最新美国发明专利第2010-05-18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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US07718587B2	Composition and method for lubricating conveyor track A lubricant composition is provided for use in lubricating a conveyor track for bottles, cans, kegs and other containers for beverages and foodstuffs. The composition comprises a phosphate ester of the formula R1—(OCH2CH2)n—O—P(O)(OH)2 where n is in the range of from 0 to 10, and R1 is a C9 to C20 saturated or unsaturated alkyl group or a mixture of such alkyl groups; and water. The composition has a pH of from about 1 to about 3.5. The composition optionally further comprises a biocidal agent, an acid, and a synthetic surfactant. Also disclosed is a method for lubricating a conveyor track by applying an effective amount of such a lubricating composition.
US07718585B2	Lubricant compositions and methods A lubricant composition is disclosed comprising a superabsorbent polymer combined with a material for decreasing friction between moving surfaces. The superabsorbent polymer absorbs from about 25 to greater than 100 times its weight in water and may comprise a polymer of acrylic acid, an acrylic ester, acrylonitrile or acrylamide, including co-polymers thereof or starch graft co-polymers thereof or mixtures thereof. In the composition, the material for decreasing friction comprises a petroleum lubricant containing an additive, water containing an additive, synthetic lubricant, grease, solid lubricant or metal working lubricant, wherein the synthetic lubricant, grease, solid lubricant or metal working lubricant optionally contain an additive. A method of lubricating a surface is also disclaosed comprising coating said surface with the lubricating composition comprising the superabsorbent polymer combined with a material for decreasing friction between moving surfaces, wherein the material for decreasing friction comprises a petroleum lubricant, water, synthetic lubricant, grease, solid lubricant or metal working lubricant, and optionally an additive.
US07718581B2	Method using composition to reduce cutting head wear A method of reducing wear in a cutting head of a tunnel boring machine, by means of the addition at the cutting head of a foamed aqueous liquid composition, which comprises a foaming agent and a lubricant, the lubricant being selected from the group consisting of high molecular weight polyethylene oxides and bentonite. Preferred foaming agents are anionic and nonionic surfactants. Wear rates of cutting elements of TBMs boring in hard rock are considerably reduced. A wear-reducing foamable concentrate is also described.
US07718580B2	Internal-olefin composition and base oil comprising the composition for oil drilling The present invention provides an internal olefin composition comprising a mixture of 60 to 80% by mass of an olefin having 16 carbon atoms and 40 to 20% by mass of an olefin having 18 carbon atoms wherein a content of an α-olefin in the mixture is 10% by mass or less, and a content of a branched olefin in the mixture is 10% by mass or less, which has a good biodegradability even when discharged into the environments, a less toxicity against marine organisms, etc., and a sufficient fluidity when used as a base oil for oil drilling, etc.
US07718577B2	Linker compound, substrate coated with the compound, method of producing microarray using the compound and microarray produced by the method A compound represented by formula (4), a substrate coated with the compound, a method of producing a microarray using the compound, and a microarray produced by the method are provided.
US07718576B2	Peroxide-based chemiluminescent assays and chemiluminescent compounds used therein A compound is provided having the formula: where C* is an sp2 coordinated carbon atom; A is defined by the formula wherein R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, R18 and R19 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkoxy, aldehyde, keto, amino, nitro, halo, sulfate, sulfonyl, carboxy, carboxyester, phosphate or phosphoester, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted; Z is a moiety that is covalently bonded to C* selected from the group consisting of O, S, N—R1, and +N—R1R2 where R1 and R2 are selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl, or heteroalkoxy moieties, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted; and Q is a suitable leaving group yields a compound which is capable of exhibiting a chemiluminescent reaction in the presence of a peroxide or peroxide-like compound under aqueous or mixed aqueous-organic conditions.
US07718575B2	Method of selecting HLA-DP4 ligands and the applications thereof A method of selecting a test molecule that binds to HLA-DP4 by (i) incubating HLA-DP4 with the test molecule and a labeled peptide of formula (I) Z1X1X2X3X4X5X6X7X8X9Z2 thereby forming respective complexes, wherein Z1 and Z2, which may be identical or different, are each either zero or from 1 to 100 amino acids; X1 is an aromatic or hydrophobic amino acid, or S; X6 is an aromatic or hydrophobic amino acid, or C; X9 is an aromatic or hydrophobic amino acid, or C, D, Q, S, T, or E; and X2, X3, X4, X5, X7and X8 are each an amino acid; (ii) separating the respective complexes formed; (iii) detecting the HLA-DP4/labeled peptide complexes; and (iv) selecting the test molecule that exhibits a binding activity of IC50<1000 nM, which corresponds to the concentration of the test molecule that inhibits 50% of the competitive HLA-DP4 binding of the labeled peptide.
