349B2 |
Label having folding feature
A label including a first layer having a first surface adapted to being printed on and a second layer proximate to a second surface of the first layer. The second layer includes two or more sections having a gap therebetween. Each gap in the second layer defines a fold-line section in the first layer. The second layer covers substantially all of the bottom surface of the first layer except for the fold-line section. Another aspect provides a label having a first layer and a second layer attached to the first layer and having at least two sections separated by a gap, the gap being discernible through the first layer. |
| US07699348B2 |
Pet safety restraining belt for use in a vehicle
A method and an apparatus are provided for enabling a safe and secure environment for a pet traveling in a vehicle during a collision or sudden breaking of the vehicle by using a seat belt system to flexibly restrain the pet with a safety restrainer or a detachable safety belt. In one embodiment, a safety restrainer may secure a pet in a vehicle having a seat belt with a first seat belt prong that latches into a first seat belt buckle. The safety restrainer may comprise a restraint assembly including a restraint strap removably couplable to a body portion of the pet. The restraint assembly may be positionable about the body of the pet and the restrain strap positionable between a pair of fore legs and a pair of hind legs of the pet. The restraint strap may include a first strap end and a second strap end being releasably couplable to each other such that the restraint strap forms a loop having a hole when the first and second strap ends are releasably coupled together. The safety restrainer may further comprise a harness coupled to the restraint assembly. The harness may be releasably couplable to the seat belt of the vehicle for flexibly restraining the pet. The harness may include a first harness end and a second harness end, wherein the first harness end having a second seat belt buckle for releasably coupling to the first seat belt prong and the second harness end having a second seat belt prong for releasably coupling to the first seat belt buckle. |
| US07699347B2 |
Method and apparatus for a shared crumple zone
A system for absorbing impact energy includes a container formed with a plurality of faces. An energy absorbing material is substantially contained within the container. A first elongated member has a proximate end and a distal end. The proximate end is proximate and approximately perpendicular to a first face of the container. A long axis of the first elongated member intersects the first face. A first bumper is connected to the distal end of the first elongated member. A second elongated member has a proximate end and a distal end. The proximate end is proximate and approximately perpendicular to a second face of the container. A long axis of the second elongated member intersects the second face. The second elongated member is approximately perpendicular to the first elongated member. A second bumper connected to the distal end of the second elongated member. |
| US07699344B2 |
Steering device
A steering device including a column rotatably supporting a steering shaft on which a steering wheel is mounted; a vehicle body attaching bracket that is attachable to a vehicle body and has a pair of right and left side plates for holding right and left side surfaces of the column therebetween; a fastening rod spaced from the axis of the column and inserted into the side plates of the vehicle body attaching bracket and the column; and fastening members arranged at both ends of the fastening rod to fasten the inner surfaces of the side plates to the side surfaces of the column, wherein contact surfaces of the right and left side surface of the column and the inner surfaces of the side plates are formed in two parts including a part near the axis of the fastening rod and a part spaced from the axis of the fastening rod. |
| US07699337B2 |
Liquid silicone rubber coating agent composition and curtain air bag
Provided is a liquid silicone rubber coating agent composition, including: (A) an organopolysiloxane containing at least one alkenyl group bonded to a silicon atom within each molecule, (B) a straight-chain organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing a single silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atom only at each molecular chain terminal, with a viscosity at 25° C. within a range from 0.001 to 1.0 Pa·s, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing at least three silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms within each molecule, with a viscosity at 25° C. within a range from 0.001 to 10 Pa·s, (D) an addition reaction catalyst, (E) a finely powdered silica with a BET specific surface area of at least 50 m2/g, and (F) an adhesion imparting agent. Also provided is a curtain air bag with a rubber coating layer formed by curing this composition. The coating agent composition is useful for a curtain air bag that is capable of suppressing leakage of the inflator gas and exhibits excellent sustainability of the inflation period, and is also useful in the production of such an air bag. |
| US07699329B2 |
Mounting system for an internal bicycle transmission
A bicycle transmission assembly that is mountable to a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The bicycle transmission generally includes an input crank assembly, an output chainring, a planetary gear mechanism, a control system and a mounting system. The output chainring engages a bicycle drive chain that includes a plurality of chain links. The planetary gear mechanism includes a ring gear and provides a plurality of transmission paths. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted coaxially about the shell axis. The control system is operatively connected to the planetary gear mechanism for selecting one of the plurality of transmission paths. The mounting system mounts the planetary gear mechanism and the control system to the bottom bracket shell. At least one chain link overlaps the ring gear as viewed along the shell axis. The at least one chain link engages the output chainring. |
| US07699328B2 |
Retractable step for cab of mobile machine
A retractable step assembly (400) for a cab (C) for a mobile machine includes a leg (450) slideably received in a through-hole (408) in a platform (58) of a cab (C). An upper end (452) of the leg (450) is fixed to a lower end (434) of a stretchable spring (430) whose upper end (432) is fixed. A step (470) is mounted to the lower end (454) of the leg (450). The leg (450) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the step (470) is nearer to the ground than in the retracted position. The step (470) can be stepped on by an operator to move the leg (450) to the extended position to thereby allow the operator to exit the cab (C) by stepping on the step (470). The leg (450) can be unlatched by the operator in the cab (C) to return to the retracted position under action of the spring (430). |
| US07699325B2 |
Steerable and convertible running stroller
A steerable stroller including a rear frame assembly supporting two rear wheels and a front frame assembly, which may take the form of a boom or other frame work, pivotally coupled with the rear frame assembly and supporting a front wheel. A centering mechanism is provided that elastically couples the front frame assembly with the rear frame assembly so that the boom and front wheel are normally in a straight orientation with respect to the rear wheels, and when a user imparts a turning force the centering mechanism acts to return the boom and front wheel to the straight orientation when the force is reduced or removed. It is also possible to include a pivoting front wheel in conjunction with or separate from the pivoting boom, with pivoting wheel also including a centering mechanism. Finally, the steerable running stroller may include a removable seat assembly. |
| US07699316B2 |
Gaming system with multiple game apparatus and method of use
A gaming system having a container configured to hold a plurality of display objects, an agitator for moving the plurality of display objects, at least one prize object holder configured to hold a plurality of prize objects in an individually controlled manner, a plurality of prize object displays located inside of the container and configured to receive at least one prize object from the prize object holder, a plurality of game apparatus associated with the prize object displays, and a controller configured to select a prize object and cause the selected prize object to be displayed in at least one prize object display, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the prize object displays include a tubular exhibition container. In another embodiment, the display object container of the gaming device is configured to provide a jumbled ball display. In addition, a method for operating a multi-apparatus gaming system by providing the prize object displays inside of the display object container of the aforementioned gaming system is disclosed. |
| US07699315B2 |
Light emitting gaming device to reduce player fatigue
To provide a gaming machine which achieves a reduction in a player's fatigue.A gaming machine 1 according to the invention includes a cabinet 3, having a display portion 4 which displays information relating to a game and operation buttons 11 for a player to carry out an operation of the game, a power lamp light emitting portion 300 which emits light, and a lens barrel 310 which intercepts at least some of light heading toward a player, from among light emerging from LED's 302 provided on the power lamp light emitting portion 300. In this kind of gaming machine 1, at least some of the light heading toward the player, from among the light emerging from the LED's 302 of the power lamp light emitting portion 300, is intercepted by the lens barrel 310. For this reason, light from the power lamp light emitting portion 300 entering the player's field of vision being reduced by the lens barrel 310, fatigue of a player continuing the game is reduced. |
| US07699310B2 |
Post-processing apparatus and image forming system provided therewith
A paper pressing unit is composed of two cylindrical paper pressing portions, connecting members to which the paper pressing portions are each connected, and rotational shafts protruding outward from the central parts of the connecting members along the longer sides thereof, and is rotatably supported between frames provided inside the apparatus and disposed in the width direction of the processing tray (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2). The paper pressing portions are disposed in such a way that a surface of a circular cylinder whose cylindrical axis corresponds to a line passing through the rotational shafts is divided thereby into equal parts (into two equal parts). The paper pressing portions travel on the same orbit as the paper pressing unit rotates. |
| US07699308B2 |
Apparatus for diverting sheet material
An apparatus for diverting sheet material, in particular bank notes (BN), includes a diverting plate (4) with a first diverting edge (7) disposed on a slant and preferably a second diverting edge (8) disposed on a slant. The sheet material is guided and transported from the rear side (6) of the diverting plate (4) around the first diverting edge (7) to the front side (5) and further around the second diverting edge (8) back to the rear side (6). If the diverting edges (7, 8) are aligned relative to the transport direction (1, 2, 3) of the sheet material e.g. in each case at a slant angle of 45°, this apparatus permits the sheet-material transport direction to be diverted by 180°, whereby the transport path is shifted parallel. Thus, a continuous bank-note stream can be diverted uninterruptedly while retaining the sheet-material orientation relative to the transport direction. By means of a gate (12) the sheet material can be guided to a downstream diverting edge (13) instead of to the second diverting edge (8). |
| US07699306B2 |
Paper picking-up unit and image forming apparatus having the same
A paper picking-up unit and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The paper picking-up unit includes a knock-up plate to stack paper thereon; a shaft disposed at a front end of the knock-up plate to rotate, a pick-up roller engaged with the shaft to rotate and pick-up the paper stacked on the knock-up plate, and a knock-up plate ascending and descending portion to raise and lower the knock-up plate according to the rotation of the pick-up roller. The pick-up roller includes a roller body engaged and rotatable with the shaft, and having a frictional layer to pick-up the paper by causing friction with the paper, a pair of roller housings to support opposite sides of the roller body such that the roller body does not move in a lengthwise direction of the shaft, and a damper disposed at an outer circumference of each roller housing to reduce noise caused by a collision of the roller housings and the knock-up plate. |
| US07699300B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus
In a sheet post-processing apparatus that folds a sheet bundle, a folding roller drive motor that drives folding rollers is PWM driven such that its speed is varied in each control during the period until a blade contacts the sheet bundle, during the period when the sheet bundle is conveyed to a discharge port, during discharge operation, and during return of the motor to its home position. |
| US07699298B2 |
Jig for holding a core and method utilizing the same
A jig for holding a core which comprises a movable platform, a base positioned on the movable platform which has a receiving hole, and an inserter positioned inside the receiving hole of the base, shaped corresponding to the shape of the receiving hole, to fasten the core to the inserter. The inserter comprises a core receiving hole, a plurality of positioning recesses disposed symmetrically in the periphery of the core receiving hole, a plurality of positioning blocks received in the positioning recesses, and a plurality of resilient elements received in a space between the positioning recesses and the positioning blocks to hold the core firmly. |
| US07699297B2 |
Increased and variable force and multi-speed clamps
A method of operating a clamp (100) that includes a first clamping jaw (102), a support element (104) to which the first clamping jaw is attached and a trigger handle (118) pivotably mounted to a clamp body (112). The method includes actuating the trigger handle causing the first clamping jaw to experience incremental motion and varying the incremental motion as a function of a load encountered by the support element by varying an effective lever arm of the trigger handle by moving a fulcrum point into contact or out of contact with the trigger handle based on the load. |
| US07699293B2 |
Guardrail
An impact head for a guardrail includes cable routing means adapted to form a convoluted path through which a cable can be threaded. The convoluted path that the cables must follow through the impact head of the invention restricts movement of the cable through the head, thereby providing sufficient friction to slow down the movement of the impact head during a vehicle impact. |
| US07699288B2 |
Delineator extraction system
A system and method for extracting broken delineators severed adjacent to a ground surface where the delineator was installed. A distal end of a delineator extractor may be positionable in a delineator conduit. At least a portion of the distal end of the delineator extractor may be configured to engage an interior surface of the delineator conduit when the delineator extractor is activated. Upon the delineator extractor engaging the delineator conduit, a user may activate a slide hammer of the delineator extractor to amplify a force applied by the user to assist in extracting the delineator conduit. A delineator extraction system may include an installer couplable to a distal end of an outer conduit of a delineator extractor. The installer may function to install or extract a delineator system. |
| US07699287B2 |
Support device for life raft container
Support device (1) for a container enclosing a pneumatic life raft, comprising a support plate (2) and means (3) for stowing the container on the plate which comprises two separate bases (4) located opposite one another, in line with one another and at a distance from one another; the stowing means being able to comprise a rigid bar (5) of variable length extending from one base to the other by spanning the container with one end (6) articulated in rotation (11, 12) on a base (4a) and its other end (7) which may be fixed by releasable fixing means to the other base (4b); blocking means (8) blocking the container transversely to the bar; said support device may support containers of various dimensions. |
| US07699286B2 |
Label holder for a shelf price channel
A label holder is provided for mounting on a shelf channel. The label holder includes a front panel, a back panel connected to the front panel with a common bottom edge with a cavity there between. The label holder also has a protective flange along a top edge of the back panel and a shelf clip portion separated from the back panel by a common top edge. The shelf clip portion includes an upward retaining flange for engaging the shelf and includes a downward angled engaging portion terminating in a catch flange and a curved resilient hinge portion that is configured to encompass the catch flange and terminate in an upward flange. The shelf clip portion provides resilient clamping onto the shelf. The catch flange is configured to engage a lower shelf channel flange as the curved resilient hinge wraps an arcuate channel of the shelf. |
| US07699285B2 |
Automotive mirror mounting system
An external mirror mounting system for an automotive vehicle includes an outer panel having a mounting reinforcement attached to an inner surface, and an extended outer belt reinforcement which is mounted with stand off structures to the mounting reinforcement, so that a box section is constituted for supporting a mirror attached to the outer surface of the outer panel. |
| US07699284B2 |
Three axes adjustable foundation target mount
A three axes or three dimensional adjustment foundation target mount for use in industrial applications to provide for precise settings for machining and related operations, includes a body, the body has internal threads therein, an expandable vertical adjustment disc is provided therein, a lateral adjustment target cone is applied on top of the adjustment disc, and a top retainer disc is located and threadily engaged within the body, and holds a series of adjustment screws which can be adjusted to provide for the lateral and fore and aft adjustments to the target cone, to furnish, along with the adjustment disc, three dimensional adjustments for the survey target when applied to the mount. A cap is also provided to furnish coverage for the receptacle, following its precise setting and usage. |
| US07699283B2 |
Support bracket for electrical box
A unitary support bracket facilitates secure and efficient support of an electrical box, and one or more associated conduits. The support bracket includes a central portion, and a plurality of leg portions which extend integrally therefrom. Each of the leg portions includes a downwardly deformable distal portion, which in turn each include at least one resiliently deformable tab engageable with a respective one of the conduits. By this arrangement, the efficient support of an electrical box, and one or more associated conduits, can be provided, with minimal assembly of various components required, thus facilitating convenient and efficient installation of the associated electrical system. |
| US07699282B2 |
Clip style article holder
