最新美国发明专利第2010-05-04期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US07709127B2	Electro-catalytic recharging composition A composition useful for the fueling and refueling of electrochemical devices is described. The composition comprises an ion-conducting medium such as an electrolyte, and catalyst nanoparticles. Unlike traditional electrodes, such as those typically used in electrolyzers and fuel cells, the inventive composition may be quickly drained from the device and refilled to maintain maximum cell performance. In addition, the electro-catalytic charging composition can be stored as a solid for safe handling; for example in a portable cartridge.
US07709125B2	Vehicle plumbing to release hydrogen from fluid A fuel cell system having a cooling fluid flowing therethrough includes a fuel cell stack in heat transfer communication with the cooling fluid and a conduit through which the cooling fluid flows. The conduit includes a first layer of hydrogen-permeable material. Hydrogen within the cooling fluid permeates through the first layer of hydrogen-permeable material to reduce a hydrogen content of the cooling fluid.
US07709124B2	Direct hydrocarbon fuel cells The direct electrochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons in solid oxide fuel cells, to generate greater power densities at lower temperatures without carbon deposition. The performance obtained is comparable to that of fuel cells used for hydrogen, and is achieved by using novel anode composites at low operating temperatures. Such solid oxide fuel cells, regardless of fuel source or operation, can be configured advantageously using the structural geometries of this invention.
US07709119B2	Method for operating fuel cell In a method for operating a fuel cell including an electrolyte membrane sandwiched by a fuel electrode and an oxidizing agent electrode, the method includes a hydrogen feedback process either before starting operation of the fuel cell or after stopping operation of the fuel cell. The hydrogen feedback process includes the processes of a process for electrically connecting a positive electrode of an external electric power source to the oxidizing agent electrode of the fuel cell, a process for electrically connecting a negative electrode of the external electric power source to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell, a process for oxidizing hydrogen remaining in the oxidizing agent electrode to generate protons, the hydrogen contained in the fuel, and a process for reducing the protons, transferred to the fuel electrode from the oxidizing agent electrode through the electrolyte membrane, into hydrogen.
US07709116B2	Low contact resistance PEM fuel cell A PEM fuel cell having a current collector comprising a polymer composite and a diffusion media engaging said polymer composite. The polymer composite has a hyperconductive surface layer engaging the diffusion media to reduce the contact resistance therebetween. The hyperconductive surface layer is formed by depositing or smearing an electrically-conductive material on the surface of the polymer composite.
US07709113B2	Bio-electrochemically assisted microbial reactor that generates hydrogen gas and methods of generating hydrogen gas Systems and processes for producing hydrogen using bacteria are described. One detailed process for producing hydrogen uses a system for producing hydrogen as described herein, the system including a reactor. Anodophilic bacteria are disposed within the interior of the reactor and an organic material oxidizable by an oxidizing activity of the anodophilic bacteria is introduced and incubated under oxidizing reactions conditions such that electrons are produced and transferred to the anode. A power source is activated to increase a potential between the anode and the cathode, such that electrons and protons combine to produce hydrogen gas. In one system for producing hydrogen is provided which includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reactor and an exterior of the reaction chamber. An anode is provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber and a cathode is also provided which is at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber. The cathode is spaced apart at a distance in the range between 0.1-100 centimeters, inclusive, from the anode. A conductive conduit for electrons is provided which is in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode and a power source for enhancing an electrical potential between the anode and cathode is included which is in electrical communication at least with the cathode. A first channel defining a passage from the exterior of the reaction chamber to the interior of the reaction chamber is also included.
US07709111B2	Information recording medium, and apparatuses for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof, and methods for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709108B2	Information recording medium, and apparatuses for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof, and methods for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709107B2	Information recording medium, and apparatuses for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof, and methods for reproducing, recording, and recording and reproducing thereof An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709103B2	Phosphor, manufacturing method thereof and light emitting device using the same The present invention provides a nano particle phosphor with superior luminous characteristic formed using nitride semiconductor material, a method of manufacturing the phosphor with high production yield, and a light emitting device using the phosphor. The phosphor is formed of a columnar crystal having a diameter of at most 3 nm, a light emitting region and a light absorbing region are defined in the columnar crystal, and the light emitting region and the light absorbing region are adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the columnar crystal.
US07709102B2	Organic electroluminescence device An organic electroluminescence device comprising a pair of electrodes and a layer of an organic light emitting medium disposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein the layer of an organic light emitting medium comprises a mixed layer comprising (A) at least one hole transporting compound and (B) at least one electron transporting compound, an energy gap of the hole transporting compound represented by Eg1 and an energy gap of the electron transporting compound represented by Eg2 satisfy a relation: Eg1
US07709097B2	Gas-barrier laminate film and image display device comprising same A gas-barrier laminate film comprising at least one inorganic layer and at least one organic layer comprising a polymer of an acrylic monomer as a main ingredient on a substrate film, wherein the organic layer comprises a polymerization product of a bi- or more-functional polymerizing monomer having at least one sulfonyl group. The laminate film is highly resistant to moisture penetration and applicable to flexible organic EL devices.
US07709093B2	Coatings with improved chip resistance and methods of making the same A coating composition, formed of a film-forming component comprising a functional group-containing resinous binder and, optionally, a crosslinking agent having at least two functional groups that are reactive with the functional groups of the film-forming component, wherein, when the composition is applied and cured to form a cured coating, the cured coating is characterized as having a bicontinuous morphology. Methods of making the coating composition and coatings prepared therefrom are also provided. The coating composition can provide improved physical properties, such as chip resistance, when incorporated into a coating.
US07709092B2	Solar control multilayer film A multilayer film article is disclosed. The multilayer film article includes an infrared light reflecting multilayer film having alternating layers of a first polymer type and a second polymer type, a hardcoat layer that is the reaction product of a hardcoat composition that includes at least one organic polyethylenically unsaturated compound, at least one fluoroalkyl pendent siloxane compound, infrared light absorbing nanoparticles, and a polymerization initiator. The hardcoat layer being disposed adjacent the multilayer film.
US07709089B2	Flameproof rayon fiber and method for manufacturing the same A rayon fiber that does not use a halide-based flame retardant, a phosphorous flame retardant or an organic solvent, has excellent flameproofness and launderability and is biodegradable when buried in the soil at the time of disposal, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The flameproof rayon fiber according to the present invention contains components of silicon and magnesium, and a compound containing the components of silicon and magnesium is amorphous. This rayon fiber can be manufactured by preparing a viscose solution, adding a solution containing a silicate compound containing an alkali metal to the viscose solution so as to make a silicic compound-added viscose spinning solution containing the alkali metal, performing spinning by extruding the silicate compound-added viscose spinning solution containing the alkali metal through a spinneret into a spinbath containing a sulfuric acid, thus producing a fiber to be treated containing the silicate compound, and treating the fiber to be treated using a magnesium-containing solution in a scouring process or an aftertreatment process.
US07709085B2	Thermosetting resin composition, resin sheet and resin sheet for insulated substrate A thermosetting resin composition capable of providing a molding, such as a resin sheet, that excels in not only dielectric characteristics but also dimensional stability at high temperature and even after exposure to high temperature thermal history, exhibits little dimensional change by the thermal history, namely, exhibiting low linear expansion coefficient. There are further provided a resin sheet and resin sheet for insulated substrate produced from the thermosetting resin composition. In particular, there is provided a thermosetting resin composition comprising an epoxy resin of 100 to 2000 epoxy equivalent, an epoxy resin hardening agent consisting of a phenolated compound, and a layered silicate, and are further provided a resin sheet comprised of the thermosetting resin composition and a resin sheet for insulated substrate comprised of the resin sheet.
US07709084B2	Anti-newton ring sheet and touch panel using the same There is provided an anti-Newton ring sheet having an excellent anti-sparkle property, which can prevent the generation of sparkles when it is used in a touch panel using a high-definition color display, and a touch panel using this anti-Newton ring sheet.The anti-Newton ring sheet 1 of the present invention has an anti-Newton ring layer 3 comprising ionizing radiation curable organic-inorganic hybrid resin (binder component 32) and fine particles 31 on one surface of a transparent substrate 2, and preferably the mean diameter and the coefficient of variation of the diameter of the particle 31 is not less than 0.5 μm and not more than 3.0 μm and not less than 20% and not more than 80%, respectively, and the thickness of the anti-Newton ring layer 3 is preferably not less than 0.2 μm and not more than 3.5 μm.
US07709082B2	Electrodes, printing plate precursors and other articles including multi-strata porous coatings, and method for their manufacture The invention relates to an article of manufacture which includes a substrate, and on at least one surface thereof, a porous coating which has a total thickness in the range of up to about 50 microns and which consists of a plurality of discrete adjacent strata, wherein each discrete stratum is porous, inclusive of porous interfaces, and is fabricated from at least one substance selected from the group consisting of metals and metal oxides. The article is made by vaporizing a metal under vacuum conditions, optionally in an oxidizing atmosphere, at predetermined intervals of time, such that a deposit of a desired total thickness is formed on the substrate as a coating consisting of a plurality of discrete adjacent strata.
US07709081B2	Porous bioactive glass and preparation method thereof The invention relates to porous bioglass and to the preparation method thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to a solid, porous crystalline or partially-crystalline composition containing at least SiO2, CaO, Na2O, and P2O5, comprising micropores and macropores. The invention is characterised in that: the pore ratio varies between 50% and 80%, preferably between 60 and 75%, and is measured using the geometric method; the average diameter of the macropores varies between 100 and 1250 micrometers, preferably between 150 and 300 micrometers; the average diameter of the micropores is less than or equal to 5 micrometers; and the compression strength varies between 7 MPa and 70 MPa. The invention also relates to the method of preparing one such composition and to such a composition treated with a physiological liquid having an ionic composition similar to that of human plasma. The invention also relates to an implant which is made from one such composition.
US07709078B1	Disk drive housing hole seal including a conductive layer with an exposed planar surface region There is provided a seal for covering a hole in a disk drive housing. The seal includes a conductive layer, a primary dielectric layer, and a gasket layer. The conductive layer has a covered surface region and an exposed planar surface region. The exposed planar surface region is lacking a dielectric coating disposed thereon. The primary dielectric layer includes an adhesive coating disposed between the primary dielectric layer and the covered surface region. The gasket layer includes first and second adhesive gasket layer sides and a gasket opening disposed through the gasket layer.
US07709076B2	Honeycomb body consisting of layers comprising inverted sections and layers comprising counter-structures A honeycomb body is formed of alternating layers that are smooth and partially structured. The layers form cavities that allow a fluid to flow in an axial flow direction. The structured layers have structural extremities in contact with smooth neighboring layers and inverted sections in the vicinity of their structural extremities. The sections protrude into the cavities and have a form approximately inverse of the structural extremities in a cross-section through the honeycomb body that runs perpendicularly to the flow direction in such a way that breaks are formed in the structural extremities. Counter-structures are configured in the vicinity of the inverted sections and/or structural extremities in the smooth layers. The structures engage with the structural extremities and/or inverted section. In the honeycomb body, relative displacements of the two layers in the flow direction are prevented by the co-operation of the inverted sections and the counter-structures.
US07709073B2	Information recording medium In an information recording medium on and from which information is recorded and reproduced by applying light or electric energy, a recording layer which generates reversible phase change is formed so as to include a material containing Ge, Bi, Te and an element “M” which material is expressed with (GeTe)x[(M2Te3)y(Bi2Te3)1-y]100-x (mol %) wherein “M” represents at least one element selected from Al, Ga and In, and “x” and “y” satisfy 80≦x<100 and 0
US07709072B2	Adhesive pattern for a label system An adhesive pattern for a label system is disclosed. The adhesive pattern includes a label sheet having a plurality of non-adhesive sections, and a plurality of adhesive sections connected to the non-adhesive sections. The non-adhesive sections and the adhesive sections are in alternate arrangement to form the label sheet. The label sheet also includes a plurality of labels having a first end and a second end, and the first end is attached to a non-adhesive section. Upon removal of the label from a non-adhesive section, the label has a non-sticking surface.
US07709069B2	High temperature venting bags Provided are high temperature, venting food preparation bags used to package food products for storage, transportation, and preparation and methods for making and using the same. High temperature, venting food preparation bags are composed of a sealed end, an open end, at least one side wall composed of a first thermoplastic film having a vent, and a vent seal composed of a second thermoplastic film. The vent seal is fused to the sidewall via a non-adhesive seal thereby closing the vents. At elevated temperatures, the vent seal at least partially detaches from the side wall thereby opening the vents. Opening of the at least one vent is not dependent upon the accumulation of internal fluid or gaseous pressure, and is compatible with vacuum packaging techniques. Vented cooking techniques are provided that permit browning and crisping of beef and poultry without manipulating the food preparation bag during cooking.
US07709067B2	Cellulose ester film, polarizing plate and liquid crystal display A cellulose ester film comprising a compound represented by Formula (1): Formula (1) B-(G-A)n-G-B, wherein B represents a benzene monocarboxylic acid residue; G represents an alkylene glycol residue having 2-12 carbon atoms, an aryl glycol residue having 6-12 carbon atoms, or an oxyalkylene glycol residue having 4-12 carbon atoms; A represents an alkylene dicarboxylic acid residue having 4-12 carbon atoms or an aryldicarboxylic acid residue having 6-12 carbon atoms; and n represents an integer of 1 or more.
US07709056B2	Synthesis of transparent conducting oxide coatings A method and system for preparing a light transmitting and electrically conductive oxide film. The method and system includes providing an atomic layer deposition system, providing a first precursor selected from the group of cyclopentadienyl indium, tetrakis (dimethylamino) tin and mixtures thereof, inputting to the deposition system the first precursor for reaction for a first selected time, providing a purge gas for a selected time, providing a second precursor comprised of an oxidizer, and optionally inputting a second precursor into the deposition system for reaction and alternating for a predetermined number of cycles each of the first precursor, the purge gas and the second precursor to produce the oxide film.
US07709055B2	Polymers with ether containing side chains and compositions thereof The present invention provides compounds of formulae (I), (II), and (III), which can be block copolymers with various substituents and side-chain groups. The side-chains can include semifluorinated alkyl- and PEG-derived groups. The block copolymers can be surface active block copolymers (SABCs) and can be used as antifouling coatings. Coating compositions employing the compounds of the invention and methods for their use are also provided.
US07709052B2	Aqueous polymer dispersions containing alkyldiketenes, methods for the production thereof, and their use Alkyldiketene-containing aqueous polymer dispersions which are obtainable by miniemulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of alkyldiketenes, processes for the preparation of such polymer dispersions and the use of the thus obtainable dispersions as sizes for paper or as water repellents for leather, natural and/or manmade fibers and textiles.
US07709048B2	Method and apparatus for coating a medical device A method and device, for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of the stent only. A drop-on-demand inkjet printing system in association with an optical scanning device is described. The device is further configured to apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness and to coat a portion of the medical device as a function of its geometric configuration. The coating is applied by moving an applicator over the device in a path that is independent of the deposited coating pattern.
US07709045B2	Medical devices coated with porous carbon and methods of manufacturing the same A method of creating a porous carbon coating on a medical device by applying a precursor carbon material on the medical device and then pyrolysing the precursor carbon material by laser irradiation. The laser irradiation may be focused to carbonize only certain portions of the medical device and any uncarbonized areas can be removed by solvent washing. Also provided is a medical device having a carbonized coating created according to the method of the present invention.
US07709040B2	Tomato products and process for their preparation A process for treating tomato concentrates obtainable by concentration by evaporation, having a dry residue in percentage by weight higher than 15%, generally at least of about 18%, comprising the following steps: I) mixing of the tomato concentrate (component a)) with water (component b)); II) liquid separation by a separation solid-liquid apparatus, wherein the mass to be filtered is maintained under a slow stirring; III) addition of water and/or serum to the solid mass obtained in II).
US07709039B2	Formulated fried egg The present invention relates to the formulation and process for preparation of a fried egg product which may be frozen for future heating within a microwave or other oven for consumption by an individual. Various ingredients are added and mixed to each of the liquid egg white and liquid yolk portions. The liquid egg white portion is preheated and then deposited within a mold for slow cooking under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. The liquid yolk portion is preheated and then is added to the mold for placement on the egg white portion. Following a short period of cooking the mold containing the formulated fried eggs is transported to a freezer unit for freezing, packaging, and storage. At a future time the frozen formulated fried egg product may be retrieved for thawing and cooking for consumption by an individual.
US07709024B2	Sustained-release formulation and uses thereof The present invention provides sustained-release formulations useful and methods for using the same.
US07709021B2	Microbial cellulose wound dressing for treating chronic wounds The invention relates to a wound dressing comprising a microbial-derived cellulose for treatment of specific types of chronic wounds, including pressure sores, venous and diabetic ulcers. The wound dressing is capable of donating liquid to dry substrates is also capable of absorbing exudating wounds.
US07709016B2	Insect proof boards The object of the present invention is to impart lasting excellent insect proof property to boards.According to the present invention, an insecticidal treatment liquid which contains an insecticide in an aqueous dispersion of colloidal silica is applied to the surface of a coat on a substrate applied with coating. Namely, according to the present invention, since a coating composition is not used to fix the insecticide to the surface of the coat, the insecticide is not diluted with a resin in the coating composition.
US07709014B2	Hydroxy-oligocarboxylic esters: effects on nerve and use for cutaneous and mucocutaneous organs or sites A composition and method for producing a beneficial effect on a subject's nerve associated with at least one of a cosmetic condition, a dermatological indication and a dental indication and another condition. The composition comprises a hydroxy-oligocarboxylic ester and is formulated for topical administration of the product to a subject to produce the beneficial effect. The method includes topically applying to the subject in a region where the beneficial effect is desired a hydroxy-oligocarboxylic ester in an amount effective to produce the beneficial effect.
US07709011B2	Cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations comprising an oxalkylated polyglycerol ester Cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations comprising an oxalkylated polyglycerol ester of the formula (1) in which A is a group of the formula —C2H4— or —C3H6—, B is hydrogen or a group of the formula —COR, where at least one symbol B is a group of the formula —COR, R is C7-C21-alkyl or C2-C21-alkenyl, n is a number from 1 to 30 and x, y and z are numbers from 0 to 100, where the sum of x, y and z is 50 to 250.
US07709009B2	Immunogenic compositions for streptococcus pyogenes The invention includes a GAS antigen, GAS 40, which is particularly suitable for use either alone or in combinations with additional GAS antigens, such as GAS 117, GAS 130, GAS 277, GAS 236, GAS 40, GAS 389, GAS 504, GAS 509, GAS 366, GAS 159, GAS 217, GAS 309, GAS 372, GAS 039, GAS 042, GAS 058, GAS 290, GAS 511, GAS 533, GAS 527, GAS 294, GAS 253, GAS 529, GAS 045, GAS 095, GAS 193, GAS 137, GAS 084, GAS 384, GAS 202, and GAS 057.
US07709007B2	Production of attenuated respiratory syncytial virus vaccines from cloned nucleotide sequences Attenuated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and vaccine compositions thereof are produced by introducing specific mutations associated with attenuating phenotypes into wild-type or RSV which is incompletely attenuated by cold-passage or introduction of mutations which produce virus having a temperature sensitive (ts) or cold adapted (ca) phenotype. Alternatively, recombinant RSV and vaccine compositions thereof incorporate attenuating and other mutations specifying desired structural and or phenotypic characteristics in an infectious RSV. Recombinant RSV incorporate desired mutations specified by insertion, deletion, substitution or rearrangement of a selected nucleotide sequence, gene, or gene segment in an infectious RSV clone. The immune system of an individual is stimulated to induce protection against natural RSV infection, or multivalently against infection by RSV and another pathogen, such as PIV, by administration of attenuated, biologically derived or recombinant RSV.
US07709006B2	Hepatitis-C virus testing New styles of hepatitis C virus (HCV), referred to as HCV-3 and HCV-4, have been identified and sequenced. Antigenic regions of HCV-2, HCV-3 and HCV-4 polypeptides have been identified. Immunoassays for HCV and antibodies thereto are described, which allow more complete screening of blood samples for HCV, and allow HCV genotyping.
US07709004B2	Method of producing an HIV-1 immune response The present invention comprises novel and modified peptides capable of inducing an HIV-1 specific immune response without antagonizing the cytotoxic T-cell activity in order to achieve an effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against HIV. The peptides are based on conserved regions of HIV gag p24 proteins. Antigens in free- or carrier-bound form comprising at least one of the said peptides, vaccine compositions containing at least one of the antigens, immunoassay kits and a method of detecting antibodies induced by HIV or HIV specific peptides using such antigens, are described.
US07708995B2	Use of TNF-alpha inhibitors for treating a nerve disorder mediated by nucleus pulposus The present invention relates to a method and a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of nerve disorders comprising administration of a therapeutically effective dosage of at least two substances selected from the group consisting of TNF inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, IL-8 inhibitors, FAS inhibitors, FAS ligand inhibitors, and IFN-gamma inhibitors. Preferably, at least one of the substances is a TNF inhibitor.
US07708992B2	Methods for producing antibody compositions with increased ADCC The invention relates to methods for modulating the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of an IgG antibody composition.
US07708989B2	Methods of treating vascular diseases characterized by nitric oxide insufficiency The invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing vascular diseases characterized by nitric oxide insufficiency by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one nitrosated angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, nitrosated beta-adrenergic blocker, nitrosated cholesterol reducer, nitrosated calcium channel blocker, nitrosated endothelin antagonist, nitrosated angiotensin II receptor antagonist, nitrosated renin inhibitor, and optionally at least one compound used to treat cardiovascular diseases and/or at least one antioxidant, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and/or at least one compound that donates, transfers or releases nitric oxide, elevates endogenous levels of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, stimulates endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase. The antioxidant may preferably be a hydralazine compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound that donates, transfers or releases nitric oxide, elevates endogenous levels of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, stimulates endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase may preferably be isosorbide dinitrate and/or isosorbide mononitrate. The vascular diseases characterized by nitric oxide insufficiency include a cardiovascular disease and a disease resulting from oxidative stress.
US07708987B2	Methods for preventing reovirus recognition for the treatment of cellular proliferative disorders The present invention pertains to methods for preventing reovirus recognition in the treatment of cellular proliferative disorders, and particularly ras-mediated cellular proliferative disorders, in mammals. The mammal may be selected from dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cattle, horses, pigs, mice, humans and non-human primates. The method comprises suppressing or otherwise inhibiting the immune system of the mammal and, concurrently or subsequently, administering to the proliferating cells an effective amount of one or more reoviruses under conditions which result in substantial lysis of the proliferating cells. In particular, the methods provide for reovirus treatment of immunosuppressed or immuno-deficient mammals to treat the proliferative disorders. Immunosuppression, immunoinhibition or otherwise inducing an immunodeficient state in a mammal renders the reovirus more effective. The methods may include the selective removal of immune constituents that may interfere with the systemic delivery of the virus; preventing reovirus recognition by the host immune system; and removal of the virus from an immune suppressed or immune incompetent host following treatment with reovirus. Alternatively, reovirus may be administered to a mammal with a diminished immune response system under conditions which result in substantial lysis of the proliferating cells. Immune systems may be compromised by one or more of the following: an HIV infection; as a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy; by selective removal of B and/or T cell populations; by removal of antibodies (anti-antireovirus antibodies or all antibodies), and the like.
US07708984B2	Methods of treatment with anitbodies to a chemokine expressed in inflamed adenoid The present invention provides nucleotide and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a novel expressed chemokine (ADEC) from inflamed adenoid tissue. The present invention also provides for antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode ADEC, expression vectors for the production of purified ADEC, antibodies capable of binding specifically to ADEC, hybridization probes or oligonucleotides for the detection of ADEC-encoding nucleotide sequences, genetically engineered host cells for the expression of ADEC, diagnostic tests for inflammation or disease based on ADEC-encoding nucleic acid molecules or antibodies capable of binding specifically to ADEC.
US07708983B2	Directional induction of immune response by co-administration of antigens with chemokines The present invention relates to compositions and methods of using same to direct an immune response thereby enhancing the efficacy of an antigen containing vaccine by combining a chemokine in conjunction with the vaccine, wherein the choice of the chemokine directs the immune response in either the Th1 or Th2 direction.
US07708974B2	Tungsten comprising nanomaterials and related nanotechnology Nanoparticles comprising tungsten, methods of manufacturing nanoparticles comprising tungsten, and applications of nanoparticles comprising tungsten, such as electronics, optical devices, photonics, reagents for fine chemical synthesis, pigments, and catalysts are provided.
US07708972B2	Method for obtaining sodium carbonate crystals Method for producing sodium carbonate, according to which an aqueous sodium chloride solution (5) is electrolyzed in a membrane-type cell (1) from which an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (9) is collected, and carbonated by direct contact with carbon dioxide (15) to form a slurry of crystals of a sodium carbonate (16), and the slurry or its mother liquor is evaporated (3) to collect sodium carbonate (18).
US07708971B2	Method for preparing carbon nitride C3N4 The present invention relates to a method for preparing carbon nitride C3N4 wherein alkali metal thiocyanate is simply pyrolysed to give carbon nitride C3N4 in an efficient, economical and ecologically friendly manner. The employed starting materials are cheap and formed side products are essentially non-toxic and can be easily removed and/or washed away.
US07708963B2	Method and apparatus for treating waste gas flows laden with aerosol and dust For treating waste gas flows, a regenerative thermal afterburning system is used, comprising at least four regenerators, filled with ceramic heat accumulator bodies, and connected via a common combustion chamber. The waste gas is alternately admitted in cycles to one regenerator, whose heat accumulation bodies have been preheated, and then burned in the combustion chamber to yield clean gas, the said gas being extracted by a further regenerator, with simultaneous heating of the latter's heat accumulator bodies, while a third regenerator is flushed with flush gas. During the cyclical operation of the three regenerators, the remaining fourth regenerator extracts combustion chamber air from the combustion chamber, for the removal of deposits on the heat accumulator bodies in this regenerator by means of pyrolysis. In turn, a fan then feeds this extracted air to the crude gas.
US07708961B2	Method and apparatus for isolating the radioisotope 186Rhenium A method of isolating 186Re according to example embodiments may include vaporizing a source compound containing 185Re and 186Re. The vaporized source compound may be ionized to form negatively-charged molecules containing 185Re and 186Re. The negatively-charged molecules may be separated to isolate the negatively-charged molecules containing 186Re. The isolated negatively-charged molecules containing 186Re may be collected with a positively-charged collector. Accordingly, the isolated 186Re may be used to produce therapeutic and/or diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals having higher specific activity.
US07708953B2	Apparatus and system for ensuring proper assembly of an exhaust system An apparatus and system are disclosed for ensuring proper assembly of an exhaust system. Ensuring proper assembly of an exhaust system is accomplished by providing an inflow exhaust subassembly for receiving engine exhaust, at least one intermediate subassembly that selectively mates and rotationally aligns with the inflow subassembly and receives engine exhaust therefrom, the at least one intermediate subassembly further configured to selectively mate according to a pre-selected alignment with an outflow subassembly, and the outflow subassembly configured to receive engine exhaust from the at least one intermediate subassembly. In certain embodiments, the at least one intermediate subassembly comprises a plurality of intermediate exhaust subassemblies each configured to selectively mate with adjacent subassemblies according to a pre-selected order and alignment.
US07708952B2	Device for reaction or separation and a continuous esterification process using the device The present invention relates to a reaction or separation device, wherein the materials circularly flow in a container and a pipe. Said device contains a container and an external circular pipe, wherein the container is a double-chamber structure. The inner chamber consists of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder with the latter being jacketed by the former, and there is a space between the walls of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder. The lower end of the outer cylinder is open and higher than the bottom of the container, and the outer cylinder is fixed to the wall or bottom of the container. The upper end of the inner cylinder is open and its lower end connects with the external circular pipe through the feed outlet. A continuous passage is sequentially formed from the spaces between the wall of the outer cylinder and that of the container, between the lower end of the outer cylinder and the bottom of the container, between the wall of the outer cylinder and that of the inner cylinder, and in the inner cylinder. The external circular pipe connects with the bottom of the container and leads to the inner chamber, and connects with the sidewall at the lower part of the container and leads to the outer chamber, respectively. The present invention also relates to a continuous esterification process, which comprises feeding liquid reaction materials to the reaction device and carrying out reaction under reaction conditions.
US07708951B2	Striated cap A cap for use in forming a sealed container with a fluid-holding vessel. The cap includes a downwardly tapered inner wall having a plurality of radially extending striations for improving the penetrability of the cap and for facilitating the formation of air passageways.
US07708946B1	Device for protein detecting tests A device for automation of biological and medical tests wherein test subjects or specimens that are placed in test vessels are subsequently treated by different liquid reagents, including: at least two test vessels of dimensions providing accommodation of specimens, a hydraulic gravity feeding system to deliver the liquid reagents into the two test vessels, a hydraulic gravity discharging system to remove waste liquid or spent reagents from the test vessels and directing them into an apparatus for accommodation of the such waste liquid or spent reagents, and a control system operating the device. A mechanical system is provided for agitating the test vessels.
US07708943B1	Microfabricated fuel heating value monitoring device A microfabricated fuel heating value monitoring device comprises a microfabricated gas chromatography column in combination with a catalytic microcalorimeter. The microcalorimeter can comprise a reference thermal conductivity sensor to provide diagnostics and surety. Using microfabrication techniques, the device can be manufactured in production quantities at a low per-unit cost. The microfabricated fuel heating value monitoring device enables continuous calorimetric determination of the heating value of natural gas with a 1 minute analysis time and 1.5 minute cycle time using air as a carrier gas. This device has applications in remote natural gas mining stations, pipeline switching and metering stations, turbine generators, and other industrial user sites. For gas pipelines, the device can improve gas quality during transfer and blending, and provide accurate financial accounting. For industrial end users, the device can provide continuous feedback of physical gas properties to improve combustion efficiency during use.
US07708940B2	Process for the sterilization and/or germ reduction of mold materials The present invention relates to a process for the sterilization and/or germ reduction of impression material by means of radiation.
US07708939B2	Cooling water corrosion inhibition method A method of providing corrosion inhibition to copper, nickel, aluminum, zinc, tin, lead, beryllium, carbon steel, various alloys of such metals, and galvanized coatings in evaporative cooling water applications approaching zero liquid discharge that are specifically attacked by cooling water with residuals of corrosive chemistry or ions such as ammonia/ammonium ion, chloride, high TDS, OH−, or high pH. The method includes applying azoles inhibitors (such as TTA, BTA, etc.) at residuals of 0.25 mg/L to 200 mg/L or greater (as azoles) to the cooling water application and operating with a combination of high TDS (greater than 2500 mg/L) and high pH (greater than 9.0), while maintaining low total hardness (less than 200 mg/L as CaCO3).
US07708938B2	Method and device for measuring and controlling the circulation of fluids in endoscope channels Method and device for measuring and controlling the circulation of fluids in endoscope channels. Device includes hermetic chamber having a known volume and a low level and high level sensor to control filling and emptying. The chamber is connected to a filtered air compressor, an injection pump to inject a drying product and a circulation pump to circulate cleaning and disinfecting solutions contained in the tank. The tank can receive at least one endoscope and includes injectors connected by a solenoid valve to the hermetic chamber. The device is used to verify and record the flow of cleaning, disinfecting, rinsing and drying solutions passing through each of the endoscope channels during the cleaning and disinfecting operations.