US07718572B2	Microcapsule suspension liquid and process for production thereof An aqueous microcapsule suspension liquid exhibiting an excellent (long-term) storage stability and allowing easy re-dispersion and dilution with water even after such a storage, is produced by adding a microorganism-fermented polysaccharide of succinoglycan type as a thickening agent into a microcapsule slurry, or by adding such a microorganism-fermented polysaccharide as a thickening agent to a microcapsule slurry after uniform dilution with water.
US07718570B2	Carbon molecular sieve and method for manufacturing the same A method for manufacturing a carbon molecular sieve with increased microporosity; a method for manufacturing a carbon molecular sieve with increased microporosity and improved structural regularity; a carbon molecular sieve with increased microporosity; a carbon molecular sieve with increased microporosity and improved structural regularity; a catalyst for a fuel cell using the carbon molecular sieve; and a fuel cell using the catalyst are provided.
US07718567B2	Exhaust gas purging catalyst and method for producing the exhaust gas purging catalyst An exhaust gas purging catalyst, includes: an integrated carrier; and a catalyst coat layer formed on the integrated carrier. The catalyst coat layer includes a catalyst component and meets the following expression (A): P≧0.17W−0.04 - - - (A). P denotes a summation (ml) of a capacity of a void per mass (g) of the catalyst coat layer. The void has a pore diameter of 0.1 μm to 1 μm. W denotes a volume (ml) of the catalyst coat layer per the mass (g) of the catalyst coat layer.
US07718566B2	Olefin polymerization catalysts A catalyst composition and method for olefin polymerization are provided. In one aspect, the catalyst composition is represented by the formula αaβbγgMXn wherein M is a metal; X is a halogenated aryloxy group; β and γ are groups that each comprise at least one Group 15 atom; α is a linking moiety that forms a chemical bond to each of β and γ; and a, b, g, and n are each integers from 1 to 4.
US07718565B2	Method for preparing solid catalysts for ethylene polymerization and copolymerization The present invention relates to a method for preparing a solid catalyst for ethylene polymerization and/or copolymerization. More specifically, the present invention relates to a solid titanium catalyst supported in a magnesium support which has an extremely high catalytic activity, advantageous catalyst shape and a simple preparation process, capable of producing a polymer with a high bulk density, a narrow and uniform particle size distribution and a broad molecular weight distribution, and a method for preparation of the same. A silicon-containing magnesium compound is prepared by reacting an electron donor such as a silicon compound containing an alkoxy group of Formula 1, a silicon compound containing an alkoxy group of Formula 2, or a mixture thereof in a magnesium compound solution, and reacted with a titanium compound to obtain the solid catalyst of the present invention. Si(R1)(R2)(OR3)2 [Formula 1] wherein R1 is trimethylsilylmethyl or 2-phenylpropyl; R2 is linear, cyclic or branched alkyl of C3-C6 such as 1-hexyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl or propyl; and R3 is alkyl of C1-C3. R1aR2bSi(OR3)4−(a+b) [Formula 2] wherein R1 and R2 are individually hydrocarbon of C1-C12; R3 is hydrocarbon of C1-C5; and a=0 or 1, b=0 or 1.
US07718563B2	Production of olefin polymerization catalysts The invention provides a process for producing an olefin polymerization catalyst, comprising an organometallic compound of a transition metal or of an actinide or lanthanide, in the form of solid catalyst particles, comprising forming a liquid/liquid emulsion system which comprises a solution of one or more catalyst components dispersed in a solvent immiscible therewith; and solidifying said dispersed phase to convert said droplets to solid particles comprising the catalyst and optionally recovering said particles.