An article holder is provided for supporting a sheet of material on a vertical surface. The article holder includes a backing plate connectable to the vertical surface and a clip operatively connected to the backing plate. The clip includes a face plate and an upper wall interconnecting the upper edge of the face plate and the upper edge of the backing plate. A retaining leg extends from the lower edge of the face plate. The retaining leg moveable between a closed position wherein the terminal end of the retaining leg engages the inner surface of the backing plate and an open position wherein the retaining leg is spaced from the inner surface of the backing plate. The inner surface of the backing plate, the inner surface of the face plate and the inner surface of the upper wall define a cavity for receiving a portion of the sheet. |
| US07699280B2 |
Fastening system and method using clips to fasten second component to first component
A fastening system uses a plurality of clips for fastening a second component, e.g., a loud-speaker, to a first component, e.g., a vehicle door panel. The clips are mounted on the second component at pre-installation positions and are moved collectively from the pre-installation positions to installation positions at which the clips are retained by retaining elements projecting from the first component. |
| US07699278B2 |
Curtain rods and brackets
Apparatus for hanging curtains from wall brackets includes a hollow cylindrical rod with a longitudinal slot in its wall through which an interior clamping member for each wall bracket may be inserted. The clamping member is secured to a respective bracket by one or more screws which extend from outside of the rod to the clamping member captured within the rod. C-shaped rings mounted on the rod have openings to allow passage of the rings along the rod without coming into contact with the brackets. Each ring has a downward extending projection, e.g., a tab, which can be apertured to receive a hook, clip or other fastener attached to the curtains. |
| US07699276B2 |
Support post with surface-engaging members
A support post and safety fence assembly in which the post has a telescoping inner and outer tube and is supported on a threaded internal shaft coupled to a floor engaging end and ceiling engaging end preferably formed with claws that have a number of sharp penetrating points for firm engagement with a support surface. In one embodiment, a gravity lock assembly is provided for fixing the relative position of the inner and outer tubes. Dynamic adjustability of the support post is provided by internal compression springs. |
| US07699275B2 |
Stand for display device
A stand for a display device is provided. The stand prevents a viewer located at a side of the display from experiencing the problems of a narrow viewing angle by allowing the display device to be pivoted in a wide angle without interference from a wall behind the device. The stand includes a base, a swivel hinge, a fixed unit, a telescopic unit, and a movable unit. The swivel hinge is fixed to the base. The fixed unit is rotatably fixed to the swivel hinge. The telescopic unit includes one member fixed to the fixed unit. The movable unit, to which the other member of the telescopic unit is fixed, is capable of being translated in left and right directions of the base and being rotated. |
| US07699272B2 |
Railroad switching indicator mechanism
A railroad switching indicator apparatus for use with a point detector bar, and a point locking rod which cooperatively locks with a locking bar. First and second point detector bar receptors generate first and second signals indicating the first and second terminal movements of the point detector bar. At the same time, a point lock rod receptor generates another signal indicating the locking of the locking bar with the point locking rod. |
| US07699270B2 |
Wing, especially a carrier wing of an airplane, having an adaptable profile
A wing has a changeable profile, and extends in a wing chord direction and perpendicularly thereto in a wingspan direction. The wing has a first cover skin and a second cover skin spaced apart from one another with spars therebetween. The wing includes a leading edge region and a trailing edge region opposite one another in the wing chord direction, and a wing tip region at the end of the wing in the wingspan direction. The wing further includes a flexible region that connects the wing tip region to the rest of the wing, and that is adapted to vary the profile of the wing in a direction that includes a component in the wing chord direction and a component in the wingspan direction. |
| US07699269B2 |
Intelligent multifunctional actuation system for vibration and buffet suppression
Circuits and methods for use on a mobile platform including a flight control system, a structure, an aerodynamic surface, and an actuator operatively coupled to the surface to control the surface. The circuit includes a first and a second input, a summing element, and an output. The first input accepts commands from the flight control system while the second input accepts a vibration signal from the structure. The summing element communicates with the inputs and sums the signal and the command. In turn, the summing element controls the actuator with the summed signal and command. |
| US07699268B2 |
Sling release mechanism
A sling release mechanism for releasing the sling of a drogue parachute from a descending aerially delivered cargo pallet. The sling release mechanism has a body, with which a pivot arm, an inner and an outer hinge plate articulate. The inner and outer hinge plates articulate in opposite directions when in use. The inner hinge plate has a cavity or receiver into which the end tip of the pivot arm may engage. The end of a parachute sling is placed over the pivot arm, and the pivot arm and inner hinge plate are articulated to engage the pivot pin end with the receiver of the inner hinge plate. The outer hinge plate is then articulated to engage the inner hinge plate, and is held in place with a releasable retainer. The parachute sling is released by releasing the retainer, allowing the outer and then the inner hinge plates to articulate, thereby releasing the pivot arm to articulate, after which the end of the parachute sling slides off the pivot pin. Other embodiments include multiple mechanisms for releasing a plurality of slings. |
| US07699265B2 |
Aircraft ejection seat with movable headrest
An ejection seat includes a headrest that, upon initiation of the ejection seat, moves forward to support the pilot's head in a tilted-forward position. By holding the crewmember's head in a tilted-forward position, windblast forces are controlled to prevent the helmet from pulling upward and backward on the crewmember's head. The headrest may include a pair of struts that extend forward around the sides of the crewmember's helmet to support the crewmember's head against flailing from the windblast. A flexible panel extending between the struts and the headrest panel may also be included to further support the crewmember's head against windblast flailing. |
| US07699264B2 |
Rest unit for an aircraft
A rest unit that can be laid out inside a fuselage of an aircraft, especially for the benefit of the crew, is made up of a plurality of cells of an elongated shape, each cell having longitudinal and transverse dimensions corresponding to a location of a berth, the cells being juxtaposed on at least two levels to form a module of a parallelepipedal outer shape. This module can be incorporated in a rear cone of the fuselage of the aircraft. |
| US07699256B2 |
Spool, spool unit, and spool unit production method
[Object] It is intended to provide a spool capable of winding and retaining a thread-like substance without causing a winding curling.[Solving Means] This spool 11 has a base plate 14, thread retaining members 15 and 16, and auxiliary plates 17 and 18. The base plate 14 is made from a resin, paper, or the like and in the form of an elongated rectangle. The base plate 14 is folded at a central portion 21. The thread retaining members 15 and 16 are provided on opposite ends of the base plate 14. The auxiliary plates 17 and 18 are fixed to the thread retaining members 15 and 16 to form flanges. Ends of the auxiliary plates 17 and 18 are fixed to the base plate 14. |
| US07699251B2 |
Device for dividing medications and method of using the same
The present invention is a device for cutting solid medications, whether in the form of capsules, tablets or pills. When cutting capsules, the capsules are retained to be divided by a first blade. Tablets and other forms of the medication are retained by pill stabilizers and cut by a second blade. The device also may have a pill crusher and a section to hold whole or divided medications. |
| US07699248B2 |
Method for recycling waste material of thermoplastic resin molded article as resources
A method for recycling comprises a pulverization step (S1) of pulverizing thermoplastic resin molded articles, each having a different softening point in a resin substrate and having a metal part and a coupling film, a metal-material selection-removal step (S3) of selecting and removing a metal material from pulverized pieces, a pulverized resin-material selection step (S5) of selecting a target pulverized resin material for recycling by allowing the pulverized pieces from which the pulverized metal material has been removed to drop and by ejecting gas towards either one of the target pulverized resin material and a non-target pulverized resin material for changing a drop direction thereof, and a coating-film peeling step (S7) of peeling the coating film from the resin substrate by applying a shearing force to the target pulverized resin material under the softening point of the resin substrate of the target pulverized resin material for recycling. |
| US07699247B2 |
Waste processing
Disinfection of waste can be carried out by first cutting the waste into small pieces to expose surfaces in the waste and then simultaneously spraying the waste pieces with disinfectant and agitating them. The waste pieces are agitated by applying sufficient vacuum to suck the waste pieces through a processing system, the vacuum creating a wind inside the system that sweeps up the waste pieces, suspends them in air, and keeps them separate from one another, thereby exposing substantially all surfaces of the waste pieces to the sprayed disinfectant. |
| US07699243B2 |
Applicator device for applying liquid material
An applicator device for sheet application of liquid material including a main body, a nozzle assembly with at least one slotted application nozzle for dispensing the liquid material, and a clamping device attaching the nozzle assembly to the main body. |
| US07699241B2 |
Docking collar for a pull-out spray head
A faucet includes a spout having a first mounting device and a spray head having a second mounting device. A docking collar is provided for releasably mounting the spray head to the spout. The docking collar is connected to one of the first mounting device and the second mounting device. The docking collar includes a spring ring for releasably engaging a groove formed at an other of the first mounting device and the second mounting device. |
| US07699237B2 |
Method for controlling the exhaust flow from a cooking chamber of a baking oven
A baking oven and a method for controlling the exhaust flow from a cooking chamber of the baking oven, the flow being discharged by a fan. The method includes increasing a speed of the fan during a first time interval after. A first temperature of the baking oven is measured using a first temperature sensor during the first time interval. At the same time a second temperature of the baking oven is measured using a second temperature sensor. An electronic controller is used to determine the temperature difference between the temperatures during the first time interval. At a selected fan speed, the determined temperature difference varies from an initial temperature difference measured at the beginning of the first time interval. The controller sets at least one of the fan speed and a position of a bypass damper as a function of the selected fan speed. |
| US07699233B2 |
Method for issuer and chip specific diversification
A system and method for initializing secure elements for use in mobile devices. A mobile device manufacturer embeds uninitialized secure elements into mobile devices. An issuer-specific seed value is securely passed into an initialization routine in the operating system of the secure element. The initialization routine diversifies the initial root keys on the secure element with the issuer seed and the unique chip serial number to create master and chip keys for use in secure communications between the issuer and the mobile device user. |
| US07699230B2 |
Secure tag
A secure tag comprising: a carrier doped with one or more rare earth ions, and a barrier material associated with the carrier and substantially blocking low-wavelength radiation to shield the rare earth ions from low-wavelength radiation. This enables a secure tag to be fabricated that does not photoluminescence strongly in response to a low-wavelength excitation radiation source. |
| US07699222B2 |
Diaper product, supply information management system, usage information management system and diaper product management system
A supply information management system comprises a reader/writer for writing process information on each of the processes to an IC tag and reading information out from the IC tag, the reader/writer being provided for a station for performing each of processes to supply a diaper product with an IC tag, and a host computer for receiving the information from the reader/writer. In the host computer, a product database which is a set of data elements each associating a serial number of an IC tag with process information thereof is stored and updated on the basis of the information from the reader/writer. The supply information management system makes it possible to specify an individual diaper product and perform a proper and easy management of information on supply of diaper products. |
| US07699220B2 |
Automated transaction machine
An automated retail terminal in which a plurality of goods and/or services are provided in an integrated system. The integrated system generally avoids duplicating hardware or functions in the course of delivering the goods or services offered, so for example in a combination ATM and Internet kiosk the same credit card or smart card reader is used for both the ATM and the Internet kiosk functions, the same control screen activates the ATM functions and the Internet functions, and etc. |
| US07699219B2 |
Automated banking machine apparatus and system
An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to mark up language documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having mark up language document handling software that includes a browser (76). The machine can receive instructions in mark up language documents accessed at an HTTP address to cause operation of transaction function devices, such as a currency dispenser (42). |
| US07699216B2 |
Two-piece insulated cup
The present invention generally provides an insulating vessel for beverages. The vessel has an outsert and a insert. The insert is positioned within the cavity of the outsert. In one embodiment the insert has a plurality of insulating members that are spaced from an inner surface of the outsert to define a series of air gaps between an outer surface of the insulating members and the inner surface of the outsert. In another embodiment, the insert and outsert have generally conical side walls with substantially the same taper angle so as to be in a friction lock relationship with one another. |
| US07699213B2 |
Carton having novel opening features
Cartons have dispensing features that enable containers or other articles to be selectively dispensed from the cartons while preventing inadvertent escape of the articles from the cartons. |
| US07699211B2 |
Triangular container with preglued ends
A substantially planar shipping container blank is configured for planar stacking to permit compact packaging but simplifies the ease of assembly into a triangular shipping container. The container blank is foldably divided into a rectangular longitudinal section, two end sections, and a closure tab. The interior surfaces of certain portions of the end sections are pre-mounted to the interior surface of the longitudinal section. By folding the longitudinal section of the blank along two pre-pressed longitudinal fold lines, the end sections of the blank automatically fold along pre-pressed angular fold lines to form a triangular shipping container. The container can thereafter be fastened shut by folding the closure tab along a third pre-pressed longitudinal fold line and affixing the tab to the exterior of the container. |
| US07699208B2 |
Soldering tip, soldering iron, and soldering system
A soldering system for melting a solder to form a joint between a first workpiece and a second workpiece is described. The system may comprise an energy generating system, a soldering tip, and a dispenser adapted to dispense controlled amounts of the solder. The soldering tip includes a non-wetting solder contact layer in operative communication with the energy generating system. The energy generating system may include induction, electrical, or heat generating systems in communication with the soldering tip. The non-wetting solder contact layer comprises a material that is not wettable by the molten solder. The system permits control of an amount of the solder in the joint. |
| US07699207B1 |
Welding backup systems for heat-sink or purge purposes
An internal ring assembly for welding backup against internal hoops of pipes or tanks has a chain assembly of diverse cells. A majority of the cells include a tile of conductive metal for abutting inside walls across a seam of two sections of pipe or tank to be welded, as well as a cell of a roller chain assembly comprising either both a pin-link and roller-link construction or alternatively a pair of mosaic-link constructions. In either case, one of such link constructions is anchored to the tile and the other extends free of the tile for linking with another cell of the chain assembly. In contrast, a minority of the cells are arranged to produce an expansion force on the chain assembly as a whole in order that the chain assembly expansively forces itself tightly against the inside seam of the pipe or tank sections. |
| US07699203B2 |
Variable angle surgical staple inserter
A surgical staple inserter is disclosed and can include a shaft and a staple engagement arm pivotably engaged with the shaft. Further, the surgical staple inserter can include a spring that can be connected to the shaft and the staple engagement arm. The surgical staple inserter can be moved between a straight position and a bent position. In the straight position, the staple engagement arm can be substantially aligned with the shaft. In the bent position, the staple engagement arm can be rotated with respect to the shaft. |
| US07699200B2 |
Scribing and breaking apparatus and system therefor
A separation apparatus comprising a first and a second scribing devices for scribing front and rear surfaces of a first mother substrate made of a brittle material along first predetermined scribing lines previously provided on the front and rear surfaces of the first mother substrate, the first and second scribing devices being opposed to each other on an upper side and a lower side, and a holding and transferring device for holding and transferring the first mother substrate so that the first predetermined scribing lines of the first mother substrate are located between the first and second scribing devices. |
| US07699199B2 |
Method and device for producing glass panes of any desired contour from sheet glass