US07708937B2	High-strength, high-toughness, weldable and deformable rare earth magnesium alloy A high-strength, high-toughness, weldable and deformable rare earth magnesium alloy comprised of 0.7˜1.7% of Ym, 5.5˜6.4% of Zn, 0.45˜0.8% of Zr, 0.02% or less of the total amount of impurity elements of Si, Fe, Cu and Ni, and the remainder of Mg, based on the total weight of the alloy. During smelting, Y, Ho, Er, Gd and Zr are added in a manner of Mg—Y-rich, Mg—Zr intermediate alloys into a magnesium melt; Zn is added in a manner of pure Zn, and at 690˜720° C., a round bar was cast by a semi-continuous casting or a water cooled mould, then an extrusion molding was performed at 380˜410° C. after cutting. Before the extrusion, the alloy is treated by the solid-solution treatment at 480˜510° C. for 2˜3 hours, however, the alloy can also be extrusion molded directly without the solid-solution treatment. After the extrusion molding, this alloy has a strength of 340 MPa or more and a percentage elongation of 14% or more at room temperature and is a high-strength, high-toughness, weldable and deformable rare earth magnesium alloy.
US07708933B2	Drying method of ceramic molded body A drying jig circulating apparatus includes a drying jig assembling apparatus for assembling a drying jig on a movable table, a drying apparatus for drying a ceramic molded body held by the drying jig, and a drying jig disassembling apparatus for disassembling the drying jig on a movable table, and a drying jig circulating conveyor for transporting the drying jig from the disassembling apparatus to the assembling apparatus. The drying jig is configured by two or more separate jigs with a fixing member that integrates the separate jigs, or formed by one openable jig with a fixing member for maintaining a closed state. The drying jig assembling apparatus further includes a molded body mounting mechanism, a ceramic molded body holding mechanism, and a jig delivering mechanism. The drying jig disassembling apparatus further includes a jig receiving mechanism, a jig releasing mechanism, and a molded body taking-out mechanism.
US07708931B2	Balloon catheter An balloon catheter is provided with an improved neck portion. The neck portion of the balloon is used to attach the end of the balloon to a catheter. Before attaching the balloon to the catheter, the neck portion is lengthened and thinned out to make the neck portion more flexible. Heat shrink tubing may be used to apply pressure to the neck portion to force the material of the neck portion to flow along a mandrel inserted into the neck portion.
US07708930B2	Composite material reinforced with nanofiber and method of manufacturing for the same Disclosed are a nano fiber reinforced composite and a method of manufacturing the same. A spinning dope (nano fiber forming spinning dope) having a viscosity capable of fiber formation upon electrospinning and a spinning dope (spinning dope for matrix) having a viscosity incapable of fiber formation upon electrospinning are electrically spun onto the same collector with a high voltage applied thereto through different nozzles of the same nozzle block with a high voltage applied thereto. In the nano fiber reinforced composite, nano fibers are uniformly arranged between matrix components with no fibers formed therein, the nano fibers being arranged at an orientation angle of 90° or less relative to the longitudinal axis of the composite material. The nano fibers used as reinforcing material can be uniformly distributed within matrix components by a single procedure, and the contact area between the nano fibers and the matrix components are very large because the diameter of the nano fibers used as reinforcing material is small.
US07708927B2	Imprint method and imprint apparatus An imprint method includes the steps of preparing a substrate, placing an uncured resin material on the substrate, preparing a mold having a first end and a second end, and placing the mold to oppose the substrate at a position not sandwiching the resin material. A first gap between the first end and the substrate and a second gap between the second end and the substrate are different from each other. Additional steps include imparting a relative movement between the substrate and the mold so that the resin material approaches the first end of the mold and enters through the first gap and fills at least a part of a space between the mold and the substrate, and changing at least one of the first and second gaps in the state that the resin material is present between the mold and the substrate.
US07708919B2	Sprue removal in an injection molding machine A method of removing solidified sprue plastic from an injection molding machine uses a picker assembly that includes an end-effector with a gripper. The injection molding machine has a stationary platen with a first mold, and has a moveable platen with a second mold. The method includes moving the gripper in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a direction that the second mold moves while the first mold and the second mold are opening. The method also includes grabbing the solidified sprue plastic before the first mold and the second mold reach a fully open position.
US07708918B2	Production process of plastic parts by reaction injection moulding, and related head device The present invention relates to a process and device RIM involving a mixing chamber (1) with opposing injectors (2, 3). The efficiency is maximized through the operation in flow regimes with very strong mixing dynamics, which is assured by means of the introduction of schemes to: detect the flow regime within the mixing chamber, through the dynamic pressure measurement upstream of the injectors (2, 3), using means (5); and/or impose a chaotic flow regime, through the pulsation of the opposed jets, using means (6). Alterations in design, comparatively to the traditional geometries, are also proposed, concerning: the mixing chamber (1), being foreseen a prismatic rectangular chamber; the injectors (2, 3), being foreseen elongated injectors; and even the scheme of injection of the materials, using a third injector (4).
US07708916B2	Device and method for displacing a floor table mold A floor table (1) of a concrete mould for producing a concrete floor (2), comprising at least one front (18, 19) and one rear holder (23) for fixing at least one front (11) and at least one rear ligament (12) of a crane harness (9), characterized in that when the floor table (1) is in a disengaged and retracted state underneath a recently hardened concrete floor (2), it is possible to have access to the holders (18, 18 23) which are used to fix the ligaments (11, 12). The inventive floor table can be drawn out from the floor and displaced with less danger to the workers and requiring less effort in comparison with conventional floor tables.
US07708915B2	Polymer microspheres/nanospheres and encapsulating therapeutic proteins therein This invention is an improved process to formulate polymeric microspheres/nanospheres and encapsulate therapeutic proteins or other useful substances, and a polymer sphere apparatus. The invention is also methods of purifying protein-containing-polymeric-microspheres from unused polymer, and an apparatus therefore.
US07708904B2	Conductive hydrocarbon fluid The disclosure is directed to a processing fluid including an aliphatic hydrocarbon component having an average chain length of 8 to 16 carbons and about 0.0001 wt % to about 50.0 wt % of a Lewis active component.
US07708903B2	Compositions comprising fluoroolefins and uses thereof The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
US07708900B2	Chemical mechanical polishing slurry compositions, methods of preparing the same and methods of using the same Provided herein are chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) slurries and methods for producing the same.Embodiments of the invention include CMP slurries that include (a) a metal oxide; (b) a quaternary ammonium base; and (c) a fluorinated surfactant. In some embodiments, the fluorinated surfactant is a non-ionic perfluoroalkyl sulfonyl compound.Also provided herein are methods of polishing a polycrystalline silicon surface, including providing a slurry composition according to an embodiment of the invention to a polycrystalline silicon surface and performing a CMP process to polish the polycrystalline silicon surface.
US07708895B2	Method and apparatus for demulsifying an oil-water emulsion via ultrasonic A method for demulsifying water-oil emulsions through ultrasonic action, comprises a step of making the water-oil emulsions flow through at least one ultrasonic acting region in a flow direction, wherein: within the ultrasonic acting region, a concurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is the same as the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one first ultrasonic transducer provided at the upstream end of the ultrasonic acting region, and at same time, a countercurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is opposite to the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one second ultrasonic transducer provided at the downstream end of the ultrasonic acting region; and the concurrent ultrasonic wave and the countercurrent ultrasonic wave act simultaneously on the water-oil emulsions which flow through the ultrasonic acting region, so as to demulsify the water-oil emulsions. After being demulsified, the water-oil emulsions gravity settle and separate, or settle and separate under an electric field, so as to be dewatered. The present invention can apply to various water-oil separating technologies in the procedures from mining to processing of crude oil.
US07708894B2	Method of supply amount management of water treating agent To simply and accurately determine the concentration of a water treating agent in thermal equipment upon management of a supply amount of the water treating agent, a method of controlling a supply amount of a water treating agent according to the present invention includes the steps of: supplying a water treating agent containing a scale inhibitor selected from chelating agents to a water-supply system of thermal equipment; collecting a water sample from the thermal equipment; quantitatively determining the scale inhibitor in the collected water sample; and determining a concentration of the water treating agent in the thermal equipment on the basis of a quantitative value of the scale inhibitor.
US07708892B2	Conditioning of ion exchangers for adsorption of oxoanions The present invention relates to the use of inorganic salts for increasing the adsorption of oxoanions and/or thioanalogues thereof to metal-doped ion exchangers, preferably to iron oxide/iron oxyhydroxide-containing ion exchangers, preferably from water or aqueous solutions, and also the conditioning of these metal-doped ion exchangers having increased adsorption behaviour toward oxoanions and/or thioanalogues thereof by using inorganic salts with the exception of amphoteric ion exchangers which have both acidic and basic groups as functional groups.
US07708889B2	Blood component processing system method A method used in connection with processing of blood components, wherein blood products are then filtered via a filter rotating along with a centrifuge rotor and the sensed pressure may be used in connection with controlling the pumping of the blood products and/or in connection with determining the location of an interface associated with the blood products.
US07708888B2	Apparatus for withdrawing permeate using an immersed vertical skein of hollow fibre membranes A filtration device is provided for withdrawing permeate essentially continuously from a multicomponent aqueous substrate containing growing microorganisms in a reservoir. A vertical skein of fiber is scrubbed with coarse bubbles which emanate from a conversion baffle positioned under the skein. The substrate is aerated with fine bubbles in a size range small enough to transfer oxygen to the substrate efficiently. The baffle traps the fine bubbles and converts them to coarse bubbles which are effective to scrub the fibers. In the most preferred embodiment, the finished headers of the skein are derived from composite headers comprising a fixing lamina of resin in which the fibers are potted near their terminal ends, and a fugitive lamina of fugitive powdery material in which the terminal ends of the fibers are potted. The fugitive lamina is removed, preferably by dissolving the powder, e.g. finely divided common salt in water.
US07708887B2	Combination membrane/biolytic filtration Described herein are methods and systems for combination membrane/biolytic filtration. In one embodiment a filtration system is operated under suction. The arrangement includes a feed tan (5) having a smaller filtrate vessel (6) positioned therein. The region within, the feed tank (5) not occupied by the filtrate vessel (6) is partially filled with layers of decomposing and decomposed solid organic waste material to form an aerobic filter bed (7) of the type used in biolytic filtration as described above. A further module vessel (8) is mounted within the filtrate vessel (6) to form a membrane chamber (9) containing a membrane filtration module (10).
US07708886B2	Fluid bed expansion and fluidisation Method and apparatus in which a biomass is carried on a substrate that is fluidised. The fluidised substrate has a layer of distributor particles below it, through which the fluidizing medium passes prior to contact with the fluidised substrate and biomass associated therewith. The effect of the distributor layer is that the particles damp out excessive turbulence in the fluidizing medium, thus preventing undue turbulence of the medium within the fluidised layer. The particles may be recycled through the distributor layer to strip excess biofilm from the substrate particles prior to returning the substrate particles to the fluidised bed.
US07708881B2	Magnetic bead-based sample separating device A magnetic bead-based sample separating device is provided. The device includes a first reactor, a second reactor, a third reactor, a first micro-channel and a second micro-channel. The first reactor receives a mixing solution including several magnetic beads and a sample extraction. The sample extraction is bound with the magnetic beads. The second reactor receives a washing buffer for washing the magnetic beads with sample extraction. The third reactor receives an elution buffer for separating the washing buffer from the magnetic beads. The first micro-channel is for connecting the first reactor and the second reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the second reactor from the first reactor. The second micro-channel is for connecting the second reactor and the third reactor and moving the magnetic beads to the third reactor from the second reactor.
US07708876B2	Heavy fuel oil This invention relates to oil refining, more particularly to a composition of a heavy fuel oil for use in marine power units and boiler plants. The fuel comprises, in percent by weight: an extract from the selective extraction of gas oil—(3-5), heavy catalytic cracking gas oil—(3-10), vacuum gas oil—(5-10), tar or topped residuum—(3-10), straight-run black oil—(10-20), viscosity breaking residue of heavy oil fractions—the rest. The selected combination of the components and their ratio may for example, result in a stable heavy fuel oil having improved viscosity properties. The inclusion of the above components into the fuel composition may also make it possible to expand the production of heavy fuel oils produced.
US07708875B2	Noncontact localized electrochemical deposition of metal thin films A method of selectively depositing metal features on a conductive surface of a substrate. An electrode assembly that includes a plurality of electrodes connected in series so as to be oppositely polarized when a voltage is applied thereacross is positioned over the conductive surface of the substrate. The plurality of electrodes is in close proximity to, but does not contact, the conductive surface of the substrate. Positively charged portions and negatively charged portions of the conductive surface of the substrate are created and metal ions are deposited on the negatively charged portions.
US07708873B2	Induced-charge electro-osmotic microfluidic devices This invention provides devices and apparatuses comprising the same, for efficient pumping and/or mixing of relatively small volumes of fluid. Such devices utilize nonlinear electrokinetics as a primary mechanism for driving fluid flow. Methods of cellular analysis and high-throughput, multi-step product formation using devices of this invention are described.
US07708870B2	Method of electrophoresing protein To provide an electrophoresis method being capable of rapidly analyzing a protein in a native state without carrying out a heat-denaturing pretreatment step, and having even higher sensitivity. The electrophoresis method of the present invention is useful for proteosome analysis and medical diagnosis.
US07708869B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor has a sensor element detecting a concentration of a specified gas, a housing fixing this element to a gas pipe to expose it to measuring-gas flow, and cylindrical inner and outer covers of a different radius, configured in concentric configuration, having a base part. Side surface openings are formed in the inner cover so that each opening turns upward from the outside to the inside of the inner cover. Openings are formed in the bottom surface of the inner cover around a circle in concentric with the inner cover. Openings are formed in the side surface of the outer cover through which the measuring gases are introduced into a gap between the inner and outer covers. A gap is formed between bottom surfaces of both the covers. An opening is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the outer cover.
US07708867B2	Gas diffusion electrode The present invention provides a gas diffusion electrode having: an electrode substrate; and a catalyst layer containing a hydrophilic catalyst and a hydrophobic binder, which is carried on the electrode substrate, wherein the electrode substrate contains at least one carbon material selected from a carbon cloth, a carbon paper, a foamed carbon material, and a sintered carbon material.
US07708865B2	Vapor-compression evaporation system and method According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component, a mechanical compressor coupled to the last vessel in the series and operable to receive a vapor from the last vessel in the series, a pump operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, a tank coupled to the mechanical compressor and operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor, a plurality of heat exchangers coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the series operable to receive the vapor from the tank, at least some of the vapor condensing therein, whereby the heat of condensation provides the heat of evaporation to the first vessel in the series, and wherein at least some of the vapor inside the first vessel in the series is delivered to the heat exchanger in the next vessel in the series, whereby the condensing, evaporating, and delivering steps continue until the last vessel in the series is reached.
US07708862B2	Paper production with modified silica gels as microparticles Use of silica sols containing sulfonic acid groups and/or mercapto groups as microparticles in paper production, in particular for paper retention.
US07708861B2	Formulations for high speed print processing An anti-blocking composition including about 75% to about 99% weight percent a metal salt of stearate and about 1% to about 25% weight percent stearic acid is provided. In addition, an anti-blocking composition including about 90% to about 99.5% a metal salt of stearate and about 0.5% to about 10% fiber is provided. The anti-blocking compositions may be formed into blocks and applied to a web of paper to reduce adherent properties of the paper. Further, a method of improving the handling properties of paper cut from a web is provided. The method includes the steps of coating a surface of a web of paper with an effective amount of a coating composition of the present disclosure, and cutting the web into sheets of paper.
US07708860B2	Plasma processing apparatus For a plasma processing apparatus that performs an etching process for the face of a wafer opposite the circuit formation face, ceramic insulating films having a ring shape are positioned on the mounting face of an electrode member in consonance with the location of a large wafer or a small wafer. When a large wafer is employed, a ring member is attached. And when a small wafer is employed, a blocking member is mounted to hide a gap between the insulating films deposited on the mounting face 3b and to cover suction holes. Further, a cover member is attached to cover the blocking member from the top. With this arrangement, the plasma process can be performed, using the same electrode member, for wafers having different sizes.
US07708856B2	Hot pressing ceramic distortion control A method to control the post sinter distortion of hot pressing sintered multilayer ceramic laminate by placing a non-densifying structure in the green ceramic laminate prior to sintering. One or more non-densifying structures are placed on one or more ceramic greensheets which are then stacked and laminated to form a green ceramic laminate. The laminate is then sintered and the non-densifying structure will control the dimensions of the hot pressed multilayer ceramic substrate. The method can be used to control post sinter dimensions in MLC substrates manufactured as either single or multi-up substrates by placing the non-densifying structure in the kerf area between the individual product ups prior to sintering.
US07708854B2	Work carrier and method of processing a workpiece Explained, inter alia, is a method in which a workpiece (52) to be processed is fastened to a work carrier (10) by means of a solid (62). The work carrier (10) is made of a porous material, e.g. of porous ceramic. This processing method permits simple manipulation of the wafer during the processing. In addition, the workpiece (52) can be easily separated from the work carrier (10) using a solvent.
US07708852B2	Method for producing a ballistic protective armour A method for producing a ballistic protective armour includes superimposing a certain number of textile layers (116) in such a way that a layer structure (114) is formed, in sewing the textile layers (116) of the layer structure to each other and in pressing the layer structure (114). Prior to a sewing process, the textile layers (116) of the layer structure (114) are pre-pressed by a pre-pressing process (30) in such a way that a preform (130), whose three-dimensional shape corresponds to a final product shape, is formed and subsequently, after the sewing process (50), the preform is exposed to a heat-pressing process (100) at a temperature greater than the temperature of the pre-pressing process (30).
US07708851B2	Process of producing a ceramic matrix composite article and article formed thereby A CMC article and process for producing the article to have a layer on its surface that protects a reinforcement material within the article from damage. The method entails providing a body containing a ceramic reinforcement material in a matrix material that contains a precursor of a ceramic matrix material. A fraction of the reinforcement material is present and possibly exposed at a surface of the body. The body surface is then provided with a surface layer formed of a slurry containing a particulate material but lacking the reinforcement material of the body. The body and surface layer are heated to form the article by converting the precursor within the body to form the ceramic matrix material in which the reinforcement material is contained, and by converting the surface layer to form the protective layer that covers any fraction of the reinforcement material exposed at the body surface.
US07708849B2	Apparatus and method for cutting elastic strands between layers of carrier webs A method of utilizing a scrim of elastic material including cutting the elastic strands within a disposable undergarment is disclosed. The method generally follows the steps of providing two webs of fabric and an elastic scrim of mesh-like design, adhering the scrim between the two webs of fabric, determining areas where elastic material is not required, compressing the non-elastic areas with a thermal compression tool, and forming a disposable undergarment.
US07708847B2	Gypsum based panel and method for making gypsum based panel A method of forming a gypsum-based panel product including the steps of: mixing calcined gypsum, water, a foaming agent and a core strengthening agent to form a foamed slurry; depositing the slurry; shaping the slurry to form a board having a core and core surfaces, optionally sandwiched between sheets of liner; and allowing the core to set, and drying the board, wherein the strengthening agent is dextrin, used in an amount not less than 0.1% by weight, based on the amount of calcined gypsum, so that, after drying, there is provided a strengthening dispersion of dextrin throughout the core. Less than 5% dextrin in preferred.
US07708846B2	Superalloy stabilization For a group of nickel-based superalloys, improved properties have been obtained by stabilizing at increased temperature for a reduced time relative to prior art specifications. In particular, improved creep properties have been obtained with a one-hour 1800° F. stabilization relative to a prior art four-hour 1500° F. stabilization.
US07708844B2	Method of forming metallic glass A method for forming a metallic glass, which comprises a step of subjecting a metallic glass to a rough forming by die casting, to prepare a roughly formed article, and a step of heating the roughly formed article to a temperature region corresponding to an undercooled liquid thereof, followed by subjecting the heated article to warm press forming.
US07708838B2	Sanitary manifold system and method for hygienically dispensing fluids The present invention relates to a method for dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention hygienically supplies microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The unit includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion. Thus, during cleaning or rinsing, the cleaning or rinsing fluid can be discharged within the terminal connecting portion up to a closing point of the container assembly, thus demarcating a closing point, downstream of which is a part that is maintained clean, and upstream of which is a part of the container that is maintained sterile.
US07708835B2	Film precursor tray for use in a film precursor evaporation system and method of using A high conductance, multi-tray film precursor evaporation system coupled with a high conductance vapor delivery system is described for increasing the deposition rate by increasing exposed surface area of film precursor. The multi-tray film precursor evaporation system includes one or more trays. Each tray is configured to support and retain film precursor in, for example, solid powder form or solid tablet form. Additionally, each tray is configured to provide for a high conductance flow of carrier gas over the film precursor while the film precursor is heated. For example, the carrier gas flows inward over the film precursor, and vertically upward through a flow channel within the stackable trays and through an outlet in the solid precursor evaporation system.
US07708829B2	Method and apparatus for crystal growth A method and apparatus for growing a crystalline or poly-crystalline body from a melt is described, wherein the melt is retained by capillary attachment to edge features of a mesa crucible. The boundary profile of the resulting melt surface results in an effect which induces a ribbon grown from the surface of the melt to grow as a flat body. Further, the size of the melt pool is substantially reduced by bringing these edges close to the ribbon, thereby reducing the materials cost and electric power cost associated with the process.
US07708823B2	Semi-transparent interference pigments containing tin The present invention relates to semitransparent interference pigments having a neutral mass tone comprising a substrate and a coating comprising metallic tin and additionally at least one metal oxide, to a process for the preparation of these pigments, and to the use thereof.
US07708822B2	Composition for coating fruits vegetables and fowl eggs especially useful for organic produce The invention relates to a composition for coating fruits, vegetables, fowl eggs, and especially for organically-grown produce for protection and extension of the shelf life of said fruits, vegetables and fowl eggs, wherein said composition is an aqueous dispersion comprised of: (a) a hydrophobic component comprising at least one member of the following group consisting of natural wax, or vegetable oil; (b) an alkali agent; (c) water, wherein components (a) and (b) are derived from natural biological sources. The invention also relates to a method for application of the composition.
US07708821B2	Aqueous ink for inkjet recording An aqueous ink for inkjet recording is provided, which includes water, pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent incorporated at a content of not less than 30% by weight, a surfactant, and 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol. The surfactant is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol-based surfactant and a fluorinated surfactant.
US07708820B2	Black ink composition, ink set containing the same, and ink jet recording method A black ink composition is provided and contains at least two coloring materials, water and additives, wherein the coloring material on the short wave side of the two coloring materials is a water-soluble dye having 3 or more azo groups in one molecule and a naphthalene skeleton, and the additives are selected from the group consisting of a bronzing inhibitor and an ozone resisting improver.
US07708812B2	Hydrogen gas separator fixing structure and hydrogen gas separating device using the same A hydrogen gas separator fixing structure includes a gas separator having a support and a membrane provided on at least one surface of the support, which membrane contains a first metal capable of separating hydrogen gas from a hydrogen-containing gas, a metal flange connected to at least one open end of the gas separator, a bonding layer containing a second metal, provided at the portion at which the gas separator and the metal flange are connected to each other and on the surface of the gas separation membrane side of the portion, a packing provided on the bonding layer, and a ring-shaped metal member capable of fixing the packing by pressing, provided so that at least part thereof is in contact with the bonding layer, wherein the bonding layer is provided by a heat treatment conducted at a temperature lower than the melting point of the second metal.
US07708809B2	Hydrogen permeable membrane A hydrogen permeable membrane which has an excellent high-temperature amorphous stability and a long lifetime under high-temperature heating operation and which can be miniaturized for use in a high-performance hydrogen purifier. The hydrogen permeable membrane is made of a non-crystalline nickel-zirconium alloy or zirconium-nickel alloy composed of 44 to 75 atom % of nickel or zirconium; and 0.2 to 16 atom % of aluminum, 0.2 to 12 atom % of vanadium and/or niobium, or 0.2 to 12 atom % of niobium and 0.1 to 10 atom % of phosphorus (provided that the combined amount of niobium and phosphorus is not more than 18 atom %); with the balance being zirconium or nickel and unavoidable impurities.
US07708807B2	Device for recovering material to be measured and method for recovering material to be measured Device for recovering a material to be measured comprising a reservoir filled with a sample holding material impregnated with a sample liquid in which a material to be measured is dissolved and an adsorbing column for adsorbing the material to be measured, wherein the reservoir and the adsorbing column are communicated by a straight pipe, and further communicated with a recovery vessel via a recovery pipe branched out the straight pipe. Accordingly, operations of opening/closing or switching a first valve provided on the in-flow side of the reservoir, a second valve provided on the out-flow side of the adsorbing column, and a third valve provided to a vent hole to the atmosphere in the recovery vessel, make it possible to recover the material to be measured without depositing the material on the valves.
US07708805B2	Method of producing carbon fibers, and methods of making protective clothing and a filter module Porous carbon fibers, whose active centers are formed by pores that are filled at least in part by carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide, obtainable by carbonization of organic or inorganic polymers, the use thereof for the adsorption or separation of gaseous substances, in particular of CO2, and also a method for the production thereof. First, a spinning mixture containing polyacrylonitrile-based polymer A and an organic or metallo-organic polymer B is produced. Next, the spinning mixture is spun to form mixed fibers of polymer A and polymer B. The mixed fiber is stabilized by oxidation. This is followed by carbonization or graphitization of the mixed fiber under non-oxidizing conditions in such a way that the polymer B forms a carbon and/or metal and/or metal carbide residue of at least 22 wt %, the residue forming active centers.
US07708803B2	Method and apparatus for the enhanced removal of aerosols from a gas stream The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing additional aerosols and in some cases additional particulate matter from a gas stream, wherein a certain portion of such aerosols and particulate matter has already been removed using a primary aerosol and particulate collection device. In some embodiments, the invention includes a method for removing additional aerosols from a gas stream, including passing a gas stream having a plurality of aerosols through a gas duct; removing a first portion of the plurality of the aerosols using a primary aerosol collector; passing the gas steam through a screen; collecting at least a second portion of the plurality of aerosols on the screen; and cleaning a portion of the screen outside of the gas duct. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the method of the invention.
US07708801B2	System and methods for treating transient process gas A system and methods of reducing sulfur emissions are provided. In one embodiment, a method for reducing sulfur emissions is provided. The method includes routing at least a portion of an untreated gas to a low pressure absorber, removing at least a portion of sulfur from the untreated gas to create a low pressure absorber overhead gas, and further processing the low pressure absorber overhead gas.
US07708800B2	Metal nanoparticle with support, continuous metal nanoparticle body, and methods for producing these There is disclosed a method for producing a supported metal nanoparticle, which has the steps of adsorbing a metal ion-containing compound to a support of an organic material and reducing the adsorbed metal ion to form a metal nanoparticle on the support. In the producing method, by using a various organic material as a matrix, the metal nanoparticle can be easily formed in situ with excellent accuracy from the metal ion-containing compound.
US07708788B2	Cerium oxide abrasive and method of polishing substrates A cerium oxide abrasive slurry having, dispersed in a medium, cerium oxide particles whose primary particles have a median diameter of from 30 nm to 250 nm, a maximum particle diameter of 600 nm or smaller, and a specific surface area of from 7 to 45 m.2/g, and slurry particles have a median diameter of from 150 nm to 600 nm. The cerium oxide particles have structural parameter Y, representing an isotropic microstrain obtained by an X-ray Rietveld method (with RIETAN-94), of from 0.01 to 0.70, and structural parameter X, representing a primary particle diameter obtained by an X-ray Rietveld method (with RIETAN-94), of from 0.08 to 0.3. The cerium oxide abrasive slurry is made by a method of obtaining particles by firing at a temperature of from 600° C. to 900° C. and then pulverizing, then dispersing the resulting cerium oxide particles in a medium.
US07708786B2	Dye mixtures of fiber-reactive azo dyes, their preparation and use Reactive dye mixtures comprising one or more dyes of the general formula (I), one or more dyes of the general formula (II) and optionally one or more dyes of the general formula (III) where D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, R0, R, R*, T, b, f, v, and M are as defined in claim 1, the dyes of the general formulae (I)-(III) containing at least one fiber-reactive group of the formula —SO2—Z or —Z2, are prepared and used for dyeing hydroxyl- and/or carboxamido-containing fiber material.
US07708784B2	Prosthetic foot with tunable performance A prosthetic foot incorporate a foot keel and a calf shank connected to the foot keel to form an ankle joint area of the prosthetic foot. The foot keel has forefoot and hindfoot portions and a relatively long midfoot portion extending between and upwardly arched from the forefoot and midfoot portions. The calf shank includes a downward convexly curved lower end which is attached at a portion thereof to the keel midfoot portion by way of an adjustable fastener arrangement. The foot has biplanar motion capability and, in a preferred form, also has high low dynamic response characteristics. The adjustable fastener arrangement permits adjustment of the alignment of the calf shank and the foot keel with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the foot keel for tuning the performance of the prosthetic foot.
US07708782B2	Mobile bearing knee prosthesis In one embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a concave superior surface on a tibial tray and a convex inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a convex superior surface on a tibial tray and a concave inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include a biconcave interface (e.g., having a “wave” like surface geometry). This “wave” like surface geometry may be at the interface between a tibial insert and a tibial tray in the mobile bearing knee (as opposed to the interface between the tibial insert and a femoral component).
US07708778B2	Expandable articulating intervertebral implant with cam An articulating expandable intervertebral implant for insertion between vertebrae of a human spine is described. The articulating expandable intervertebral implant includes an upper body that engages a first vertebra of the human spine, a lower body that engages a second vertebra of the human spine, and an elongated member. The superior surface of the lower body includes a channel. A portion of the inferior surface of the upper body may be substantially concave. The elongated member may include a cam portion along a length of the elongated member. The elongated member may be positioned in the channel of the lower body. The substantially concave portion of the upper body may contact the elongated member, such that rotation of the elongated member about a longitudinal axis of the elongated member increases a height and/or increases articulation of the intervertebral implant after insertion of the intervertebral implant.
US07708777B2	Modular intervertebral disc replacements A modular disc prosthesis system is provided that allows a disc prosthesis to be constructed, either pre- or intra-operatively, to have a desired degree of freedom or constraint when positioned between endplates of adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the components can be assembled to form a disc prosthesis having a center of rotation that is constrained or fixed such that, when the disc prosthesis is implanted between endplates of adjacent vertebrae, the adjacent vertebrae have one degree of freedom and move about a fixed center of rotation. Alternatively, one or more of the same components and one or more additional components of the system can be used to construct a disc prosthesis having a center of rotation that is unconstrained or that floats such that, when the disc prosthesis is implanted between the endplates of adjacent vertebrae, the adjacent vertebrae have multiple degrees of freedom and can move about a floating or moving center of rotation, i.e., a center of rotation that is not fixed.