US07718560B2	Electronic device, dielectric ceramic composition and the production method A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including a compound having a perovskite-type crystal structure expressed by a composition formula (Ba1-xCax) (Ti1-yZry)O3 (note that 0≦x≦0.2, 0≦y≦0.2), and a fourth subcomponent including an oxide of R (note that R is at least one selected from Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu); comprising steps of obtaining a post-reaction material by bringing a material of the main component to react in advance with a part of a material of the fourth subcomponent to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition, and adding rest of material of the fourth subcomponent to be included in the dielectric ceramic composition into the post-reaction material. According to the present invention, both of a dielectric ceramic composition capable of improving the specific permittivity and a temperature characteristic of capacitance can be preferable, and the production method can be provided.
US07718556B2	Medical film A medical film that is excellent in biocompatibility and bioabsorbability and has an excellent strength in suturing and bonding is provided. A reinforcing material 12 made of a biodegradable polymer is placed in a gelatin solution so as to allow the solution to infiltrate in the reinforcing material 12 and then the gelatin is dried. This allows the gelatin that has infiltrated entirely in an internal part of the reinforcing material 12 to gel, thereby forming a gelatin film 11. Thus, a medical film 1 in which the reinforcing material 12 and the gelatin film 11 are integrated is obtained. The gelatin film 11 preferably is a cross-linked gelatin film.
US07718555B1	Chemically protective laminated fabric A fabric for chemical protective garments having at least two multilayered film laminates separated by a scrim forming a barrier chamber. The laminates are sandwiched between films of linear low density polyethylene and contain a different film from each other selected from ethyl vinyl alcohol, polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide. There is also the garment prepared with the fabric.
US07718554B2	Focused laser beam processing Methods and systems for processing semiconductor materials with a focused laser beam. Laser light may be focused on a sample to alter material properties at the sample surface. The laser beam has a peak power, a pulse width and is modulated to a selected duty cycle to provide a selected energy per pulse and average power to the sample surface. The focused laser beam is scanned over the sample surface to provide controlled process effects limited to the area of the beam diameter and along the scanning path. For example, process effects such as curing, annealing, implant activation, selective melting, deposition and chemical reaction may be achieved at dimensions limited by the focused beam diameter. The wavelength may be selected to be appropriate for the process effect chosen.
US07718553B2	Method for forming insulation film having high density A method for forming an insulation film on a semiconductor substrate by plasma reaction includes: introducing into a reaction chamber a source gas of a silicon-containing hydrocarbon compound comprising in its molecule at least one Si—O bond and at least one bond selected from the group consisting of a Si—Si bond, Si—N bond, and Si—H bond; introducing into the reaction chamber an additive gas constituted by C, H, and optionally O; controlling a susceptor at a temperature of −50° C. to 50° C.; forming by plasma reaction an insulation film constituted by Si, O, H, and optionally N on an irregular surface of a substrate at a deposition rate of 100 nm/min or less; and heat-treating the substrate with the insulation film, thereby increasing a density of the insulation film to more than 2.1 g/cm3 as a result of the heat treatment.
US07718551B2	Method for forming photoresist layer A method for forming a photoresist layer is provided. The method includes following steps. A wafer is provided in a semiconductor machine. The wafer is spun at a first spin speed. A pre-wet solvent is dispensed on the spinning wafer by using a nozzle disposed at a fixed position. The pre-wet solvent then stops dispensing. The spin speed of the wafer is adjusted from the first spin speed to a second spin speed which is faster than the first spin speed. Thereafter, a photoresist layer is coated on the wafer.
US07718550B2	Method for low temperature growth of inorganic materials from solution using catalyzed growth and re-growth The present invention involves a method and apparatus for depositing a silicon oxide onto a substrate from solution at low temperatures in a manner that produces homogeneous growth of the silicon oxide. The method generally comprises the following steps: (a) Chemically treating a substrate to activate it for growth of the silicon oxide. (b) Immersing the treated substrate into a bath with a reactive solution. (c) Regenerating the reactive solution to allow for continued growth of the silicon oxide. In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first container holding a reactive solution, a substrate on which the silicon oxide is deposited, a second container holding silica, and a means for adding silica to the reactive solution.
US07718548B2	Selective copper-silicon-nitride layer formation for an improved dielectric film/copper line interface A process to form a copper-silicon-nitride layer on a copper surface on a semiconductor wafer is described. The process may include the step of exposing the wafer to a first plasma made from helium. The process may also include exposing the wafer to a second plasma made from a reducing gas, where the second plasma removes copper oxide from the copper surface, and exposing the wafer to silane, where the silane reacts with the copper surface to selectively form copper silicide. The process may further include exposing the wafer to a third plasma made from ammonia and molecular nitrogen to form the copper silicon nitride layer.