A method for producing glass plates of any desired contour from sheet glass, comprising the following steps: scribing scribe lines into a least one face of the sheet glass along the contour down to a depth, using a cutting device, and positioning the glass plate on a support. The method is further characterized in that a defined force F is applied to the sheet glass so that it breaks along the scribe lines, said break extending through the entire thickness of the sheet glass. The flat glass may be sandwiched between two flexible plates prior to being placed on a base pad and being subjected to the breaking force. |
| US07699191B2 |
Surgical multiple use adhesive applier
A multiple use adhesive dispenser facilitates precise, extended dispensing for a surgical procedure by sequentially positioning an ampoule containing a flowable material, such as a polymerizable monomer compound such as a cyanoacrylate adhesive. In one version particularly suited to an open surgical procedure, the ampoules are affixed to a tape substrate that is unreeled from an internal storage reel and transported proximate to an ampoule gripping mechanism with an underlying tape substrate peeled away and internally stored as each ampoule is positioned for dispensing. Actuating an ampoule advancement handle positions the next ampoule and squeezing a movable handle toward a fixed handle effects dispensing. Another version has an elongate shaft that internally augers each ampoule in succession into a pair of spaced jaws that are pinched together by actuating rods to dispense adhesive. |
| US07699190B2 |
Locking aerosol dispenser
An aerosol valve actuator with a top portion rotatable on a bottom portion. The entire top portion in one rotatable position is depressible vertically to actuate the valve. A click post and clicking rib provide a single click in each direction of rotation. Flanges on top and bottom portions interact to stop rotation as soon as each click occurs. Plastic springs interact with spring biasing members only when the top portion is in actuating position, and assure return of the actuator top portion to full upward position for rotation after actuation of even a short-stemmed valve. Downwardly extending flexible connecting flanges connect the actuator top and bottom portions. The top portion has a lower periphery with a plurality of upwardly extending indentations to overlie lateral ribs in the lower portion in actuation position. The top and bottom portions have interfitting cylinders to stabilize the top portion and maintain verticality. |
| US07699183B2 |
Square bottle manufactured from synthetic resin
Disclosed herein are bottle-shaped containers having a trunk portion approximating a square. The trunk portion comprises four tabular side walls arrayed about a center axis and four corner walls connected to adjacent side walls in a corner-cutting form. The width of the corner walls expands from the top end and the bottom end toward a position about midway between the top end and the bottom end. By making the widths of the side walls and the corner walls about equal at a location about midway between the top portion and the bottom portion, the distance between the corner walls in mutual opposition with respect to the center axis can be decreased, forming a waist portion. |
| US07699180B2 |
Computer rack and transport pallet method for packaging a computer rack
A layout for packaging a computer rack comprises a transport pallet (2) and a computer rack; the computer rack being associable with casters extending vertically by a first distance relatively to a lower face of the rack. The computer rack is made integral with the pallet by two anchoring means distributed on the underside of the rack on either side of a vertical median plane (P1); the pallet includes two side modules and an intermediate supporting means separable from the remainder of the pallet and allowing the side modules to be connected. The side modules are removably attached to the anchoring means, so as to ensure that the computer rack is maintained in a horizontal position, and that the pallet is spaced away from the underside of the rack by a second distance (H2) smaller than said first distance. |
| US07699179B2 |
Retention device for filter screen
A retention device for use with a filter apparatus having a main frame and an intermediate frame member, and a plurality of parallel filter elements in a filter zone being spaced one from another at a selected distance and forming a filter screen known as a harp screen, is disclosed. The filter screen is mounted to the main frame. The retention device includes a clamp disposed at an intermediate portion of the filter elements for clamping at least a clamped portion of the filter elements to the intermediate frame member, with the arrangement being such that a neutral region is provided adjacent or within the clamped portion of the filter elements, the neutral region being such that the filter elements may be manipulated within that region, and their relative spacing varied, within that region, without affecting spacing between filter elements outside the neutral region. |
| US07699178B2 |
Particulate sifter
The purpose of the invention is to prevent accumulation of particulates on the outside of a net body of a particulate sifter having a cylindrical net body and to extend the lifetime of the net body. To achieve the purpose, in a particulate sifter which is provided with a sieve 21 having a cylindrical net body 26 extending in a horizontal direction and a booster having rotating blades which rotate along the inner surface of the net body 26 and which separates particulates that pass through the net body 26 from particulates and/or foreign substances that do not pass through the net body 26 while agitating the particulates that have flowed inside the sieve 21 with the booster, the sieve 21 is located rotatably around the central axis of the cylindrical net body 26. The sieve 21 may be rotated forcibly by an electric motor as a driving source or may be rotated by kinetic energy of particulate-air mixture agitated by rotating blades without a driving source. |
| US07699177B2 |
Method and apparatus for washing sand
A disclosed sand washing apparatus may be used for separating organic material from a mixture comprising sand and organic material. The apparatus may comprise: a wash chamber for accepting a mixture comprising sand and organic material, an agitator, a collection chamber, and a conveyor configured to transport sand away from the collection chamber. The disclosed method for recovering sand from a mixture comprising sand and organic material may comprise the steps of: introducing the mixture into a chamber, allowing organic material to ascend while allowing sand to descend, subjecting a portion of the descending sand to a turbulence that creates a lifting action, and recovering sand that has descended past the turbulence. |
| US07699174B2 |
Electrical connector interfaced with conductive ink on a cardboard substrate
An inventory control system, comprising a blister pack having a pierceable sheet that includes a plurality of printed circuits overlying each of the compartments of the blister pack. The printed circuits are in electrical communication with a connector assembly, the connector assembly being in electrical communication with a removable header. The header is in communication with a microprocessor controlled device having a memory; wherein the microprocessor controlled device determines the contents of the blister pack. The blister pack and connector assembly are removed from the substantially fixed header so the contents can be distributed. As the contents are distributed from the blister pack, the printed circuits are broken. When the connector assembly is reattached to the blister pack, electrical signals transmitted through the connector assembly and the blister pack determines the number of broken circuits, indicative of the contents of the blister pack. The connector assembly is a reusable device that includes a board that provides for electrical communication between the header and the blister pack and also facilitates assembly and removal of the connector to the header. |
| US07699171B2 |
Stackable containers and methods of manufacturing, stacking, and shipping the same
Stackable containers that, in various embodiments, are adapted to be vertically and/or horizontally interlocked with other, like, containers to, for example, increase the stability of stacks of the containers. In one embodiment, a stackable container comprises: (A) a top surface comprising a shoulder portion that extends upwardly from the top surface and that is substantially disposed within a perimeter defined by the top surface; (B) a bottom surface defining a stacking recess; (C) a plurality of substantially vertical side surfaces that extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. In various embodiments, a recessed portion of the bottom surface adjacent the stacking recess is adapted to substantially mate with at least a portion of a shoulder portion of a like container. |
| US07699170B2 |
Product dispensing system
A product dispensing system and a method of queuing usage of products. A plurality of layers of products, each having multiple items in separate packages, each layer having a carrier with the separate packages being secured to and extending from the carrier. The layers are assembled in a stacked orientation behind a front layer with layers behind the front layer being at least partially concealed and inaccessible. Products are used one layer at a time, and when the separate packages from the front layer are removed, the packages of the next-succeeding layer are exposed for use. |
| US07699169B2 |
Wiper blade package
An elongate article holding package for a wiper blade having a pair of package panels with at least one of the panels including a blade beam receiving seat and a support flat upon which part of the blade rests during packaging. When closed, the flats position and can clamp the blade therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, both panels are so configured and preferably include one or more longitudinal stiffeners that oppose bending moments created by force transmitted to the package by the blade beam. The package preferably is of tri-fold construction having a spine that is spaced from and protects the wiper element. The spine preferably includes at least a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending stiffeners. One or more stiffening flanges preferably are also provided. When closed, the panels and spine advantageously cooperate with each other to increase package crush and bending resistance. |
| US07699166B2 |
Package for wipes
A package for carrying and dispensing wipes is described. The package has a wallet-like configuration and includes a first compartment separated from a second compartment along a foldable seam. The package can be configured to carry any suitable wipes including facial tissue, bath tissue, and any suitable pre-moistened wipes. |
| US07699164B2 |
Carrier and method
The carrier has a vertical support structure, a pair of foldable receptacles extending from opposite sides of said vertical support structure. The receptacles have automatically unfolding bottom walls. Each receptacle has at least one divider member extending upwardly and laterally from the upper edge of one side-wall of each receptacle to a reinforcing panel secured to said vertical support structure. The dividers and reinforcing panels are formed in a foldable blank from a single sheet of material and need no gluing to secure them to the carrier structure. |
| US07699162B2 |
Ophthalmic lens package with a frangible pouch and methods of its use
An ophthalmic lens package that contains an ophthalmic lens and its packaging solution including a frangible pouch and side members which contain the packaging solution when the ophthalmic package is opened and methods of using the package. |
| US07699159B2 |
Belt unit and image forming apparatus
A belt unit includes a plurality of rollers including a driving roller and a driven roller; a belt being supported by the plurality of rollers; a specified roller; and a shift restraint member restraining the belt from shifting toward one end side of the specified roller. The specified roller is at least one roller of the plurality of rollers. The specified roller has such a shape that an outer diameter thereof on each of both end sides thereof is continuously enlarged toward a central part thereof in an axial direction thereof, and has such a shape that a region where the outer diameter thereof is the largest is shifted onto one end side thereof with respect to the central part thereof in the axial direction thereof within a belt suspension range. |
| US07699156B2 |
Apparatus and method for turning containers
The disclosure relates to an apparatus (10) comprising a turning mechanism which is adapted to change the orientation of a number of packaging containers (12) in motion in a filling machine, from a first orientation (20) to a second orientation (22), comprising a conveyor (26) provided with at least one carrier (28) to which at least one carrier unit is connected. According to the invention, the carrier unit is rotary in relation to the carrier (28) about a geometric axis of rotation and is adapted to carry the packaging container (12) in such a manner that the point of gravity of the packaging container during the change in orientation is substantially located on the geometric axis of rotation, and the point of gravity of the packaging container thereby maintains substantially the same direction and speed from the first to the second orientation (20, 22). |
| US07699155B2 |
Apparatus for receiving and distributing cash
The present invention relates to methods and systems for receiving and distributing currency. In particular, the present invention provides a novel apparatus for the inflow and outflow of a variety of currency. The systems of the present invention are capable of recycling a variety of currency from multiple countries and multiple denominations. The systems of the present invention have the added advantage of compact size. |
| US07699153B2 |
Method for identifying counterfeit banknotes
A method for identifying suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes paid into an automatic teller machine, wherein banknotes to be paid in are checked for authenticity on the basis of data from a sensor device. The identification is achieved by linking data from the sensor device concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes to an identity of a payer. The method also includes storing the data concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes and the identity of the payer, and generating checking data for the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes by means of the sensor device or a sensor device similar to the sensor device. The checking data are generated by the sensor device for one or more possible positions of the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes, comparing the checking data with the stored data concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknotes and determining the data of the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknote which has the closest agreement with the respective checking data. The method further includes identifying the respective suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknote by means of the identity of the payer, which is linked to the data concerning the suspected counterfeit and/or counterfeit banknote with the closest agreement. |
| US07699142B1 |
Diagnostic system having user defined sequence logic map for a transportation device
A diagnostic system for a transportation device includes an analyzer unit. The analyzer unit includes a user defined sequence logic map. The sequence logic map defines a sequence for a plurality of name inputs. The analyzer unit is configured to monitor the operating condition of the plurality of named inputs and compare the operating condition of the plurality of named inputs with the user defined sequence logic map. The analyzer unit communicates the comparison in a notification. |
| US07699139B2 |
Diaphragm surround
A surround for supporting a diaphragm used to create acoustic waves includes a rib section extending away from the diaphragm and a membrane section that is supported by the rib section. The membrane section has a thickness in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the membrane section which is substantially thinner than a thickness of the rib section in a direction substantially normal to opposing top and bottom surfaces of the rib section. A restoring force returning the diaphragm to a home position is contributed to more due to deformation of the rib section than to deformation of the membrane section. |
| US07699135B2 |
Integrated hydraulic control system
A hydraulic system including a control valve and a steering control assembly. The steering control assembly includes a steering control unit and a priority flow divider contained in a single unitary casing. The steering control assembly is attached adjacently with and directly to the control valve by means of an interface that fluidly connects the control valve with the steering control assembly. |
| US07699131B2 |
Electric foldable wheelchair
An electric wheelchair comprises: a chair assembly and a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is mounted at the bottom of the chair assembly. The chair assembly includes a seat, a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame, which are pivotally connected to form a four-bar linkage mechanism, so that the seat and the respective frames of the electric wheelchair will be folded synchronously in the same direction when the electric wheelchair is being folded, and the folding direction of the chair assembly is vertical to the axis of the drive wheels of the wheel assembly, thus allowing the disabled user to fold the chair assembly and to disassemble the wheel assembly quickly and effortlessly. |
| US07699130B2 |
Wheeled vehicle
An improved wheeled vehicle includes a platform adapted and constructed to support an operator of the vehicle. A plurality of wheels support the vehicle for movement on a surface, the plurality of wheels including at least one front wheel adapted and constructed to steer the vehicle, and at least one rear wheel adapted to be driven to impart motion to the vehicle. A handlebar assembly is connected to at least one of the wheels of the vehicle. The handlebar assembly provides directional control of the vehicle, and extends toward the rear of the platform. A motorized drive mechanism is connected to at least one of the wheels, whereby actuation of the drive mechanism causes the vehicle to move along a surface. A control mechanism actuated by the foot of a user includes at least one pedal, and is used to accelerate and decelerate the vehicle. |
| US07699126B2 |
Cutting element having asymmetrical crest for roller cone drill bit
A drill bit for drilling a borehole includes a cutter element comprising a base portion. In addition, the cutter element comprises a cutting portion extending from the base portion and terminating in an elongate crest extending between a first crest end and a second crest end, and having an intermediate portion therebetween. The first crest end has a width W1 and the second end has a width W2 that is greater than the width W1. Still further, the intermediate portion of the crest has a width W3 that is less than the width W2 and less than or equal to the width W1. |
| US07699124B2 |
Single packer system for use in a wellbore
A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer is designed with an outer layer that expands to create a seal with a surrounding wellbore wall. The drain is located in the outer layer between its axial ends for collecting formation fluid which is routed from the drain to an axial end of the outer layer via a fluid flow passage. Mechanical fittings are mounted at the axial ends of the outer layer, and at least one of the mechanical fittings comprises one or more flow members coupled to the flow passage to direct the collected fluid from the packer. The one or more flow members are designed to move in a manner that freely allows radial expansion and contraction of the outer layer. |