US07708775B2	Methods for rapid deployment of prosthetic heart valves A two-stage or component-based valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be a non-expandable type, or may be expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state. The system is particularly suited for rapid deployment of heart valves in a conventional open-heart surgical environment.
US07708771B2	Endovascular graft device and methods for attaching components thereof The present invention embodies an endovascular graft having various frame-to-main body component attachment mechanisms which provide a secure bond, reduced graft material wear, and reduced delivery profile.
US07708762B2	Systems, devices and methods for stabilization of the spinal column A system for stabilization of the spinal column, including an elongate support member extending along an axis and a plurality of anchor members configured for anchoring to respective vertebrae. A first of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that substantially prevents axial movement of the support member relative to the first anchor member, and a second of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the second anchor member. In a further embodiment, a third of the anchor members is engaged to the support member in a manner that also allows substantially unconstrained axial movement of the support member relative to the third anchor member, with the second and third anchor members positioned on opposite sides of the first anchor member.
US07708758B2	Surgical instrument The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, an elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. The proximal bendable member comprises a ball and socket assembly supported between the handle and instrument shaft and constructed and arranged for three dimensional motion.
US07708755B2	Stretch resistant embolic coil delivery system with combined mechanical and pressure release mechanism A medical device for placing an embolic device at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. A fluid pressure source is coupled to the proximal end of the pusher member. An embolic device is retained at the distal end of the pusher member by a mechanical interlocking mechanism. The distal end of the pusher member includes a spiral ribbon section encircled by a tubular member. The tubular member or the distal end of the pusher member directs fluid from the fluid pressure source against the embolic device. The mechanical interlocking mechanism is disengaged from the embolic device and a fluid pressure is applied against the embolic device to ensure the release of the embolic device.
US07708753B2	Balloon catheter with extendable dilation wire A balloon catheter is provided which may be used to dilate hardened regions of stenosis. The balloon catheter is provided with dilation wires that may be extended so that the dilation wires are disposed adjacent an outer surface of the balloon during dilation. Thus, as the balloon is expanded, the dilation wires are squeezed between the balloon and the stenosed region to crack or breakup the stenosis. The dilation wires may also be retracted away from the balloon. Thus, the stenosed region may be dilated with the balloon without using the dilation wires if desired.
US07708744B2	Device for introduction of long item A device (such as guidewire inserter) for easily and certainly inserting a medical long item having a curved tip into a tube such as catheter and sheath includes a tubular member having a bore for passage of a guidewire. The tubular member has a slit cutting across the wall over the total length of the tubular member. The proximal end of the tubular member has an aperture. The proximal end of the aperture has an open part and a connecting part adjacent thereto for the holder tube. There is a pair of wing-like protruded pieces projecting in the mutually opposite directions at both sides of the open part. The distal end of the tubular member has on its outer surface a pair of protruded rims, which project in the mutually opposite directions.
US07708737B2	Intramedullar distraction device with user actuated distraction An intramedullar distraction device for bone elongation that is completely mechanical in operation, wherein a novel rotating button system allows inverting the device ratchet movement, thereby enabling the reduction of the length of the device, if needed, in order to offer the surgeon operating flexibility before finally anchoring the device on the bone. Furthermore, a locking system allows for locking the ratchet once the desired elongation has been reached, thus avoiding potential mistaken elongations. In addition, a unique alignment hole provides a simple, precise tool to easily and correctly align the device within the bone. The present device operates without the assistance of external mechanisms, motors, or tools, and once inserted, the user can actuate the device without assistance. This device is available in a wide variety of diameters and lengths, and is useful in all long bones.
US07708735B2	Incorporating rapid cooling in tissue fusion heating processes An electrode sealing assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members include electrically conductive sealing plates designed to selectively transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue disposed between the sealing plates. The jaw members also include a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate. The thermoelectric cooling plate includes first and second electrical connections on opposite sides of the jaw member. The first connection is configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and the second connection is configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate.
US07708728B2	Absorbent articles with comfortable elasticated laminates An absorbent article comprising a topsheet with a large opening for receiving feces. The topsheet has an elastic laminate portion with y-direction elongation. The laminate portion has a first zone, a second zone and, optionally, a third zone. The zones have different degrees of maximum elongation and/or different wrinkle heights and/or densities. The zones are configured such that one or more zones are created that cause less or no pressure marks. Overall, the topsheet maintains an excellent force profile, resulting in well performing, comfortable to wear absorbent articles that provide isolation of feces away from the skin.
US07708718B2	Syringe shield A radiation shielding syringe carrier comprising a top cap, a main body and a needle shield, all formed from a radiation dense material. The main body preferably includes a syringe shield shaped to be threadably engaged to the bottom of the carrier. Preferably a separate top cap and shipping cap are provided.
US07708717B2	Operating an infusion pump system Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump.
US07708716B2	Treatment methods utilizing inflatable dual balloon catheter A dual balloon catheter apparatus for controlling postpartum hemorrhage in uterine or vaginal cavities or hemorrhage in other body cavities, comprising: (1) a catheter having an inflation lumen and a deflation lumen; (2) a first inflatable balloon in fluid communication with the inflation lumen; and (3) a second inflatable balloon encompassing the first balloon and in fluid communication with the deflation lumen. A first fluid inflation medium can be introduced from an external fluid source through the inflation lumen to inflate the first balloon, so as to apply a substantially even pressure along a substantial portion of a uterine cavity to reduce or eliminate bleeding along such inner surface. The second inflatable balloon functions to confine any first fluid inflation medium that escapes (e.g., by leakage or rupture) from the first balloon, and to discharge such medium through the deflation lumen.
US07708715B2	Tissue approximation device The invention relates to a device and method for approximating two vessels. The device includes a first catheter and a second catheter. The second catheter is slidably disposed in the first catheter. A first expansible member is disposed on the first catheter, and a second expansible member is disposed on the second catheter. The medical device also includes a locking mechanism for interlocking the first catheter and second catheter to prevent relative movement between the first and second catheters.
US07708714B2	Dialysis connector with retention and feedback features Apparatuses and methods for providing audio, visual and/or tactile feedback during assembly of two mating medical fluid connectors and a retention force are provided. The invention includes a first connector defining a first lumen and a second connector defining a second lumen. The first and second connectors are threaded together to enable the first lumen to initially communicate fluidly with the second lumen after the first and second connectors are engaged. The first connector defines a first engaging member and the second connector defines a second engaging member, the engaging members mating to provide (i) feedback indicating that a mating of the first and second connectors is at least substantially complete and (ii) a retention force tending to hold the first and second connectors together. An improved apparatus for releasing a sealed disinfectant is also provided.
US07708713B2	Insufflating optical surgical instrument An insufflating surgical instrument adapted for movement across an abdominal wall to insufflate an abdominal region of a patient is disclosed comprising a shaft having an insufflation channel extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, the insufflation channel being adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure at the proximal end, a tip at the distal end of the shaft, and at least one vent hole formed at the tip or the shaft being in connection with the insufflation channel and being adapted to expel the fluid under pressure to insufflate the abdominal region. At least one of the tip and the shaft is formed of a translucent or transparent material such as polycarbonate to facilitate visualization of the abdominal wall and the abdominal region.
US07708710B2	Method and apparatus for collecting and processing blood Methods are disclosed for collecting and separating whole blood into one or more components. A disposable blood separation fluid circuit is provided which is adapted to cooperate with a reusable separation controller. The fluid circuit includes a fluid flow path for communication with a blood source and at least one container in fluid communication with the fluid flow path. The fluid flow path is connected to a blood source and quantities of whole blood are collected in the container and one other location within the fluid circuit. The source is then disconnected from the disposable fluid circuit. The quantities of whole blood are centrifugally processed, with processing of at least a portion of one of the quantities beginning after the source is disconnected from the fluid circuit.
US07708702B2	Stack magazine system A meter system for analyzing body fluids includes a supply magazine for storing a stack of test elements, a meter for analyzing fluid samples, and a transport system for transporting test elements from the supply magazine to the meter. The test element in one embodiment includes a lancet integrated test element that has a lancet coupled to a test strip. The transport system is configured to minimize damage to the test element. In one form, the transport system includes a shuttle that slides the top-most test element from the stack onto a connection portion of the meter. In another form, the transport system includes a drum that rotates to transport test elements from the supply magazine to a testing position and, once used, to a waste magazine for disposal. In a further form, the transport system includes a disc that rotates to transport the test elements.
US07708700B2	Training system and method for improving cognition and motor timing A method of training a subject to improve anticipatory timing includes presenting the subject with multiple sequences of stimuli, receiving sensor signals associated with responses by the subject to the stimuli, and recording response times in accordance with the sensor signals, wherein the recorded response times are associated with the responses by the subject to the multiple sequences of stimuli, and wherein the response times have an associated distribution. The method further includes analyzing the distribution of response times for the subject to determine variability in anticipatory timing of the subject with respect to the stimuli, and generating a subject feedback signal corresponding to a result of the analyzing so as to train the subject to improve anticipatory timing of the subject. Also disclosed is a system for performing the aforementioned training method.
US07708699B2	Reflexometry and hormone function A method including measuring time periods in which a reflex point of a subject is struck and a reflex response is observed. A method including determining a resting metabolic rate of a subject by applying the Kail-Waters equation. An apparatus including a striking instrument capable of delivering a kinetic energy to a reflex point of a subject; and a measurement instrument capable of being coupled to a subject and measuring a reflex response. A machine-readable storage medium containing executable program instructions which when executed cause a digital processing system to perform a method including determining time periods in which a reflex point is struck and a reflex response is observed. A machine-readable storage medium containing executable program instructions which when executed cause a digital processing system to perform a method including determining a resting metabolic rate of a subject by applying the Kail-Waters equation.
US07708695B2	Apparatus and method for detecting blood flow A method and apparatus for detecting blood flow in or at a subject's fingertip (20) or other body part, in which Doppler-shifted measuring beam radiation (18) is reflected by the red blood cells and re-enters the laser cavity of the laser diode (10), so as to effect changes in operation thereof, such changes being representative of the blood flow. The apparatus may be incorporated in a fingerprint sensor as a “liveness” detector.
US07708688B2	Polymer endoscopic shaft An endoscopic shaft having multiple endoscopic elements set in a polymer common housing. The endoscopic elements may be drawn with the common housing to manufacture a component, called an EndoFiber, which forms the length of the endoscopic shaft. A second structure, called an Endocap, may be provided that includes optical elements and which is attached to the end of the EndoFiber to form the shaft.
US07708686B2	Color filter imaging array and method of formation A color filter array pattern for use in a solid-state imager comprising red sensitive elements located at every other array position, with alternating blue sensitive and green sensitive elements located at the remaining array positions, is disclosed. Since red color is sampled most frequently, the color filter may be part of an in vivo camera system for imaging internal human body organs and tissues.
US07708685B2	Operating instrument system for endoscope An endoscope operating instrument system which includes a back-and-forth movement mechanism for providing a back-and-forth movement drive force required to operate a forceps located at a distal end of the operating instrument and an insertion/withdrawal mechanism designed to insert and withdraw the insert section via an endoscope channel. A winding unit for winding the insert section of the operating instrument is provided and the insertion/withdrawal mechanism is adapted to insert and withdraw the insert section by rotating the winding unit together with the back-and-forth movement mechanism. Thus, a compact system structure is obtained.
US07708683B2	Methods for quantifying the risk of cardiac death using exercise induced heart rate variability metrics Methods and apparatus for assessing cardiac risks in a specific patient. One embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention comprises providing heart rate activity of a specific patient including a windowed time series relating to heart rate variability during a heart rate test. This method further includes determining a frequency domain value based on energy values of frequency bands of the heart rate variability in the windowed time series, and/or determining an aggregate power for a frequency band of the windowed time series. This method further includes assessing the risk of a cardiac event based on the frequency value and/or the aggregate power.
US07708678B2	Method for erecting tubular blanks and a station, in which this method is carried out A station for erecting tubular blanks in boxes, a gripping and raising unit engages a second lateral wall of the blank and subsequently raises the blank into a 90° rotation, so that the blank assumes, due to raising and rotating and because of the weight, a parallel-piped shore with a vertical axis. A first holder is operated by a first actuator in step relation with rotation of the blank and folds at least a first lateral wall of the blank adjacent to the second lateral wall, engaged by the gripping unit, to erect, the blank in a box with vertical axis.
US07708663B2	Continuously variable constant mesh epicyclic transmission A transmission includes a ring gear driven by a first primary gear train, a carrier driven by a second primary gear train and a sun gear driven by a third primary gear train. Clutches are utilized to lock and unlock the ring gear, carrier and sun gear. When locked each rotate at the same speed and the torques are added together at an output shaft to provide a high torque low speed output from the transmission. As the transmission accelerates the clutches are disengaged allowing the ring gear, carrier and sun gear to rotate separately and achieve higher speeds, providing a continuous output from high torque to high speed operation.
US07708662B2	Vehicle apparatus having a chain guide device Vehicle apparatus for a vehicle including a chain guide device which can be easily mounted to the vehicle with a reduced number of parts. The chain, guide device for guiding a chain in the vehicle includes a main frame and a rear swing arm extending rearward from the main frame. The chain guide device also includes a stay extending downward from the rear swing arm, a sectionally U-shaped plate member fastened to the stay using fastening members, and a chain guide member mounted in the plate member. The chain guide member has a chain guide hole through which the chain passes through to be guided. The chain guide member is fixed by fitting the lower surface and the right and left side surfaces of the chain guide member to the plate member and by fitting the upper surface of the chain guide member to the stay.
US07708659B2	Fixed blade broadhead An archery broadhead including a ferrule and at least one replaceable blade, each including interlocking features that securely lock at least the forward portion of the blade to the ferrule. The ferrule defines a blade slot bounded by a land and an inclined surface overhanging a portion of the land. The land and inclined surface form a locking pocket. The blade includes a cutting edge and a locking member. When the broadhead is secured to an arrow, the locking member wedges within the locking pocket to secure the forward portion of the blade to the ferrule. A method is provided including: metal injection molding a ferrule to define a locking pocket, sintering the ferrule, and joining a blade including an locking member with the ferrule so that the locking member wedges within the ferrule locking pocket.
US07708652B2	Golf club with high moment of inertia A golf club (40) has a golf club head with a large mass, relatively short club length and a moment of inertia about the Izz axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 5000 grams-centimeters squared. The golf club head (42) preferably has a volume ranging from 400 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (42) preferably has a moment of inertia about the Ixx axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 3000 grams-centimeters squared. The golf club (40) preferably has an inertia ratio greater than 0.0019.
US07708650B2	Golf swing training device A golf swing training device comprising a first shoulder guide portion for guiding a first shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing and a second shoulder guide portion for guiding a second shoulder of a user during at least a part of a practice backswing.
US07708649B2	Method and apparatus for golf swing alignment The present invention relates generally to the field of training aids and methods for the development and improvement of a proper golf swing. Specifically, the present invention relates to training aids and methods for the development of proper golf swings that aid the student in learning the proper swing mechanics for hitting golf shots straight, hitting golf shots that curve slightly to the right, and hitting golf shots that curve slightly to the left. The training aid may be used to improve golf shots used during full shots, putting, pitching, and chipping. The present invention may be well suited for beginning players to teach proper techniques.
US07708647B2	LED light and sound system for bowling pin deck A light and sound system for a bowling pin deck includes a controller interposed between a music system and a light assembly connected to a forward end of a pin setter assembly and positioned forwardly and above a bowling pin deck. The light assembly includes a rearwardly and downwardly projecting light arrangement of colored and infrared LEDs mounted upon a light plate. Positioned above the light plate is a standard fluorescent bulb for uniform traditional illumination of the pin deck. The LEDs are configured and positioned for full illumination of the pin deck in various colors including red, green and blue, which are illuminated by a controller either independently of or in conjunction with the music system. During all periods, the infrared LEDs are illuminated to operate in conjunction with the automatic scorer.
US07708645B2	Grease shield sealing system for direct torque flow constant velocity joint A shield for sealing a joint includes a first end, a second end and an annular shell. The first end is adapted for axial retention on an outer joint part, where the outer joint part is rotationally coupled to an inner joint part. The second end is adapted for abutting contact with a semi-spherical portion of the inner joint part. The annular shell extends between the first end and the second end thereby providing a seal for the joint. Also provided is a grease shield sealing system for a direct torque flow constant velocity joint.
US07708644B2	Tripod constant velocity universal joint A tripod constant velocity universal joint includes among others an inner joint member having a boss 22 and journals 24 radially protruding from the boss, a radius of curvature R1 as viewed in a cross section of a journal bottom part 23 connecting the boss 22 to the journal 24 and as measured at opposing locations in a circumferential direction of the joint is larger than a radius of curvature R2 of the journal bottom part as viewed in its cross section and as measured at opposing locations in an axial direction of the joint and R1 gradually decreases down to R2.
US07708640B2	Gaming machine having a persistence-of-vision display A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a controller for selecting a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes and a persistence-of-vision display for displaying the game outcome. The wagering game may, for example, be slots, poker, keno, bingo, blackjack, or roulette, and may be a basic game or a bonus game. The POV display may, for example, be a 360 degree display or a display employing a rapidly moving structure such as a wand, a hoop, a fan, or a disc. A 360 degree display is shaped generally like a cylinder and displays the game outcome with 2D imagery that is generated by selectively illuminating LEDs spinning in a circular direction about a surface of the cylinder. A display employing a rapidly moving structure has disposed about the periphery of the structure a plurality of LEDs that are selectively illuminated as the structure is moved in a direction that is cyclical, orbital, horizontal, vertical, arced, circular, or rotational.
US07708638B2	Method, apparatus, and program product for detecting money laundering activities in gaming systems A method for detecting potential money-laundering activities or other illegal activities in the use of a gaming accounting system includes collecting data regarding a player's activity in a gaming system. The gaming system activity data is collected in terms of a gaming activity network, that is, a series of linked activities or events, and/or objects associated with activities or events. In response to a predefined event such as a cash out or credit redemption transaction request initiated by the player, the method includes evaluating the collected data to identify potentially illegal or prohibited activity. In the event illegal activity is indicated, the method includes taking some corrective action such as producing an operator alert to the potential illegal activity.
US07708636B2	Craps game based on results from a sporting event One or more inputs, such as a roll of one or more die, to a craps game are determined from one or more event results from a sporting event. A result of the craps game is based at least on the one or more determined inputs.
US07708635B2	Methods and systems for determining and selling outcomes for slot machine 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 for 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. In one example, a plurality of slot machine spins may be generated and purchased by one or more players.
US07708634B2	Bingo prize mapping system with additional ball draw After identifying a set of initial game designations to produce a game ending winner for a bingo game, one or more additional game designations may be considered, that is, compared against a bingo card in play in the bingo game. Considering these additional game designations in addition to the set of initial game designations may produce additional matched locations on the bingo card and may produce a winning pattern that would not have been produced considering only the set of initial game designations. This use of additional game designations provides additional opportunities for players to obtain a winning result.
US07708633B2	Apparatus and method for mapping multiple bingo game results to a common display A bingo game player may participate in a number of bingo games and obtain results for each of those games. These bingo game results are combined to amount to a cumulative result and a common graphic display is produced that is representative of the cumulative result. The common graphic display is then shown to the player on the display device of a particular electronic player station.
US07708622B2	Apparatuses and methods for conditioning polishing pads used in polishing micro-device workpieces Apparatuses and methods for conditioning polishing pads used in polishing micro-device workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an end effector for conditioning a polishing pad includes a member having a first surface and a plurality of contact elements projecting from the first surface. The member also includes a plurality of apertures configured to flow conditioning solution to the polishing pad. The apertures can extend from the first surface to a second surface opposite the first surface. The member can further include a manifold that is in fluid communication with the apertures. In another embodiment, a conditioner for conditioning the polishing pad includes an arm having at least one spray nozzle configured to spray conditioning solution onto the polishing pad and an end effector coupled to the arm. The end effector includes a first surface and a plurality of contact elements projecting from the first surface.
US07708621B2	Polishing apparatus and method of reconditioning polishing pad This polishing apparatus includes a head that holds a semiconductor wafer, a polishing pad that polishes a surface to be polished of the semiconductor wafer held by the head, and a dresser that reconditions the polishing pad by cutting the polishing pad. The polishing apparatus polishes a surface to be polished of the semiconductor wafer while causing the head and the polishing pad to rotate and reconditions the polishing pad by use of the dresser before and after polishing the surface to be polished. The polishing apparatus of the present invention supports at least two dressers so that the dressers can rotate on their own axes and further includes a dresser oscillator that causes the dressers to oscillate simultaneously on the polishing pad.
US07708619B2	Method for grinding complex shapes A method of producing a complex shape in a workpiece includes the steps of: i) grinding a workpiece at a maximum specific cutting energy of about 10 Hp/in3·min with at least one bonded abrasive tool, thereby forming a slot in the workpiece; and ii) grinding the slot with at least one mounted point tool, thereby producing the complex shape in the slot. The bonded abrasive tool includes at least about 3 volume % of a filamentary sol-gel alpha-alumina abrasive grain having an average length-to-cross-sectional-width ratio of greater than about 4:1 or an agglomerate thereof. A method of producing a slot in a metallic workpiece having a maximum hardness value of equal to, or less than, about 65 Rc includes the step of grinding the workpiece with a bonded abrasive tool at a material removal rate in a range of between about 0.25 in3/min·in and about 60 in3/min·in and at a maximum specific cutting energy of about 10 Hp/in3·min.
US07708616B2	Balloon display systems A balloon is connected to a cylindrical tube, and the resulting assembly is mounted on a container to serve as a decorative balloon display system.
US07708605B2	Connector with terminal fittings press fit in a base wall of a connector housing A base wall (21) of a connector housing (20) is formed with through holes (25), into which terminal fittings (60) are insertable. The inner surface of each through hole (25) includes an inclined portion (26) narrowed toward the rear side from the front surface of the base wall (21) and arranged at a position corresponding to projections (71) for guiding the terminal fitting (60), a straight portion (28) located behind the inclined portion (26), extending in an inserting direction toward the rear surface of the base wall (21) and having a press-in area for press-in portions (67), and restricting portions (27) defining steps together with the straight portion (28), extending from a taper end of the inclined portion (26) to the steps (35) and tightly holding rear parts of the projections (71) while preventing loose movements.
US07708604B2	Mechanism for constraining the movement of an audio jack A constraint mechanism for receiving an audio plug in an electronic device is provided. The constraint mechanism may include a conductive tube operative to receive the audio plug. In addition, the constraint mechanism may include several features operative to engage corresponding features of the electronic device to prevent the constraint mechanism from moving in any direction (e.g., which could cause damage in the electronic device if the audio jack was forced to move by an impact on the audio plug). For example, the constraint mechanism may include a center wall to prevent yawing, and rear tabs to prevent pitching. As another example, the constraint mechanism may include a side plate operative to be coupled to the electronic device to prevent rolling. In some embodiments, the constraint mechanism may include an asymmetrical tube entrance for ensuring the proper alignment of the constraint mechanism with an electronic device opening. The tube may include a conductive dimple extending through an aperture of the tube, where the aperture is substantially the same size and shape as the conductive dimple.
US07708603B1	Electrical connector with improved crosstalk features An electrical connector (100) includes a number of conductive contacts (21-28), a first capacitive plate (31) and an insulator (40) fixing the number of conductive contacts (21-28) and the capacitive plate (31). The number of conductive contacts further include a first pair of conductive contacts (21, 22) to form a first signal channel and a second pair of conductive contacts (23, 26) to form a second signal channel. The first capacitive plate (31) is electrically connected with one conductive contact (23) of the second pair. The first capacitive plate (31) is disposed closer to one conductive contact (21) of the first pair than the conductive contact (23) which the first capacitive plate (31) is electrically connected to. The insulator (40) is partially hollowed out between the first capacitive plate (31) and the corresponding conductive contact (21) of the first pair to improve the crosstalk between the first and the second signal channels.
US07708599B2	Card edge connector with power contacts A card edge connector (100) includes an elongate insulative housing (1), a plurality of signal contacts (3) and a pair of power contacts (4) retained in the insulative housing (1). The insulative housing (1) defines a pair of opposed side walls (11) and a central slot (13) between the side walls (11). Each side wall (11) defines a plurality of passageways (110) communicating with the central slot (13). Each signal contact (3) has an engaging portion (32) exposed to the central slot (13.) Each power contact (4) has a securing portion (41) retained in the insulative housing (1), a plurality of contact portions (42) extending upwardly and sidewardly into the central slot (13) from the securing portion (41) and arranged in a row along a length direction of the insulative housing (1), and at least one tail portion (43) extending downwardly from another end of the securing portion (41).
US07708595B2	Electrical connector system with magnetic module An electrical connector system includes a substrate (1) connected to PHY side and an electrical connector (3) mounted on the substrate (1), a transformer (5) and a common mode filter (7). The electrical connector (3) is used to mate with a cable assembly and so forms a Cable side. The transformer (5) further includes a first wire (51) having two opposite ends electrically connected to the PHY side and a second wire (53) having two opposite ends. The common mode filter (7) has a third wire (73) and a fourth wire (75) that are physically separated from the second wire (53). The third wire (73) has an end electrically connected to one end of the second wire (53) and an opposite end electrically connected to the Cable side. The fourth wire (75) has an end electrically connected to the opposite end of the second wire (53) and an opposite end electrically connected to the Cable side.
US07708588B2	Electrical connector An electrical connector capable of being connected with a FPCB and a PCB stably, includes an insulating housing defining a receiving space at a top portion thereof. A plurality of terminals is received in the insulating housing and each terminal has a contacting portion projecting into the receiving space for being connected with the FPCB. A reinforcement board is received in the receiving space for being fastened together with the FPCB. A slide cover slidably covers on the insulating housing and presses against the reinforcement board. When the electrical connector is soldered to the PCB, the FPCB is electrically connected with the PCB stably for the slider cover pressing against the reinforcement board to make the FPCB connected with the terminals steadily.
US07708587B2	Daisy chain cable assembly A cable assembly (100) includes at least two connectors (10, 20), each connector including an insulated housing (11) and a plurality of power contacts (115) supported by the insulated housing; two printed circuit boards (12, 22) respectively disposed rearward of the two connectors, and tail portions of the power contacts respectively soldered to the two printed circuit boards; and a plurality of power wires (14, 24) including one set of the power wires each having two opposite ends soldered to the two printed circuit board to connected the two connector (10, 20) together and the other set of power wires soldered to one of the two printed circuit board and further adapted for coupling to a power source such that the two connectors are capable of being powered by same power transmitting lines.
US07708582B2	Electrical connector The electric connector comprises a first plug-in or receiving part (2) and a second plug-in or male plug (3) which are electrically connectable by relatively translating the plugging parts (2, 3) along a connection axis (X) and is characterised in that said first plug-in part (2) is provided with first guiding means (16, 26) interacting with the second guiding means of the connection element (43) of the second plug-in part (3) in such a way that the connection element is enabled to be displaceable with respect to the first plug-in part, and said second plug-in part (3) comprises a box (33) provided with third guiding means interacting with said connection element (43) in such a way that the connection element is enabled to be displaceable with respect to the box along the connection axis (X) and elastic means generating the movement of the connection element with respect to the box.
US07708581B2	Replacement clip and method for repairing a modular cable connector having a broken locking clip A replacement clip and method for repairing a modular cable connector having a broken locking clip. The replacement clip comprises a substantially u-shaped housing being configured to mount onto a modular connector having a broken clip, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite from the top surface, the top surface having an arm extension ending in a locking tab, the locking tab being spaced by the arm extension and located at an end opposite from the cable that the connector is connected to, the bottom surface having a slit therein running parallel to the cable, the slit being configured to mount the replacement clip onto the connector, such that, the locking tab securely holds the connector within a socket and such that mechanical and electrical connections between the connector and the socket are maintained.
US07708580B2	Electrical connector with a load plate fastened to a printed circuit board by screws An electrical connector (1) mounted to a printed circuit board (7) for receiving an IC package includes a substantially rectangular insulative housing (2) mounted to the printed circuit board (7), a plurality of contacts (3) received in the insulative housing (2), a retention member (5) mounted to the printed circuit board (7) by a pair of fasteners (6) and separated from the insulative housing (2), and a load plate (4) pivotally mounted to the retention member (5) and capable of moving between a closed position and an open position. The load plate (4) has at least one section able to engage with the fasteners (6) so that the load plate (4) is constrained when rotating relative to the retention member (5).
US07708578B1	Misalignment tolerant connector An electrical connector having a plug assembly and a socket assembly is described. The plug assembly includes a plug body and an outer barrel with an inner conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a first conductor in the plug body. The socket assembly includes a socket body movably held within an outer housing by a positioning ring, the socket body having a socket barrel with a second conductor fixed therein to be received in the conductive receptacle of the plug assembly.
US07708576B2	Electrical connector including a ring and a ground shield A high-voltage electrical connector system comprises a bushing with a longitudinal axis, a shoulder, a first end, and a second end, wherein the shoulder is between the first end and the second end; a ring arranged circumferentially around a first outside diameter of the bushing, the ring disposed between the shoulder and the second end, the ring including a channel therein defining a circumferential extension extending axially toward the first end; a ground shield disposed on a second outside diameter of the bushing between the ring and the second end, the ground shield comprising one or more of conductive material and semiconductive material; and an insulative portion adjacent the ring and disposed circumferentially over a portion of the ground shield.
US07708566B2	Electrical connector with integrated circuit bonded thereon An electrical connector is mounted to a printed circuit board with a number of electrical circuits thereon for mating with a complementary plug. The electrical connector has a connector member and an IC bonded to connector member and combining with the connector member into a single unit. The connector member includes an insulative housing and a number of integrated electrical contacts attached thereto. The insulative housing has a mating face and a mounting face. Each electrical contact includes a retention engaging with the insulative housing, a mating section extending from one end of the retention section to the mating face, and a mounting portion extending from the other end of the retention section to the mounting face. The electrical contacts is electrically connected the printed circuit board and the IC.
US07708565B2	Connection arrangement and method for optical communications An arrangement for connecting an electronic subassembly and an optical subassembly in an electro-optical communication device such as an electro-optical transceiver. The arrangement includes a body of a rigid dielectric material for mounting e.g. on the optical subassembly. The body has electrically conductive pathways provided thereon and includes a shaped portion providing a socket-like formation. At least one electrical contact element is coupled with e.g. the electronic subassembly. The electrical contact element is pluggable into the socket-like formation of the body of rigid dielectric material and includes an elastic device adapted to elastically co-operate with the socket-like formation of the body of rigid dielectric material to retain the electrical contact element plugged in the socket-like formation to provide electrical contact with the electrically conductive pathways provide thereon, while permitting vibrational displacement of the electrical contact element within the socket-like formation.
US07708564B2	Method and apparatus for providing symmetrical signal return path in differential systems A circuit board and connector for use in an electrical connector has been provided. The circuit board comprises first and second signal contacts associated as a differential pair. A ground contact is located immediately adjacent the first signal contact and is joined directly to a ground plane provided within the circuit board. A floated contact is located immediately adjacent the second signal contact. A component interconnects the floated contact to the ground plane, forming an open circuit when a DC signal is impressed on the floated contact and a closed circuit when AC interference is impressed on the floated contact.