US07718547B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of the present invention includes the steps of forming a first insulating film over a substrate, forming a semiconductor film over the first insulating film, oxidizing or nitriding the semiconductor film by conducting a plasma treatment to the semiconductor film under a condition of an electron density of 1×1011 cm−3 or more and 1×1013 cm−3 or less and an electron temperature of 0.5 eV or more and 1.5 eV or less, using a high frequency wave, forming a second insulating film to cover the semiconductor film, forming a gate electrode over the second insulating film, forming a third insulating film to cover the gate electrode, and forming a conductive film over the third insulating film.
US07718545B1	Fabrication process A fabrication process, including forming one or more layers on at least a sidewall of a topographical feature of a substantially planar substrate, the sidewall being substantially orthogonal to the substrate; and planarizing respective portions of the one or more layers to form a planar surface substantially parallel to the substrate, wherein the planar surface includes respective co-planar surfaces of the one or more layers, at least one of the surfaces having a dimension determined by a thickness of the corresponding layer.
US07718544B2	Method of forming silicon-containing insulation film having low dielectric constant and low diffusion coefficient A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming on a substrate a silicon-containing insulation film having a diffusion coefficient of about 250 μm2/min or less as measured using isopropyl alcohol, by plasma reaction using a reaction gas comprising (i) a source gas comprising a silicon-containing hydrocarbon compound containing plural cross-linkable groups, (ii) a cross-linking gas, (iii) an inert gas, and optionally (iv) an oxygen-supplying gas, wherein a flow rate of the oxygen-supplying gas is no more than 25% of that of the source gas; and subjecting the insulation film to an integration process to fabricate a semiconductor device.
US07718541B2	Method of processing resist, semiconductor device, and method of producing the same A surface component film (2) is etched using a resist (3) as a mask, and the surface component film (2) is patterned according to the shape of an aperture (3a). This results in a step portion (4) having the same shape as the aperture (3a), with the sidewall (4a) of the step portion (4) exposed through the aperture (3a). The aperture (3a) is spin-coated with a shrink agent, reacted at a first temperature, and developed to shrink the aperture (3a). To control the shrinkage with high accuracy, in the first round of reaction, the aperture is shrunk by, for example, about half of the desired shrinkage. The aperture (3a) is further spin-coated with a shrink agent, reacted at a second temperature, and developed to shrink the aperture (3a). In this embodiment, the second-round shrink process will result in the desired aperture length. The second temperature is adjusted based on the shrinkage in the first round. With respect to a resist using short-wavelength light (short-wavelength resist) or a resist using electron beam (electron beam resist), a minute aperture can be obtained with stable shrink effect and accurate control of the length thereof.
US07718538B2	Pulsed-plasma system with pulsed sample bias for etching semiconductor substrates A pulsed plasma system with pulsed sample bias for etching semiconductor structures is described. In one embodiment, a portion of a sample is removed by applying a pulsed plasma process, wherein the pulsed plasma process comprises a plurality of duty cycles. A negative bias is applied to the sample during the ON state of each duty cycle, while a zero bias is applied to the sample during the OFF state of each duty cycle. In another embodiment, a first portion of a sample is removed by applying a continuous plasma process. The continuous plasma process is then terminated and a second portion of the sample is removed by applying a pulsed plasma process.
US07718535B2	Slurry compositions and CMP methods using the same The exemplary embodiments of the present invention providing new slurry compositions suitable for use in processes involving the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a polysilicon layer. The slurry compositions include one or more non-ionic polymeric surfactants that will selectively form a passivation layer on an exposed polysilicon surface in order to suppress the polysilicon removal rate relative to silicon oxide and silicon nitride and improve the planarity of the polished substrate. Exemplary surfactants include alkyl and aryl alcohols of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) block copolymers and may be present in the slurry compositions in an amount of up to about 5 wt %, although much smaller concentrations may be effective. Other slurry additives may include viscosity modifiers, pH modifiers, dispersion agents, chelating agents, and amine or imine surfactants suitable for modifying the relative removal rates of silicon nitride and silicon oxide.