| US07699122B2 |
Device for handling of pipes at a drill floor
A device for handling and storage of drill string sections, and assembly or disassembly of a drill string on an installation especially intended for exploratory and/or production drilling for hydrocarbons, where: at least one set of individual, separate cooperating means of transport is arranged to move a drill string section or a single drill pipe length in synchronized motion; where a) a primary means of transport is provided with a first gripping device for releasably holding a lower end portion of the drill string section or drill pipe length; b) a secondary means of transport is provided with a first means of lateral support for releasably enclosing an upper end portion of the drill string section or drill pipe length; and c) each means of transport is displaceable along a substantially horizontal or vertical guideway. |
| US07699114B2 |
Electro-optic cablehead and methods for oilwell applications
An oil and gas well assembly is provided that includes a wireline cable having at least one optical fiber; a downhole tool having at least one optical fiber; and a cablehead having a first end connected to the wireline cable, a second end connected to the downhole tool. The cablehead further includes at least one optical fiber which transmits data between the at least one downhole tool optical fiber and the at least one wireline cable optical fiber. |
| US07699113B2 |
Apparatus and methods for running liners in extended reach wells
An apparatus for running a liner into a wellbore may include an inner string, a device coupled to the inner string that is operable to engage the interior of the liner and facilitates running of the liner into the wellbore, and a control mechanism operable to control fluid communication between the interior of the liner and the wellbore. A method of running a liner into a wellbore may include the steps of positioning an inner string into the liner, wherein the inner string includes a device operable to engage the interior of the liner, engaging the interior of the liner, and supplying a fluid pressure to move the liner relative to the inner string to advance the liner into the wellbore. |
| US07699111B2 |
Float collar and method
A float collar 10 includes a housing 12 and a generally sleeve-shaped elastomer 20. The lower plate 30 and an upper plate 32 are each supported on an elongate rod 22, and at least one of the plates is axially fixed relative to the tubular housing. The plate intended for exposure to fluid pressure includes a plurality of arcuate flow ports 34 for communication with the annulus between the tubular housing and the elastomer prior to swelling of the elastomer. |
| US07699102B2 |
Rechargeable energy storage device in a downhole operation
In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a tool for a downhole operation. The tool includes an electrical component. The tool includes a rechargeable energy storage device to supply power to the electrical component. The tool also includes a generator to supply power to the electrical component. |
| US07699101B2 |
Well system having galvanic time release plug
A well system having a galvanic time release plug. A well system includes a flow passage and a flow blocking device which selectively obstructs flow through the passage, the device including an electrode in a galvanic cell. A flow blocking device for use in conjunction with a subterranean well includes a portion which delays an electrochemical reaction in a galvanic cell. A method of controlling fluid flow in a well system includes the steps of: obstructing flow through a passage using a flow blocking device which includes an electrode of a galvanic cell; and increasing flow through the passage by operation of the galvanic cell. |
| US07699100B2 |
Dropping sub method and apparatus
In one embodiment a method and apparatus for an improved loading sub method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus can be used to pump various pump down means into the well bore from the rig. |
| US07699094B2 |
Vapor chamber heat sink
A vapor chamber heat sink attached to a heat-generating electronic component includes a base (10) defining an opening therein. A plurality of fins (20) is mounted on the base. A heat pipe (30) thermally connects the electronic component and the fins. The heat pipe comprises a plate-type lower portion (32) contacting a bottom surface of the base and a bottom surface (22) of the fins and overlaying a top surface of the electronic component, a plate-type upper portion (34) parallel to the lower portion contacting a top surface (24) of the fins, and a connecting portion (36) interconnecting opposite two ends of the lower and upper portions. The heat pipe is configured in such a manner so as to enhance contact area and thermal conductivity between the heat pipe and the electronic component and between the heat pipe and the fins. |
| US07699093B2 |
Anti-vibration tube support for tube bundles having U-shaped bends
A tube support device for a tube bundle having a plurality of elongated tubes with a U-shaped bend portion is disclosed. The tube support device includes an elongated longitudinally extending strip having a pair of opposing faces. A plurality of tube engaging members extend from the pair of opposing faces. The tube support device includes an engagement assembly formed on one end of the tube support device. The engagement assembly is adapted to engage the anchor assembly positioned within the tube bundle, whereby the tube support device can be rotated into the desired orientation between the tubes to prevent vibration damage. |
| US07699091B2 |
Awning system with snap-on functional components
An improved staple-in fabric awning system is provided. The awing has a frame made of ribs with outwardly exposed longitudinally extending staple slots. A fabric canopy covers the frame and is tucked into and secured within the staple slots. A vinyl strip is configured to snap into the staple slots of the awning atop the canopy to span and hide the tucked in portions and cover the staples therein. The vinyl strip is covered at least on its exposed top portion with fabric that may visually blend into the fabric of the canopy or that may visually contrast with the fabric of the canopy. The system includes snap-in and snap-on plastic perimeter flanges and out rod flanges that are mounted on the perimeter ribs and out rods that form a grid on the underside of the awning. The plastic flanges form inwardly projecting lips around the openings of the underside grids that support egg crate ceiling panels to form an aesthetically pleasing underside ceiling of the awning. |
| US07699088B2 |
Door assembly
The invention relates to a set of doors for closing off a bay (6) in a wall (4), comprising a first flexible door (1) and a second door (2) having at least a rigid bottom edge (17), it being possible to impart an upward movement and a downward movement to each of these doors (1, 2) respectively into an open position and a closed position, the second door (2) being disposed so as to create a slit (31) between the wall (4) and the rigid bottom edge (17) of this second door (2) as it is moved upwards into the open position. The flexible door (1) is disposed at least partially between said second door (2) and said wall (4) and can be displaced through said slit (31) between its closed position and its open position when the second door (2) is in the open position. |
| US07699080B2 |
Apparatus for distributing a medium to containers
An apparatus for distributing a medium to containers may include a distribution chamber which is arranged with respect to a rotation axis and which has a plurality of openings through which the medium can be guided out of the distribution chamber. A sleeve may be arranged on the distribution chamber, wherein the sleeve extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the distribution chamber. According to the invention, the apparatus has a supply tube for supplying the medium to the distribution chamber. Furthermore, the supply tube extends at least partially in the direction of the rotation axis of the distribution chamber, and the sleeve is designed such that it can rotate with respect to the supply tube. A gap through which the medium can pass is formed between the sleeve and the supply tube and extends in a circumferential direction around the rotation axis. |
| US07699077B2 |
Transport system for nanoparticles and method for the operation thereof
A transport system for dry nanoparticles (18b). According to the invention, the nanoparticles (18b) are magnetized or electrically charged for transportation, a magnetic or electrical field is produced by a field generator (20a, 20) in the transport channel, and the nanoparticles (18b) migrate through the transport channel (12). The nanoparticles can be discharged through a discharge opening (13) which enables dosing to take place. In order to agglomerate the nanoparticles (18b) or to prevent attachment onto the inner wall (26), a coating (27) of the wall can be offset in oscillations by piezo electric actuators (28), the oscillations being transferred to the nanoparticles (18b). The dry nanoparticles can be handled in an advantageous manner due to the transport system, such that the dry nanoparticles need not be treated as a suspension. |
| US07699075B2 |
Reverse flow flow trim for choke valve
A choke valve for use in reverse flow when mounted on a wellhead or manifold. The choke valve includes a valve body forming a T-shaped bore to provide a vertically extending bottom opening and a horizontally extending side opening. Flow trim is positioned in the T-shaped bore, optionally in a tubular sleeve or removable cartridge. The flow trim includes a tubular cage having a side wall forming an internal bore aligned with the body bottom opening, and a single flow port or a plurality of flow ports, each of the single flow port or plurality of flow ports being positioned for alignment with the body side opening. In reverse flow mode in the valve body, fluid from the bottom opening enters the cage and exits through the single flow port or plurality of flow ports directly into the body side opening. |
| US07699074B2 |
Valve assembly including first and second joined parts
A double block and bleed valve assembly having a valve body with a bore. The bore has an opened and closed position by two valve arrangements to control fluid flow along a pipeline. |
| US07699073B2 |
Soft start device for compressed air systems
A soft start device for compressed air systems comprises a primary inlet at which compressed air at a primary pressure may be supplied, the primary inlet being connected with a secondary outlet able to be coupled with a load, by a valve circuit, at which compressed air is taken at the secondary pressure lower than or equal to the primary pressure, a principal valve placed between the primary and secondary outlet, said principal valve being able to be shunted by a bypass, a choke device being placed in the bypass, the principal valve and the choke device together with further valves of the valve circuit being connected together in a circuit and the valve circuit placed in a standard venting switching setting that the secondary outlet is vented. |
| US07699069B2 |
Valve status monitoring
A valve apparatus has a valve (1), an actuator (2) and a leakage sensor (3). A body (4) of the valve has first and second valve chambers (6, 8) connected to respective valve ports (10 & 12, 14 & 16) and joined by an intermediate passage (18). The valve can be set by the actuator to any one of three valve configurations. In an ‘open’ configuration the intermediate passage is open to interconnect the first and second chambers. In a ‘closed’ configuration, the intermediate passage is closed by first and second seals (24, 26) seated at respective locations in the passage to seal respectively between the first and second chambers and a leakage chamber (28) at the portion of the intermediate passage between the two seals. In a ‘cleaning’ configuration one of the seals is unseated to connect a respective one of the first and second chambers to the leakage chamber, while the other seal remains seated. The leakage sensor is connected to the leakage chamber to provide a signal indicative of a leakage flow from the leakage chamber. |
| US07699067B2 |
Clamping apparatus for washing optical members
An exemplary clamping apparatus (10) for optical members (50) includes a base (11) and a positioning frame (13). The base has a plurality of receiving grooves (122) defined therein. Each receiving groove is configured for receiving one optical member therein. The positioning frame is mounted on the base. The positioning frame has a cavity (132) defined therein for receiving the optical members. |
| US07699065B2 |
Method and apparatus for filling concrete bin
A concrete wash-out bin includes a primary receptacle having a rim positioned at an elevation that exceeds the elevation of a discharge port of certain items of concrete-handling equipment. An auxiliary receptacle is positioned in leading relation to the primary receptacle and is hingedly mounted to the primary receptacle. The auxiliary receptacle has a position of repose where it is horizontally disposed at an elevation lower than the discharge port of the concrete-handling equipment and a discharge position where it is disposed in elevated and angled relation to the position of repose. The discharge position is effective to discharge the contents of the auxiliary receptacle into the primary receptacle. The auxiliary receptacle is repeatedly lifted and lowered as needed until the concrete-handling equipment is free of residual concrete or until the primary bin is full. |
| US07699060B2 |
Tactile feedback for indicating validity of communication link with an implantable medical device
Implantable medical device telemetry is provided between an implantable medical device and an external communication device. The implantable medical device includes a device transmitter and/or a device receiver. The external communication device includes a moveable communication head including an antenna therein connected to at least one of an external transmitter and/or an external receiver for communication with the device transmitter and/or the device receiver of the implantable medical device. A user moves the moveable head apparatus relative to the implantable medical device. Tactile feedback is provided to the user via the moveable head apparatus upon movement of the moveable head apparatus to a position where valid telemetry can be performed. |
| US07699058B1 |
Hair treatment method
A method for hair styling includes generating a pulses of light having a predetermined electromagnetic spectrum with one or more wavelengths absorbable by hair and directing the pulses of light towards hair fibers of an individual. The pulses have at least one pulse duration and a total energy all predetermined to effectively vary a characteristic of the hair fibers owing to absorption of light of the pulses by the hair fibers. By virtue of the directing of the pulses of light towards the hair fibers and absorption of light of the pulses by the hair fibers, at least one selected characteristic of the hair fibers is changed, the one selected characteristic being hair curvature, hair fiber thickness, or hair length. |
| US07699057B2 |
Methods for treating skin lesions
Methods for diagnosing skin lesions are disclosed. Generally, the method include topically administering an IRM compound to a treatment area for a period of time and in an amount effective to cause a visible change in the appearance of a skin lesion including, in some cases, causing subclinical lesions to become visible. Suitable IRM compounds include agonists of one or more TLRs. |
| US07699050B2 |
Method of manufacturing (110) silicon wafer
The present invention provides a method for slicing a silicon single crystal ingot having a plane direction (110) by a wire saw to manufacture a (110) silicon wafer, wherein slicing is performed in such a manner that each angle formed between a traveling direction of a wire in the wire saw and a [−112 ] direction and a [1-12] direction in the (110) silicon single crystal ingot or a direction crystallographically equivalent to the directions exceeds 30°. As a result, the method for manufacturing the (110) silicon wafer that can suppress occurrence of breaking at the time of slicing and improve a production yield ratio can be provided. |
| US07699048B2 |
Paintball projectile drop compensator
A barrel attachment for a paintball gun is provided to impart spin onto a paintball exiting the barrel of the paintball gun thereby providing projectile drop compensation. The attachment is made up of a structure having an elongated aperture with a first end that attaches over the barrel of a paintball gun thereby extending the barrel. A second end of the attachment has an open passage that is disposed at an angle to the centerline of the barrel so that a spin is imparted onto a paintball fired from the gun as it passes through the open passage. |
| US07699047B2 |
Paintball marker with tool box
A paintball marker with a barrel that is coupled to a receiver. A valve arrangement is provided to selectively vent gas to propel projectiles through the barrel responsive to actuation of a firing mechanism. The marker may include a tool box that is capable of being coupled with the receiver. In some embodiments, the tool box resembles a magazine that feeds projectiles into the receiver. |
| US07699044B2 |
Silicon-controlled rectifier shut-off circuit for capacitive discharge ignition system
A capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine and for use with a generator powered current source comprises a storage capacitor, at least one power thyristor for discharging the storage capacitor to transfer energy to at least one coil triggered in synchronism with an internal combustion engine with which the ignition system may be associated. A triggering circuit biases the power thyristor to discharge the storage capacitor. A shut-off circuit comprises a solid state device for switching the output of the generator to ground interrupting the flow of current to the power thyristor. A circuit sensing current flow in the triggering circuit generates a control and gates the solid state device into conduction in response to the control signal. |
| US07699036B2 |
Assembly, comprising an exhaust gas turbocharger, an intercooler and a charge-air line
To provide an assembly, comprising an exhaust gas turbocharger and an intercooler for an internal combustion engine and a hot-side charge-air line connecting the exhaust gas turbocharger to a charge-air inlet of the intercooler, which assembly allows the movements to be equalised between the exhaust gas turbocharger and the intercooler and is simple to produce and assemble, it is proposed that the hot-side charge-air line comprises a one-piece plastics material tube which is formed from a material containing polytetrafluoroethylene and/or modified polytetrafluoroethylene and has at least one flexible zone. |
| US07699032B2 |
Camshaft of automotive combustion engines in particular
With a camshaft for an automotive internal combustion engine in particular, having two concentrically arranged shafts mounted to rotate in opposite directions, namely an inside shaft (3) and an outside shaft (4), at least one single cam (1) fixedly connected to the inside shaft (3) by a pin (5) passing radially through the outside shaft (4) and passing radially through the outside shaft (4), a bearing of the pin (5) in the respective pin receptacles (6), each running radially, in the cam and the inside shaft (3), a lateral projection as the receptacle (6) on the cams (1), a space-saving design of the at least one adjustable single cam should be achieved. To this end, various space-saving pin receptacle designs are proposed. A space-saving measure is also provided with respect to an arrangement of an adjustable cam in close proximity to a cam fixedly connected to the outside shaft by adjustment of the shaft of the neighboring cam to the pin receptacle of the adjustable single cam. |