US07708555B2	Gas-fired heating unit The gas-fired heating unit has an atmospheric gas burner including a mixing chamber and a burner medium covering the mixing chamber, a combustion chamber in which the atmospheric gas burner is arranged, a fuel gas/air supply system that has respective inlets for fuel gas and combustion air and an ignition device having at least one pilot flame and supply pipe for pilot flame gas associated the mixing chamber. In order to reduce NOx emissions and reduce ignition noise, the ignition device has an upwardly open mixing space arranged in the mixing chamber and immediately under the burner medium, the supply pipe for the pilot flame gas is connected to the mixing space and the mixing space is provided with an inlet for primary air.
US07708551B2	Reconfigurable hot runner A hot runner system having a melt distribution system that is reusable and reconfigurable to vary drop or nozzle locations to meet various design requirements. The melt distribution system includes a melt distributor in fluid communication with a melt source, at least one melt conduit in fluid communication with the melt distributor, and at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one melt conduit. The hot runner system also includes a backing plate; a manifold plate detachably connected to the backing plate; a melt distribution system positioned between the backing plate and the manifold plate and having at least one nozzle associated therewith. The hot runner system may be configured and reconfigured to accommodate various drop or nozzle locations.
US07708549B2	Blow molding machine A blow molding machine having a revolving blow mold holder and at least one blow mold held thereon, having at least two blow mold parts, whereby to open the blow mold at least one of the blow mold parts is stationary in comparison with the position of a finished blow molded article and the other blow mold part can be moved in a lateral movement.
US07708545B2	Parts cooler Systems and methods are provided for integrated curing and cooling of golf ball cores. A plate die is used to separate hot golf ball cores from a post-mold matrix. The hot golf ball cores are held in an insulated unit to maintain the elevated temperature of the golf ball cores to achieve additional curing or cross-linking. The hot, cured golf ball cores are then passed through a cooling section where ambient, turbulent air is passed over the golf ball cores to achieve the desired level of cooling. The cooled golf ball cores are delivered to a pneumatic delivery system for additional processing. A cueing hopper is also provided between the insulated unit and the cooling section to serve as a buffer or accumulator in the system.
US07708544B2	Apparatus and method for manufacturing microneedles The apparatus comprises a mold assembly including at least one bore therethrough having a cavity therein defining the shape of the finished microneedle shape to be formed therein. The bore has an inlet opening and an exit opening. The apparatus also comprises means for locating the polymer to be formed at one end of the cavity and means for introducing fluid into the inlet opening of said bore and into the cavity. The apparatus also comprises exhaust means communicating with the exit opening of the bore, so that introducing the fluid through the polymer causes the polymer to assume the shape of the cavity and the fluid forms a hollow channel to define a needle-like structure in the polymer as the fluid is exhausted through the cavity and the bore.
US07708542B2	Device for holding a template for use in imprint lithography Described are imprint lithography templates, methods of forming and using the templates, and a template holder device. An imprint lithography template may include a body with a plurality of recesses on a surface of the body. The body may be of a material that is substantially transparent to activating light. At least a portion of the plurality of recesses may define features having a feature size less than about 250 nm. A template may be formed by obtaining a material that is substantially transparent to activating light and forming a plurality or recesses on a surface of the template. In some embodiments, a template may further include at least one alignment mark. In some embodiments, a template may further include a gap sensing area. An imprint lithography template may be used to form an imprinted layer in a light curable liquid disposed on a substrate. During use, the template may be disposed within a template holder. The template holder may include a body with an opening configured to receive the template, a support plate, and at least one piezo actuator coupled to the body. The piezo actuator may be configured to alter a physical dimension of the template during use.
US07708539B2	Device for calibrating an extruded plastic profile A device is suggested for calibrating an extruded plastic profile (1) having a shaping extrusion die (3) and having a framework (6) which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the plastic profile (1) in relation to the extrusion die (3), which has a cooling tank (5) and, between the cooling tank (5) and the extrusion die (3), a dry calibration apparatus (4) which is replaceably attached to a carrier (12) and is connectable on one hand to supply lines for a coolant liquid feed and removal and on the other hand to a partial vacuum. To obtain advantageous mounting conditions, it is suggested that the carrier (12), which is adjustable in relation to the cooling tank (5) in the longitudinal direction of the plastic profile (1), form a distributor, connected to the supply lines (16, 17), having line transitions (25) for the coolant liquid and the partial vacuum in the placement area of the dry calibration apparatus (4), which is provided with corresponding line transitions.
US07708537B2	Fluid separator for a compressor A fluid separator for a compressor is disclosed including a hollow main body having an annular flange and an annular collar formed thereon, wherein the annular collar includes an annular array of apertures formed therein for separating a liquid from a fluid and attenuating pressure pulsations of the fluid.
US07708532B2	Electric compressor A lead wire of a motor is prevented from being damaged, and the reliability of an electric compressor is enhanced. The electric compressor 1 is provided with a division wall 80b which divides a discharge chamber 62 and a connection space 65 which connects a sealed terminal 90 and a lead wire 5c of a motor 5. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent discharge gas from directly flowing into the connection space 65, and to prevent the discharge gas from flowing into a wire passage 64 through which the lead wire 5c is passed. Therefore, vibration of lead wire 5c caused by gas pulse can be suppressed, the lead wire can be prevented from being damaged, and the reliability of the electric compressor can be enhanced.
US07708530B2	Rotor blade for a wind power plant The invention concerns a rotor blade of a wind power installation and a wind power installation. One advantage of the present invention is to provide a rotor blade having a rotor blade profile, and a wind power installation, which has better efficiency than hitherto. A rotor blade of a wind power installation, wherein the rotor blade has a thickness reserve approximately in the range of between 15% and 40%, preferably in the range of between about 23% and 28%, and wherein the greatest profile thickness is between about 20% and 45%, preferably between about 32% and 36%.
US07708522B2	Rotary heat engine A rotor of a supersonic rotary heat engine comprises a rotor axis about which the rotor is adapted and configured to rotate, a plurality of thrust matter passageways, and a plurality of cooling passageways. Each of the thrust matter passageways is at least partially bound by a gas permeable wall. The outlet port of each thrust matter passageway is adapted and configured to discharge gaseous fluid into an exhaust environment external to the rotor in a manner creating a torque on the rotor about the rotor axis. Each of the cooling passageways is in fluid communication with a respective one of the thrust matter passageways via the gas permeable wall that at least partially bounds the respective thrust matter passageway.
US07708515B2	Apparatus for loading substrate of liquid crystal display An apparatus for transferring a plurality of substrates in manufacturing a liquid crystal display, includes a storage unit to store the plurality of substrates, an unloading member disposed in the storage unit to unload the substrates from the storage unit, a cassette disposed in the storage unit to lift and lower the plurality of substrates between respective storage substrate positions and the unloading member, a processing equipment to receive the substrates unloaded from the cassette, and a substrate feeder to receive the substrates from the storage unit unloaded by the unloading member and to load the substrates into the processing equipment.
US07708514B2	Automated shipboard material handling and storage system A system and method for automated handling, transferring and storing conventional cargo storage containers on a cargo ship wherein the containers are stored in a multi-tier cell system and are manipulated by powered transfer units which are selectively moveable along an intersecting overhead track system such that containers may be simultaneously retrieved from, moved or placed within any of the cells of the ship. The transfer units are equipped both with hoists, which control spreader beams which are selectively secured to the cargo containers, and guide stabilizers, which prevent undesirable movement of the cargo containers when they are elevated above the cell structures such that the containers may be manipulated even during rough sea conditions such that the system is essentially continuously operable as a floating supply distribution system.
US07708503B2	Extruded plastic netting for use in erosion control, mulch stabilization, and turf reinforcement In at least certain embodiments of the present invention, the present invention provides a plastic netting for use in various erosion control netting assembles. In at least one embodiment, the assembly comprises a first extruded plastic net, a second extruded plastic net secured to the first net, and a fiber matrix disposed between the nets. In at least another embodiment, the assembly comprises a first extruded plastic net, and a fiber matrix secured to and/or under the netting. In at least another embodiment, the net serves as a mulch control netting when secured to the ground over a mulch material. In yet another embodiment, the net serves as a turf reinforcement. In at least one embodiment, the net comprises a plurality of openings sufficiently sized, to enable small animals to traverse or weave through the erosion control netting assembly without getting trapped in the openings.
US07708501B2	Gabion deployment A gabion deployment system comprising: a container for retaining a gabion and a gabion of the folding type comprising hingedly attached, connected side walls and cross-members such that it can be folded for storage and deployed for use; a retaining means associated with the container for retaining the gabion in the container; and at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentive engaging means for attaching, connecting or retentively engaging at least one part of the gabion to the retaining means; wherein the at least one releasable attaching, connecting or retentively engaging means is adapted to attach, connect or retentively engage a part of the gabion to the retaining means when the gabion is folded but to release the gabion from the retaining means when the gabion is deployed.
US07708498B2	Soft stop for maximum riser tensioner stroke A riser is connected to subsea well equipment and extends to a vessel. A tubular conductor is mounted stationarily to and around the riser, the conductor passing through an opening in the vessel. A set of rollers is mounted to the vessel around the opening for engagement with the conductor as the vessel moves relative to the riser. Hydro-pneumatic cylinder units are connected between the riser and the vessel for applying tension to the riser. An external flange is located on a lower portion of the conductor. A shock absorber is positioned around the conductor and mounted to the vessel for movement relative to the conductor. The shock absorber absorbs shock when the cylinder units are in an extreme stroke position.
US07708497B2	Floating platform and method of constructing the same A floating platform system comprises first and second outer longitudinal beam members securing a truss frame having a plurality of truss elements. The floating platform system may further include at least one biasing device exerting a force on the longitudinal beam members and/or the truss frame. The floating platform system may further include a platform interface and/or at least one flotation device secured to the longitudinal beam members and/or the truss frame. The floating platform system may further include a plurality of inner longitudinal beam members interposed between the platform interface and/or the flotation device and the outer longitudinal beam members and/or the truss frame.
US07708494B2	Water diversion system and method having hydraulic chute, screen assembly and wedge wire screen A water diversion system includes a hydraulic chute and a chute screen assembly in the hydraulic chute having a wedge wire screen. The water diversion system also includes at least one collection chamber located below the screen configured to collect filtered diversion water which has passed through the screen. The hydraulic chute includes a base, a crest, a sloped accelerator, and an abrupt drop with an adjustable lip, which forms a hydraulic formation in a downstream pool. The hydraulic chute can also include sloped sidewalls, which constrict the flow of water and form fish passage zones. In addition, the chute screen assembly can include a modular panel configured to facilitate construction, maintenance and replacement of the wedge wire screen.
US07708484B2	Cleaning implement A cleaning implement includes a cleaning head having on the bottom a cleaning operation surface and a valve opening and closing device that is connected to the cleaning head and can hold a first container for receiving a first fluid or a second container for receiving a second fluid. The cleaning implement further includes a first circulation path through which the first fluid is ejectable from the cleaning head and a second circulation path through which the second fluid is ejectable by interrupting the first circulation path.
US07708480B2	Focal plane shutter for digital cameras A focal plane shutter for digital cameras includes a first driving member for a first blade and a second driving member for the first blade, mounted to the same shaft; arms for the first blade on which a set spring is hooked; and a set member for restraining the first driving member for the first blade in the proximity of the position where the exposure operation is completed, at a set position by rotating a restraining member, and actuating the first driving member for the first blade to the starting position of the exposure operation in the restoration to the initial position immediately after the release.
US07708479B2	Imaging device and portable information terminal device An imaging device and a portable information terminal device of the present invention include: a blade driving unit (20) made up of a base plate (21) having an opening portion (21a) serving as an optical path, an infrared light cut filter blade (23) movably supported by the base plate between a receded position displaced from the opening portion and a position facing the opening portion, and a first electromagnetic driving source (26) that drives the infrared light cut filter blade (23); a lens optical system (32, 33, 34) arranged on the optical path passing through the opening portion; an imaging element (42) that images an object through the lens optical system; and a control unit (51) that drives and controls the blade driving unit (20) and the imaging element (42). The control unit drives and controls the first electromagnetic driving source (26) so as to move the infrared light cut filter blade (23) to the receded position when using an infrared light. In this way, the infrared light cut filter blade is provided so as to be able to recede from the opening portion, so that the normal imaging can be performed, and at the same time, the biometric information (blood vessel image) for authentication can be also imaged.
US07708477B2	Focal plane shutter for cameras In the focal plane shutter for cameras, a shutter base plate, an shank for attaching the first blade drive component and the second blade drive component respectively so as to enable to be rotated, an shank for attaching a set component so as to enable to be rotated, and an shank for attaching the first blade and the second blade so as to enable to be rotated respectively are made of synthetic resins. Each of the shanks is fabricated after a shutter base plate was fabricated beforehand, and grooves for sump having cross section of V letter shape are formed at the same interval of angle extending toward the axial direction of the shank at the circumferential side surfaces of the shanks.
US07708473B2	Optical transceiver with frame ground and signal ground isolated with parallel plate capacitor A technique is disclosed for an optical transceiver, where the frame ground is electrically isolated from the signal ground in a low frequency region and is conducted in a high frequency region, without applying a capacitor as a substantial circuit component. The transceiver includes a TOSA whose housing is grounded with the FG and connected with the driver with a FPC board. On the FPC board is formed with a parallel plate capacitor, one conductive pattern on the one surface is connected with the housing of the TOSA, while the other pattern in the opposite surface is connected with the SG. This parallel plate capacitor isolates the FG from the SG in low frequencies, while conducts the FG with the SG in high frequencies.
US07708472B2	Optical module holder, optical module, and optical connector It is to enhance mass-productivity through quick adhesion of an optical element 11 to an optical module holder 14 using an ultraviolet curable adhesive 7. When an optical element 11 is adhered to an optical element attaching section 5 by an ultraviolet curable adhesive 7 through ultraviolet rays being irradiated onto the ultraviolet curable adhesive 7 applied onto a predetermined application surface 5a on an inner circumferential surface of the optical element attaching section 5 from an outer side of the optical element attaching section 5, a thin-walled section 20 for maintaining a transmittance of the ultraviolet rays transmitted through the optical element attaching section 5 at a predetermined value or higher is formed on the optical element attaching section 5.
US07708471B2	Bi-directional optical module The present invention is provided to obtain an inexpensive bidirectional optical module wherein a diffraction efficiency can be maximized at different diffraction order for light beam with different wavelength, and light usage efficiency is enhanced. The bidirectional optical module includes a light-emitting element for transmitting an optical signal toward an end of an optical fiber; a light-receiving element for receiving an optical signal from the end of the optical fiber; and a grating in which stair shapes are repeated with a predefined pitch. In the bidirectional optical module, a phase function is defined as phase-difference contour lines which is formed by making two light fluxes from predetermined positions interfere with each other on a surface arranged at a position of the grating. A planar pitch of the grating is formed such that values of the phase function form phase contour lines each representing an integer multiple of 360 degrees.
US07708465B2	Hydrodynamic bearing device, spindle motor, and method for manufacturing hydrodynamic bearing device Highly reliable hydrodynamic bearing device and spindle motor are provided as a result of improving cleanliness by using an iron metal having austenite structure, which is a non-magnetic body, and solving the problem of lowering of abrasion resistance due to low hardness. A shaft is formed using an iron metal having austenite structure, and a surface treated layer dispersed with solid lubricant is formed on at least a part of the surface of a shaft facing a sleeve by spraying fine particles of solid lubricant. Cleanliness is improved since the shaft is formed using an iron metal having austenite structure, which is a non-magnetic body. Further, since the surface treated layer dispersed with solid lubricant is arranged on the bearing surface, the abrasion resistance is enhanced and excellent bearing reliability is obtained.
US07708463B2	Recloseable flexible bag The flexible packaging (10) comprises a body (22) which has, at the outer side, at least one main face (26) which is formed at least partially by a flexible sheet (12). It comprises a reclosing strip (43) which is separate from the flexible sheet (12) and an adhesive (44) which can be reactivated by means of pressure and which is interposed between the outer surface of the flexible sheet (12) and the reclosing strip (43), the adhesive strength of the adhesive (44) to the surface of the reclosing strip (43) being greater than the adhesive strength of the adhesive (44) to the outer surface of the packaging sheet (12), the reclosing strip (43) and the packaging sheet (12) having identical structural features.
US07708458B2	Watch with a striking work The invention concerns a watch with a striking work including a bottom plate and a gong including two ends, the gong being secured via a first end to the bottom plate. According to the invention, the second end of the gong is also secured to said bottom plate.
US07708453B2	Device for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluids A device and method for creating hydrodynamic cavitation in fluid is provided. The device includes a fluid passage having at least two local constrictions of flow provided in a parallel relationship therein, wherein each local constriction of flow configured to generate a hydrodynamic cavitation field downstream therefrom. The at least two local constrictions of flow can include concentrically arranged annular orifices.
US07708452B2	Lighting apparatus including flexible power supply A device has an electrical connector, a radiation generator, and a flexible carrier with circuitry that is operatively coupled between the connector and the radiation generator. In response to electrical power received through the connector, the circuitry energizes the radiation generator, and the radiation generator emits radiation. In a different embodiment, a device has an electrical connector, a radiation generator, and a member with circuitry embedded therein. The circuitry is operatively coupled between the connector and the radiation generator. In response to electrical power received through the connector, the circuitry energizes the radiation generator, and the radiation generator emits radiation.
US07708451B2	Bottom frame for liquid crystal display device, backlight assembly and liquid crystal display device using the same A bottom frame for a liquid crystal display device includes a bottom surface, four side surfaces attached to the bottom surface, the four side surfaces along with the bottom surface define a space, first and second holes in two side surfaces, the first and second holes opposite to each other in two opposite side surfaces, and affixing structures at the bottom surface and spaced apart from each other.
US07708447B2	Current supply for luminescent diodes The present invention is based on a regulation circuit for making available a constant current supply on the basis of a transformer principle, in which there flows through the luminescent diodes (D1, . . . , DN) a triangular a.c. current varying periodically around a DC current value. Both a charging and a discharging current of inductive reactance connected in series to the luminescent diodes (D 1, . . . , DN), functioning as a storage choke for filtering of mains harmonics, flows as diode current through the luminescent diodes (D 1, . . . , DN). According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention the ceramic circuit board of the LED illumination module in accordance with the invention has a direct mains current supply, which for protection from mechanical damage is accommodated in a transparent housing having a highly transparent polymer mass serving as optically active lens surface.
US07708443B2	Display device having light guide unit A light guide unit for a point light source includes a light incident portion, a first reflecting portion and a second reflecting portion. The light emitted from the point light source enters to the light incident portion. The light incident portion includes an optical pattern diffusing an incident light corresponding to the point light source. The first reflecting portion reflects a first light of the incident light. The second reflecting portion roundly connects the first reflecting portion to the light incident portion and reflects a second light of the incident light.
US07708438B2	Lighting fixture for vehicle A lighting fixture for a vehicle includes: at least one light source; and a housing including a housing main body and an outer lens. The housing includes a partition wall which partitions a housing space, formed by the outer lens and the housing main body into a housing space exposed portion and a housing space shielded portion which houses and shields the at least one light source. The partition wall includes: at least one opening provided ahead of the at least one light source and through which outputted light passes from the housing space shielded portion to the housing space exposed portion; and at least one reflection wall portion including a reflection surface which reflects the outputted light toward a direction on the side of the vehicle such that an irradiating region of the outputted light is widened, and extending to the housing space exposed portion to shield the at least one light source so as to prevent the at least one light source from being visually contacted from a direction front of the vehicle. The irradiating light is formed by reflected light of the outputted light reflected by the reflection surface and outputted through the outer lens.
US07708437B2	Instrument panel system having concealed switches An instrument panel system. The instrument panel system provides an aesthetically appealing instrument panel by including a number of concealed switches. The switches are concealed such that an area proximate the switch on the surface of the instrument panel appears to be uninterrupted by the switch. In operation, the position of the switches is revealed by illuminating a switch display.
US07708433B2	Light with plastic housing comprised of plates with glued beveled edges A light has a housing of plastic material and a light fixture that is arranged within the housing and that receives at least one light bulb. The housing is made from plates that each have outer edges that are beveled at an angle of 45 degrees and provide contact surfaces where the plates adjoin one another. The plates are glued to one another in the area of the contact surfaces over the entire surface area of the contact surfaces in such a way that the plates are joined flush without the outer edges projecting past one another. The housing has a bottom side provided with a circular cutout, wherein the light fixture projects through the circular cutout into the housing. A member is provided that releasably closes the circular cutout. The member is a base or a closure lid.
US07708430B2	Reflector-baffle for luminaires An embodiment may comprise a baffle blade or blades, an article of manufacture, and/or a luminaire comprising: a blade member with a reflective top section.
US07708429B2	Illuminated document display system The present invention relates to an illuminated document display system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a portable document display case configured to house at least one document for discrete illuminated visual viewing. The display case further includes an illumination system, a document protection system, and a storage system. The illumination system is configured to house an illumination device in a manner that facilitates visually receiving information from a document while minimizing external non-document light transmission. The document protection system provides a receptacle to protectively house a document while maintaining the ability for a user to view the document. In addition, the document protection system is configured to enable the illumination system to transmit light upon the document. The storage system enables the illumination system and document display system to be manipulated in a manner to provide for convenient storage without damaging the document. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for illuminating a document in a manner to receive visual information from the document while minimizing non-document light transmission.
US07708428B2	Backlight assembly and display device having the same A backlight assembly includes a plurality of light source units and a partition member. Each of the light source units includes a plurality of light sources generating different wavelengths of light from each other and a circuit board on which the light sources are mounted. The partition member is disposed between the light source units to partially transmit and partially reflect the light generated from the light source units.
US07708424B2	Solar powered fluorescent gazing globe A solar-powered gazing globe. A removable base is attached to the glazing globe by a stretchable, waterproof flange that also provides a water resistant seal while allowing the globe to sit in an existing support. The gazing globe further includes a rechargeable electrical power source coupled to an electrical charging system. The electrical charging system is in turn connected to a solar energy system that includes a system for collecting solar energy, a system for converting the solar energy into electrical energy, and a system for transferring the electrical energy to the charging system. A light source attached to the removable base is electrically coupled to the rechargeable electrical power source and situated so that light is emitted from the gazing globe via the light transmitting region.
US07708423B2	Lighted image rendering lamp Disclosed herein is an illuminating apparatus for rendering lighted images of different shapes in different directions. The illuminating apparatus comprises a lamp fixture, a perforated dish affixed to the lamp pipe, a lamp shade affixed over the perforated dish, and a dome cover affixed on top of the lamp shade. The lamp fixture comprises a light bulb socket, a lamp pipe, and a lamp base. A light bulb is affixed to the light bulb socket and enclosed within the lamp shade. The dome cover comprises multiple inscriptions. The lamp shade comprises a layered mesh. The layered mesh may comprise wires crossing at right angles. On lighting the light bulb, the light passes through the perforations of the perforated dish, the inscriptions of the dome cover, and between the wires of the layered mesh, thereby rendering the lighted images of the different shapes in different directions.
US07708419B2	Ambient light system and method thereof An ambient light system applied in a TV including a display panel, a loudspeaker and a plurality of ambient light sources includes an audio level detector, a pattern generator, and an ambient light controller. The audio level detector detects the level of an input audio signal to obtain a detected level. The pattern generator generates an ambient light pattern based on the detected level by reference to a selected operation mode. The ambient light controller controls the intensity of one or more ambient light sources based on the ambient light pattern.
US07708412B2	Light shielding member for a micro-mirror projection system A DLP optical system is provided. The DLP optical system includes a lamp unit, an optical engine unit, a DMD, a prism, a projection lens, and a light-blocking part. The lamp unit provides light, and the optical engine unit is optically connected with the lamp unit, has optical parts for converting light incident from the lamp unit into an image signal therein, and includes a primary lens for transmitting the image signal. The DMD reflects the image signal transmitted from the primary lens, and the prism is formed closely to the DMD to adjust a path of light. The projection lens projects an on-beam of light from the prism that contributes to forming of an image onto a screen. The light-blocking part is provided on an incident side of the projection lens to transmit only the on-beam and shields light of a flat state region located between an on-beam and an off-beam.
US07708409B1	Controlling beam intensity in ophthalmic illumination systems using serial rotatable shapes An ophthalmic illumination system includes planar shapes serially positioned in a path for a collimated beam, along an optical axis. The shapes are rotationally symmetric with one another relative to the optical axis. Each shape has a central rotational axis intersecting the optical axis. Generally wedge-shaped segments of the shapes are spaced apart around and converge at the optical axis to provide generally wedge-shaped apertures to the beam between the segments. The shapes are rotatable on the rotational axes along the optical axis to assume a plurality of configurations to vary intensity of the beam. The beam can fill spatial modes at substantially all radii of the optical fiber entrance pupil.
US07708402B2	Goggles for improved ocular vision A device for improved vision into or out of at least one eye of a subject. The device comprises an enclosing vessel for holding one or more lenses in front one or two eyes of the subject and for holding a substance whose refractive index is matched to the refractive index of the cornea. The vessel is adapted to seal the substance to the face around the eye or eyes of the subject thereby allowing focusing into or out of the eye or eyes.
US07708401B2	Ophthalmic lens characterization A method and system for providing the characteristics of an ophthalmic lens, the ophthalmic lens comprising a data carrier for carrying data associated with the ophthalmic lens, the data carrier having a device operable to emit data in response to activation by an electromagnetic wave activating signal applied by an external means.
US07708397B2	Ink-jet recording apparatus The ink-jet recording apparatus has an ink passage into which a water-based ink or a preservation solution is filled. The ink passage employs a rubber member formed from an ethylene propylene diene rubber in which a sulfenamide-based vulcanization accelerator or a thiazole-based vulcanization accelerator is employed. The water-based ink has a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of about 35 mN/m to about 45 mN/m as measured by means of a maximum bubble pressure method at a measurement temperature of 25° C. Furthermore, the preservation solution has a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 100 ms of about 30 mN/m to about 35 mN/m as measured by means of the maximum bubble pressure method at a measurement temperature of 25° C.
US07708394B2	Liquid container A liquid container includes an air-tight liquid-storage chamber or reservoir, a movable member for agitating liquid, and a protrusion portion for supporting the movable member. The movable member and the protrusion portion are disposed in the liquid-storage chamber. The movable member includes a first end that is linearly movable along the protrusion portion and a second end that is free.
US07708391B2	Inkjet printer cartridge refill dispenser with plunge action A printing fluid dispenser that has a housing with first and second portions, the first portion being displaceable relative to the second portion. A quantity of printing fluid is contained in the housing and a resilient member deforms in response to displacement of the first portion relative to the second portion to apply pressure to the printing fluid such that it dispenses from an outlet. The first portion has a maximum displacement relative to the second portion, which is designed to correspond with a maximum possible pressure applied by the resilient member to the printing fluid.
US07708389B2	Liquid ejection head A liquid jetting head using a piezoelectric element that is capable of obtaining sufficient displacement through the application of a driving voltage is provided. In the liquid jetting head, which comprises a substrate formed with a pressure chamber, a diaphragm formed on the substrate, and a piezoelectric thin film element formed on the diaphragm, the diaphragm bends in convex form toward the pressure chamber side, and the amount by which the diaphragm bends is no more than 0.4% of the width of the pressure chamber.
US07708387B2	Printhead with multiple actuators in each chamber An inkjet printhead with multiple actuators and respective nozzles in each chamber, so that each actuator activates simultaneously from the same drive signal. By puffing multiple actuators in a single chamber, and providing each actuator with a corresponding nozzle (or nozzles), each nozzle ejects drops of smaller volume, and having different misdirections. Smaller drops with differing misdirections are less likely to create any visible artifacts.
US07708386B2	Inkjet nozzle arrangement having interleaved heater elements An inkjet nozzle arrangement is provided having a wafer defining an ink chamber for holding ink and a chamber roof covering the ink chamber. The chamber roof has an ink ejection port supported by a plurality of outwardly extending bridge members and a plurality of elongate heater elements interleaved between the bridge members for causing ejection of ink held in the ink chamber through the ink ejection port.
US07708382B2	Inkjet nozzle arrangement incorporating thermal differential actuation A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a wafer substrate that defines an inlet channel and incorporates CMOS layers to generate electrical drive signals. A nozzle chamber wall and a roof wall are positioned on the wafer substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the inlet channel, the roof wall defining an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A paddle is positioned in the nozzle chamber and is reciprocally displaceable to eject ink from the ejection port. An actuating arm extends through the nozzle chamber wall and is connected to the paddle. The actuating arm has an actuating portion having a pair of actuating members. One of the actuating members defines a heating circuit such that, on receipt of an electrical signal to the exclusion of the other actuating member, the actuating arm is displaced in one direction as a result of differential thermal expansion. The actuating arm is of a resiliently flexible material such that, when the electrical signal is cut off, the actuating arm is displaced in an opposite direction.
US07708380B2	Printhead module for an inkjet printhead assembly incorporating a printhead integrated circuit A printhead module is provided for an inkjet printhead assembly. The printhead module includes a support defining a plurality of internal ink chambers. An elongate ink distributor is mounted to the support. A subassembly includes a micro-electromechanical integrated circuit (IC) configured to eject ink and mounted to the distributor so that ink from the ink chambers can be distributed to the IC by the distributor. The support, distributor and subassembly are shaped to define complementary formations on opposite sides of the printhead module so that a pair of the printhead modules can be mated together.
US07708374B2	Inkjet image forming apparatus including cap member An inkjet image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head including a nozzle portion having a length in a main scanning direction that is at least equal to a width of a printing medium, a conveying unit to convey the printing medium, a driving motor to drive the conveying unit, and a cap member to cap and uncap the nozzle portion, and the conveying unit and the cap member are driven by the driving motor.
US07708373B2	Ink-jet head and ink-jet printer An ink-jet head has a plurality of nozzle groups which respectively jet inks of a plurality of colors. Each nozzle group has a high density portion of small nozzle interval and two low density portions of larger nozzle interval than the high density portion. The high density portion is positioned between the low density portions. Because in accompaniment with a reciprocating movement of the ink-jet head, an intermediate area, in which inks from the two low density portions land in a mixed manner, is formed between two areas, in which inks from the high density portion land, color banding is made inconspicuous and lowering of the printing quality due to differences in color can be suppressed.
US07708370B2	Test system for an inkjet refilling station Systems and methods for testing inkjet printer cartridges are disclosed. An embodiment includes a plurality of adapters, where each adapter is configured to electrically connect to a predetermined inkjet printer cartridge configuration, and at least one receiver configured to electrically connect to the plurality of adapters. The system further includes electronics connected to the receiver and configured to eject drops of fluid from specific nozzles of the inkjet printer cartridges, and a sensing device configured to detect which nozzles of the inkjet printer cartridge are ejecting drops of fluid.
US07708369B2	Ink tank and ink jet printer incorporating the same An ink chamber is formed with a vent port allowing atmospheric air to enter therein and an ink outlet from which ink is taken out. An optical member has an ink contact face capable of contacting with ink contained in the ink chamber. The ink contact face includes a detection face at which a remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber is optically detected in accordance with an amount of air entered into the ink chamber via the vent port. A first ink absorbing member is disposed in the vicinity of the ink contact face, and capable of absorbing the ink in the ink chamber.