US07718534B2	Planarization of a heteroepitaxial layer A method of planarization of a surface of a heteroepitaxial layer by chemical-mechanical polishing the disturbed surface of the heteroepitaxial layer with a polishing pad having a compressibility greater than 2% and less than 15% and a slurry comprising at least 20% of silica particles having an average diameter between about 70 and about 100 nm. This method allows to reach high polishing rates appropriated for eliminating surface defects on heteroepitaxial layers, such as crosshatch patterns, and to achieve, in the same time, a final polish that is desirable to facilitate further operations.
US07718532B2	Method of forming a high-k film on a semiconductor device According to the present invention, high-k film can be etched to provide a desired geometry without damaging the silicon underlying material. A silicon oxide film 52 is formed on a silicon substrate 50 by thermal oxidation, and a high dielectric constant insulating film 54 comprising HfSiOx is formed thereon. Thereafter, polycrystalline silicon layer 56 and high dielectric constant insulating film 54 are selectively removed in stages by a dry etching through a mask of the resist layer 58, and subsequently, the residual portion of the high dielectric constant insulating film 54 and the silicon oxide film 52 are selectively removed by wet etching through a mask of polycrystalline silicon layer 56. A liquid mixture of phosphoric acid and sulfuric acid is employed for the etchant solution. The temperature of the etchant solution is preferably equal to or lower than 200 degree C., and more preferably equal to or less than 180 degree C.
US07718531B2	Method for forming catalyst nanoparticles for growing elongated nanostructures Preferred embodiments provide a method for forming at least one catalyst nanoparticle on at least one sidewall of a three-dimensional structure on a main surface of a substrate, the main surface lying in a plane and the sidewall of the three-dimensional structure lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the main surface of the substrate. The method comprises obtaining a three-dimensional structure on the main surface, the three-dimensional structure comprising catalyst nanoparticles embedded in a non-catalytic matrix and selectively removing at least part of the non-catalytic matrix at the sidewalls of the three-dimensional structure to thereby expose at least one catalyst nanoparticle.
US07718527B2	Method for forming cobalt tungsten cap layers A method is provided for integrating cobalt tungsten cap layers into manufacturing of semiconductor devices to improve electromigration and stress migration in copper (Cu) metal. One embodiment includes providing a patterned substrate containing a recessed feature formed in a low-k material and a first metallization layer at the bottom of the feature, forming a cobalt tungsten cap layer on the first metallization layer, depositing a barrier layer in the recessed feature, including on the low-k dielectric material and on the first cobalt metal cap layer, and filling the recessed feature with Cu metal. Another embodiment includes providing a patterned substrate having a substantially planar surface with Cu paths and low-k regions, and forming a cobalt tungsten cap layer on the Cu paths.
US07718521B2	Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same There is disclosed a semiconductor device comprising a P-channel MIS transistor which includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a first gate insulating layer formed on the N-type semiconductor layer and containing a carbon compound of a metal, and an N-channel MIS transistor which includes a P-type semiconductor layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the P-type semiconductor layer, and a second gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer.
US07718519B2	Method for manufacturing silicon carbide semiconductor element A method of producing a silicon carbide semiconductor device, including: step (A) of forming an impurity-doped region by implanting impurity ions 3 into at least a portion of a silicon carbide layer 2 formed on a first principal face of a silicon carbide substrate 1 having first and second principal faces; step (B) of forming capping layers 6 having thermal resistance on at least an upper face 2a of the silicon carbide layer 2 and on at least a second principal face 12a of the silicon carbide substrate 1; and step (C) of performing an activation annealing treatment by heating the silicon carbide layer 2 at a predetermined temperature.
US07718514B2	Method of forming a guard ring or contact to an SOI substrate A method is provided of forming a conductive via in contact with a bulk semiconductor region of a semiconductor-on-insulator (“SOI”) substrate. A first opening is formed in a conformal layer overlying a trench isolation region. The trench isolation region may share an edge with an SOI layer of the substrate. Desirably, a dielectric layer is deposited over a top surface of the conformal layer and the trench isolation region. A second opening can then be formed which extends through the dielectric layer and the first opening in the conformal layer. Desirably, portions of the bulk semiconductor region and the top surface of the conformal layer are exposed within the second opening. The second opening can then be filled with at least one of a metal or a semiconductor to form a conductive element contacting the exposed portions of the bulk semiconductor region and the top surface of the conformal layer.