| US07699030B2 |
Variable valve system of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve system wherein each cam opens and closes an intake valve and an exhaust valve via each rocker arm. A variable valve system of an internal combustion engine E includes rocker arms rocked by the action of valve driving force of cams with each lift quantity variable mechanism varying a maximum lift quantity of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The lift quantity variable mechanism includes a lifter that is driven by the cam, and makes the valve driving force act on the rocker arm and a lifter holder that supports the lifter, and is driven by an electric motor and is rocked. The lifter is movably supported by the lifter holder. Maximum lift quantity is varied by varying a position in which the lifter abuts on the rocker arm according to a position in which the lifter holder is turned. |
| US07699028B2 |
System for cooling equipment on a motor vehicle with a split heat exchanger
The invention relates to a system which is used to cool at least one piece of motor vehicle equipment to a low temperature, comprising a heat transfer fluid circulation loop. According to the invention, a low-temperature heat exchanger (60) and at least one equipment exchanger (102) are mounted to the aforementioned circulation loop. The heat exchange surface of the equipment exchanger (102) is divided into at least first and second heat exchange sections (104, 106). A first flow (Q |
| US07699023B2 |
Gas delivery apparatus for atomic layer deposition
Embodiments as described herein provide an apparatus and a method for performing an atomic layer deposition process. In one embodiment, a deposition chamber assembly contains a substrate support having a substrate receiving surface, and a chamber lid containing a tapered passageway extending from a central portion of the chamber lid, and a bottom surface extending from the passageway to a peripheral portion of the chamber lid, the bottom surface shaped and sized to substantially cover the substrate receiving surface. The system also includes one or more valves coupled to the gradually expanding channel, and one or more gas sources coupled to each valve. In one example, the gas source is a gas box assembly which is attached to the deposition chamber by at least one disconnect fitting and contains an inlet tube directed away from the gas outlet. |
| US07699022B2 |
Device for the zonal surface treatment of an article by dielectric barrier discharge
The invention relates to equipment for area-based surface treatment of an article by electric dielectric barrier discharge in the presence of a non-atmospheric controlled gaseous mixture, comprising a hollow metal electrode enabling the gaseous mixture to circulate therewithin and the mixture to be transported to a discharge area, whereby said electrode is divided into individual elements which can each be pivoted about a central axis to ensure sufficient distance between the element which is considered as being pivoted and the area of the article opposite the element in question so that the discharge cannot develop; the central pivoting axis is used as a channel for the circulation of the gaseous mixture inside the electrode and is provided with openings enabling the gaseous mixture to be evacuated to the discharge area; pivoting one of the elements of the electrodes blocks up the evacuating opening associated therewith and the gaseous mixture can only be evacuated via the evacuating openings of non-pivoted elements. |
| US07699018B2 |
Method and apparatus for repelling geese
Apparatus and methods for repelling geese include a solar-powered, photocell controlled flasher for disposition on a body of water or on land where geese inhabit. The method includes the steps of intermittently flashing a light into an area where geese sleep, and disturbing the geese from rest. |
| US07699016B2 |
Water sport towing method
Wakeboarding performance is improved using a vessel which is fitted with a towing frame having spaced supports attached on opposite sides of the vessel while coupling upper extremities of the supports with a bridging portion, to which a tow rope attachment point is fitted. |
| US07699015B1 |
Sub-ordinate vehicle recovery/launch system
Sub-ordinate and host maritime vessels are connected to each other by a tow loop trailed by the host vessel through a capture frame which engages the sub-ordinate vessel. The capture frame acts to engage the sub-ordinate vessel in the transitional coordinate space shared jointly between the sub-ordinate and host vessels, which vessels can be either or both surface-going, submersible, and/or non-surface vessels. The capture frame possess features which allow it to disengage from the host vessel while remaining semi-related and recoverable by a linkage of one or more tensioned lines to the host vessel during the time that its tow loop is connected to the sub-ordinate vessel. |
| US07699013B1 |
Deployable through-hull scoop
A water uptake device for directing water flow into a moving boat that allows the volume and pressure of the water flow entering the device to be adjusted from full force to no flow at all by simple adjustment of how much of its scooping member protrudes beyond its through-hull fitting into the water stream. Water enters the device through an opening in its deployable scooping member, and operator positioning of the scooping member relative to the through-hull fitting, including complete withdrawal of the scoop into the distal end of the through-hull fitting, is remotely accomplished so that the operator can remain at the helm. Multiple devices can be used on the same marine vessel, with all devices mounted on the bottom of its hull, in a standard fashion for through-hull fittings mounted below the waterline. Applications may include the filling of ballast bags for the sport of wakeboarding. |
| US07699010B2 |
Personal watercraft with deflector
A personal watercraft is disclosed having a hull and a sub-deck disposed on the hull. The hull and sub-deck together form a hull and sub-deck (HSD) assembly. An engine is disposed in the HSD assembly. A propulsion system is connected to the hull and operatively connected to the engine. A deck is disposed above the sub-deck. The deck has a pedestal. A straddle-type seat is disposed on the pedestal. A helm assembly is operatively connected to the propulsion system and disposed at least in part forwardly of the straddle-type seat. A deflector is disposed on the HSD assembly and extends outwardly therefrom. The deflector is disposed at least in part forwardly of a forward-most portion of the deck. A personal watercraft having only a hull and a deck is also disclosed. |
| US07699009B2 |
Seed singulator
A seed singulator for use with a vacuum disk having a seed face and a shoulder. The seed singulator has a first member and a second member supported by biasing members. The first member has upper lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly less than the outside radius of a row of apertures on a seed plane of the vacuum disk. The seed member has lower lobes disposed at a radius of curvature slightly greater than the inside radius than the row of apradius. The biasing members permit the lobes to move with the seed plane and the shoulder as the vacuum disk rotates thereby maintaining their position with respect to the apertures. |
| US07699008B2 |
Rail road freight car with damped suspension
An auto rack rail road freight car is provided for carrying low density, relatively high value, relatively fragile lading. The car has trucks that have multiple dampers in a four corner arrangement in the sideframes. The dampers may include damper wedges having primary and secondary wedge angles. The spring groups in the side frames are relatively soft, giving a low vertical bounce natural frequency. In an articulated embodiment, differentially placed ballast is mounted in a biased arrangement to load the coupler end trucks to encourage a dynamic response similar to the dynamic response of the internal trucks. |
| US07699005B2 |
Ammunition device with two active charges
The invention relates to an ammunition arrangement. The ammunition arrangement comprises at least two active parts (2, 3), each with its own active charge (4, 6), arranged axially one behind the other. In order to make large holes in walls and the like without problems of great weight, the second active charge (6) is designed to act essentially in the radial direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the active charge. |
| US07698998B2 |
Hand held marking mechanism for marking electrical conductors
A portable cable marking mechanism includes a gun-like housing with a pivotally mounted trigger assembly for moving a stamping unit along a predetermined inking path to engage in sequence an inking pad of a replaceable ink cartridge for inking the stamping unit and then a cable sleeve for providing the cable sleeve with customized indicia markings. |
| US07698995B2 |
Apparatus and method of thermally treating a confectionery mass
An apparatus (100, 100′) for thermally treating a confectionery mass includes a housing (1) having an approximately vertical axis (2), a core (3) being located in the housing (1) and being arranged in an approximately concentric way with respect to the axis (2) of the housing (1), a plurality of tubes (12) being located in the housing (1), each of the tubes (12) having an approximately vertical axis and being designed and arranged for a tempering medium to flow through them, and at least one deflecting element (13) being designed and arranged to connect the housing (1) to the core (3) such that a flow path of the confectionary mass through the apparatus (100, 100′) is determined, the flow path extending in a transverse direction with respect to the tubes (12), at least a part of the deflecting element (13) having a helical shape. |
| US07698994B2 |
Fryer filtration arrangement with boil-out bypass
A fryer unit includes a boil-out drain path that does not require boil-out fluid to pass through a pump. |
| US07698989B2 |
Reciprocating piston machine
A reciprocating piston machine, in particular a compressor, such as for the air conditioning system of an automotive vehicle. The machine includes a casing and at least one casing cover. A working unit including pistons and is arranged or formed in the casing. The intake and exhaust zone or a front shaft bearing are arranged or formed in the casing cover (covers). The casing cover is screwed on the casing. The screw assembling is carried out with the aid of ring nuts or saw tooth screw threads between the casing and the casing cover, wherein the casing and cover are made of materials with different strengths and different thermal expansion coefficients. |
| US07698988B2 |
Brake booster for a hand brake
The invention relates to a brake booster intended to transmit handbrake commands. This booster essentially comprises a plunger (3) able to move axially under the command of the control rod (1). An enclosure (2) contains a working chamber (21) and a vacuum chamber (20) which are separated by a wall (22) able to move axially under the effect of the plunger (3) and/or of a difference in pressure between the vacuum chamber and the working chamber. A three-way valve (4) controlled by the plunger (3) allows the working chamber (21) to be connected either to the vacuum chamber or to atmospheric air. Finally, a bearing piece (17) controlled by the moving wall (22) allows the control rod (1) to be driven along. |
| US07698987B2 |
Heavy caliber firearm with enhanced recoil and control characteristics
The invention comprises an improved recoil control device comprising a bolt head and an inertia block for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt head and inertia block are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt head results in a force component outside the firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The device can be incorporated into firearms of a variety of sizes and configurations to produce recoil reduction and/or weight reduction advantages. |
| US07698986B2 |
Weapon sight
This invention, as a unit, is a training adjustable combination sight, primarily intended to be mounted on a vehicle of smaller vessel for close-in defense of these against air and ground attacks. In its entirety, aside from the required sight sensors (16-18) situated in an intentionally elevatable sensor housing (4), the combination sight entails a weapon (8) that is controlled by the sensors. The sight sensors (16-18) included in the combination sight can also be utilized for fire control of exterior weapons located elsewhere as well as for gathering purely surveillance data. |
| US07698985B2 |
Rapidly installable energy barrier system
A modular energy barrier system has at least one energy barrier module. The module has a substantially rigid casing and an energy absorbing filler material. The casing has at least one frangible side. The filler material is disposed inside the casing. The casing is adapted to be connected to a base support so that the module is interposed between the base structure and an energy source and the at least one frangible side of the casing is oriented to face energy released by the energy source. |
| US07698984B2 |
Ballistic projectile resistant barrier apparatus
A ballistic projectile resistant barrier apparatus combines the advantages provided by both high hardness material barriers and multiple laminate layer barriers. An outer tier of the barrier is comprised of a plurality of interconnected hard tiles. Each of the tiles has an outer, front surface designed that, upon impact by a ballistic projectile, the projectile is immediately deflected from its initial path. Subsequent tiers of the barrier are comprised of layers of a flexible material interspersed with layers of a ballistic liquid or at least one layer of ballistic fiber. When tiles are impacted by a projectile, the impacted tile is pushed into the laminate layers of the barrier, thereby substantially multiplying the area of the barrier that resists the impact force of the projectile as the projectile enters the barrier. |
| US07698982B2 |
Explosive pipe severing tool
A pipe severing tool is arranged to align a plurality of high explosive pellets along a unitizing support structure whereby all explosive pellets are inserted within or extracted from a tubular housing as a singular unit. Electrically initiated exploding wire detonators (EBW) are positioned at opposite ends of the tubular housing for simultaneous detonation by a capacitive firing device. The housing assembly includes a detachable bottom nose that permits the tool to be armed and disarmed without disconnecting the detonation circuitry. Because the tool is not sensitive to stray electrical fields, it may be transported, loaded and unloaded with the EBW detonators in place and connected. |
| US07698980B2 |
Sheet material dispenser
A powered dispenser for dispensing individual sheet segments from a continuous roll of sheet material provided with spaced tear lines comprises a powered feed mechanism, a releasable, powered drive mechanism, a powered transfer mechanism, a pair of web sensing sensors, a capacitive sensing system providing automatic sensitivity adjustment, and control circuitry. A dual power supply system provides a mechanical lock-out functionality, and the control system is protected from electrostatic build-up on the surface of the feed roller. The web sensor, and an antenna plate of the capacitive sensing system, are provided on respective printed circuit boards mounted in overlying relation. Utilizing signals received from the pair of web sensors and the capacitive sensing system, the control circuitry senses the presence of a user to activate the powered drive mechanism, and prevents further dispensing of the sheet material until a previously dispensed segment is separated from the roll. The web sensors detection of a leading edge of the sheet material initiates a predetermined interval of sheet material advancement providing a proper placement of successive tear lines. Various approaches may be utilized to accommodate inadvertent sheet “tabbing” scenarios. The web sensors, together with the control circuitry, are also used to detect the depletion, or absence, of a working roll of sheet material, whereupon the control circuitry controls the powered transfer mechanism to automatically transfer the web feed supply from a depleted working roll to a reserve roll. The powered transfer mechanism may include a motor driven transfer bar, or provide motor driven release of a spring biased transfer bar. Another arrangement allows for ready release of a roll core, and drop of the same into an open dispenser cover for removal. |
| US07698976B2 |
Miter saw with improved safety system
A miter saw is disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect contact between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating. |
| US07698975B2 |
Table saw with cutting tool retraction system
A table saw has a movable cutting tool for cutting a workpiece in a cutting region. The table saw includes a detection system to detect one or more conditions between a person and the cutting tool and a retraction system associated with the detection system. The retraction system retracts the cutting tool away from the cutting region independently of the motor and disengages the cutting tool from driving rotation with the motor upon detection of the one or more conditions by the detection system. |
| US07698969B2 |
Nut runner mounting structure
A nut runner mounting structure for supporting one or more nut runner spindles includes a spindle supporting base plate, and at least one support pillar extending in parallel with the spindles and secured at its forward end to the base plate and at its rear end to a mounting structure support. Each support pillar has a tube element provided with a forward end piece and a rear end piece, and a tension bolt engaging the rear end piece and the base plate to exert an axial clamping force on the tube element. The forward end piece is formed with sharp edged teeth for penetrating into and forming matching teeth in the tube element and the base plate for locking the tube element against rotation. Clamping units are attachable to the tube elements for carrying additional equipment and connecting the structure to a mounting structure support. |
| US07698968B2 |
Method for reducing input-side holding torque of wave gear device, and rotary actuator
In a wave gear device provided with a cup-shaped flexible external gear, the difference in the direction of the thrust force applied to the wave generator during speed reduction or speed increase is used to reduce the input-side holding torque. During speed reduction, thrust force F1 is applied to the wave generator in the direction toward the open side of the flexible external gear, and during speed increase, thrust force F2 is applied in the opposite direction. The plug of the wave generator is pressed against the friction plate mounted on the motor housing by the thrust force F2 applied during speed increase, and the friction force that is produced is used as part of the input-side holding torque for restraining the wave generator from rotating. |
| US07698967B2 |
Bicycle handlebar with removable and adjustable aerobar