US07708365B2	Liquid-discharge recording head A liquid-discharge recording head includes large nozzles for discharging large liquid drops and medium and small nozzles for discharging medium and small liquid drops that are smaller than the large liquid drops. The large nozzles are arranged on one side of an ink-supply opening and the medium and small nozzles are arranged on the other side of the ink-supply opening. The number of large nozzles is greater than the number of medium and small nozzles, and the liquid-discharge recording head performs high-speed printing using the large nozzles, high-speed photo printing using the medium and small nozzles, and high-quality photo printing using the small nozzles.
US07708359B2	Latch mechanism for slide rail assembly A latch mechanism is provided for retaining a slide rail assembly, which includes first and second slide rails. The latch mechanism includes a latch member movably attached to the second slide rail, a stop member mounted to the first slide rail to engage in the latch member for retaining the second slide rail relative to the first slide rail, and a release member slidably attached to the second slide rail. The latch member includes first and second driven portion at one side thereof, and a cutout. The cutout has a first and second stop surfaces at opposite ends thereof. The release member is capable of pushing the first or second driven portion to release the first or second stop surface from the stop member. A resilient member is placed between the latch member and the second slide rail for returning the latch member to an original position.
US07708358B2	Furniture item having at least a first and a second furniture portion A piece of furniture having at least a first furniture part and a second furniture part. One furniture past is mounted un a stationary manner, and the other furniture part is mounted in a movable manner, on the basic furniture structure, and can be moved relative to one another. A lockable pushing-out device is arranged on the first furniture part and is intended for moving the movable furniture part from a closed end position into an open position. An engagement element is arranged on the second furniture part and engages with the pushing-out device at least over a part of the opening/closing path (OR/SR) of the movable furniture part. The engagement element is mounted on the second furniture part such that it can be adjusted preferably in linear fashion in relation to the first furniture part.
US07708355B1	Double door release A cabinet comprises a cabinet frame having a first side and a second side, a pair of doors coupled to the frame on the first side, wherein one of the pair of doors includes a locking rod positioned along a portion of the length of the door, a latch coupled to the frame on the first side and positioned to receive the locking rod, an actuator positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame and coupled to the latch, and an access door, positioned on the second side of the cabinet frame, the access door restricting access to the actuator. Opening the access door allows activation of the actuator to release the locking rod.
US07708353B2	Seal assembly for hub flange and slinger An axle bearing apparatus includes a hub shaft including a wheel-mounting flange formed at its outer end portion, and a cylindrical portion formed on an inner side surface of the flange, a bearing portion press-fitted on the cylindrical portion of the hub shaft and including an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a slinger having a through hole formed through its central portion. The through hole is fitted on the cylindrical portion such that an outer diameter of the slinger is generally equal to an outer diameter of the flange, and the slinger is press-clamped to the inner side surface of the flange by bolts press-fitted respectively in a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flange. O-rings are interposed between the flange and the slinger.
US07708347B2	Footrest mounting arrangement for an article of furniture An article of seating furniture includes a base, a seat and a back. The back includes a reclining mechanism. The seat is interconnected with the reclining mechanism such that reclining movement of the back moves the seat forwardly and upwardly. When the back is fully reclined and the seat is fully raised, an upper surface of the seat is coplanar with an upper surface of the back. A footrest is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When extended, the footrest is generally coplanar with the seat. The back includes a spine having a lower end pivotably interconnected with the base. The spine includes a seat mounting extension to which the seat is pivotably mounted. Mounting links between the seat and the base provide movement of the seat when the back is reclined. The base is pivotably mounted to a frame for movement between a horizontal orientation and a Trendelenburg orientation in which the back is lowered relative to the seat, and a latch between the frame and the base maintains the base in the desired orientation.
US07708339B2	Canopy frame particularly applicable to deck chairs, garden chairs, beach chairs and the like A canopy frame particularly applicable for deck chairs, garden chairs, beach chairs and the like, which can easily be assembled or disassembled in the place itself to be used or carried by the user which comprises a set of flexible rods coupled with each other in an axial way and which define respective side poles which are extended respectively like an arc on opposite sides of the chair or deck chair and separated between them by a distance which is the same or bigger that the space covered by said chair under the frame and a set of rigid rods which define the respective mounting supports of the side poles. The rods of said mounting supports have a horizontal segment which define a coupling tip to the chair or deck chair and a coupling tip to the corresponding side pole. On a segment of the length of the side poles and between them, is mounted in a retractile way by means of knots made by “hoop & loop” like fabric strips, a cover to prevent either partially or fully the sunrays from hitting the space occupied by the chair or deck chair. In this way, the cover can be moved along the side poles according to the variations in the direction of the sunrays to get the amount of shade the user wants.
US07708338B2	Ventilation system for seat A climate controlled seat assembly comprises a chamber defined by a substantially fluid impermeable layer, the fluid impermeable layer having a first side and second side, the first side comprising a plurality of openings, a support structure positioned within the chamber, the support structure being configured to substantially maintain the shape of the chamber, a fluid transfer device configured to provide a volume of fluid to the chamber, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with both the chamber and the fluid transfer device, a fluid distribution layer positioned adjacent to the first side of the fluid impermeable layer and a seat covering positioned along the fluid distribution layer. In some embodiments, the fluid distribution layer is configured to generally distribute fluid from the openings toward the seat covering.
US07708334B2	Slide door apparatus for vehicle A slide door apparatus for a vehicle includes a driving device mounted to a slide door and a guide pulley unit mounted to the slide door. The guide pulley unit includes a plurality of guide pulleys each having first and second guide grooves. The guide pulley unit further includes first and second housing members for housing the plurality of guide pulleys, and a separating member provided between the first and second housing members for separating the first and second guide grooves of each of the plurality of guide pulleys. The slide door apparatus further includes a cable connected to the driving device and to a vehicle body. A first portion of the cable is disposed into the first groove of each of the plurality of guide pulleys. A second portion of the cable is disposed into the second groove of each of the plurality of guide pulleys.
US07708333B2	Pivotable vehicle roof A convertible vehicle roof (20) comprises a forward roof element (22) and a rearward roof element (24). An unchangeable, upwardly opened, recessed storage area (14) for the roof elements is defined in a rear trunk lid (12). The forward roof element may be pivoted relative to the rearward roof element about a first axis (A1) that is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane. The forward roof element and the rearward roof element also may be pivoted together about a second axis (A2) that extends perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane. At least the forward roof element is curved such that, in the open position of the vehicle roof, i.e. when it is folded onto the rearward roof element and is stored in the storage area, it forms a substantially continuous, curved outer shell together with the rear trunk lid.
US07708331B2	Seat device of vehicle A seat slides in a vehicle longitudinal direction between a pair of wheel houses projecting inside a vehicle compartment, and slides in s vehicle width direction at a portion which is in front of the wheel houses. The seat takes a first position in which its outside portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and a second position in which its rear portion overlaps with the wheel houses in the vehicle longitudinal direction. There is provided a rearward-slide restriction device operative to restrict rearward slide of the rear seat in the first position. Accordingly, there is provided a seat device of a vehicle which can prevent any improper interference of the seat with the wheel houses, ensuring a proper long slide function of the seat.
US07708329B2	Stowable storage compartment for a motor vehicle A stowable storage compartment for a motor vehicle having a frame and a flexible container portion attached to the frame, and a lid mounted on the frame, wherein the lid includes a receptacle for holding the flexible container portion when the storage compartment is stowed.
US07708323B2	Crushable body strength adjusting device for a vehicle A vehicle body strength adjusting system is provided in which a bumper beam includes a body portion which extends in a widthwise direction of a vehicle and inclined portions which extend from left and right opposite ends of the body portion and which are inclined in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Further, the vehicle body strength adjusting system includes a variable crush-strength device which is disposed between the inclined portions of the vehicle body frames, which can be crushed when a collision with the vehicle occurs, and which has a variable crush-strength. A first bolt hole is formed in each of the inclined portions of the bumper beam and a second bolt hole is formed in the mounting bracket of the variable crush-strength device. At least one of the first bolt hole and the second bolt hole is an elongate hole. The first bolt hole and the second bolt hole are fastened to each other by a bolt.
US07708322B2	Actuator for use in fenestration systems An actuator for use in fenestration systems having a swinging sash or door is characterized by the use of a linear member running continuously from an actuating assembly to a locking pin assembly. The linear member can be a flexible linear member, allowing it to convey motion to the locking pin assembly around corners. The locking pin assembly has a moveable locking pin with an actuator and an extension that can engage a keeper. The linear member has multiple actuator engagement sites along its length where the actuator of the locking pin can engage the linear member. The linear member can then be used to move the locking pin with respect to the locking pin assembly so that the extension can engage or disengage a keeper. The locking pin assembly can be mounted on a fenestration frame and the keeper opposingly mounted on a window or door mounted in the fenestration frame. Alternately, the keeper can be incorporated into the fenestration frame and the locking pin assembly opposingly mounted on the window or door mounted in the fenestration frame.
US07708319B2	Piping joint structure A piping joint that enables welding without back shielding and without oxidized scaling on the pipe's inner surface. A piping joint has an inner fitting portion formed around the circumference of an end of a first tubular material, and a first bevel is formed on the radial outside of the inner fitting portion around the circumference. An outer fitting portion, fitted to the radial outside of the inner fitting portion, is formed on the end of a second tubular material butt welded to the first tubular material, and a second bevel is formed around the circumference at the end of the outer fitting portion facing the first bevel. The cross-section of the face of the inner fitting portion located on the radial outside, and the cross-section of the face of the outer fitting portion located on the radial inside, are completely round with a constant circumferential curvature.
US07708313B2	Plastic basket countermeasure for door side impact An automobile door bracket includes an attachment section and a corrugated section. The door bracket is placed within an automobile door assembly to function as a side impact countermeasure.
US07708308B2	Side airbag cushion and method of manufacture Exemplary embodiments are directed to an inflatable cushion for deployment along an interior side of a vehicle. In one exemplary embodiment the inflatable cushion has: an inflatable portion, the inflatable portion partially surrounding an area; a non-inflatable member secured to the inflatable portion and positioned in the area; and a retentive pocket formed by the non-inflatable member and the inflatable cushion, the retentive pocket having a periphery bounded on at least one side by the non-inflatable member and the non-inflatable member being configured such that a recessed area is formed in the retentive pocket, the recessed area being disposed within the periphery of the retentive pocket.
US07708306B2	Occupant restraining device An occupant restraining device is disclosed, in which stress applied to a stitch section of a sewn bag can be dispersed at the time of inflation of the bag. In one form, the device includes an inflatable bag disposed above a seat pan with the bag being capable of pushing a front portion of a seat cushion from below, and an inflator (gas generator) for inflating the bag. Weave directions of panels are biased with respect to longitudinal stitch lines by about 45°. Accordingly, stress applied to a stitch section by the lines can be dispersed at the time of inflation of the bag.
US07708304B2	Airbag assembly The present invention relates to an airbag assembly comprising: a folded airbag adapted to be inflated and deployed into a passenger compartment upon detection of a collision, a chute for guiding the airbag when it is inflated, the chute extending between the folded airbag and a deployment opening, wherein the chute widens into a side direction.
US07708303B1	Product for traversing snow Though the sport of snowboarding is not new, it has taken many years to understand the specific characteristics which are required for making snowboards. There is better understanding of the dynamic bending properties needed for current riders, especially for the competition driven rider whose demands require boards with different tip, tail and middle characteristics. Early snowboard designers understood the use of snowboards as articles for gliding down a snow covered slope making long curving turns, where tips and tails would be as stiff as the middle core. But now, the boards are jumped into the air, launching from half pipes edges and sliding down steel rails, requiring different flex contours. Snowboards are now required to be very flexible yet elastic being required to bend convexly and concavely, yet springing back to their shape immediately, with some riders wanting stiff tips or soft tails or a combination of both.
US07708302B2	Snowboards Snowboards are provided that consolidate and redirect a portion of the weight and forces of the rider to the optimal locations (near the edges and near the longitudinal center of the board), providing excellent turning and control and providing impact absorption when landing from a jump. In some implementations, an adjustable spring suspension system allows custom optimization of both the turning and ride characteristics of the snowboard.
US07708300B2	Positioning guide for aiding connection of a fifth wheel towed vehicle A positioning guide for aiding connection of a fifth wheel towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, where the fifth wheel towed vehicle has a pin box assembly. A mirror is secured to a cover for the pin box assembly, the mirror being located at an orientation so that it is visible from the towing vehicle when the cover is attached to the pin box assembly. The mirror may be convex and located in a cowl forming part of a cover.
US07708299B2	Frameless modular trailer A frameless modular trailer for towing behind a motor vehicle is provided. The trailer is made of slidably coupled extrusions for easy assembly. The front and side panels include a protrusion on the top surface. This protrusion allows for the stacking of additional panels for vary the height of the trailer. Additionally, one of a variety of top panels may be stacked on the front and side panels to multiple configurations for securing objects within the trailer.
US07708298B1	Method of preventing motorcycle repair injuries A method of preventing motorcycle repair injuries includes a motorcycle having a handlebar. A grip and a lever are attached to and form a terminal end of the handlebar. A primary sleeve has an end wall and a perimeter wall that is attached the end wall. The perimeter wall has a distal end with respect to the end wall. The distal end defines a primary opening into an interior of the primary sleeve. The grip extends into the primary opening and is covered by the primary sleeve. The primary sleeve prevents injury to a mechanic working on the motorcycle.
US07708297B2	Bicycle There is described a bicycle (1) in which the rear wheel (3) is provided with a planetary hub gearbox (17) and is mounted on a single rear arm (13) positioned to one side of the rear wheel. The planetary gearbox comprises an outer casing (19) having an external bearing surface to engage a bearing mounted to the rear arm (13) of the bicycle, and releaseable mounting means for attaching the rear wheel (3) of the bicycle to the outer casing (19) of the planetary hub gearbox (17). The rear arm is of tubular or hollow construction, with the drive chain (15) or belt running enclosed within the rear arm (13).
US07708295B2	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 assembly includes an input crank assembly, an output chainring, a planetary gear mechanism, a control system and a mounting system. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted coaxially about an axis of the bottom bracket shell and provides a plurality of transmission paths. The control system is operatively connected to the planetary gear mechanism for selecting one of the transmission paths. The mounting system mounts the planetary gear mechanism and the control system to the bottom bracket shell. The mounting system includes at least one attachment point disposed on at least one frame boss extending radially outwardly from the bottom bracket shell. The control system is mounted nonrotatably to the at least one attachment point.
US07708293B2	Individual wheel drive for individually suspended wheels of a motor vehicle This invention relates to individual wheel drives for individually suspended, spring-mounted wheels of a vehicle comprising one universal joint shaft (2) connecting the output shaft socket (10) of a drive device with the input shaft socket of a wheel, having one main section (4) and at least one end section (8) situated on one end thereof, via a universal joint (6), rotatingly coupled with the associated shaft socket (10), the universal joint shaft (2) having a permanent inclination which compensates an offset between drive device and wheel, and means being provided for reducing a permanent deviation defined by the inclination. The end section (8) associated with the universal joint (6) and the shaft socket (10) coupled therewith are coupled with each other via a bevel wheel pair (16, 18), the deflection angle α of which corresponding at least partly with the corresponding permanent deflection angle between universal joint shaft (2) and shaft socket (10).
US07708289B2	Removable tubular variable lighting system for a skateboard A multiple tube, multiple lights effects neon or fluorescent lighting system for a skateboard produces a variety of controlled light effects and combinations. A pair of high strength colored protective transparent elongated casings house the light tubes. The casings are removably attached in a highly visible position on the side edges of a skateboard or under the skateboard adjacent to the side edges. The casings are secured by industrial strength mating hook and loop fasteners.
US07708287B2	Staggered pressure zone collet assembly A collet assembly that holds two disks to be processed simultaneously uses alternating pressure zones to press against the inner diameter of the disks to hold them in place in a processing machine. While the disks to be processed are typically media disks, any type of disk processing can make use of the collet assembly of the present invention. Each pressure zone includes a contact surface on a chuck blade. When a travel stroke is initiated by an actuating device (typically an air cylinder), the drawbar pulls an angled expander rearward. The expander urges the chuck blades outward. Half of the pressure zones apply pressure (via the contact surfaces on the chuck blades) to the first disk, while the other half of the contact surfaces press against the second disk, so that both disks are held securely in position. The pressure zones that apply pressure to the first disk are interspersed with the pressure zones that apply pressure to the second disk, so that the pressure zones alternate around the circumference of the collet.
US07708276B2	Sheet conveying path switching device used in image forming apparatus, and sheet conveying device An easy-to-use, inexpensive, and small sheet conveying device, which can stably and separately convey not only sheets of a fixed size that are normally used, but also highly rigid sheets and special sheets, and can further separately convey a bent sheet reliably. In a sheet conveying path switching device having a sheet carrying-in path and a switching separating nail, outlines of two separating/conveying paths out of a plurality of separating/conveying paths positioned on a downstream side of the switching separating nail are configured by a movable belt surface, the two separating/conveying paths being located closer to the separating nail than the other separating/conveying paths.
US07708274B2	Card-holding device in a card-processing apparatus In a card processing apparatus a card tray and, a card-transporting device are provided. A device for sensing the position or detention of a card in the card tray and a holding device for a card that has stopped in an irregular manner in the card tray due to manipulation of the card-processing apparatus, are also included. The holding device is activated if a change in the position of the card is not detected even though a conveying signal has been issued to the card-conveying device.
US07708273B2	Paper sheet processing apparatus A paper sheet processing apparatus including: an insertion slot into which a paper sheet is inserted, a paper sheet conveyance mechanism for conveying the paper sheet inserted into the insertion slot, a paper sheet traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed, a sensor for detecting the paper sheet existence in the paper sheet traveling route, a pair of contact members for holding the paper sheet, a driving source for moving one of the pair of contact members toward the other, and a control device for controlling driving of the driving source. Either of the pair of contact members is driven to convey the paper sheet. The control device controls the driving force to move either of the pair of contact members such that the pair of contact members are kept apart before the paper sheet is inserted and that the pair of contact members become closer to each other.
US07708272B2	Device and method for forming a stack of sheets on a delivery surface A method and device for forming a stack of sheets including a delivery surface, and also a stop and a pusher element movable in the direction of the stop, and also a guide which can occupy a first and a second position, in which the first position a sheet can be received in the guide, and in which the second position a guide path is formed, wherein the freedom of movement of the sheet edge is substantially limited in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pushing direction and substantially perpendicular to the delivery surface of the preceding sheet.
US07708269B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding device includes a stacking plate, a sheet stacker, and a damping member. The stacking plate is liftably supported in the sheet stacker and is adapted for sheets to be fed into a sheet processing apparatus to be stacked thereon. The sheet stacker is adapted to be movable between a housed position where the stacker is housed in a housing and an exposed position where the stacking plate is exposed outside of the housing. The damping member is adapted to exert on the sheet stacker a damping force according to moving speed of the sheet stacker, thereby limiting the moving speed.
US07708266B2	Sheet feeder and image forming apparatus A sheet feeder comprising: a feed roller which feeds sheet by rotating in contact with the sheet; a separation roller which is disposed at a downstream side of a sheet feeding direction; a supporting member which supports the feed roller and the separation roller, the supporting member is supported so as to be swingable around the rotation axis of the separation roller; a drive source which drives the supporting member so as to swing; an arm pivot which is disposed between the drive source and the supporting member; a first arm which is disposed at a side of the drive source; and a second arm which is disposed at a side of the supporting member, the second arm is able to be separated from the first arm; wherein the first arm and the second arm are integrally swung around the arm pivot by the drive source, thereby the supporting member swinging.
US07708263B2	Image forming apparatus An image forming apparatus that includes: a housing that has a sheet member feed-in port on a side of one side surface thereof; a feed-in mechanism disposed in a second conveyance passage to feed the sheet member from the sheet member feed-in port to a side of a junction point between a first conveyance passage and the second conveyance passage. The feed-in mechanism includes: a feed-in roller that feeds the sheet member into the sheet member feed-in port; a separation member disposed on a downstream side in a conveyance direction of the sheet member with respect to the feed-in roller; and a separation roller. An opposition position between the separation member and the separation roller is located further from the one side surface than the first conveyance passage and is located closer to the one side surface than the junction point.
US07708261B2	Carpenter's square securing apparatus The present invention generally relates to a securing apparatus for a carpenter's square and a method for using the same. The apparatus is especially suitable for securing at least two planar surfaces in a fixed position. More specifically, the apparatus may allow a user to secure at least two planar surfaces in a fixed position to, for example, perform work on the planar surfaces. The present invention allows a user to easily secure a clamp onto a carpenter's square.
US07708260B2	Auxiliary handle device An auxiliary handle device, in particular for a hand-held power tool, has an auxiliary handle and a damping unit with at least one absorber mass element. The absorber mass element is designed in the shape of a sleeve along a main extension direction of the auxiliary handle device.
US07708258B2	Tray for a mass exchange column The tray has an infusion field of infusion tab valves adjacent the inlet to dissipate the momentum of the liquid flowing across said infusion field. Each valve includes a vertically upstanding wall of a height to obstruct the flow of liquid and the valves are disposed in a staggered array. An adjacent bubbling area has openings for the passage of an ascending flow of vapor into contact with the liquid/vapor mixture flowing across the area. Each infusion tab valve may also have a push valve incorporated therein.
US07708255B2	Thermal deburring apparatus with rapid ventilation A thermal deburring apparatus has a pressure-tight closeable deburring chamber connected to an environment via a ventilation passage having a passage direction; a ventilation valve closing said ventilation passage and having a stationary valve seat encompassing said ventilation passage, a valve tappet that is movable in said passage direction, and a seal affixed to said valve tappet.
US07708253B2	Valve for a surgical or medical instrument A valve for surgical or medical instruments includes a passage that can be at least partially sealed by twisting a flexible section (1) of the passage wall, an element for rotating a mobile end (3) of flexible section (1), characterized in that the actuating element includes a cable for transmitting movement to mobile end (3) of the flexible section. Also described is a surgical or medical instrument including a valve as detailed.
US07708252B2	Wall hanging system A wall hanging assembly including a wall décor item having a generally horizontally oriented receiving surface and a wall mounting rail. The wall mounting rail having an elongate base portion with a back surface adapted to mount adjacent to a wall and a front surface. The wall mounting rail further having a level receptacle on the front surface and a level carried by the receptacle. The wall mounting rail includes a generally horizontally oriented support lip extending along at least part of the wall mounting rail and arranged to bear against the receiving surface of the wall décor item.
US07708250B1	Ceiling panel support apparatus A ceiling panel support apparatus includes a base that includes a plurality of legs each with a first end and a second end. The first ends are attached together and the legs radiate outwardly from each other. A support guide is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. A support post is slidably mounted in the guide and is extendable upwardly from a top edge of the support guide. A lifting assembly is mounted on the support post and is mechanically coupled to the support post. The lifting assembly lowers or lifts the support post with respect to the support guide when the lifting assembly is actuated. A plate is attached to an upper end of the support post. A plurality of arms is attached to the plate. The arms extend outwardly from a perimeter edge of the plate. A ceiling panel is positionable on the arms.
US07708235B2	Mounting device A support device is provided herein and includes a pliable support structure. The support device further includes a plate structure for use with the pliable support structure. The plate structure is disposed on the support structure. A coupling member is associated with the plate structure allowing for other members to be coupled to the support device. Elevating assemblies are optionally further included to elevate elongate structure supported by the support device.
US07708227B2	Energy-efficient electro-thermal ice-protection system A region of an airfoil to be protected from accreted ice is heated to reduce the strength of the bond between the ice and the airfoil, and is mechanically deformed to shed the accreted ice after the bond has been sufficiently weakened. Heating ceases before substantial water runback is generated. The mechanical deformation and the cessation of heating occur approximately simultaneously.
US07708224B2	Aircraft wing, fastening arrangement, and intermediate support The invention relates to an aircraft wing, a fastening arrangement, and an intermediate support. A support structure of a wing (1) comprises transverse wing ribs (7a, 7b), between which an intermediate support (10) is arranged for providing a fastening point for a motor (9). The intermediate support comprises a vertical first side part (15a) and a vertical second side part (15b) which are at a distance from one another and connected to one another at their lower part by means of a horizontal bottom part (16) at least at a fastening lug (11). The lug is supported on the bottom part of the intermediate support.
US07708223B2	Method and device for enhancing the braking efficiency of an aircraft during the ground run thereof According to the invention, the elevators (8) and/or the adjustable horizontal stabilizer (6) are operated in such a way that a negative lift (DP2) is generated and a nose-up moment (CDP) is thus created to counter the nose-down moment (CB) resulting from braking. The value of the negative lift (DP2) matches the vertical force exerted by the ground on the front landing gear (12), which force is subject to a reference value (Fav3).
US07708222B2	Long mission tethered aerostat and method of accomplishing Apparatus and method for a continuous replenishing of the lift gas and maintaining the proper pressure and lift of a tethered medium altitude aerostat utilizing a novel feed tube running the entire length of the tether. A first end of the feed tube is connected to the aerostat while a second end is connected through a novel slip ring means to a pressure controlled helium ballast chamber and scrubber on the ground to maintain pressure and lift by a reversible compressing pump. A plurality of pressure and temperature sensors and tension gauges strategically placed inside and around the airship continuously monitor the temperature and pressure changes in the aerostat. A data retrieval and communication unit mounted on the aerostat collects measurement data from the pressure, temperature and tension sensors which is relayed to the ground station and the data is used to regulate lifting gas pressure inside the aerostat.
US07708221B2	Pivoting roll arrangement for kernel processing assembly A kernel processing assembly includes a first roll supported in bearings on a first frame element and a second roll supported in bearings on a second frame element, that forms a slot with the first roll through which harvested crop can be conducted. A rotary bearing is arranged on the first side of the slot that retains the first frame element and the second frame element free to pivot against each other. A pre-load arrangement is arranged on the second side of the slot that pre-loads the first frame element and the second frame element against each other. The rotary bearing includes a shaft to which an eccentric is fastened that retains the first frame element free to pivot, and that the shaft is supported in bearings, free to rotate, relative to the second frame element, so that the width of the slot can be varied by rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis.
US07708219B2	Mineral breaker A mineral breaker 10 including a row of side-by-side breaker drum assemblies 30 having radially projecting breaker teeth 38. The row includes at least four breaker drum assemblies 30 arranged to define an inner pair DB of adjacent breaker drum assemblies 30a located in-between a pair of outer breaker drum assemblies. The inner pair of breaker drum assemblies 30a defines therebetween a mineral deposit region DM for receiving mineral in-flow. The breaker drum assemblies 30a of said inner pair DB of breaker drum assemblies being rotated in opposite directions such that, in use, breaker teeth 38 on each of said inner breaker drum assemblies 30a act upon mineral being deposited in said deposit region DM to cause agitation of the deposited mineral in-flow in order to encourage undersized mineral to pass therebetween whilst preventing oversized mineral passing therebetween. Each breaker drum assembly 30a of said inner pair DB of breaker drum assemblies acting upon oversized mineral in the material in-flow to cause the oversized mineral to be moved outwardly towards a respective one of said outer breaker drum assemblies.
US07708217B2	Shredder with waste leveler and compactor The present invention relates generally to a shredder waste leveler and a shredder waste compactor. Specifically, this invention discloses a shredder waste leveler which levels shredder waste as it accumulates in the shredder base. In addition, this invention discloses a shredder waste compactor which compacts shredded material.
US07708213B2	Method and process for providing a controlled batch of micrometer-sized or nanometer-sized coal material A method of providing a controlled batch of micrometer-sized or nanometer-sized coal material. This method includes the steps of: (a) specifying at least one desired physical and/or chemical parameter of the controlled batch of coal material; (b) specifying the desired range of the physical and/or chemical parameter in the controlled batch of coal material; (c) obtaining a feedstock batch of coal material; and (d) processing a feedstock batch of coal material to obtain the controlled batch of coal material having the at least one specified physical and/or chemical parameter in the specified range thereof. In a further step, the controlled batch of coal material can be activated.
US07708209B2	Sprinkler to top riser and housing seal cartridge for gear drive sprinkler A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending.
US07708208B1	Method and apparatus to disintegrate liquids having a tendency to solidify A method and apparatus to disintegrate a liquid having a tendency to solidify and improving the operational safety of processes involving dispensing or spraying of small liquids amounts. The method of the present invention comprises the prevention of the formation of nozzle built-up of formerly suspended particles or formerly dissolved solute by means of closing the nozzle aperture when the spraying process is stopped using a sealing liquid.
US07708206B2	Irrigation unit including a nozzle having greater accuracy and improved adjustment properties An irrigation unit (10) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), a first mover (238) and a second mover (268). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and is in fluid communication with a fluid source (18). The first mover (238) rotates the nozzle (220) about a first axis, and the second mover (268) rotates the nozzle (220) about a second axis that is different than the first axis. In one embodiment, the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. At least a portion of the housing (200) can movably extend along the first axis. The second mover (268) can rotate the nozzle (220) about the second axis based upon a pressure of a fluid (19) within the housing (200) and/or upon position of an area (30) relative to the nozzle (220). Further, the second mover (268) can oscillate the nozzle (220) about the second axis. The rotation of the nozzle (220) about the second axis can also be based upon at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed near the nozzle (220).
US07708205B2	Digital image capture and processing system employing multi-layer software-based system architecture permitting modification and/or extension of system features and functions by way of third party code plug-ins A digital image capture and processing system, and software development environment, that supports manufacturer-constrained system behavior modification and/or extension by end-users and third-parties through the development and installation/deployment of plug-in modules within the application layer of the system by persons other than the original system designers. By virtue of the present invention, the standard features and functionalities of such systems can now be flexibly modified and/or extended by end-users and third-parties (e.g. VARs, OEMs etc), and thus satisfy customized end-user application requirements, without possessing or acquiring detailed knowledge about the hard-ware platform of the system, its communication interfaces with the outside environment, and user-related interfaces.
US07708199B2	Electronic fund transfer or transaction system An electronic fund transfer (EFT) system capable of displaying a menu including one or more user-defined custom transactions associated with an identification card so that the user can select a desired transaction by a single selection or with limited inputs. The transactions may be defined by a user during a set-up/authorization operation and/or may be stored based on transactions performed by the user. Additionally, the transactions may be stored on the identification card, in a local memory of a transaction terminal and/or in a system memory of the EFT system. A single identification card may be used to enable the user to select from a plurality of financial accounts with different institutions. Another asset of an ATM system and method comprises a graphical user interface that enables a user to select a transaction type and the transaction parameters necessary to define that transaction from a single display. By use of a pointing device (and possibly other input devices), the user can select or change selections for the transaction type and/or transaction parameters. Preferably, the display is created using object-oriented programming and has a plurality of objects corresponding to the transaction type and transaction parameters. Using the pointing device, the user selects the transaction type. Once the transaction type is selected, the transaction parameters necessary to define the selected transaction type are selected. The ATM system may preselect transaction types and/or transaction parameters based on stored information relating to the user (such as a previous transaction or other information). If the selections are as the user desires them to be for the desired transaction, then the user can simply click on a command button (e.g. a button labeled “OK”) to cause the transaction to be executed. This potentially reduces the number of inputs or selections that a user must make to execute a desire transaction.
US07708195B2	Memory card A memory card has external interface terminals, an interface controller connected to each of the terminals, a rewritable nonvolatile memory connected to the interface controller, and a data processor connected to the interface controller. The interface controller can perform an operation based on another command supplied from the outside in parallel with the operations of transferring a command for a data process supplied from the outside to the data processor and operating it. The interface controller has plural buffers and, after completely inputting the command for a data process from an outside to a first buffer of the plural buffers, allows data related to the other command supplied from the outside to be inputted to a second buffer of the plural buffers. The memory card can receive a command data and data to be processed subsequently from the outside without the need of waiting for the completion of the communication process between the data processor and the interface controller.
US07708194B2	Virtual wallet A managed service may include first logic to receive authentication information from a user terminal on behalf of a user, and receive user information on behalf of the user when the user terminal is authenticated via the authentication information. The first logic may send a portion of the user information to a mobile wallet application operating on a mobile terminal related to the user, and may receive updated user information from the mobile terminal, where the updated user information identifies a change to the portion of the user information, the change based on an operation performed via the mobile terminal on behalf of the user. The managed service may include second logic to store the user information in a server virtual wallet application on behalf of the user, retrieve the portion of the user information from the server virtual wallet application for the sending, and store the updated user information in the server virtual wallet application.
US07708193B1	Systems and methods for automated reward redemption System and methods for transaction processing using a rewards account are described. The method may include: receiving a transaction containing a transaction type, formatting a message based on the transaction type and sending the message. The method may alternately include, receiving a transaction message and processing a transaction based on a transaction type contained within the transaction message. The system may include one or more software modules performing the following functions: receiving module to receive transactions, transaction processing module to parse the transaction and determine a transaction type, message processing module to format a transaction message based on the transaction type, and a user interface module to provide a user interface to a customer.
US07708190B2	Multiple options to decline authorization of payment card charges A payment card transaction notification and authorization system provides a notification message to a payment card holder of an attempted transaction using his/her payment card. The system provides multiple options for the payment card holder to decline authorization of the attempted transaction. The multiple options comprise a first option for the payment card holder to decline authorization of an undesirable but non-fraudulent transaction, and a second option for the payment card holder to decline authorization of a fraudulent transaction.
US07708187B2	Display container and associated display container blank The embodiments of the present invention provide a blank foldable material that may be configured to form a container. When formed, the container is self-locking and includes air cell structure that allows for a container with a constant outside volume to have a variable inside volume. The air cell structure containers functions to prevent telescoping of vertically stacked container and for strength and stability. The container may be partially assembled for shipping and hand set into final assembly as needed.
US07708184B2	Microwave brazing of airfoil cracks A gas turbine engine includes alternating rows of rotary airfoils or blades and static airfoils or vanes. The vanes are made of a base metal, such as cobalt or nickel superalloy. If a crack forms in one of the vanes, a braze alloy is applied to the crack. The braze alloy is a powdered slurry. The braze alloy includes approximately 50 to 100% of a base material and approximately 0 to 50% of a braze material. The base material of the braze alloy has the same composition as the composition of the base metal of the vane. The airfoil is then exposed to microwaves which melt the braze alloy in preference to the base metal to repair the crack in the vane.
US07708181B2	Endoscopic stapling devices and methods Described herein are endoscopic staplers used to apply one or more fasteners to body tissue. In one embodiment, a fastener-applying device, which is preferably a stapler, is passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed staplers allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver staples for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications are formed, medical devices may optionally be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
US07708170B2	Retainer for sleeve for recharging a cleaning, sanitizing or disinfectant fluid spray system A recharge sleeve for use with a spray dispenser device, made of a matrix comprises an absorptive material impregnated with a chemical composition that dissolves in solution created when the sleeve is contacted with a diluent fluid such as water. The recharge sleeve is elongated in shape with a center opening parallel to the long edges of the sleeve for mounting on the diptube of the spray dispenser device. A conically shaped retainer formed of rigid plastic is attached or provided for attachment to the lower end of the diptube for stabilizing the diptube and retaining the recharge sleeve clear of the bottom of the retainer after the sleeve has been applied to the diptube. When of the spray dispenser device is sealed and the spray dispenser device is shaken, the fluid penetrates into the matrix material, and the chemical composition dissolves in the fluid creating a cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfectant solution that will remain stable and fully active in use.
US07708168B2	Fluid dispenser member A fluid dispenser member comprising a body (1), an actuator element (2), and a return spring (3), said actuator element comprising a portion disposed inside the body and a top portion (21, 23) that projects out from the body, said actuator element being axially displaceable, downwards and upwards, inside said body between a rest position and a depressed position, said actuator element being urged towards the rest position by the return spring (3), the dispenser member being characterized in that it further comprises blocking means (14, 24, 3) for preventing the actuator element (2) from turning relative to said body (1).
US07708167B2	Dispensing apparatus A dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus comprises a liquid dispenser and a towel dispenser. The liquid dispenser further comprises a container member and an expelling member. The towel dispenser is disposed adjacent to and in contact with a portion of the container member of the liquid dispenser. Liquid is dispensed, through the expelling member of the liquid dispenser, in a substantially downward direction.
US07708160B2	Collapsible container A collapsible container having a base with top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of support members, legs attached to the base and configured to support a second collapsible container placed on a first collapsible container and a plurality of side panels, wherein at least one of the side panels is configured to lock in place in at least one position, wherein at least one of the side panels has both a foldable portion and a fixed portion and wherein the system provides for load bearing members for securing another collapsible container or device on top of a first collapsible container in either the folded or the extended configuration. Some embodiments of the collapsible container include an anchor member configured to anchor the collapsible container to a surface. Methods of stacking and methods of manufacturing the above embodiments are also disclosed.
US07708155B2	Support cradle for rolled coils and other cylindrical objects A cradle unit for supporting metal coils, and other cylindrical objects, consists of two, parallel and separate saddles made of polyurethane or other material having a hardness range of between 50 Shore A and 90 Shore D, which saddles are connected together via a pair of parallel steel angle-brackets that provide inherent structural integrity to the cradle unit itself, while still allowing the unit to conform to the shape or level of the underlying support structure. The single cradle unit may be as a mobile support-device, or may be bolted or otherwise attached to a surface for a specific location of the stored product. The cradle unit is generally concave-shaped and has a first main or central lower concave curvature of a first radius, and a middle or secondary transitional curvature that connects the first main lower curvature to an upper, tertiary concave curvature of a second radius greater than the first radius, so that coils or rolls of different diameter may be safely and firmly supported. In a modification, a pair of rails are provided for fixedly mounting and supporting a plurality of support cradles, where each support cradle is held in place by the rails via metal pins protruding or projecting from the bottom surface of the support cradle that are received in openings formed the rails, whereby no lateral or longitudinal movement or sliding of the support cradles is possible.
US07708153B2	Merchandise display hook A lockable display hook adapted to display items of merchandise in a retail environment includes a lock that directly engages the rod assembly of the display hook. The lock is configured to securely lock to the rod assembly without the need for teeth or notches to be formed in the rod assembly. One embodiment of the display hook provides an end assembly that prevents sweeping while allowing quick loading of merchandise.
US07708151B2	Membrane for separating aromatic and aliphatic compounds This invention relates to a polymeric membrane composition utilizing the non-hazardous compound 4-aminophenyl disulfide (“APD”), a method of making the polymeric membrane, and a process for separating components of a feedstream utilizing the polymeric membrane. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to utilizing the polymeric membrane composition in a process for the separation of aromatics from a hydrocarbon feedstream containing aromatics and aliphatic compounds.
US07708144B2	Process for separation of phosphatic materials from coastal beach sand A process for separating phosphatic materials from coastal beach sand and sand deposits used for beach renourishment. The steps include (a) suspending a mixture of beach sand and phosphatic material in water, (b) introducing compressed gas, preferably air, into the mixture or sparging to produce a bubble froth on the surface of the water, and (c) skimming or separating the bubble froth from the surface of or within the water to effect separation of the phosphatic material in the froth from the beach sand left in the water. The bubbles of the bubble froth attract and carry the phosphatic material on the surface of the bubbles during upward movement through the mixture. A conditioner added to the water which improves the tendency of the phosphatic material to “float” is preferred.
US07708138B2	Systems and methods for packaging media discs In a method for manufacturing a package for holding multiple media discs, comprising, a plurality of media disc trays is provided, each tray having a side hinging surface. The trays are arranged into a stack, such that their respective side hinging surfaces line up with each other to form a composite hinging surface. A label is positioned over the composite hinging surface. The label is affixed to the composite hinging surface, such that the label provides a hinge between each tray in the stack and at least one adjacent tray.
US07708135B2	Food transport system and method A food transport system and method are provided for transporting a packaged food item from one floor of a restaurant, such as a cooking or preparation floor, to another floor of the restaurant, such as a serving or dining floor. The food transport system includes a conveyor that transports a food-item supporting carrier along a closed-loop pathway. The carrier includes a rack with a plurality of spaced-apart food-item support members. On an upward portion of the pathway, the carrier passes a pick-up station having a pick-up rack with a plurality of spaced-apart food-item support members, the carrier support members passing between the pick-up support members to pick up the food item. On a downward portion of the pathway, the carrier rack passes through a drop-off rack in a similar manner, thus depositing the food item on the drop-off rack.
US07708130B2	Method for testing coins A method for testing coins which move along a runway, using a coil assembly which, on either side of the runway, has a transmission coil C, D adapted to be admitted by a transmission signal and a reception coil A, B on a common ferrite core wherein the reception coil smaller in diameter is closer to the runway than is the transmission coil and the diameter of the transmission coil is smaller than the diameter of the smallest coin to be assumed, and wherein the ferrite core has arranged thereon a secondary coil coupled to the transmission coil the signal of which is connected, as a negative-feedback signal, to the input of a differential amplifier in such a way that the signal of the transmission coil agrees with the transmitted signal provided to the other input of the differential amplifier.
US07708129B1	Multiple coin actuation mechanism having pivotal latch preventing coin removal from carrier wheel recess A multiple coin actuation mechanism has a latch biased to an inward home position with its inner end extending through an upstream side of a first coin slot of a stationary front cover plate toward a rotatable carrier wheel and generally alongside an unobstructed path for insertion of a first coin through the first coin slot into a first coin recess of the carrier wheel. The latch is pivotally yieldably movable away from the carrier wheel due to engagement with a second coin in a second coin recess in the rotatable carrier wheel, as the second coin is brought into alignment with the first coin slot, to allow the second coin to pass under the latch while the latch remains in contact with the second coin, preventing its removal from the second coin recess outwardly through the first coin slot, as the carrier wheel rotates past the first coin slot.
US07708128B2	Valuable document and method and device for examining said valuable document The invention relates to a value document, such as a banknote (1), which includes one or more window zones (2A, 2B) with one for example optically active element each which rotates a polarization plane P0 of polarized light LA, LB, penetrating the window zone by a defined angle. If such value documents are stacked and polarized light penetrates the superimposed window zones, the number of stacked value documents can be determined by way of the overall rotation of the polarization plane PA, PB. The overall nominal value of a stack of banknotes can thus be determined. The window zones can have category-specific rotational characteristics for different categories or nominal values and/or can be disposed in category-specific positions in the valuable document.
US07708120B2	Electronically controlled brakes for walkers An improved electronic braking system for walkers that incorporates one or more electrically-operated brakes controlled by an electronic controller is disclosed. The controller is responsive to touch-sensitive switches for easy operation, and is adjustable and responsive to operator patterns of use to provide individualized control of the brake operation. The controller may also be responsive to environmental conditions such as the slope of the ground over which the walker is moving, to its rate of motion, or to the distance between the walker frame and the user, and may be adjusted to accommodate for the weight of the user or to set limits to the speed at which it can move.
US07708118B2	Condition monitoring method Method for the condition monitoring of the safety switches of the safety circuit of an elevator. Inferences can be made about the condition of a safety switch by measuring and examining the current of the safety circuit of the elevator after the state of the safety circuit has changed. The current signal is filtered, after which the amount of interference caused by contact malfunctions of the switch is determined from it. Based on the amount of interference it is possible to determine in what condition the switch is.
US07708112B2	Waveguide phase plug An improved horn for a compression driver which has an interior foam plug for reducing the amplitude of unwanted non-fundamental wave propagation and better control over the sound radiation pattern of the device.
US07708109B2	Electric power steering apparatus An ECU determines whether the orientation of the vehicle is deflecting at the time of braking. In addition, in a case where it is determined that the orientation of the vehicle is deflecting, the ECU controls operation of an EPS actuator in order to reduce the assist force provided to the steering system.
US07708108B2	Vehicle steering control apparatus and method A vehicle steering control apparatus has a steering wheel, a steering mechanism mechanically separate from the steering wheel for steering the left and right front wheels and a reaction force motor for imparting an operation reaction force against the steering wheel. A steering motor is provided to impart a turning force to the steering mechanism, while a clutch is provided to mechanically connect and disconnect the steering wheel to and from the steering mechanism. A drive torque detector is provided to detect a drive torque imparted to the steering reaction force actuator. A torque sensor is provided to detect an operating torque imparted to the steering wheel. A clutch connection determiner determines that the clutch is in a connected state when a drive torque direction detected by the drive torque detector and an operating torque direction detected by the operating torque detector are different.
US07708105B1	All terrain vehicle An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) includes a straddle-type seat mounted on a frame of the vehicle generally above and between left and right rear wheels. A left rear fender of the ATV is disposed over the left rear wheel and includes a left surface extending alongside a left side of the seat, the left fender surface may be disposed flush with or above a seating area of the seat. A right rear fender is disposed over the right rear wheel and includes a right fender surface extending alongside a right side of the seat, the right fender surface may be disposed flush with or above the seating area of the seat. The left and right rear fenders may each further provide a resilient interface for an operator shifting over the left and right sides of the seat, respectively.
US07708093B1	Motorized wheelchair with stand-up capability A motorized wheelchair machine with stand-up support capability having independent front drive motors and wheels, drive wheels with axle centerline in vicinity of arches of user's feet, allowing more instinctive and natural maneuvering, simplified lift system using a linear actuator and collapsing parallelogram lifting frame design, for reduced cost and greater comfort. A preferred embodiment includes an onboard electrical cell charger, extendable and retractable charger cord compatible with standard household electrical outlets and an interlock switch that prevents use of the drive motors while charger is plugged into an electrical power receptacle and a novel leg-brace device.
US07708092B2	Endless track suspension An endless track suspension is comprised of a suspension support beam having an idler wheel assembly connected to a respective one of opposed ends thereof. At least one of the idler wheel assemblies has an endless track binding mechanism. Support wheels are secured to the suspension support beam and project from a lower face thereof. A drive sprocket is secured elevated above the suspension support beam by a support arm. The drive sprocket is secured to a vehicle drive axle by a coupling ring. The drive sprocket, the support wheels and idler wheels constitute an endless track support assembly for supporting an endless track in drivable engagement thereabout. A flexible connection of the drive sprocket support arm and the support wheels absorbs shocks and vibrations transmitted to the vehicle drive axle by the displacement of the endless track over a rough ground surface.
US07708091B2	Apparatuses and methods for providing hybrid steering for a vehicle Steering control apparatuses and methods for a vehicle are provided. A steering control apparatus can include a steering shaft drivingly linked to a pair of front wheels of a vehicle. A movable steering handle can also be provided and disposed about the steering shaft, with the steering handle being capable of selectively turning the pair of front wheels to direct the movement of the vehicle. A first and second brake clutch mechanism for engaging and disengaging first and second drive wheels, respectively, can be provided. First and second brake clutch control levers can selectively control the first and second brake clutch mechanism, respectively, to engage and disengage the first and second drive wheels. The steering handle can include a coupling base. The coupling base can engage the steering shaft to permit decoupling of the steering handle from the steering shaft allowing the steering shaft and the linked pair of front wheels to turn free of the steering handle while the steering handle is still disposed about the steering shaft.
US07708083B2	Hand power tool with a percussion merchanism, and as a method of operating the hand power tool A hand power tool has a percussion mechanism; a drive motor that drives the percussion mechanism; a conversion element for converting a movement of the drive motor into an axial movement; and an operating unit that adjusts a rotary movement of the conversion element within a percussion period depending on at least one optimization criterium.
US07708082B2	Fire fighting bucket suspendable from aircraft Firefighting bucket (11) suspended from an aircraft by lines (15), has open top (12A) and a valve at base (13). The valve is attachable to the aircraft by remotely actuatable line (16) and independent movement of lines (15-16) may utilise the weight of the water to facilitate opening and closing of the valve. Dynamic sensing of a bucket attribute, e.g. weight, enables bucket (11) to be filled or discharged by a pre-determined volume by the pilot. Chemical fire retardant may be added by entraining it with water discharging from the valve.
US07708081B2	Wellbore system extending through a salt layer A wellbore system is provided including a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the wellbore extending into a salt layer of the earth formation. The wellbore system comprises a tubular conduit arranged in the wellbore whereby at least a portion of the tubular conduit is surrounded by the salt layer whereby an annular space is formed between said portion of the tubular conduit and the wellbore wall. The wellbore system further comprises an annular body of a- resilient material arranged in said annular space and extending substantially the length of said portion of the tubular conduit surrounded by the salt layer.
US07708078B2	Apparatus and method for delivering a conductor downhole A conductor delivery arrangement includes a length of feedable tubing; a landing tool in operable communication with the feedable tubing; and a conductor in operable communication with the landing tool and method.
US07708077B2	Retrieval of bottom hole assembly during casing while drilling operations A bottom hole assembly in a casing-while-drilling operation is retrieved attaching a wireline to the bottom hole assembly. The density of the fluid in the casing string is lightened to a lesser density than the fluid in the annulus, thereby creating a pressure differential between fluid above the bottom hole assembly and fluid below the bottom hole assembly to exert an upward force on the bottom hole assembly. The operator pulls upward on the wireline to assist the upward force in moving the bottom hole assembly up the casing string.
US07708076B2	Method of using a drill in sand control liner A liner rotates a bit to make more hole. The liner has openings with inserts in them to lend torque resistance to the liner. The inserts have a passage with a send control media in the passage and a seal so that the liner can hold pressure for run in to get proper circulation through the bit. When sufficient hole is made, the liner is hung off an existing cemented tubular and the seal for the passages with the sand control media is removed by a variety of techniques so that the formation can be produced in a single trip.
US07708072B1	Accessories and method for hollow stem auger retraction Withdrawing a hollow stem auger string from a well includes a retractor having C-shaped inter-coil insertions and a hoist having tong-arms, one which terminates in an inwardly disposed pin. The retractor connects to a drilling rig's hydraulic cylinder vertical drive system, the hoist to a winch system thereof. The retractor engages the string by the C-shaped inter-coil insertion disposed between one coil of the helical flight of the topmost section of the string. The hoist engaged the top collar of the topmost section by the at least one pin inserting into a pin hole thereof. The string is lifted about the height of one section by the retractor, which is promptly disengaged. The topmost section is detached, and carried by the hoist to elsewhere to be dropped. The method repeats by re-engaging the retractor and hoist and then returning to the activity of lifting.
US07708071B2	Cement compositions comprising aluminum chloride and associated methods Methods and compositions including, in one embodiment, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement; a strength-enhancing additive consisting essentially of aluminum chloride and a metal halide; and water; and allowing the cement composition to set. Another method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises preparing a cement composition that comprises cement, a strength-enhancing additive consisting essentially of aluminum chloride and a metal halide, and water, wherein the aluminum chloride and metal halide are not combined prior to preparing the cement composition; introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set.
US07708068B2	Gravel packing screen with inflow control device and bypass A gravel packing screen with an inflow control device and a bypass. A well screen includes a flow restricting device for restricting inward flow through the screen, and a bypass device for increasing a proportion of the inward flow which passes through the flow restricting device, the bypass device including a material which swells in response to contact between the material and fluid in a well. A method of gravel packing a well includes installing a screen in the well, the screen including a flow restricting device which restricts flow through the screen, and a bypass device for selectively permitting relatively unrestricted flow through the screen; and actuating the bypass device in response to contact between a material of the bypass device and fluid in the well, thereby increasingly restricting flow through the screen. Flow through the flow restricting device and flow through the bypass device may be in parallel.
US07708063B2	Centralizer tool, a centralizing method and a method of making a centralizer tool Disclosed herein is a method for centralizing a downhole component. The method includes, delivering a tubular member with a plurality of lines of weakness therein to a site requiring a centralizer, and actuating the tubular member by causing a portion of the tubular member to deform radially from an unactuated position. The actuated portion contacting a downhole tubular structure, while maintaining at least two separate fluid passages. A first fluid passage between the portion of the tubular member and an outside surface of the tubular member in the unactuated position and a second fluid passage at a dimension smaller than that of the outside surface of the tubular member in the unactuated position.
US07708061B2	Cup tool, cup tool cup and method of using the cup tool A cup tool includes a cup tool tube having a threaded upper end for connection to a high-pressure mandrel, an outer surface over which an elastomeric cup is slidably mounted for reciprocal movement from an unset position for entry into a wellbore to a set position in which an annular gap is obstructed to contain fluid pressure below the elastomeric cup. The outer surface of the cup tool tube has a lower region of a first diameter and an upper region with a second, larger diameter and a tapered region between the upper region and the lower region. The elastomeric cup includes a lip seal that rides against the outer surface of the cup tool tube, and seals against the tapered region of the cup tool tube to provide a high pressure seal between the cup tool tube and the elastomeric cup in the set position.
US07708057B2	Coiled tubing wellbore drilling and surveying using a through the drill bit apparatus A method for inserting a tool into a wellbore includes uncoiling a coiled tubing into the wellbore to a selected depth therein. When the tubing is at the selected depth, the tubing is uncoupled. A tool is inserted into the interior of the tubing. The tubing is reconnected, and the tool is moved along the interior of the tubing.
US07708055B2	Air-conditioner housing An air-conditioner housing comprising an evaporation device, a heating device, and a mixing chamber, out of which air flows to the rear footwell while serving to ventilate the rear passenger compartment. The air-conditioner housing also comprises an air control device that uses mixing flaps to control the air flowing via the evaporation device and the heating device into the mixing chamber. The air-conditioner housing has a separate stratification duct through which cool air can be guided into the ventilation area of the rear passenger compartment.
US07708052B2	Coil support A coil support suitable for supporting a coil in a condensing unit includes a body and a protrusion extending from the body. The protrusion is configured to limit movement of the coil in at least one direction.
US07708050B2	Composite material, having high thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion coefficient, and heat-dissipating substrate, and their production methods A composite material having a high thermal conductivity and a small thermal expansion coefficient, which is obtained by impregnating a porous graphitized extrudate with a metal; the composite material having such anisotropy that the thermal conductivity and the thermal expansion coefficient are 250 W/mK or more and less than 4×10−6/K, respectively, in an extrusion direction; and that the thermal conductivity and the thermal expansion coefficient are 150 W/mK or more and 10×10−6/K or less, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction.
US07708046B1	Awning wind deflector An awning wind deflector adapted for deflecting wind around and away from a rolled up awning structure attached to a recreation vehicle. The wind deflector comprising a disk-shaped flange at one end and an elongated tubular stem at the other end. The wind deflector is mounted at an end of the rolled up awning structure, wherein the flange having a sloping front face faces the head winds. The wind deflector includes an elongated radial slit for mounting over the rolled up structure by flexing the slit and clamping the wind deflector by a hose clamp around the elongated tubular stem.
US07708043B2	Device for splicing web material A device for splicing the free end of a strip of web material to a homologous strip of web material being supplied includes a first moving element and a second moving element, each of which is able to function alternatively as retention structure for the free end and as guiding structure for the web. The moving elements are, at least in part, translatable with respect to one another for connecting the free end to the web, performing the operation of splicing. The first and the second moving elements are selectively orientable between a position of opening, in which the moving element has a gripping formation exposed to receive the free end, and a position of closing, in which the gripping formation faces the other moving element of the device to allow the free end to connect to the web.
US07708038B1	Substantially helical, stepped blade row cutterhead having removable blade units A cutterhead for a peripheral milling machine including a cutterhead body including a generally cylindrical portion and a plurality of circumferential, spaced and offset blade unit mounting cavities extending into the cutterhead body from the periphery of the cylindrical portion for receiving a blade unit. The cutterhead further includes a plurality of blade units each having at least one cutting edge and means for removably securing each of the removable blade units in the corresponding blade unit mounting cavity. The cutting edge of each of the blade units is disposed to align with the cutting edge of each of the other blade units in adjacent mounting cavities to form a substantially helical, stepped blade row when the blade units are secured to the cutterhead body.
US07708033B2	Lining material and pipeline lining method A flexible tubular lining material impregnated with a thermosetting resin is folded and bound with binding members to provide a reduced width. Two elastic and rigid strip members are inserted into loop members attached to the lining material and are removably attached so as to sandwich the lining material. During pipeline lining work, the lining material to which the strip members have been attached is first inserted into a lateral pipe from a main pipe. The strip members are then removed from the lining material so that the lining material may remain inside the pipeline. The strip members are extracted from the pipeline, and the lining material is then made to expand via application of pressure from the inside. While kept in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the pipeline, the lining material is heated in order to cure the thermosetting resin thereof.
US07708030B2	Hydraulic joint articulated device and use thereof with a heat radiator A hydraulic joint articulated device (1) effectively supports a radiator allowing a remarkable freedom of motion and has a pair of articulated connectors (2), each comprising: hinge members (5, 6) apt to be assembled and comprising a respective hydraulic channel (7, 8), in which there is obtained a pin seat (9, 10) with a tubular pin (14) having a respective hydraulic channel (21) forming a hydraulic joint extending between the respective connector seats (11, 12); and a valve seat (22) at one end of said tubular pin (14), and a respective shutter member (23) located in an opening (24) obtained in one (5) of said hinge members (5, 6), further comprising, at each articulated connector (2), a tubular duct (29) extending from the respective connector seat (11) to a mouthpiece section (30) apt to receive a waterworks piping (4), extending inside a masonry.
US07708027B2	Connector A connector includes a housing having a first female-side connecting port, a liquid circulation space, and a male-side connecting section communicating with the liquid circulation space, a first valve disk made of elastic material and having a hollow section and a top slit formed in the top and received in the housing, a pin movably installed in the housing, and an urging section for urging the pin axially. In this connector, the top slit spreads and communication is established between a tube interior and the hollow section, and at the same time the top of the pin is pressed to cause the pin to move axially, enlarging the clearance between the hollow section and the pin, thereby establishing communication between the tube interior and the male-side connecting section interior successively through the top slit, the hollow section and the liquid circulation space.
US07708025B2	Poppet valve member A poppet valve member includes a main body, and a cover portion disposed at the first end of the valve member. The cover portion is removable from the main body, the cover portion including a first seal disposed about an outer perimeter of the cover portion. The valve member includes a head portion disposed proximate the first end and behind the cover portion, the head portion including a second seal disposed about an outer perimeter defined by the head portion. A webbing portion is disposed between the cover portion and the head portion, the webbing portion including a fault structure to enable the cover portion to be removed from the main body and broken off from the head portion. The main body is formed of a molded material, and the first and second seals are formed of an overmold material molded onto the main body.
US07708024B2	Fixed cone sleeve valve having ribs downstream of the gate for supporting the cone and other components of the valve A valve comprises a housing, a conduit, and a shut-off member, and a plurality of ribs. The conduit is fixed in position relative to the housing. The ribs are spaced from the conduit. The shut-off member is fixed in position within a cavity of the housing via the ribs. The gate has a fluid passageway extending therethrough and is movable relative to the shut-off member between opened and closed positions. The gate is able to linearly reciprocate between opened and closed positions along the center axis of the conduit. The gate is engaged with the shut-off member when the gate is in the closed position in a manner preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the gate. The opened position of the gate allows fluid to flow through the fluid passageway of the gate.
US07708023B2	Solid product dispenser A dispenser (10) uses first and second flow controls (70, 73). The flow controls maintain first and second flow ranges independent of diluent pressure within a pressure range, wherein the use solution's concentration is maintained over the pressure range. A third flow control (75) may also be utilized in a third diluent passageway for maintaining a third flow range independent of the diluent pressure within the pressure range. A bypass valve assembly (41) is operatively connected to the third incoming diluent passageway. The bypass valve has a temperature control valve. The temperature control valve having a bypass passageway, wherein additional diluent is added to the use solution, thereby controlling the use solution's concentration.
US07708015B2	Process for the automatic recording of pressure-vs.-volume curves during artificial respiration A process, system and device are provided for automatically recording pressure-vs.-volume curves during artificial respiration with a respirator. The inspiration pressure is increased during the supply of a breathing gas volume flow under the control of a control unit. The resulting breathing gas volume flow rate is detected and the volume is determined from the latter by integration. The control unit compares the breathing gas volume flow detected during the phase of expiration with a preselected set point and acts on an expiration valve (12) in the expiration line (8) by means of a controller in case of deviation from the set point in order to return the breathing gas volume flow to the set point.
US07708009B1	Reusable personal heating system The present invention generally relates to a reusable personal heating system including a sealed container filled with a supercooled supersaturated solution and an activator located in a fixed position within the container which triggers an exothermic crystallization process when depressed. The removable and reusable personal heating system fits into a garment worn under other clothing and is easily activated through other clothing. The present invention provides a personal heating system that allows the wearer to participate in outdoor activities in cold conditions while permitting ease of mobility and range of motion.
US07708007B2	Door assembly for home appliance, electric oven using the same, and method for operating electric oven A door assembly for a home appliance includes a door that opens and closes a heating chamber. The door may include a first plate and a second plate, the first and second plates forming a first air gap in the door for insulating heat in the heating chamber. Additionally, a valve may be provided in the door, the valve may selectively allow air outside the first air gap to communicate with the first air gap.
US07708005B2	Apparatus and method for splitting masonry materials An apparatus for splitting masonry material which includes a frame and table vertically moveable in the frame, the table also having an attached lower blade, for supporting masonry material thereon to be split. An upper blade is positioned in the frame over the table in alignment with the lower blade. A hydraulic jack with an extendable ram is also supported in the frame below the table and is actuated by an actuating lever to thereby raise the table and lower blade combination to engage masonry material supported thereon between the upper and lower blades for splitting. A mechanism for quickly raising the table with its attached lower blade and the ram of the hydraulic jack for initial fast engagement of the upper and lower blades with the masonry material to be split is provided upon initial actuation of the actuating lever.
US07708003B1	Football throwing system A football throwing system for propelling a football down field to be caught and receiving the football when the football is thrown back includes at least one receiver assembly being positioned on a support surface. The receiver assembly receives footballs. A housing is positioned on the support surface. The housing is coupled to the at least one receiver assembly to receive the footballs from the at least one receiver assembly. A pair of conveyor drives is positioned in the housing. Each of the conveyor drives is orientated along a height of the housing. Each of the conveyor drives engages one of the footballs in the housing and lifts the football towards a top end of the housing. A plurality of wheel assemblies is mounted to the housing. The wheel assemblies receive one of the footballs from the conveyor drives and propel the football down field to be caught.