A handlebar for a bicycle has first and second laterally extending portions disposed outboard of a central attachment portion. Each of the first and second laterally extending portions is preferably winged-like in configuration to provide reduced air resistance. The first laterally extending portion includes an aerobar clamping mechanism, and the second laterally extending portion includes a second aerobar clamping mechanism. Each aerobar clamping mechanism includes a tapered receiving sleeve having an axis that is generally parallel to a travel axis of the handlebar. A collect having a major axis that extends in a plane generally parallel to the direction of travel of the bicycle is receivable within the receiving sleeve. The collet includes a plurality of axially extending slots that permits the diameter of the collet to be varied. The collet includes an aerobar receiving slot having a major axis that is generally co-linear with the axis of the collect, and is provided for receiving an aerobar. An axial mover member can be coupled to the collect, for axially moving the collect within the aerobar receiving sleeve. Axial movement of the collect within the aerobar receiving sleeve serves to tighten and increase the grip of the collect upon the aerobar. |
| US07698966B2 |
Control member with tensed cables
The control unit includes an arm (21) sliding inside of a sheath (20) the angle of which can be varied and which is supported by three tensed cables (25; 26; 27) arranged in a triangle and unwinding with a certain degree of resistance from force feedback motors (16; 17; 18). The wrist (23) of the control unit can be moved according to at least the three degrees of translational freedom, without having to be afraid of encountering the cables; the control unit is simple, inexpensive and possesses a satisfactory degree of stiffness. A friction-creating means, possibly consisting of another tensed cable and dependant on a motor, is placed between the sheath (20) and the arm (21).This unit can be used for telemanipulation, telesurgery, CAD, games, etc. |
| US07698965B2 |
Transmission device for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a transmission device for a motor vehicle comprising a plurality of connecting elements that are mounted in an axially movable manner and are each provided with a shift mouthpiece and comprising an actuating device having a control shaft that is mounted in a swiveling and axially movable manner, on which is provided a main control element and at least one secondary control element, the at least one secondary control element having functional regions for a movement in the same direction as well as functional regions for movement in the opposite direction, the at least one secondary control element extending in its neutral position essentially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the connecting elements, and, with respect to this neutral position on the secondary control element and on at least one shift mouthpiece, the particular functional regions for the movement in the same direction being designed with a bent shape and being axially symmetric to the particular, likewise bent functional regions for the movement in the opposite direction, and specifically with respect to a plane that is defined by the axis of rotation of the control shaft and the direction of movement of the connecting element. |
| US07698964B2 |
Gear
A gear having a thin-walled section formed on one end face among two end faces of a tooth in a tooth-width direction is provided. A portion of the thin-walled section is projected and formed so as to serve as an overhanging section. The overhanging section prevents backlash. A thickness T3 of the overhanging section, a thickness T2 of a tooth flank corresponding section, and a thickness T1 of a tooth crest corresponding section positioned therebetween satisfies the relation T1 |
| US07698963B2 |
Force-sensing device
A force-sensing device has a yoke having a location of force introduction for a force to be measured acting in a predetermined direction. A measuring spring has a first end rigidly connected to the yoke and is elastically deformable by the force to be measured. The measuring spring has a second end arranged on a support rigidly connectable to a machine frame. First predetermined measuring locations are provided that detect and evaluate a deformation of the measuring spring caused by the force to be measured. Parallel and spaced apart bending springs are connected to the yoke in such a way that the yoke is always guided in parallel in a transverse direction that is transverse to the predetermined direction of the force to be measured. Second predetermined measuring locations are provided on the bending springs and detect a transverse deformation caused by a force in the transverse direction. |
| US07698961B2 |
Tactile instrument
The ability of a person to grasp an object and at the same time to feel, as well as to determine mechanical and geometric parameters of the comprehended object, makes him or her irreplaceable for many tasks, i.e. in production or in surgery. The translation of this ability into a technological system has often failed up to now due to lack of special adjusted sensors. The object of this invention is a sensory device, which fulfills the requirements for a tactile sensor system and at the same time affords a cost-effective and simple manufacturing alternative to other sensor principles. The layer structure of the sensor element is so constructed that by effect of an external force of the current by a resistive layer a path is disposed to narrowing or enlargement. The voltage drop over this resistive layer is dependent upon the acting external force and serves as signal sensor. |
| US07698960B2 |
Assembly for determining torque at a friction coupling
An assembly for measuring force at a friction coupling, more particularly in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes an outer plate carrier (6) at which outer plates (7) are held so as to be rotationally secured and in a way so as to be axially displaceable, wherein at least one of the outer plates (7) comprises an outer cam (12); an inner plate carrier (8) at which inner plates (9) are held in a rotationally fast way and in a way so as to be axially displaceable; wherein the outer plates (7) and the inner plates (9) are arranged so as to alternate in the axial direction, while jointly forming a plate package (10); a force measuring device arranged in such a way that, upon actuation of the friction coupling (3), it is loaded by the cam (12) in an operating direction extending at a distance from, and transversely to, the longitudinal axis (A). |
| US07698947B2 |
Rapid prototype integrated matrix ultrasonic transducer array inspection apparatus, systems, and methods
Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which use a sensor holder constructed from rapid prototyping, such as stereolithography, and which is configured to support a plurality of inspection sensors typically arranged in an ordered matrix array and possibly with one or more additional inspection sensors aligned for inspection of difficult to inspect features of a structure such as radius corner or edge features. Rapid prototype integrated matrix array inspection apparatus, systems, and methods provide fast and efficient methods of constructing custom inspection devices. |
| US07698945B2 |
System and method for detecting internal flaws in a particulate filter
A method of detecting an internal flaw in a particulate filter includes a step of coupling ultrasonic transducer with the particulate filter. The method also includes a step of moving at least one of the ultrasonic transducer and the particulate filter relative to the other. Consistent coupling of the ultrasonic transducer with the particulate filter is maintained during the moving step. Ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer through a majority of a volume of the particulate filter. The method also includes a step of determining if the particulate filter includes an internal flaw using the ultrasonic energy. |
| US07698943B2 |
Method for evaluating pressure containers of composite materials by acoustic emission testing
The invention relates to a method for evaluating pressure containers made of a composite material by acoustic emission testing. The method comprises the steps: (a) determining a sufficient number of internal pressure-dependent acoustic emission characteristics (AE characteristics) of pressure containers from identical production that have been classified as being without defects in predetermined phases of a time-controlled pressure acting upon the pressure container (AE test procedure) with one or more acoustic emission channels (AE channels) using acoustic emission sensors (AE sensors) of a predetermined position (one AE characteristic per AE sensor or AE channel. |
| US07698941B2 |
Sensing unit and method of making same
In a sensing unit according to the present invention, a spring portion having a support portion and a movable portion is conductive. A signal of a sensor portion provided on the movable portion of the spring portion is transmitted via the spring portion. Hence, the sensing unit according to the present invention has a simple constitution with a small number of components, and a wire does not necessarily have to be provided for each sensor portion. As a result, a reduction in manufacturing cost, simplification of the manufacturing process, and so on are achieved. |
| US07698936B2 |
Fuel gauge for fuel cartridges
Fuel gauges for fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. Each fuel gauge has a property that is readable by an electrical circuit. These properties are related to the remaining fuel in the fuel supplies. These properties include, but are not limited to, electrical capacitance, magnetic, semi-conducting resistance, bi-metal resistance, and oscillating magnetic field. These fuel gauges are functional at any fuel supply orientation. |
| US07698929B2 |
High throughput screening methods for lubricating oil compositions
A method for determining storage stability for a plurality of fluid lubricant samples of different lubricating oil compositions is provided. Each sample includes a combination of one or more base oils and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil additives or lubricating oil compositions containing such additives is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime. |
| US07698927B2 |
Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content
Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content, are provided. The method includes measuring a first air temperature and a first air pressure at a first location in a compressor, measuring a second air temperature and a second air pressure at a second location in the compressor, computing a ratio of specific heats from the first and second air temperatures and the first and second air pressures, and determining an atmospheric water content from the ratio of specific heats. |
| US07698924B2 |
Member having a chamfered through hole and manufacturing method of the same
A method of forming a chamfered through hole having a chamfered portion at each end thereof by: forming a prepared hole in a plate-like portion; forming a first chamfered portion by driving a first punch; forming a second chamfered portion by driving a second punch, which has a second tapered surface and a generally columnar central pressing portion protruding from the center of the second tapered surface and having an annular corner at a tip thereof, and thereby forming the second chamfered portion and a central recess recessed axially inward; and punching out an unnecessary portion protruding radially inward of the prepared hole by using a finishing punch having an outer diameter equal to or smaller than that of the corner of the central pressing portion. The punching out the unnecessary portion is performed by punching from the first chamfered portion toward the second chamfered portion using the finishing punch. |
| US07698922B1 |
Permanent invisible magnetic tags with digital data
A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of unfinished ferrous rods, bars, workpieces, and the like. A midpoint, center or other point of the workpiece is automatically located and a high-energy pulse is applied for installing an embedded magnetic marker. The magnetizing heads can also be repositioned to various points on a workpiece for imparting digital manufacturing and product identification in a data strobe pulse, that is analogous to a picket fence, where each picket provides a weighted binary representation in a data array comprised of data cells. |
| US07698921B2 |
Backward compatible lock system, key blanks and keys therefor
A cylinder and key combination including a pin operated cylinder including a cylinder body, a plug rotatable within the cylinder body and defining a keyway and first pin assemblies and at least one second pin assembly communicating with the keyway and being selectably positionable by key cuts on a key inserted into the keyway for positioning the pin assemblies with respect to a shear line between the cylinder body and the plug to permit rotation of the plug with respect to the cylinder body and a key, including a shank defining at least one planar surface configured to define a longitudinally extending key-cut region thereon, the longitudinally extending region having formed thereon a plurality of first key cuts configured to position a plurality of first pins at a desired shear line position and having pre-formed thereon at least one second key cut configured to position a corresponding at least one second pin assembly at a desired shear line position. |
| US07698919B2 |
Locking device
Disclosed is a locking device which comprises a housing, and a cylinder device rotating within the housing, wherein the housing is provided with a protrusion therein to prevent the cylinder device from being rotated, and the cylinder device includes a motor, a cylinder receiving the motor, a tilting mechanism located at the front of the cylinder, having an upper portion tilted to be fixed to the protrusion of the housing by forward rotation of the motor and a recess released from the protrusion of the housing by reverse rotation of the motor, and a locking plate adapter fixed to the tilting mechanism, and a locking plate fixed to the adapter. |
| US07698918B2 |
Interchangeable lock operable in fail safe or fail secure modes
One embodiment of an electric door lock according to the present invention is interchangeable between fail safe and fail secure modes and comprises a housing for receiving the internal components of the door lock. A latch bolt is mounted within the housing and is movable from partially extending from and retracted into the housing. A doorknob is mounted to the housing and is rotatable to retract the latch bolt. A solenoid assembly is also mounted within the housing and can be interchangeably arranged to cause the lock to operate a fail secure mode wherein the doorknob is prevented from retracting the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized, or a fail safe mode wherein the doorknob is allowed to retract the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized. The solenoid is nested in place within the housing in both modes. |
| US07698909B2 |
Headband with tension indicator
A headband having a low stretch segment sized to fit around a wearer's head, and an elastic segment being smaller than the low stretch segment, and having a free end and an attached end, where the elastic segment is attached at its attached end with the low stretch segment. The headband also includes a tab portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tab portion being connected with the free end of the elastic portion, the second end of the tab portion configured to form a closed loop with the low stretch segment, around the wearer's head. The headband also includes visual indicator configured for monitoring the extended position of elastic segment and optionally a stop portion that is configured to engage against the elastic segment to limit its stretch. When having a stop portion, the tab portion also includes an indicator portion between its first end and the stop portion such that the indicator portion when visible indicates that the headband needs re-tightening; and when the indicator portion is not visible it indicates an adequate level of tension corresponding with delivering a pressure in the range higher than the venous pressure and lower than the capillary pressure to the forehead of the wearer. |
| US07698902B2 |
Defrost operating method for refrigerator
The present invention discloses a defrost operating method for a refrigerator which performs a defrost operation by controlling operations of a compressor and a fan on the basis of a continuous operation time of the compressor and surface temperatures of evaporators to prevent frost from being formed on the evaporators, when cool air is generated in a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber by circulating refrigerants through a refrigeration cycle built in a refrigerator main body and forcibly circulated bX rotating the fan. The defrost operating method for the refrigerator can omit a general defrosting heater by performing the defrost operation by using the compressor and the fan. In addition, the defrost operating method for the refrigerator improves heat exchange efficiency and reduces power consumption by efficiently performing the defrost operation. |
| US07698892B2 |
External combustion engine
An external combustion engine comprises a container (11) with a working liquid (12) sealed therein in a state adapted to flow, a heater (13) for heating and vaporizing the working liquid (12) in the container (11), and a cooler (14) for cooling and liquefying the vapor of the working liquid (12) heated and vaporized by the heater (13). The displacement of the working liquid (12) caused by the vapor volume change is output as mechanical energy by being converted into the mechanical energy. A pressure regulating liquid (18) is sealed in a pressure regulating container (16) communicating with the container (11). A pressure regulating unit (19) regulates the internal pressure (Pt) of the pressure regulating container (16). A control unit (21) controls the pressure regulating unit (19) in such a manner that the internal pressure (Pt) is decreased in the case where it is higher than the saturation vapor pressure (Ps1) of the working liquid (12) at the temperature (T1) of a heated portion (11a) of the container for vaporizing the working liquid (12), while the internal pressure (Pt) is increased in the case where it is lower than the saturation vapor pressure (Ps1). |
| US07698886B2 |
Catalyst deterioration degree acquiring apparatus in internal combustion engine
The apparatus obtains a decreasing gradient of the maximum oxygen storing quantity Cmax with respect to the increase in an air flow rate Ga on the basis of two maximum oxygen storing quantities Cmax, which are respectively estimated in case where the air flow rate Ga assumes two different values, and the two values of the air flow rate Ga. As the deterioration degree of the catalyst unit 53 increases, the decreasing gradient increases. When the deterioration degree of the catalyst unit 53 is the same, the decreasing gradient tends to be the same, even if the degree of the response of the change in the output from a downstream air-fuel-ratio sensor 67 varies. Accordingly, the obtained decreasing gradient can be a value correctly indicating the deterioration degree of the catalyst unit 53. |
| US07698880B2 |
Coin wrapping machine
A coin wrapping machine includes a discrimination unit which detects images of the front face and rear face of coins during conveyance, and which discriminates the coins, a sorting unit which sorts the coins to one of a first side and a second side based on the discrimination results of the discrimination unit, a stacking unit which stacks the coins sorted to the first side by this sorting unit into columnar form with a prescribed number of coins, a wrapping unit which wraps stack of coins in columnar form, and a controller which controls the sorting unit based on the discrimination results so that at least one of an outside face of a coin at one end of the stack of coins and a second outside face of a coin at the other end of the stack of coins is the rear face. |