US07707999B2	Exhaust protecting device and protecting method for internal combustion engine Fuel efficient devices and methods for protecting an exhaust system, and components thereof, when the exhaust gas temperature increases excessively are provided. The exhaust gas temperature is estimated in response to an internal resistance of an Air/Fuel ratio sensor element. The estimated temperature is corrected in a transition time based on the exhaust gas flow rate and the engine's operating region. When the exhaust gas temperature reaches an upper limit (Tmax), a delay period is set in response to the change ratio of the exhaust gas temperature. The delay period is based on the margin of time before an exhaust system component reaches the allowable heat resistance temperature Tem. The delay period can be corrected based on the outside air temperature and the vehicle speed. After the delay time has elapsed, a fuel increment is started in order to decrease the exhaust temperature.
US07707997B2	Cooling apparatus of exhaust gas recirculation system and method using the same A cooling apparatus of an exhaust gas recirculation system includes a first cooling portion, made of a first material, that receives recirculation exhaust gas; and a second cooling portion, made of a second, different material, that receives the recirculation exhaust gas from the first cooling portion and exhausts the recirculation exhaust gas out of the apparatus. A cooling method of an exhaust gas recirculation system includes receiving a recirculation exhaust gas in a first cooling portion made of a first material; cooling the recirculation exhaust gas in the first coolant portion; receiving the recirculation exhaust gas in a second cooling portion made of a second, different material; and cooling the recirculation exhaust gas in the second coolant portion.
US07707991B2	Intake control device for internal combustion engine An intake control device of an internal combustion engine in which an intake path of each cylinder is partitioned into an upper and a lower path and a tumble control valve and an intake pressure control valve are provided to open/close the upper path and lower path respectively. In a given driving condition, the intake air flow velocity in the lower path is increased by closing the tumble control valve, thereby generating a tumble flow in the combustion chamber. In this process, the intake pressure control valve is opened around start of an intake stroke and closed around its end to make intake pressure downstream of the intake pressure control valve higher than upstream of it to increase the difference between upstream and downstream intake pressures in the intake stroke. This increases the intake air flow velocity in the lower path and intensifies the tumble flow in the combustion chamber.
US07707988B2	Engine An engine includes an in-cylinder injector injecting fuel into a cylinder, a port injector injecting fuel into an intake manifold, and a valve-opening-characteristic changing mechanism changing at least lift or opening duration of an intake valve. When the engine is in a predetermined operating region and the valve-opening-characteristic changing mechanism decreases the lift or the opening duration of the intake valve, the ratio of fuel injected by the in-cylinder injector is increased according to an amount of the decrease of the lift or the opening duration and accordingly a decrease in tumble ratio is compensated for by the injection flow.
US07707984B2	Method and system for controlling a low-voltage-powered plug for preheating a diesel engine air/fuel mixture The invention relates to a method for controlling a low-voltage-powered plug (2) for preheating a diesel engine (1) air/fuel mixture. The plug (2) is powered by pulses having a predetermined amplitude and duration, said amplitude being less than a maximum amplitude (PWM_MAX). The amplitude and duration of the voltage pulses powering the plug (2) are controlled as a function of first parameters including the duration of the preceding pulses and the duration between successive preceding pulses.
US07707979B2	Valvetrain switchable lever arm for internal combustion engine using collapsing pivot element at center pivot Proposed is a switchable valvetrain (1) for an internal combustion engine, having a row of rocker arms (2) which extend in the longitudinal direction of a cylinder head, which rocker arms (2) run via a recess (7) on an upper side (6) on a head (8) of a bearing journal (9), which bearing journal (9) is axially moveably arranged in a bore (10) of a carrier (11) which runs above, with piston-like coupling means (12) being provided for selectively coupling the bearing journal (9) to the carrier (11).
US07707974B2	LCD window for animal training device and method for manufacture A housing forming a portion of an animal training device having a framing wall adapted to frame an LCD disposed internally of the housing. The framing wall defines an interior surface and a window for viewing of the LCD. A window pane is integrally formed with the window about the outer perimeter of the window and extends laterally outwardly of the perimeter of the window to overlie a portion of the inner surface of the framing wall proximate the window thereby integrating the pane with the framing wall, thereby effecting an extended seal between the pane and the framing wall and simultaneously enhancing the strength and rigidity of the framing wall. In one embodiment, the pane is integrally molded with the framing wall.
US07707972B2	Pet carrier access portal An access portal for a pet carrier allows a pet owner to insert a hand into the pet carrier but prevents the animal contained therein from escaping through the access portal. The access portal may be blocked by an elastic barrier with an aperture that stretches to allow the pet owner to gain access to the interior of the pet carrier. Doors covering the access portal on the inside and/or the outside of the carrier may also be used instead of, or in conjunction with the elastic barrier.
US07707970B2	Vaccine against salmonid rickettsial septicaemia based on Arthrobacter cells A vaccine based on live Arthrobacter cells is useful in preventing piscirickettsiosis in fish.
US07707967B2	Adjustable water supply for animals An adjustable water supply pipe has a pair of bite nozzles at a bottom end and a wall bracket holding the pipe vertical but allowing the height of the pipe to be adjusted. The bracket has a wall plate with top and bottom plates bent outwardly to define two aligned openings for the pipe. The top plate has a slot which holds the pipe fixed in the upstanding position but with a mouth at one side to release the pipe to an inclined position. The bottom plate is inclined to the horizontal such that the upstanding pipe is jammed against sides of the opening and such that the inclined pipe is free to slide longitudinally. The top plate includes fingers which cooperate with a locking ring on the pipe to hold the pipe upright and the slot is shaped to hold a non-circular portion of the pipe against rotation.
US07707965B2	Processing apparatus and lid opening/closing mechanism A processing apparatus includes an openable/closable lid disposed on a process container, and an opening/closing mechanism configured to open/close the lid. The opening/closing mechanism includes a hinge structure swingably coupling the lid to one end of the process container, and a drive structure configured to swing the lid. The hinge structure includes a main shaft used as a rotation axis when the lid is swung by the drive structure, and an adjusting shaft located on a distal end side relative to the main shaft, for adjusting an angle of the lid.
US07707959B2	Boat with sponson A small boat with a sponson for preventing splashing of spray onto the deck of the boat. The small boat is provided with a hull sponson at an outer periphery of the hull in order to fit the deck constituting an upper part of a boat body to the hull constituting a lower part of the boat body. A deck sponson is provided at an outer periphery of the deck, and the deck sponson is overlaid so as to bond with the hull sponson. The extent of projection of one member of the hull sponson and the deck sponson at the front section of the boat body is larger than the extent of projection of a member of the hull sponson and the deck sponson at a second member of the boat body. As a result, when the small boat is gliding and collides with a wave, the sponson prevents spray from the wave from splashing onto the deck.
US07707957B1	Structural support to underwater vessels using shape memory alloys A supporting arrangement for a vessel for counteracting compressive loads at an operating temperature. The supporting arrangement also provides inertial stiffening of the hull of the vessel as well as acoustic and vibration damping. The supporting arrangement includes a support structure that is made from a shape memory alloy that contacts and presses against the inner walls of the vessel. The supporting arrangement utilizes the shape recovery properties and/or the internal energy properties of the shape memory alloy support structure to provide reinforcing and damping forces.
US07707955B1	Transom platform lifting apparatus and method A lifting apparatus includes a lift arm for carrying a platform or cradle and is pivotally attached to a base for movement between lowered and raised positions. A crank arm is pivotal with the base and a connector arm is pivotal with the lift arm. The crank arm and connector arm are pivotally connected to each other for rotation about a common pivot axis. Rotation of the crank arm by an actuator moves the crank arm and connector arm combination through a top dead center alignment a lowered over center alignment with the lift arm movable from the lowered position to the raised position during operating positions of the apparatus, and to a raised over center alignments with limited movement of the lift arm in the raised position for providing a locking position of the apparatus thus eliminating a need for typical additional locking mechanism.
US07707953B2	Gripper device for tufting machine The inventive gripper device for a tufting machine comprises a gripper device (10). The gripper device contains a gripper (11) and a guide member (12) that has a cutting edge. The gripper (11) has two gripper sections that are at a distance from each other in the direction of movement and are preferably separated from each other by a step (33) and/or by an extension (34), said gripper sections being configured as gripper edges that are parallel to each other, but spaced apart and offset with respect to each other in view of the pile height direction. The reversal between cut pile operating mode and looped pile operating mode takes place by means of the longitudinal adjustment of the gripper (11).
US07707950B2	Multifunctional, portable security system Security system having a container, which encloses a strongbox area for receiving valuables. A device for carrying the container, a protection system for protecting the valuables located in the strongbox area, and an access opening are provided. At least one protection module is provided in the strongbox area, the protection module being designed for the purpose of neutralizing the valuables located in the strongbox area. The device for carrying is implemented as a separate module, which comprises a handle area, a mechanical interface for the mechanical connection to the container, a security circuit for securing the security system, and a security interface for establishing a communication link between the security circuit and the protection module.
US07707949B2	Fold-in-half table with pivotally attached leg assemblies A table may include a table top with first and second sections that are connected by a hinge to allow the section to move between a folded position and an unfolded position. The table may also include legs that are movable between a use position and a storage position relative to the table top. The hinge may facilitate folding of the table top when the legs are in the storage position. On the other hand, the hinge may resist folding of the table top when the legs are in the extended position. In addition, the table may include components that expand and/or contract in different fashions in response to changes in temperature. For example, the table top and the frame may be constructed from different materials with different coefficients of expansion in response to temperature changes. The table is preferably sized and configured to accommodate these differences in expansion and contraction.
US07707942B1	Projectile wad for ammunition cartridges An ammunition cartridge includes: a basewad disposed within a tube proximate the aft end of the tube; a projectile wad disposed within the tube proximate a fore end of the tube; a propellant charge disposed within a chamber formed between the projectile wad and the basewad; and a projectile disposed within the tube between a forward facing surface of the projectile wad and the fore end of the tube. The aft end of the projectile wad has a powder cup skirt formed thereon, and a chamfer is formed around an outer perimeter of a lip of the powder cup skirt. The chamfer allows the powder cup skirt to be slidably received within a skirt of the basewad to form the chamber. The chamfer provides a clearance at the powder cup skirt lip, which helps to insure undisturbed entry into the mouth of the basewad skirt.
US07707941B2	Cartridge assembly for multiple projectiles A cartridge assembly (10) for firearms or weapons, said cartridge assembly including a support body (11) having a central longitudinal channel (16) housing a plurality of projectiles (20, 22, 24) in end-to-end orientation and having a plurality of circumferential chambers (14), wherein each chamber houses (14a, 14b, 14c) at least one propellant charge (12a, 12b, 12c) and is located adjacent to a respective projectile; fluid communication means (18) included in the support body for communicating the products of a gaseous expansion of said propellant from a respective chamber (14) into said central longitudinal channel (16); whereby, upon initiation of a selected propellant charge (12a, 12b, 12c), the communicated products of gaseous expansion from a circumferential chamber force or eject a respective projectile (20, 22, 24) from the cartridge assembly (10). The propellant charges may comprise a volume of propellant material encased in a bag with an igniter.
US07707940B2	Multiple part munition The invention relates to a connecting mechanism for a multiple-part munition (1), for example for artillery charges. It is proposed that a multiple-part munition (1) be connected by means of a simple plug connection to at least two casing elements (2) which can be connected to one another and are arranged axially one behind the other, of a propellent-charge casing (10), with the casing elements (2) having a taper (3) and/or a corresponding opening (4) on their mutually facing end faces or tail faces, and the tapers (3) and/or the inner wall (7) of the openings (4) having projections (8) so that they can be connected to one another with a force fit by pushing them together.
US07707933B2	Golf ball marker A golf ball stamper which securely holds a golf ball while the golf ball is stamped. The golf ball stamper comprises a handle, a stamping element coupled to the handle, and a golf ball receptacle sized to hold a golf ball. When the handle is pushed, the stamping element applies a stamp to the golf ball. The golf ball receptacle stabilizes and holds the golf ball while it is stamped to ensure a legible stamp is applied.
US07707932B1	Staggered plunger tail with improved wear surface for a small square baler An improved mechanism for controlling the orientation of a plunger in a bale chamber of a small square baler that positions the lower plunger tail guide further from the working surface of the plunger than the upper plunger tail guide in order to better resist the rocking forces of the plunger in the bale chamber thereby improving the capability of the plunger guides to maintain proper plunger knife clearances and improving the durability of the bearing materials in the plunger guides.
US07707930B2	Lollipop machine Device for manufacturing lollipops, including a rotatably driven drum provided with lollipop moulds at its circumference, a supply for supplying a strand of lollipop material to the lollipop moulds and a discharge for lollipops formed in the lollipop moulds, wherein the drum is disposed on a hollow shaft and wherein the lollipop moulds are disposed at the circumference of a casing, which defines an annular space with the hollow shaft, wherein the hollow shaft is provided with a first passage and a second passage, each forming a fluid connection between the cavity in the hollow shaft and the annular space, wherein the hollow shaft is provided with a fluid supply and a fluid discharge, which fluid supply is in fluid connection with a pressure source for cooling air, wherein the lollipop moulds comprise lower moulds that are fixed to the casing and the casing with the lollipop moulds forms a detachable part of the device and can be slid on the hollow shaft when being placed or removed.
US07707929B1	Outdoor cooking apparatus An improved outdoor cooking apparatus features a specially configured pot with multiple specially configured cooking inserts and burner frame that supports a burner element. One insert is a rack that can be used for cooking one or more whole poultry carcasses. Another insert is a perforated basket that can be used to hold items to be cooked. The pot has a lower tapered section that includes a tapering downwardly sidewall or walls meeting a smaller, generally rectangular bottom panel. The pot has an upper section with a larger transverse cross section than the pot bottom, preferably comprised of generally vertically oriented side all sections. The basket can be correspondingly shaped to the contour of the pot interior.
US07707926B2	Pressure differential-driven engine A pressure differential-driven engine comprises an outer pressurizable enclosure and an actuator enclosure, disposed within the outer enclosure. An actuator is disposed within the actuator enclosure and a portion of the actuator and the actuator enclosure cooperatively define a pressurizable cavity cyclable between a first, high pressure state, and a second, low pressure state. The actuator and actuator enclosure are collectively restrained by at least one rail to linear, slidable motion within the outer enclosure. The engine is operable to output usable energy as the pressurizable cavity cycles between the first and second pressure states.
US07707921B1	Ambidextrous charging handle for firearm An ambidextrous charging handle for a Stoner-type firearm. The charging handle comprises two separate assemblies, these being an oblong handle that contains a latch assembly and a central shaft member. The parts are joined together by a compound pivoting arrangement in which a combination of the latch assembly and alignment grooves in the central shaft member interacting with slidingly engage a locating flange on the oblong handle, and a pair of pivoting connectors that secure the latch assembly to the oblong handle and the central shaft member independently from one another. The latch assembly includes cam activation via a retention relief cut acting against a fixed minor pivot connector. The second point of retention for the assembly is via a major pivoting connector the combination of which transmits the retraction force applied to the oblong handle on one end of the latch assembly and to the central shaft member through the interconnection of the minor pivot connector located at the proximal end of the latch body.
US07707917B2	Method and devices for severing sheets from and/or feeding a web into a subsequent processing stage A web is fed into a sheet severer prior to its entry into a subsequent processing stage. The sheets, which have been severed from the web are then cut into required product sections in a cross-cutter which is associated with this subsequent processing stage. In order to achieve an accurately registered severing process, using the sheet severer, it is triggered by a signal which represents the phase position of the cross-cutter. The sheet severer is thus phase-correlated in relation to the phase position of the cross-cutter.
US07707906B2	Ergonomic inertial positioning systems and methods An ergonomic inertial positioning system comprises a motion sensor, an angle sensor, and a processor. The motion sensor detects movement of an object. The angle sensor detects angle variation of the heading of the object. The processor determines motion status of the object based on detected data provided by the motion sensor and the angle sensor, and calculates displacement of the object utilizing the detected angle variation thereof based on the motion status.
US07707904B2	Shift range switching device and method for switching shift range A shift range switching device is provided to a shift-by-wire system for an automatic transmission device. The shift range switching device includes a range switching unit for switching a shift range of the automatic transmission device between a P range and the other range. The shift range switching device further includes an actuator including an electric motor and a reduction device. The reduction device transmits driving force of the electric motor to the range switching unit for actuating the range switching unit as instructed. The reduction device has a variable reduction ratio. The reduction device transmits the driving force in switching of the shift range from the P range to the other range at a reduction ratio, which is greater than a reduction ratio in switching of the shift range from the other range to the P range.
US07707894B2	Apparatus for measuring a mechanical quantity An apparatus structure and measurement method are provided to retain high precision and high reliability of a semiconductor mechanical quantity measuring apparatus which senses a mechanical quantity and transmits measured information wirelessly. As to a silicon substrate of the semiconductor mechanical quantity measuring apparatus, for example, a ratio of a substrate thickness to a substrate length along a measurement direction is set small, and a ratio of a substrate thickness to a substrate length along a direction perpendicular to the measurement direction is set small. The apparatus upper surface is covered with a protective member. It is possible to measure a strain along a particular direction and realize mechanical quantity measurement with less error and high precision. An impact resistance and environment resistance of the apparatus itself can be improved.
US07707891B2	Optical interferometric pressure sensor A pressure measuring cell has a first housing body and a membrane arranged proximate the housing body, both of ceramic. The membrane has a peripheral edge joined to the first housing body to create a reference pressure chamber. A second housing body made of ceramic material is opposite the membrane and is joined to the peripheral edge of the membrane, the second housing body together with the membrane forming a measurement pressure chamber. The second housing body has a port for connecting the pressure measuring cell to a medium to be measured. The first housing body, the second housing body and the membrane are tightly connected along the peripheral edge of the membrane in a central area of the first housing body a hole is formed, reaching through the first housing body and at least in the central region of the membrane and opposite the hole a surface of the membrane is formed as a first optically reflective area. An optical fiber is arranged and tightly fixed within the hole for feeding light onto the surface of the membrane. The end of the fiber reaches at least the surface of the first housing body and is formed as a second reflective optical area linking the surface so that between the fiber end and the reflection area an optical cavity is present which forms a measuring section for determining the level of deflection of the membrane and which is part of a Fabry-Perot Interferometer.
US07707889B2	Method and apparatus for determination of oscillations on a rotating blade disc of a turbine A method for determining oscillations of a rotating blade disc of a turbomachine is provided. The method utilizes the steps including, arranging a substance that emits a light quanta when excited by an external excitation source to emit the light quanta, exciting the light emitting substance by the external excitation source to emit the light quanta, sensing the emitted light quanta by a light sensor, and evaluating a signal from the sensor tot determine the osciallation behavior of the blade disc. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.
US07707884B2	Apparatus for measurement of absorption and displacement The present invention provides an apparatus and method for measuring the absorption and displacement of a fluid by a material. The apparatus comprises a container having graduated marks for measuring the volume, and change in volume, of a fluid (such as, but not limited to, a liquid) and a section for holding the material to be evaluated.
US07707883B2	Apparatus and method for improved light source and light detector for gravimeter An instrument for measuring gravitational acceleration from within a borehole, the instrument including: a light source having a semiconductor that comprises a bandgap greater than about two electron volts (eV); and a gravimeter for receiving light from the light source and providing output light with a characteristic related to the gravitational acceleration, the gravimeter implemented at least one of a nano electro-mechanical system (NEMS) and a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS); wherein the light source and the gravimeter are disposed in a housing adapted for insertion into the borehole.
US07707880B2	Monitoring method and system for determining rack airflow rate and rack power consumption Monitoring method and system are provided for dynamically determining rack airflow rate and rack power consumption employing a heat exchanger disposed at an air outlet side of the electronics rack. The method includes: sensing air temperature at the air outlet side of the electronics rack, sensing coolant temperature at a coolant inlet and coolant temperature at a coolant outlet of the heat exchanger, and determining airflow rate through the electronics rack; and outputting the determined airflow rate through the electronics rack. The determining employs the sensed air temperature at the air outlet side of the rack and the sensed coolant temperatures at the coolant inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the heat exchanger is an air-to-air heat exchanger, and in another embodiment, the heat exchanger is an air-to-liquid heat exchanger.
US07707874B2	Misfire determination device and method for internal combustion engine, and vehicle including misfire determination device A misfire determination device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, of which an output shaft is connected, through a torsion element, to a downstream shaft downstream of the torsion element, includes: an first portion for detecting an output shaft rotational speed that is the rotational speed of the output shaft; a second portion for detecting a downstream shaft rotational speed that is the rotational speed of the downstream shaft; a third portion that calculates a component caused by an influence of resonance due to torsion of the torsion element on the output shaft rotational speed, based on the acquired output shaft rotational speed and the acquired downstream shaft rotational speed; and a fourth portion for determining the occurrence of the misfire in the internal combustion engine based on a rotational speed that is obtained by subtracting the calculated component from the detected output shaft rotational speed.
US07707873B2	Three-dimensional nanoscale metrology using FIRAT probe In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is a force sensor for a probe based instrument. The force sensor can comprise a detection surface and a flexible mechanical structure disposed a first distance above the detection surface so as to form a gap between the flexible mechanical structure and the detection surface, wherein the flexible mechanical structure is configured to deflect upon exposure to an external force, thereby changing the first distance over a selected portion of the gap, the change in distance at the selected portion orienting a probe tip of the force sensor for multi-directional measurement.
US07707872B2	Method for testing a hydraulic manifold A manufacturing process, system, and method is described that facilitates the assembly and testing of a hydraulic manifold with integral closed loop pressure sensing and feedback.
US07707870B2	Method and apparatus for oil leak testing A method and apparatus to test for oil leaks in an engine component after being machined. The method and apparatus include a wash station that washes the engine component after being machined, and a buffer that heats the engine component to a first temperature. An oil leak test station tests the engine component at about the first temperature for oil leaks.
US07707868B2	Method for determining the operability of a pressure sensor A method for determining the operability of at least one pressure sensor of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, in which the ambient pressure is first determined by the pressure sensor, and the ambient pressure determined by the pressure sensor is then compared to the ambient pressure determined by a reference pressure sensor not belonging to the internal combustion engine.
US07707867B2	Method for correction of inertial sensor mounting offsets A method for calibration of motion sensors included in a vehicle electronic brake control system includes measuring sensor offset errors at different points in the assembly of the system and the vehicle and then combining the offset errors to obtain net offset errors for use with an electronic brake system.
US07707865B2	Flaw detection apparatus and method for tubes A flaw detection apparatus and flaw detection method for automatically detecting the occurrence of a flaw in a mother tube manufactured by rolling a hollow shell using a mandrel mill are provided. A flaw detection apparatus (100) according to the present invention includes a wall thickness gauge (1) which is installed on the exit side of a mandrel mill (M) and which measures the tube wall thickness in each of the reducing directions of a hollow shell (P) in the #1-#5 stands of the mandrel mill, rolling load measuring devices (2) which measure the rolling load in the #1-#5 stands, and a decision unit (3) which determines whether there are flaws in the mother tube based on the measured value of the tube wall thickness in each of the reducing directions of the hollow shell (P) and the measured value of the rolling load in each stand. The decision unit (3) determines that a flaw has occurred in the mother tube when the measured value of the tube wall thickness in any of the reducing direction in the #1-#5 stands locally varies by at least a predetermined amount and the measured value of the rolling load in any of the #1-#5 stands locally varies by at least a predetermined amount.
US07707862B2	Multi-point door lock and offset extension bolt assembly A multi-point door lock assembly has a central lock and an extension bolt for securing the door to a door frame. The assembly has an actuator positioned at the central lock and moveable between a first and second position along an axis. The assembly further has an elongated extension bolt residing along a bolt axis. The actuator and the bolt are secured in a configuration that displaces the axis of the bolt in spaced relationship from the axis of the actuator by an adaptor having a body length. The adaptor has a first end connected to the actuator and a second end connected to the extension bolt, and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends configured to displace the bolt axis for the bolt to pass through an interior portion of an associated door member.
US07707858B2	Washing machine and lint removing apparatus thereof A washing machine is provided. The washing machine includes a detergent box, a housing, and a filter. The detergent box is installed on one side of a main machine and connected to a flowing path of an exhaust duct through which air is exhausted. The housing is detachably installed in the detergent box. The filter is installed in the housing to collect lint while the exhaust air passes through the filter.
US07707857B1	Double faced weft-knit textile article A double face, weft-knit textile garment. The garment includes: a first face having a printed portion; and a second face having a printed portion, wherein the fabric density of the fabric forming the garment is greater than about 5 oz. per square yard, thereby substantially preventing grin through from at least one printed portion to the opposite face. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of openings are formed in both faces for breathability. In addition, the garment may further include at least one body anchor for facilitating attachment of the garment to the wearer.
US07707854B2	Method of producing microchannel and nanochannel articles A method of making an article having channels therethrough includes the steps of: providing a ductile structure defining at least one macro-channel, the macro-channel containing a salt; drawing the ductile structure in the axial direction of the at least one macro-channel to reduce diameter of the macro-channel; and contacting the salt with a solvent to dissolve the salt to produce an article having at least one microchannel.
US07707852B2	Process for recovering lower carbon olefins from product gas for production of olefins The present invention concerns a process for recovering lower carbon olefins from MTO or DTO product gas. Said process primarily comprises the product gas compressing, pre-deethanizing, demethanizing and ethylene recovering apparatus, depropanizing column, ethylene rectification column, propylene rectification column and the like. In addition, the process of the present invention needs no independent ethylene cooling system, and the ethylene recovery rate may achieve 99.5%.
US07707849B2	Unit for ejector type refrigeration cycle A first evaporator connected to an outlet side of an ejector, a second evaporator connected to a refrigerant suction port of the ejector, a throttle mechanism arranged on an inlet side of a refrigerant flow of the second evaporator and for reducing the pressure of the refrigerant flow are provided. Furthermore, the ejector, the first evaporator, the second evaporator and the throttle mechanism are assembled integrally with each other to construct an integrated unit having one refrigerant inlet and one refrigerant outlet. Hence, mounting performance of an ejector type refrigeration cycle can be improved.
US07707847B2	Ice-dispensing assembly mounted within a refrigerator compartment A refrigerator includes a housing having at least one refrigerator compartment, a door for accessing the at least one refrigerator compartment, and an ice-dispensing assembly. The ice-dispensing assembly includes an insulated housing arranged within the at least one refrigerator compartment, an ice-making device arranged within the insulated housing and configured to produce ice, an ice-storage container arranged within the insulated housing, and a dispenser arranged within the door and communicating with the ice-storage container, wherein the dispenser is configured to transfer ice from the ice-storage container to an external portion of the refrigerator.
US07707840B1	Portable air-conditioning unit A portable air conditioning unit (10) that is designed to produce cooled air without the need for a cooling refrigerant. The unit (10) includes an enclosure (12) that houses an air duct (40) having an air input port (42) attached to a fan (48) that is powered by a rechargeable battery pack (34), and an air exhaust vent (36) that protrudes through an air exhaust opening located on a first panel (24) located on the enclosure (12). The air exhaust vent (36) passes the cooled air through a flexible air passage hose (90) having an air output connector (96) that is attached to a structure air input port (102) located on a cooled-air receiving structure (100). The structure (100) can consist of various structures which include a bed sheet (140), a sleeping bag (148), a tent (178), a field suit (204) or a flexible non-porous drape (230) that is dimensioned to be draped over the back of an animal (304) such as a horse.
US07707838B2	Auxiliary power unit assembly An embodiment of the technology described herein is an auxiliary power unit assembly. The auxiliary power unit assembly includes an auxiliary power unit being installable in an aircraft having a cabin, a duct connecting the cabin and the auxiliary power unit, and an airflow management feature in the duct.
US07707836B1	Venturi cooling system A combustor for a gas turbine is provided having a nozzle assembly located at one end and a combustion chamber defining a second end of the combustor. A venturi is positioned within the combustor, between the nozzle and the combustion chamber. The venturi defines an internal passageway therein having a first side facing the nozzle and a second side facing the combustion chamber. Compressed air is directed into an inlet in fluid communication with the first and second sides of the internal passageway. The internal passageway directs the compressed air from the inlet in opposite directions within the first and second sides of the internal passageway for cooling the venturi.
US07707835B2	Axial flow sleeve for a turbine combustor and methods of introducing flow sleeve air A combustor has a flow sleeve and a flow liner defining a generally axial flow direction of compressor discharge air toward combustor burners. A casing is secured to the forward end of the flow sleeve defining an annular plenum along the interior of the flow sleeve. Openings through the flow sleeve supply compressor discharge air into the plenum where the air changes direction for flow through apertures into and generally coaxially with the free air stream. The axial injection minimizes or eliminates energy losses due to cross flow injection within the axial air stream while continuing to cool the liner.
US07707831B2	Method for controlling boost pressure in an internal combustion engine for motor vehicles A method for controlling boost pressure in an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes a boost pressure control device, which is used to control the boost pressure in an internal combustion engine. The boost pressure control device includes a bypass unit, preferably in the exhaust gas flow of the internal combustion engine. The bypass unit includes an actuating device which enables the bypass unit when a predetermined actuating device setpoint value is reached. An adapted value is established as the correction value (pwgad) as a function of preset and/or detected internal combustion engine parameters (rlsol, nmot). The adapted value is used to adapt the setpoint value for the actuating device, which is specified as a function of the operating point, for a predetermined control deviation between a boost pressure actual value and a boost pressure setpoint value.
US07707827B2	Exhaust gas purifying apparatus for internal combustion engine An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for a diesel engine has a filter provided in an exhaust pipe of the engine for trapping diesel particulates contained in exhaust gas. The filter is re-generated when an accumulated amount of the diesel particulates exceeds a predetermined value. An electronic control unit estimates the accumulated amount of the diesel particulates from a pressure loss at the filter, based on an accumulation characteristic in which the pressure loss is related to the accumulated amount of the diesel particulates, and corrects the accumulation characteristic depending on flow velocity of the exhaust gas.
US07707823B2	Exhaust purification device for internal combustion engine An exhaust purification device is provided to selectively perform a combustion purge control and an exhaust addition purge control in response to an operation state of the internal combustion engine. The combustion purge control process is performed in the case where a NOx occlusion amount of a NOx catalyst is larger than or equal to a first threshold value, and the exhaust addition purge control process is performed in the case where the NOx occlusion amount of the NOx catalyst is larger than or equal to a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value.
US07707820B2	Control and/or drive device for a flying body Control and/or drive device for a flying body for ejecting hot gas streams of a combusted fuel combination of at least a first and second component. Device includes a first hollow chamber body structured and arranged to contain first component, a second hollow chamber body structured and arranged to contain second component, a controllable fuel valve arranged between first hollow chamber body and second hollow chamber body to control feed of first component to second hollow chamber body, and a plurality of outlets structured and arranged to eject respective hot gas streams for influencing a flight path of flying body. Second hollow chamber body is formed as a combustion chamber for combusting the at least first and second components within second hollow chamber body to generate respective hot gas streams, and plurality of outlets are connected to the second hollow chamber body.
US07707814B2	Fuel-flow-rate control device for power generation system A fuel-flow-rate control device, a power generation system, and a fuel-flow-rate control method which can prevent overshooting of a gas turbine output (gas turbine inlet temperature) and which can improve power generation efficiency are provided. The fuel-flow-rate control device includes a computing portion for obtaining a state quantity relating to operating conditions and temperature conditions of a gas turbine as an input signal and computing a fuel-flow-rate command for controlling a fuel flow rate supplied to a combustor based on the above input signal, and a second selection circuit for setting the above fuel-flow-rate command to be not more than a fuel-flow-rate upper limit. The fuel-flow-rate upper limit is a fuel flow rate at which the gas turbine inlet temperature is set to be not more than a predetermined upper temperature limit.
US07707813B2	Method of producing a housing for a mower cutter bar and housing thus produced A method of producing a disk mower cutter bar housing and the housing produced. The method forms an upper plate and a lower plate of a housing, assembles the formed upper plate and the formed lower plate by welding to form a casing, and cuts out holes on the casing, by a laser beam. The holes are configured to receive bearings of disks and intermediate drive gears.
US07707811B1	Header flotation and lift system with dual mode operation for a plant cutting machine A method and system for controlling the operation of a header lift and flotation system for a plant cutting machine, which provides dual modes of operation, including a first mode allowing operator settable and controllable header height with an upward floatation or up-float capability, and a second ground contact mode having a full (up and down float) capability. The system is automatically operable for switching between the two modes responsive to predetermined input commands, and can automatically calibrate for changes in the header weight so as to provide consistent float function and feel.
US07707805B2	Method and machine for packaging groups of products ordered in one or more layers A machine for packaging groups of products ordered in one or more layers, which includes a magazine for the supply of the group of products; apparatus for supplying a packaging sheet the sheet being set vertically to a front face of the product, a pusher for unloading the product; a first-folding spindle set downstream of the wrapping sheet; a pair of horizontal conveyors, set on top of one another, set downstream of the first-folding spindle; a vertical folder, which operates in the short space between the folding spindle and the pair of conveyors; and apparatus to superimpose on the bottom of the product the last transverse end flaps of the packaging sheet; and apparatus for fixing the bottom flaps.
US07707803B2	Biodegradable bags for packing foods available in high speed production A method for producing a biodegradable bag and for packing a food, such as a snack food, which is required to have an oxygen barrier property and a water vapor barrier property. The biodegradable bag can be produced at a high speed by a bag making and packaging machine, which can be degraded by naturally occurring microorganisms in soil or water finally to a non-hazardous degradation product, which can be biorecycled, and which is not accumulated in nature. The biodegradable bag for packing a food comprises a laminated film obtainable by laminating in the following order: a sealant layer comprising a biodegradable polymer; a barrier layer having an oxygen barrier property and a water vapor barrier property; and a barrier layer-supporting substrate layer comprising a biodegradable polymer, the laminated film being heat-sealed in order for the sealant layer to be inside.
US07707802B2	Film roping assembly for use within film wrapping or packaging machines A film roping assembly comprises a roping pulley which is disposed upon the wrapping film dispensing carriage assembly. The roping pulley is vertically reciprocable so as to be movable transversely, across the width of the wrapping film, with respect to the direction in which the wrapping film is being dispensed. The roping pulley is initially disposed at its uppermost position and engages the upper edge portion of the film. As the roping pulley is moved vertically downwardly, the film is condensed or gathered so as to form a roped section of the wrapping film. The process may be repeated throughout a single wrapping operation so as to provide the wrapped film with both roped and non-roped sections.
US07707794B2	Structure for constructing the structure A structure and a method for producing the structure wherein the structure comprises a framework of purlins supported by clips and plates and upright cylindrical members to form a structure of a fence, wall or a structure and the method comprises supporting the purlins between cylindrical members by the use of clips and plates to produce a structure which may include a slanted or peaked roof and may include windows and doors.
US07707793B2	Floor panels with edge connectors Floor covering, including hard floor panels which, at least at the edges of two opposite sides, are provided with coupling parts, cooperating which each other, substantially in the form of a tongue and a groove, wherein the coupling parts are provided with integrated mechanical locking elements which prevent the drifting apart of two coupled floor panels in a direction (R) perpendicular to the related edges and parallel to the underside of the coupled floor panels, and provide a snap-action coupling.
US07707791B2	Roofing method for self supporting roofing plate Self supporting roofing plate for pitched roofs having purlinless roofing construction is disclosed. This particular roofing plate allows for the rafters of the purlinless construction to be spaced apart as twice as allowed when using best known prior art products, thus significantly reduces costs and labor of the complete roofing construction.
US07707789B2	Crawlspace access panel A crawlspace access panel assembly for covering a crawlspace accessway opening in a building exterior wall is provided. The crawl space access panel assembly having a substantially rigid panel member adapted to cover the opening and a seal attached around a perimeter of the substantially rigid panel. A number of fasteners connected to the substantially rigid panel for removably fastening the substantially rigid panel to the exterior wall, the fasteners being located only on a minimum number of sides of the substantially rigid panel to stably hold the panel to the exterior wall. When fastened the fasteners only on the minimum number of sides of the substantially rigid panel urge the panel against the exterior wall causing the seal to seat around the perimeter so that the substantially rigid panel seals the opening.
US07707786B2	Modular area wall A modular area wall system for constructing area wall assemblies at a jobsite. The area wall system provides modular sections of varying heights, each provided with a connection plate and a strengthening rib to allow them to be connected to one another in a simple and secure manner. By providing the strengthening rib in overlapping engagement with another area wall section, lighter material of more inexpensive construction may be utilized to reduce the overall cost and weight of the resulting assembly. The system may also be used with sections of varying depth to create a tiered area wall, using teachings of the present invention.
US07707784B2	Method for forming a culm block A culm block and a method of manufacture are disclosed. The culm block comprises a plurality of straw stalks forming a first rigid wall and a second rigid wall as a result of an application of heat and pressure to the same and the inherent bonding agent found in the straw stalks. Preferably, the culm block further comprises a plurality of through-holes for receiving structural reinforcements or otherwise and a restraining device wrapped about the block for added structural support.
US07707780B2	System for assembling a load-bearing support structure, and structure assembled with such a system A system for assembling a load-bearing support structure, and structure assembled with such a system. The system includes at least one supporting member, at least one connecting member, and at least one complementary member. Each supporting member includes an upper surface being provided with at least one section having at least one bulge protruding from the upper surface. Each connecting member is used for connecting a supporting member to at least one other member of the system. Each complementary member, typically a floor panel, is used for affixing onto a corresponding supporting member, and has at least one orifice being positioned, shaped and sized for inserting into a corresponding bulge of the corresponding supporting member so as form the load-bearing support structure. The system further includes at least one securing member cooperable between a given complementary member and a given supporting member for securing the complementary member onto the supporting member.
US07707774B2	Tactical building door opener A portable, tactical building door opener comprises a door opening mechanism comprising: a body; a door opening arm pivotally connected to the body at a first end and having a roller for engaging the surface of the door at a second end; and an actuator for rotating the door opening arm with respect to the body, from a ready position in which the roller is not forced against the surface of the door, to a door-opened position in which the roller is forced against the surface of the door to open the door. The actuator is remotely and manually operable. The device further includes a support for temporarily and removably bracing the door opening mechanism with respect to the door.
US07707773B2	Seal activation system positioned within panel for door/window A combined seal activation system positioned within a panel for use with a combination of the panel and a frame includes a first seal activation system and a second seal activation system. The panel pivots relative to the frame. The first seal activation system activates a first sealing system positioned within the frame, and the second seal activation system activates a second sealing system positioned within the frame. The first seal activation system is positioned adjacent a first side of the panel, and the second seal activation system is positioned adjacent a second side of the panel different than the first side of the panel. The first and second seal activation systems having an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration.
US07707769B1	Bouquet holding device The bouquet holding device includes an outer ring, a plurality of inner rings, a door attached via hinge to the outer ring, a locking clasp, and a track. The track runs along the interior periphery of both the door and the outer ring, and engages a grooved notch located on each end of each inner ring. The hinged door locks in place with respect to the outer ring to ensure that the inner rings are enclosed within the track. The inner rings are capable of rotating freely about the outer ring. The inner rings are capable of securing a single or a plurality of flowers or objects associated with the bouquet.
US07707765B2	Fishing rod fixing device A fishing rod fixing device includes a base that is supported by two suction cups for easy and efficient attachment of the device to a smooth fixture surface. A seat is rotatably mounted on the base and is releasably set any desired horizontal direction by an adjustment knob. The seat includes a tubular bar on which at least one retainer is mounted and rotatable about the bar for setting the retainer at any desired inclination angle. An angle locking member is provided to releasably secure the retainer at the desired inclination angle. The retainer has a base support mounted to the tubular bar and a top wall member spaced from the base support to define a passage therebetween for receiving a fishing rod. A locking member is provided on the top wall and is manually movable to releasably and selectively secure the fishing rod to the base support.
US07707758B2	Composite magnetic advertising mailing cards A composite magnetic card for bearing printed data and suitable for mailing purposes comprising (a) a first planar sheet of paper cardstock having a first face and second face; (b) a second planar sheet comprising a magnetic material having a first face and a second face and defining at least one detachable portion defined by a die cut while having suitably located portions integrally retained to non-detachable magnetic material of the second planar sheet; wherein the first sheet first face is sufficiently and suitably adhered with an adhesive to the second sheet first face to retain the detachable portion of the second sheet to the first sheet but wherein the adhesive is not disposed at first selected locations between the first sheet and the second sheet within the card. The resultant card after the detachable portion has been removed is adhesive-free to provide a non-sticky, clear area of the card, which may be readily used to clearly displace further desired data.
US07707756B1	Ironing board attachment assembly An ironing board attachment assembly includes a clamp that is removably couplable to a panel of an ironing board. A mount is attached to the clamp and a coupler is rotationally coupled to the mount. An arm has a planar upper surface, a planar lower surface, a first end, a second end, and a pair of side edges. The first end of the arm is attached to the coupler. The arm has a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end that is positionable at a selected angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the panel. The arm is extendable into a shirt sleeve to allow the shirt sleeve to be ironed at a selected angle with respect to the panel.
US07707754B2	Auger loading apparatus and machine with same A machine, such as a scraper machine, includes a bowl, a cutter and a loading apparatus coupled with the cutter and including a chute having a first end disposed outside the bowl, and an auger positioned at least partially within the chute. The auger includes at least one auger, and is configured to move work material between the first and second ends of the chute. A method of operating the scraper machine includes capturing work material at least in part by moving the cutting edge of the scraper machine through the work material, and conveying work material from the chute into the bowl at least-in part by rotating the auger.
US07707749B2	Modular snow travel system for common footwear A modular snow travel system for common footwear includes a first traction component which may be an overboot. The first traction component includes at least one traction cleat having latch, such as an exposed hook portion, for engagement with a snowdeck. The engagement is effected by a releasable locking mechanism on the snowdeck. The releasable locking mechanism includes a transversely movable slider and a longitudinally movable slider having contacting cam faces. The lateral position of the transverse slider determines the longitudinal position of the longitudinal slider so that the longitudinal slider could be moved longitudinally to and from a position where a catch on the longitudinal slider is engaged in the hook portion or is disengaged from the latch of the traction cleat.
US07707748B2	Flexible foot-support structures and products containing such support structures Support structures for footwear and the like include a contacting member (e.g., an outsole) that includes at least two recessed segments extending in a longitudinal direction in the forefoot portion. The recessed segments provide lines of flex such that various regions of the contacting member independently move about the lines of flex and separately engage/disengage from a contact surface when a wearer shifts his/her weight. Additionally or alternatively, the contacting member may include a set of traction members in the forefoot portion that inhibit forefoot movement in a lateral direction while optionally allowing forefoot movement in a medial direction and a set of traction members in a heel portion that inhibit heel movement in the medial direction while optionally allowing heel movement in the lateral direction. Such support structures may be used, e.g., for golf shoes or shoes for other activities requiring a swinging or twisting action.
US07707747B2	Footwear of shoe structure A footwear shoe structure for sports and general outdoor activity, having excellent benefits with respect to hallux vulgas, has an internal half-size tabi (Japanese sock) structure that uses a stretchable cloth and separates the big toe from the other four toes, the internal structure being interposed between an instep covering material and an upper toe part of a sole. The stretching property of the stretchable cloth forming an upper part and the stretching property of the stretchable cloth forming a lower part of the internal structure are differentiated from one another so as to be smaller in the latter than in the former. A partition member 4 formed of a soft elastic material is fitted into a crotch part between a big toe part and a part of the internal structure for the other four toes. In one embodiment, the upper part of the internal structure is formed of two sheets comprising stretchable cloth of nylon or polyester fiber, and a urethane foam 1c is interposed therebetween. The lower part is formed in a two-sheet structure in which an insole surface is formed of a stretchable nylon tricot cloth, the face thereof in contact with the inside of the sole is formed of a synthetic fiber flat weave cloth, and a urethane foam is interposed therebetween.
US07707742B2	Shoe sole orthotic structures and computer controlled compartments This invention relates generally to footwear with a shoe sole, including at least one insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic is removably inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The insertable midsole orthotic permits replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole and allows customization for the individual wearer to provide tailored cushioning or support characteristics for the purpose of orthopedic, podiatric, corrective, prescriptive, therapeutic and/or prosthetic purposes.
US07707739B2	Method for attaching a scale to a carrier, a scale, and carrier having a scale A scale is attached to a carrier by optically contacting. The optically contacting bonds are formed by raised surface regions of the scale set apart from each other. Additional measures, such as the provision of adhesive surfaces, provide a rigid and vibration-resistant joint.
US07707737B2	Portable three dimensional measuring device A three dimensional measuring device including: a first retractable member for measuring in a first dimension, a second retractable member for measuring in a second dimension, and a third retractable member for measuring in a third dimension. Each of the retractable members is configured to angularly pivot relative to any of the other retractable members thereby rendering a recordable angular measurement. The three dimensional measuring device is adapted to accurately measure the size of three dimensional objects. The three dimensional measuring device is also capable of rendering a three dimensional representation of the object.
US07707731B2	Marking device for rotational machines This invention discloses a component marking device to allow components to be marked by using the rotation provided by a CNC type of machine or other machine tool, and which utilizes a stylus which shares the same approximate axis of rotation as the CNC machine and which utilizes rotating impact balls to impart a strong throwing force on hammer pins and a hammer to cause the sudden downward movement of the stylus as desired.
US07707730B2	Body having an angle scale and its use An annular body has an angle scale for measuring the rotational position of a machine part about an axis, the body having recesses and projections on its inner circumference, and at least one of the recesses being suited for a form-locking rotatably fixed attachment on the machine part. The sum of the central angles, which are respectively defined by starting points and end points of the projections is smaller than the sum of the central angles, which are respectively defined by the starting points and end points of the recesses. Such a body on a high-speed shaft of a machine tool may be used for measuring the rotational position of the shaft.
US07707729B2	Drive mechanism for a reciprocating tool A reciprocating tool comprising a drive shaft and a motor, a plunger for reciprocating motion, the plunger being driven by a wobble plate and pivotally supported in a front bushing and in a manner not prohibiting the plunger to rotate about a longitudinal axis of rotation, the plunger has a rear spherical end, a movable counterweight and a drive arm for moving the counterweight, the counterweight having an opening for receiving the plunger, the opening has side walls that support the rear spherical end of the plunger as it moves relative to the counterweight, a first wobble plate assembly connected to the drive shaft and having a first wobble plate interface engaging and reciprocating the plunger in the front bushing and the counterweight; and a second wobble plate assembly operatively connected to the drive shaft and having a second wobble plate interface engaging the drive arm of the counterweight.
US07707725B2	Electric shaver with extendable longhair cutter unit An electric shaver has a pivotally mounted longhair cutter unit that is pivoted outward into an operating position by motion of an operating switch of the shaver via an actuator that also causes the cutting blades of the longhair cutter unit to extend from the longhair cutter housing. Because the longhair cutter retracts into the longhair cutter housing when the longhair cutter unit is folded shut, the sharp edges of the blades are protected.
US07707723B2	Method of producing a roller thrust bearing having a plurality of rows of rollers A method is provided for producing a roller thrust bearing having a plurality of rows of rollers, the bearing featuring reduced differential slip, reduced friction and wear, and increased longevity without flaking. The method includes forming a cage to accommodate the rollers, crowning the rollers, and arranging the rollers in pockets such that the rollers held by a pocket have respective end surfaces in direct contact with each other.
US07707716B2	Method of manufacturing build-up printed circuit board A method of manufacturing a build-up printed circuit board, in which the circuit of a build-up printed circuit board including a core layer and an outer layer is realized by forming the metal seed layer of the core layer using a dry process, consisting of ion beam surface treatment and vacuum deposition, instead of a conventional wet process, including a wet surface roughening process and electroless plating. When the wet process is replaced with the dry process in the method of the invention, the circuit layer can be formed in an environmentally friendly manner, and as well, all circuit layers of the substrate including the core layer and the outer layer can be manufactured through a semi-additive process. Further, the peel strength between the resin substrate and the metal layer can be increased, thus realizing a highly reliable fine circuit.
US07707715B2	Method of fabricating multilayer printed circuit board Disclosed is a method of fabricating a multilayer printed circuit board, which enables the formation of a micro circuit able to be realized through a semi-additive process using the CTE and rigidity of a metal carrier on a thin substrate which is difficult to convey.
US07707710B2	Tool for driving wedges or slides A tool is disclosed for driving a slide under a wedge within a slot of an armature or field of a dynamoelectric machine. The tool comprises a frame including a pair of elongated rail members; a force application block located between the rail members; a drive connected to the frame, substantially intermediate opposite ends of the frame; a lead screw threadably engaged at one end with the force application block and connected at an opposite end to the drive such that the drive rotates the lead screw when actuated. Rotation of the lead screw causes axial movement of the force application block. The armature or field includes a core, and this core may have one or more vent slots for facilitating ventilation of the armature or field. A slot plate for locating the tool relative to the slide is present, and a portion of the slot plate extends into one or more vent slots. The slot plate establishes a reaction point for forces applied by the force application block to the stator slide.
US07707708B2	Apparatus for making a tubular composite structure A tool for making a composite tubular structure, such as the inner skin of an acoustic liner, includes a base on which are mounted a plurality of sectors, each having an outer panel provided with a predetermined shaped surface. The predetermined shaped surface corresponds to a portion of the contour of the tubular structure to be formed. At least one of the sectors is fixed relative to the base while the remaining sectors are movable in a radial direction and separable from all the other sectors. The sectors are provided with air bearings to facilitate movement along a radial direction. Splice plates are used to form a joint between the outer panels of adjacent sectors. After composite material is applied on the outer panels, a vacuum bag is formed to surround the composite material and also the joint areas on the inner surface of the tool. The entire tool may be placed in an autoclave for curing. The thus-formed composite tubular structure may be remounted on the tool for bonding to additional exterior layers.
US07707707B2	Method for providing a temporary deep shunt on wafer structures for electrostatic discharge protection during processing A method of temporarily protecting an electrically sensitive component from damage due to electrostatic discharge includes defining a shunt having first and second leads electrically connected in parallel with the component and separated by a gap. A portion of a shield layer is deposited to form the shunt between the first and second leads to span the gap therebetween and form a shunted assembly. The shunted assembly and component are lapped to form the ABS at the location of the component, a sacrificial carbon overcoat is deposited on the ABS, and additional processing is performed on the shunted assembly. A portion of the shunted assembly, the shunt, and portions of the sacrificial carbon overcoat are then removed to form an electrical open for an unshunted assembly having ABS features comprising an air bearing cavity/deep gap at a former location of the shunted assembly.
US07707700B1	Rapid access tool An exemplary embodiment of the tool comprises an elongated shaft having a longitudinal axis and a first portion with a first end and a second portion with a second end, the second portion having an elongated aperture or slot. The tool includes a pull line attachment assembly coupled to the elongated shaft, the pull line attachment assembly being configured to couple to a pull line or strap. The tool also provides a self-orienting pull arm pivotally coupled within the elongated shaft and being configured to automatically latch and be concealed within said elongated shaft. The pull arm is configured to automatically orient to a deployed state under a force of gravity after the elongated shaft has been inserted through a barrier. The pull arm, when in the deployed state, is configured to apply pressure to the barrier to breach the barrier. Methods are described for using the tool to breach a barrier or ballistic material of an enclosed chamber.
US07707699B2	High-performance device for air interlacing of a yarn and corresponding method A device for air interlacing (10) of a yarn (Y), comprising an interlacing chamber (24), a first entrance channel (22) for receiving the yarn (Y) at the device (10) entrance and feeding it to the interlacing chamber (24), and a second exit channel (23) for receiving the yarn from the interlacing chamber (24) and releasing it at the device exit, in which the interlacing chamber (24) is delimited by a first emitting wall (24a) bearing a nozzle (26) for the emission of a continuous jet of compressed air (31), and a second deflecting wall (24b), opposite the first wall (24a), suitable for receiving and deflecting the jet of compressed air (31) emitted by the nozzle (26) and intersecting the yarn to be interlaced, and in which the second deflecting wall (24b) is concave in shape both on a transversal plane and on a longitudinal plane with respect to the feeding path (11) of the yarn (Y) through the device.
US07707696B2	Hand lever for a binding machine A binding machine includes a tightening mechanism adapted to tension a belt and a limiting mechanism adapted to limit tensioning of the belt. The tightening mechanism includes, for example, a ratchet and a pawl coupled to a body of the tightening mechanism. A handle is adapted to rotate the ratchet in a first direction in response to a first force applied to the handle. The pawl is adapted to prevent the ratchet from returning in a second direction when the first force is released. A spring mechanism allows the handle to indicate when a second force opposing the first force achieves an established magnitude.
US07707693B2	Connecting unit for loose ends of a traction device A connecting unit for loose ends of a traction device includes a body having a traction device passage to receive the ends of the traction device and a clamping device positioned in the traction device passage. The traction device passage has a first opening into which the ends of the traction device can be inserted. The clamping device is adapted to receive the ends of the traction device and has an adjustment mechanism which biases the clamping device in a direction of a wall of the traction device passage.
US07707689B2	Mobile communication terminal having a hinge-reinforcing member A folder-type communication terminal is disclosed in which a gap generated between a first and a second body or a breakage of a side hinge arm can be reduced. The mobile communication terminal includes a first body and a second body rotatably coupled using a hinge, and at least one hinge-reinforcing member disposed between the hinge members of the first and the second bodies.
US07707688B2	Opening and closing mechanism A sliding member held by a movable case is interposed between the movable case and a stopper plate. During opening and closing operations, the movable case does not wear because the stopper plate and the sliding member slidably contact.
US07707687B2	Opening/closing device for a double flap door of an item of furniture An opening/closing device for a double flap door of an item of furniture, wherein the top part and the bottom part of the door are not hinged to each other. The device is connected to the furniture item to cause the top part of the door to rotate with respect to the furniture item and an articulated quadrilateral causes the bottom part of the door to rotate with respect to the top part concomitantly with the rotation of the top part of the door with respect to the furniture item. The articulated quadrilateral includes a first and a second arm each having one end hinged to the bottom part of the door and the other end hinged to the device.
US07707685B2	Carpet edge securing strips A carpet attachment fixture functions as a common tack strip for securing a carpet edge in place and also as a terminal decorative strip mating with a base board molding, a floor surface, and a raised floor surface. Elements of the fixture are flexible so as to flex in admitting the carpet edge between two opposing edges while compressively gripping the carpet edge so inserted. In one embodiment, a common tack strip is married to a further element, while in a second embodiment, a monolithic unit is molded which provides all of the advantages of the compound version.
US07707682B2	Cleaning machine for cleaning a surface with edge cleaning capability A portable cleaning apparatus for cleaning a surface is provided and includes a housing for movement along the surface. A solution container is mounted to the housing and contains a solution. A dispensing nozzle is provided on the housing and is fluidly connected to the solution container. The dispensing nozzle dispenses solution beyond the edge of the housing. In one aspect, an edge cleaner is provided at an edge of the housing and includes a plurality of pliable elements for agitating the surface, wherein the pliable elements contact the surface beyond the edge of said housing.
US07707681B1	Windshield wiper clip and bug remover The present invention is directed to a windshield wiper clip adapted for connecting a scrubbing blade to a windshield wiper, the clip comprising a base member; a first end wall connected to the base member and a second end wall connect to the base member opposite the first end wall, a first top component to the first end wall and a second top component connected to the second end wall; at least one further top component connected to the base member, the further top component including at least one finger projection, the at least one finger projection, base member, first end wall and first top component defining a scrubber receiving portion, and at least one of the finger projections, the base member, second end wall and second top component defining a wiper receiving portion; wherein the clip connects a scrubber to a wiper in order to accommodate bug removal during movement of the wiper about a windshield. The invention also includes and integrated clip and scrubber, as well as wiper-scrubber system. A novel scrubber mount having rounded shoulders is also described.
US07707680B2	Drive device for window wipers with a parking position switch The device comprises an output gearwheel (6), a gear cover (4) having a plastic sleeve open toward the output gearwheel (6) and a park position switch having first contacts mounted for rotation and second contacts fixed to the gear cover (4) and a driving means. The invention provides that the sleeve is embodied as a contact sleeve (8) having contact tracks (31b, 53a, 31), particularly along the inner surface of the contact sleeve (8). To enable sliding contact on rotation, the cylindrical member (10) of a driving disk (9) extends into the contact sleeve (8).
US07707674B2	Hand held scrubbing tool A hand-held motorized household cleaning apparatus that includes a housing, a battery located in the housing, a motor located in the housing and connected to the battery, an output drive shaft connected to the motor, a cleaning attachment coupled for movement with the output drive shaft and a liquid delivery system with a pressurized reservoir. A flexible adapter is also provided.
US07707673B2	System and method for hardening ballet shoes Systems and methods for hardening portions of ballet pointe shoes include applying quantities of a mixed two-part epoxy resin to broken-down or softer-than-desired portions of the shoes. In some embodiments, epoxy resin is applied to interior surfaces of the toe box and/or shank portions of the shoe. In some embodiments, epoxy resin can also be applied to select exterior portions of the shoes.
US07707670B2	Pillow top for a cushion A support cushion has an elastic core having a first surface, a second surface and a thickness defined by the first surface and the second surface. A first cover portion substantially entirely encloses the elastic core. A pillow top surface is positioned adjacent the first surface of the elastic core. The pillow top surface includes a plurality of foam portions. A second cover portion at least partially covers the pillow top surface and the second cover portion attached to at least one of the first cover portion and the elastic core.
US07707668B2	Support pillow for relieving pressure on muscles, tendons, and blood vessels and method therefor A pillow for relieving pressure on a neck of a user. In one embodiment, the pillow includes a body section, a first lobe member integrally bound to the body section and adaptable for supporting a nape of a neck of a user, and a second lobe member integrally bound to the body section and adaptable for supporting a cheek bone and a jaw of the user. The pillow also includes a channel formed in the body section between the first lobe member and the second lobe member, wherein the channel is adaptable for receiving the neck of the user to relieve pressure on the neck of the user.
US07707666B2	Litter tie-down apparatus A litter tie-down apparatus is provided for quickly and easily securing a litter safely and securely in a transporting vehicle, the apparatus having a main body strap member arranged to engage the lift handles of a litter, the strap member mounting a pair of adjustable-length securement strap members arranged for connection to a securement fixture in a vehicle, and a ratchet winder assembly is provided to shorten at least one of the securement strap members and thereby tension the apparatus and litter against movement in the vehicle. A quick release arrangement selectively operates to immediately loosen the securement straps and allow the main body member to be slided off of the lift handles of the litter for emergency evacuation of the litter and patient from the vehicle.
US07707663B1	Cushion insert and silicon bowl assembly for shampoo bowl The shampoo basin cushioning piece cushions the neck along notch in the shampoo basin, and also securely fastens along the top perimeter of the shampoo basin. The ability of the cushioning device to securely attach along the perimeter of the shampoo basin enables the cushioning device to avoid movement and remain steady when the neck of an end user is placed upon it. The cushioning piece seeks to eliminate the movement and associated neck soreness associated with moving cushions that are designed for the neck notch of a shampoo basin. A sink or porcelain base converter that when placed over the sink or porcelain base will convert it into a shampoo basin.
US07707657B2	Headgear provided with a ponytail The present invention provides a top knot cap (headgear provided with a ponytail) comprising the upper top knot portion (22) formed by extending the top knot portion (20) connected to the crown (10) and the said upper top knot portion (22) may be bundled with the binding cord (31) to form a ponytail or unfurled to cover the neck. The top knot cap may be provided with the meeting and parting portion (23) that splits apart when the said top knot portion (20) is unfurled. The inventive top knot cap may protect the head part of a user and further express various designs full of ornamental effects.
US07707656B2	Head scarf and method of making it A head scarf has a main body and a lining that are made of flat planar flaccid fabric. It has a crown for covering a wearer's head and a tail that hangs down from the rear of the crown. The lining has front and rear margin areas attached along their lengths to the main body. The end points of the front margin area of the lining are flush with the end points of the crown portion of the main body. The lining has its greatest length, measured longitudinally, in a central longitudinal plane of the scarf. The length of the lining fabric measured between the front and rear margin areas is greater, by differential amounts that decrease progressively toward the end points, than the linear distance between the front and rear margin areas to enhance the ability of the scarf to conform to the shape of a wearer's head.
US07707654B1	Massage glove A massage glove for use in administering a massage is provided. The massage glove includes a glove body that is configured for being worn on the hand of a user. At least one pad is carried by the glove body. The pad defines a bead pocket into which a plurality of beads are located. The pad defines a resilient pocket into which a resilient member is located. The beads are configured to be located intermediate the resilient member and the skin of the user proximate to the pad when the glove body is worn on the hand of the user.
US07707651B2	Convertible maternity coat A two panel convertible maternity coat that can be used by a woman before, after, and during pregnancy, a pregnancy panel, and a baby panel. Pregnancy is accommodated through the addition of the pregnancy panel between the front sides of the coat. The pregnancy panel is wider at the bottom and tapered toward the top. The two panel convertible maternity coat also can be used as a garment for covering both baby and mother, father, or other wearer though the addition of the baby panel between the front sides of the coat. The baby panel is shaped wider at the top and tapers down to a lower portion. Means are provided for readily fastening each panel separately to the coat so as to provide for ease in transitioning between the uses of the coat.
US07707650B2	Hunting garment having an inflatable seat A hunting garment is provided that comprises an article of clothing. The hunting garment includes an inflatable cushion and a pouch attached to the article of clothing and configured to retain at least a portion of the cushion therein. The hunting garment further includes an inflation device connected to the cushion and configured to inflate and deflate the cushion.
US07707649B2	Knee pad A knee pad for cushioning a human knee. The knee pad includes a cushion section having varied consistencies. The knee pad is held on the knee by two fastening straps. Each fastening strap is attached to the cushion section with buckles or similar fastening devices. A lower fastening strap has at least two closure devices, a first being a hook and eye fastening system and a second being a buckle fastening system.

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