| US07698877B2 |
Packaging machine and discharging device for a packaging machine
Packaging machine and discharging device for a packaging machine, and a method for filling bags by means of a packaging machine, wherein a bag to be filled is filled by means of a filling element and the filled bags are taken off by means of a bag take-off device and transferred to a discharging device. The discharging device comprises a conveying device for conveying off the bags filled with bulk goods, wherein at least one monitoring device for monitoring the tightness of the filled bags is provided which is associated with the conveying device. Said monitoring device comprises a weight sensor which captures a measure for the bulk material escaping from a bag to determine a parameter for the bag leakiness. |
| US07698874B2 |
Apparatus and method for making gas-filled filling bodies
Apparatus for making gas-filled filling bodies includes a supply reel for storing a pre-fabricated half-tubular plastic film having an at least partially open border side and being divided into individual pockets by weld seams which extend transversally with respect to a transport direction of the plastic film. Positioned downstream of the reel and receiving the plastic film from the reel is a gas filling device for blowing air into the pockets. Positioned downstream of the gas filling device and receiving the plastic film from the gas filling device is a welding tool for welding the open border side of the plastic film for formation of closed filling bodies. The transport of the film through the apparatus is realized by a drive unit which applies a force upon the plastic film essentially downstream of the gas filling device, as viewed in the transport direction. |
| US07698872B2 |
Portable panel construction and method for making the same
Disclosed herein is a portable panel having numerous favorable characteristics. The panel comprises a core having a length, a width, a first side and a second side. A first fiber layer is attached to the first side while a second fiber layer is attached to the second side. A first polyurethane layer is impregnated in the first fiber layer while a second polyurethane layer is impregnated into the second fiber layer. A first skin is attached to the first polyurethane layer while a second skin is attached to the second polyurethane layer. The panel can be used in the manufacture of tables, flooring, risers, stages, bleachers, and the like. |
| US07698870B2 |
Support frame including longitudinal and transverse beams and method for producing the frame
In a frame consisting of longitudinal and transverse frame members which are used as bearing units, a frame bearing mount for the frame and an aggregate bearing mount are vertically arranged one upon the other and the frame areas between the frame bearing mounts and the aggregate bearing mounts are made of a vibration absorbing material in the form of blocks so as to provide a lightweight frame in a simple and economical manner and ensure an efficient attenuation of vibrations. |
| US07698866B2 |
Reinforced sidings
Methods for fabricating sidings and methods for securing those sidings to structures are disclosed. Additionally, this disclosure teaches embodiments of sidings that can be secured to structures. For some embodiments, the siding comprises an insulation and a panel. The insulation and the panel are coupled to each other prior to installation of the siding. This coupling is achieved by non-adhesive coupling mechanisms. |
| US07698865B2 |
Pultruded building product
A building product includes a pultruded part that constitutes exterior siding of a building. In one example, the building product includes a pultruded part that constitutes siding and the structural sheathing of a building. In one example, the building product includes a pultruded part that constitutes siding and the structural sheathing of a building and is configured to be weather-tight. |
| US07698863B2 |
Window assembly and methods
A window assembly includes first, second, third, and fourth frame pieces connected together to form a rectangular frame. Each of the frame pieces has an inside face defining a glass-receiving groove and a muntin-engaging face orthogonal to the inside face and defining a muntin-receiving channel. A first muntin is oriented in the first frame piece muntin-receiving channel and the second frame piece muntin-receiving channel, and a second muntin is oriented in the third frame piece muntin-receiving channel and the fourth frame piece muntin-receiving channel. The first and second muntins cross over to engage at a first half lap joint. The frame pieces are connected to each other with rabbet joints. The window assembly can be part of a garage door arrangement. A method of making a window assembly includes connecting together the frame pieces with rabbet joints and orienting first and second muntins to engage at a lap joint. Methods of retrofitting existing windowless garage doors to include windows includes cutting a hole in the garage door and dropping a window assembly into the hole. The window assembly can then be removably secured to the garage door with fasteners. |
| US07698860B2 |
Raised deck system for emergency isolation and treatment shelter (EITS)
An Emergency Isolation and Treatment Shelter (EITS) deck system is constructed from a multiple of deck unit modules. Each deck unit module includes four adjustable leg assemblies attachable together by a lower truss between each leg assembly so as to support a deck surface panel. The size of the deck unit module defines the modularity of the EITS. Each leg assembly includes a primary leg, an intermediate leg, and a screw foot each in telescopic relationship. Each leg assembly may be telescoped independently to provide a level deck surface irrespective of the underlying terrain. |
| US07698858B2 |
Membrane for the protection of buildings
A studded membrane is proposed for the protection of buildings with a drainage and slip surface formed on the reverse side thereof. This ensures that water is drained between the studded membrane and the exterior surface of the building, between the studded membrane and the seal, between the studded membrane and the insulation. |
| US07698849B2 |
Combined electrical mechanical firing systems
A projectile (28) for a barrel assembly (10) containing multiple projectiles (28) including a propellant charge (22), a primer (23, 26) that ignites the propellant charge (22), a payload (28) that is propelled from the barrel (10) on ignition of the charge (22), and ignition system (20, 24, 25) having both an electrical (20, 24) and a mechanical (25, 26) sub-system either or both of which may be triggered to ignite the primer (23). The electrical system may involve induction white the mechanical system may involve a solenoid or fully mechanical arrangement, the mechanical system acts as a backup for the electrical system if required. |
| US07698848B1 |
Folding gunstock
A folding stock assembly for firearms such as rifles and shotguns. The stock is made of metal rod that has been bent to form laterally spaced left and right elongated arm members that have rear ends connected to the top end of a U-shaped shoulder rest portion. The front end of the respective elongated arm members are pivotally connected to the rear end of a neck portion extending rearwardly from the upper end of the handgrip. There is structure in the interior of the end cap for locking the elongated arm members in either its static storage position or its rearward functional deployed position. |
| US07698846B2 |
Owner recognition by portable guns
The invention presented in this work creates the possibility of a portable gun—revolver, pistol, carbine, riffle or hand-machine gun, to recognize its owner, in progressive levels of handling safety. Three levels of handling safety are established based on the evaluation of the grip force or its effect through material deformation or strain gage measurement. The first level of handling safety does not allow persons with grip force bellow a given limit, to shoot with a gun. The second level of handling safety enables the portable gun to recognize an individual as belonging to a smaller group than the first level. Now, the gun will only recognize for a successful firing an individual whose grip force, measured by one strain gage, fit into a small operational range, established and stored at the moment of acquisition by the owner. The third level of handling safety enables a portable gun to recognize an individual, as belonging to an even smaller group than in the second level. In practice this group is unitary and is composed by the person that grasped the handle to establish the average local grip forces, measured by six strain gages, at the acquisition moment. |
| US07698842B2 |
Sign, especially a number plate for a motor vehicle
A plate, e.g., a license plate for motor vehicles, includes a base body which is made of an electrically conductive material, or has an electrically conductive layer applied either directly or via a further layer. Thus, the electrically conductive base body or its electrically conductive coating forms a first electrode of a flat capacitor. A layer having an electroluminescent pigmentation is applied on the base body or the electrically conductive layer. The electroluminescent coating may be applied by various methods, e.g., spray painting, brushing, special screen-printing methods, etc. To create the electrical field, it may be necessary to apply to the electroluminescent layer an electrically conductive layer for forming the second electrode. |
| US07698841B1 |
Singing and animated birthday cake
A versatile, animated cake decoration that can be used with a cake to celebrate various occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and the like. The cake decoration can be partially embedded in the upper surface of the cake so as to simulate a face that has moving eyes and a moving mouth. The apparatus includes a battery that powers a mechanism that moves the eyes and the mouth and also powers a sound generator that can play a number of different songs and greetings to fit the celebration. The apparatus is safe and is constructed from non-toxic materials so it can safely be used on food products such as cake. |
| US07698838B1 |
Hoe equipped excavator having increased range
In one embodiment of the invention, a hoe equipped excavator includes a base, a boom pivotally mounted at one end on the base, a stick pivotally coupled at one end to the other end of the boom, a tool pivotally coupled to the other end of the stick, a boom link plate pivotally coupled to the boom, a lift cylinder coupled between the base and the boom link plate and an adjustment cylinder coupled between the boom link plate and the boom. The lift cylinder is operable to pivot the boom through a first circumferential range, and the adjustment cylinder is operable to pivot the boom beyond the first circumferential range. |
| US07698836B2 |
System and method for securing accessories to clothing
A system and method for securing accessories to shoes and other articles of clothing is described. One illustrative embodiment is a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a shoe, the system comprising a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through an expandable hole in an upper portion of the shoe and configured to engage an inner surface of the upper portion of the shoe; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the shoe; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory. Another illustrative embodiment is a system for securing a decorative accessory to a shoe, the system comprising a shoe having an upper portion, the upper portion having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one stretchable hole; a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through the at least one stretchable hole in the upper portion of the shoe and to engage the inner surface of the upper portion of the shoe; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the shoe; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory. |
| US07698831B2 |
Tile spacer and holder therefor
A tile spacer for a plurality of tiles arranged on the surface with spaces in between. The tile spacer has a first set of elongate members, each having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal ends are connected together and the distal ends are spaced-apart for setting the spaces between the tiles. The spacer has a body having a portion which is spaced-apart above the tiles when the distal ends of the members are fitted within the spaces between the tiles, thereby facilitating removal of the spacer when tile spacing is completed. |
| US07698828B2 |
Safety rule
A safety rule includes a rule body, which has a stop flange protruded from and extending along one long side thereof, a protective plate, which has one long side pivotally coupled to the rule body so that the protective plate can be set in a collapsed position and closely attached to the top surface of the rule body when the safety rule is not in use or lifted from the rule body to a lifted position for protecting the user's hand to avoid accidental hand injury when the safety rule is used to guide a cutter in cutting a sheet member. |
| US07698827B2 |
Bevel setter
A bevel setting tool having a rectangular plate, both sides of which are marked with reference indicia and a moveable fence that slides longitudinally on a stud that passes from the fence through a slot centrally located in the plate and into a locking knob. The fence and knob may be disassembled so that the fence can be positioned on either side of the plate. |
| US07698826B2 |
Refurbishable retro-reflective photogrammetric target
A surveying type target has a precisely located aperture that achieves tolerances, within +/−0.0005 inch, in the assembly and usage of a retro-reflective photogrammetry target for use with close range industrial photogrammetry. The dot the target may also be refurbished and reconditioned in the field under all weather conditions. This target has a precisely machined ring that fits into a precisely machined socket of a body to eliminate assembly irregularities. This target precisely locates the ring upon the body forming a finished target with a known centerline and height location within +/−0.0005 inch tolerance. |
| US07698824B2 |
High performance sights
Bow and fixed firearm sights, employing fiber optic materials and tritium to provide illumination during periods of low-light, and no-light. As contemplated the bow sights are usable with or without an elastic alignment cord attached to the bow riser/limb and/or forward cable system of a compound bow. In its simplest form the bow sight comprises a bow sight having an opaque base, a transparent housing disposed on and integral with the base, a sight window having peripheral notches therearound and a fiber optic pin embedded in the transparent housing. |
| US07698823B1 |
Wrist strap arrangements for manual shaving devices
A wrist strap arrangement is provided for an attachment to a manual shaving device to guard against dropping of such razor. The wrist strap is designed to either by temporarily storable in the razor while not required or being used or to be conveniently removable from such razor during non-use by various attachment and storage arrangements. |
| US07698822B2 |
Personal care apparatus with an automatically pivotable head part
A personal care apparatus having a hair trimmer, a main part and a head part. The head part being connected to the main part in a region of the main part that is adjacent to the head part and is pivotable relative to the main part. A personal care tool is provided on the head part and comprising a toothed cutting mechanism that has at least one drivable toothed blade and a spring of a U-shaped configuration has a cross-member connected to the head part and two sides co-operating with at least one position extension connected to the main part in the region of each of its two sides. The spring acts between the head part and the main part, and the head part is pivotable by the spring in synchronization with varying displacing forces that act on the head part in the course of a personal care process. |
| US07698820B2 |
High speed link type reciprocating electric shaver
Disclosed is a high speed link type reciprocating electric shaver in which an outer cutter and an inner cutter reciprocate in the right-to-left direction oppositely to each other so that reciprocating effect can be doubled due to only same vibration speed of a motor. The electric shaver includes an outer cutter to reciprocate, and an inner to reciprocate. The inner cutter is connected to a side of vibrator connected to an eccentric shaft of a motor and reciprocates, and the other side of the reciprocating vibrator is connected to the outer cutter by a connecting linkage such that the outer cutter reciprocates in the direction opposite to that of the inner cutter by fixing a center the connecting linkage to a case. |
| US07698815B2 |
Method for forming a heat dissipation device
A heat sink for integrated circuits is limited substantially to heat transfer fins on one or more heat pipe tubes, the tube(s) functioning as a base for the heat sink. The heat pipe tube has a flattened oval cross-section and can snap-fit in openings through the fins. The tube is exposed on one side of the heat sink for contact with the heat generating circuit. The fins can be flat or irregular and can have a collar engaging the heat pipe tube. In one example, the heat pipe runs perpendicular to vertical fins along the bottom of a standing fin stack. In another embodiment two U-shaped heat pipe tubes carry a layered stack, the bottom of the U-shapes being presented under the lowermost in the stack. A clamp urges the heat sink against the heat source. |
| US07698808B2 |
Method of making surface-mount coil packages
A substrate is prepared that includes substrate segments arranged in series in the X and Y directions. The substrate segments are respectively provided with circuit patterns on its one side and electrodes on the other side. Sets of IC devices including bobbins are mounted on the sides with the circuit patterns of the respective substrates. A conductor is wound around the bobbins successively to form the windings. Portions of the conductor extending between the adjacent windings are pressed against and connected to the circuit patterns to form leading and trailing ends of the windings connected to the circuit patterns. Thereafter, the substrate is severed to provide surface-mount coil packages each comprising the circuit board and the set of IC devices including the coil. |
| US07698807B2 |
Method of manufacturing a magnetic sensor by multiple depositions of varying geometry
Formation of the magnetic sensor layers of a magnetic sensor are separated into at least two depositions to reduce the dimension of the sensor. The free layer portion of the sensor is deposited at a different process step than the pinned layer portion. The top of the free layer stack can be a tunnel barrier, the free layer, or part of the free layer. The free layer stack also may contain an in-stack bias layer. The longitudinal bias layer may be patterned in a separate processing step, which allows the stack containing the free layer to be effectively thinner and allow smaller track width dimensions. |
| US07698806B2 |
Process for fabricating a slider or head for a data storage device
The application discloses processes for fabricating a slider or head for a data storage device. The processes disclosed provide a transducer portion that is separated from a slider body by a gap. In an illustrated embodiment, actuator elements are fabricated in the gap to adjust a position of the transducer portion relative to the slider body. |
| US07698803B2 |
Method of manufacturing laminated core
A method of manufacturing a laminated stator core includes: forming a band-shaped yoke core piece having a shape that a yoke of the laminated stator core is developed in a straight line and having concave connection portions in the inner circumferential edge thereof by punching a metal plate; forming a laminated yoke body by winding and laminating the band-shaped yoke core piece in a spiral shape and coupling the laminated band-shaped yoke core piece in a caulking manner; forming a magnetic core piece having a convex connection portion at the base end thereof by punching a metal plate; forming a laminated magnetic body by laminating and coupling a predetermined number of the magnetic core pieces to each other in a caulking manner; and coupling the laminated yoke body and the laminated magnetic body to each other by winding a coil around the laminated magnetic body and then inserting the convex connection portions into the concave connection portions. |
| US07698802B2 |
Method for manufacturing a calibration device
A method for manufacturing a calibration device for an active circuit on a chip, comprises: providing an active circuit that is capable of exhibiting a desired electrical characteristic; and providing a calibration mechanism on-chip with the active circuit. The calibration mechanism generates a control output and comprises a device under test (DUT) configured as a replica of at least one segment of the active circuit, and which generates a test output that causes finite adjustments to the control output, based on a comparison of the electrical characteristics exhibited by the DUT with a known electrical characteristic. The method further comprises: attaching to each control input terminal of the active circuit a corresponding control output from the calibration mechanism. The control output of the calibration mechanism dynamically adjusts control input applied to devices of the active circuit to force the active circuit to exhibit the desired electrical characteristic. |
| US07698799B2 |
Method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel
A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation. |
| US07698797B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming a joint between adjacent members
An apparatus and method for joining adjacent members, wherein the members are placed in an overlapping layered relationship. The members are clamped between a die and a blank holder. Once clamped, a clinching operation is performed on the members to create at least a partial bond between them. In addition to the clinching operation, a level of vibrational energy is imparted to at least one of the members to reduce clamping force requirements, promote material flow and deformation and provide increased joint strength. |
| US07698796B1 |
Method of replacing a door closure
A universal mounting plate for replacing a plurality of different door closers with a new door closer, the plate having a substantially flat rectangular body of a material thickness. A plurality of holes are formed through the material thickness and arranged in a plurality of patterns that correspond to the mounting hole patterns of a plurality of different door closers. The mounting plate can be attached to the door through existing mounting holes and the replacement closer attached to the mounting plate. The existing holes in the door are used to mount the plate and the plate is employed to mount the replacement closer, eliminating the need to drill new holes in the door and patching the old holes. |
| US07698795B2 |
Manual clutch assembly and service tool
An assembly tool for installing a clutch pressure plate and clutch housing of a manual clutch on the flywheel of an engine includes a bell shaped housing which receives and pivotally supports a plurality of fingers having outwardly directed claws. A coaxial cylindrical portion of the bell shaped housing includes male threads which receive a complementarily threaded collar which may be rotated to engage, radially extend and retract the fingers. Internal threads in the cylindrical portion of the housing receive a complementarily threaded portion of a push rod. The push rod includes a thrust bearing at an end that engages the fingers of the pressure plate and may be rotated to engage, retract and extend the pressure plate. A method of clutch housing installation utilizing the tool is also disclosed. |
| US07698794B2 |
Load control mechanism for pull type tools
A load control mechanism for use with a pull type tool (also called a riveter), wherein the mechanism includes a telescopic housing and a compressible element, such as a polyurethane compression spring, which works to limit the ultimate load which is applied by the pull type tool during operation, such as during removal of a rivetless nut plate from a hole in parent material. Also provided is a method of removing a rivetless nut plate by using a pulling head which includes a shock absorber and load limiting device, a resetion cup and a mandrel. The load control mechanism provides that a riveter can be used to safely remove a rivetless nut plate without causing damage or undue wear on components of the tool. This load control mechanism also absorbs operating shocks, protecting expensive work parts (ex: aircraft structure) and the operator during operation, resulting in a safe and ergonomic operation. |
| US07698792B1 |
Method of forming sheet metal casket
A method of forming a sheet metal casket comprises providing a sheet metal casket shell having at least a portion of an end wall and at least a portion of a side wall and a round corner between the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall, and forming a generally planar corner oriented at about a 45° angle relative to the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall. |
| US07698791B2 |
Safety strap buckle, in particular for automotive child safety seats
The buckle has a buckle body, and a lock mechanism for releasably locking two tongues insertable inside the buckle body in a longitudinal insertion direction; the lock mechanism includes a retaining rod movable, in a release direction perpendicular to the longitudinal insertion direction, between a lock position engaging retaining seats formed in the two tongues, and a release position disengaging the two tongues to permit expulsion of the tongues from the buckle body; the lock mechanism also includes a release button movable in the release direction to move the retaining rod into the release position; and the retaining rod is movable in the release direction independently of the release button, and is maintained in the lock position by a spring. |
| US07698787B2 |
Fastener
A w-base fastener includes multiple legs that compress towards a common member, to which the legs are attached, during the installation through an opening of a structure. These legs then engage the backside of the structure to which the fastener is mounted to hold the fastener in a mounted position within the opening. The fastener also includes a head or similar structure that permits items to be mounted to the fastener. The w-base fastener described herein also includes opposite flex arm features for thermal expansion for assembling moldings to a panel. Embodiments of the invention are used to provide for the ease of assembly, proper fit, and functional retention of moldings to structural panels, while also providing for the thermal expansion of the moldings. Aspects of the invention may be advantageously employed on automotive body side moldings including doors, rockers, wheel flares and other areas. |
| US07698785B2 |
Articulating hinge
An articulated hinge is provided which is capable of supporting a panel member and permitting the panel member to be moved away from an opening and at the same time permit the panel member to be rotated approximately 90 degrees. The hinge has a scissor arm mechanism which provides for smooth opening and closing of the hinge thereby eliminating a possible sticking of the hinge during opening. |
| US07698783B2 |
Hinge
A hinge for a door is disclosed. The hinge comprises a receiver assembly having a slot, a door leaf having a retaining spring biased away from the door leaf, the door leaf being dimensioned for insertion into the slot and a retaining device associated with the receiver assembly for releasably engaging the retaining spring to releasably retain the door leaf in the slot. |
| US07698777B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner includes an electric blower, an electric blower controller for controlling the electric blower, an electric blower current detector for detecting at least a current flowing in the electric blower, and a dust chamber provided at an upstream of the electric blower, for collecting dust particles sucked by the electric blower. A predetermined level of a current is made to flow in the electric blower regardless of a dust particle amount in the dust chamber. Preferably, the vacuum cleaner further includes voltage detector for detecting a voltage of a power supply applied to the vacuum cleaner. More preferably, the vacuum cleaner further includes a frequency detector for detecting a frequency of a power supply applied to the vacuum cleaner. |
| US07698776B1 |
Balanced cleaning apparatus
A balanced cleaning apparatus that advantageously contains a carrying handle, a dust pan and a bucket wherein the dustpan and the bucket are carried at the two ends of the carrying handle in a balanced position. |
| US07698773B2 |
Holder for hygienic wipes and the like
A holder for hygienic wipes and the like includes triangular-shaped a base member that is suitable sized and shaped for securing a wiping sheet thereto. An adjustable handle is removably attached to the base member. The base member is also configured as a wedge for allowing a user to comfortably position the apparatus between the buttocks. Gripping members are positioned on the base member bottom surface on either side thereof for securing the wiping sheet to the top surface of the base member. Each gripping member includes raised teeth for securing the wipe in place. The handle is substantially cylindrically-shaped and is telescopically extendable, allowing the apparatus to be used by larger individuals. The handle is hingedly connected to the base member, enabling the user to angle the base member for optimal contact and comfort. |
| US07698770B2 |
Automated appendage cleaning apparatus with brush
A system is provided for providing automated washing for debris removal from the skin of a user's hands. At least some embodiments of the present include a friction enhancing structure such as a brush. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the system includes an RFID capability for identifying when at least one component, such as a removable brush, is due to for replacement for sanitation reasons. |
| US07698766B2 |
Method and system for spinal alignment
A method and apparatus for facilitating spinal alignment is disclosed. The contoured sleep system facilitates alignment of a person's spine along the Sagittal plane when laying in a sleep-on-side position. An exemplary contoured sleep system has a trunk rest having a trunk rest surface and a trunk rest face. |
| US07698765B2 |
Patient support
This disclosure describes certain exemplary embodiments of a patient support having a plurality of vertically-oriented or substantially can-shaped inflatable bladders. In one embodiment, the patient support includes a plurality of pressure sensors positioned underneath the bladders. In another embodiment, the patient support includes a support layer positioned above the vertical bladders. In still another embodiment, the patient support includes one or more filler portions that are selectable so that the patient support may conform to bed frames having different deck configurations. |
| US07698764B2 |
Seat
A seat that includes a support base including a substantially flat bottom surface, a concave portion formed in the support base opposite the flat bottom surface, the concave portion including a head rest area and a leg rest area at opposite ends of the concave portion, and a recessed area therebetween. The head rest area and the leg rest area having a height greater than the recessed area, and the substantially flat bottom surface of the support base extends from the head rest area to the leg rest area. First and second side walls extend between the head rest area and the leg rest area that border the concave portion. |
| US07698757B2 |
Textile construction
A fitted sheet for a mattress comprises a rectangular panel of knit material having a central rectangular area extending from one end of said panel to the other end thereof. Side margins flank the central area, and folded under said central area and joined thereto by seams extending across each end of the central rectangular area. The sheet is characterized in that the seams at each end of said central rectangular area are arcuate. |
| US07698754B2 |
Ribbon flow waterfall for spas
A flat ribbon-shaped waterfall for a portable spa is caused to flow out of the top rim or top side of a spa. A narrow elongated spout forms the output end of a plenum chamber that has a water inlet. The plenum chamber is constructed to baffle surges in the inlet water flow. A light source is placed close to the mouth of the elongated spout to light the ribbon of water flowing from the spout in multi-color, if desired. |
| US07698749B2 |
Total tie keep
Apparatus for restraining a necktie; the necktie has a front portion, a rear portion and a label attached to a back side of the front portion of the necktie. The apparatus includes a material having upper, middle and lower button holes that connect with upper, middle and lower buttons on the shirt. A first tab and a second tab are attached to the material and form a first loop and a second loop with the material such that said rear portion of said necktie is inserted through the first loop or the second loop. The first tab is positioned below the upper button hole and above the middle button hole and the second tab is positioned below the middle button hole and above the lower button hole on the apparatus. A tied necktie secured to the collar of the shirt is attached to the apparatus by connecting a first button on the shirt to a first button hole on the material. The rear portion of the necktie is inserted through the first or second tab on the material. The apparatus and connected rear portion of the necktie are inserted through a label on a backside of the front portion the necktie. Then, the middle and lower button holes are connected to the middle and lower buttons on the users shirt. |
| US07698748B2 |
Reversible necktie and method for making same
A reversible necktie according to one embodiment includes first and second fabric pieces that have matching necktie shapes. Each of the fabric pieces has a finished face side, a wide end, longitudinal edges and a narrow end. The fabric pieces are superimposed in mating relationship with the finished sides facing outward, wherein each of the first and second fabric pieces is formed of a first section that has a first appearance and a second section that has a second appearance that is visually different from the first appearance. The first and second sections are joined together along a seam. The first section of first fabric piece overlies the second section of the second fabric piece and the second section of the first fabric piece overlies the first section of the first fabric piece. |
| US07703141B2 |
Methods and systems for protecting media content
Various embodiments provide methods and systems that utilize a protocol which enables media content protection by establishing a secure communication channel and, in some embodiments, a secure data channel, between a device such as a computing device running a protected content playback application, and a downstream component such as an associated driver, such as a graphics driver, of an associated display device such as a monitor, flat panel LCD, television and the like. |
| US07703140B2 |
Method and system for securing digital assets using process-driven security policies
Techniques for dynamically altering security criteria used in a file security system are disclosed. The security criteria pertains to keys (or ciphers) used by the file security system to encrypt electronic files to be secured or to decrypt electronic files already secured. The security criteria can, among other things, include keys that are required to gain access to electronic files. Here, the keys can be changed automatically as electronic files transition between different states of a process-driven security policy. The dynamic alteration of security criteria enhances the flexibility and robustness of the security system. In other words, access restrictions on electronic files can be dependent on the state of the process-driven security policy. |
| US07703138B2 |
Use of application signature to identify trusted traffic
Provided are techniques for monitoring communication packets. A communication packet is received. A communication packet signature of the communication packet is determined. The communication packet signature is compared to one or more site-specific application signatures. In response to determining that the communication packet signature matches at least of the one or more site-specific application signatures, it is determined that the communication packet is to be trusted. |
| US07703135B2 |
Accessing protected resources via multi-identity security environments
A multi-identity security environment is created for use in controlling access to resources. The multi-identity security environment enables one process that is spawned by another process to access resources security accessible to the one process, as well as resources security accessible to the another process. The multi-identity security environment includes an identity of the one process and an identity of the another process. |
| US07703132B2 |
Bridged cryptographic VLAN
The invention comprises three extensions of the IEEE 802.1Q VLAN bridge model. The first extension is the cryptographic separation of VLANs over trunk links. A LAN segment type referred to as an encapsulated LAN segment is introduced. All frames on such a segment are encapsulated according to an encryption and authentication code scheme. The second extension is the division of a trunk port into inbound and outbound ports. The third extension is a protocol that automatically infers for each outbound port in a bridged VLAN, a set of LAN segment types for the port that minimizes the number of transfers between encapsulated and unencapsulated segments required to transport a frame in the bridged VLAN. |
| US07703131B1 |
Secured distributed impersonation
The invention relates to secured distributed impersonation, for use within systems such as batch system and batch message transaction systems. In one embodiment, a method includes sending a request for credentials of a network account from an originating account associated with an unpublished object to a dispatch associated with a published object. In one embodiment, both the unpublished and the published objects can each be a message queue. The dispatch authenticates the originating account. Upon successful authentication, the network account access emblem is sent to the originating account—that is, the originating account receives the requested credentials, which facilitate the ability to impersonate into the network account. |
| US07703128B2 |
Digital identity management
One aspect relates to a process and associated device for managing digital ID lifecycles for application programs, and abstracting application programs for multiple types of credentials through a common Digital Identity Management System (DIMS) and Application Programming Interface (API) layer. |