US07718506B2	Isolation structure for MOS transistor and method for forming the same A method for forming isolation structure for MOS transistor is disclosed, which includes forming a first photoresist layer over a sacrificed oxide layer of a semiconductor substrate, patterning the first photoresist layer to define a PMOS active region and a PMOS isolation region; implanting nitrogen ions into the PMOS isolation region through the sacrificed oxide layer by using the first photoresist layer as a mask; removing the first photoresist layer; forming a second photoresist layer over the sacrificed oxide layer, patterning the second photoresist layer to define a NMOS active region and a NMOS isolation region; implanting oxygen ions into the NMOS isolation region through the sacrificed oxide layer by using the second photoresist layer as a mask; removing the second photoresist layer and the sacrificed oxide layer; and annealing the semiconductor substrate to form isolation structures of PMOS and NMOS, respectively.
US07718505B2	Method of forming a semiconductor structure comprising insulating layers with different thicknesses The method of forming a semiconductor structure in a substrate comprises, forming a first trench with a first width We and a second trench with a second width Wc, wherein the first width We is larger than the second width Wc, depositing a protection material, lining the first trench, covering the substrate surface and filling the second trench and removing partially the protection material, wherein a lower portion of the second trench remains filled with the protection material.
US07718501B2	Method for the production of MOS transistors The invention relates to a method for the production of both MOS transistors with extremely low leakage currents at the pn junctions and logic/switching transistors, whose gates are laterally defined by spacers in a p-substrate or a p-well in an n-substrate. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for the production of MOS transistors with extremely low leakage currents that allows for parallel logic/switching transistors. This is achieved by initially carrying out an LDD ion implantation via the edges of the gates in order to form an LDD region and subsequently removing the spacers by means of an anisotropic etching step exhibiting high selectivity in relation to the gate and substrate materials, including the covering layers thereof, or by covering the MOS transistors with an extremely low leakage currents prior to isotropic spacer production such that the spacers are formed exclusively on the edges of the gates of the logic/switching transistors, while the MOS transistors with an extremely low leakage current always remain connected solely via the LDD region, and there is no high dose implantation in the S/D regions of these MOS transistors with extremely low leakage currents.
US07718487B2	Method of manufacturing ferroelectric layer and method of manufacturing electronic instrument A method of manufacturing a ferroelectric layer, including: forming a first ferroelectric layer above a base by a vapor phase method; and forming a second ferroelectric layer above the first ferroelectric layer by a liquid phase method.
US07718486B2	Structures and methods for fabricating vertically integrated HBT-FET device Methods and systems for fabricating integrated pairs of HBT/FET's are disclosed. One preferred embodiment comprises a method of fabricating an integrated pair of GaAs-based HBT and FET. The method comprises the steps of: growing a first set of epitaxial layers for fabricating the FET on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate; fabricating a highly doped thick GaAs layer serving as the cap layer for the FET and the subcollector layer for the HBT; and producing a second set of epitaxial layers for fabricating the HBT.
US07718483B2	Method of manufacturing non-volatile semiconductor memory In a method for manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor device according to this invention, steps are provided for forming a plurality of first semiconductor portions over a substrate; selectively growing a plurality of second semiconductor portions in contacting with said plurality of first semiconductor portions respectively; partially removing said plurality of second semiconductor portions to prepare a plurality of floating gates with substantially flat surfaces; forming an insulating layer over said plurality of floating gates; and forming a control gate over said insulating layer.
US07718481B2	Semiconductor structure and method of manufacture A structure comprises a deep subcollector buried in a first region of a dual epitaxial layer and a reachthrough structure in contact with the deep subcollector to provide a low-resistive shunt which prevents CMOS latch-up for a first device. The structure may additionally include a near subcollector formed in a higher region than the deep subcollector and under another device. At least one reachthrough electrically connects the deep subcollector and the near subcollector. The method includes forming a merged triple well double epitaxy/double subcollector.
US07718478B2	Manufacturing method for field-effect transistor To provide a manufacturing method for a field-effect transistor, such as a thin-film transistor, enabling reductions in the number patterning steps and the number of photomasks and improvements in the throughput and the yield. In the method, an oxide film is formed by processing the surface of a crystalline semiconductor with ozone water or hydrogen peroxide water. Using the oxide film thus formed as an etch stop, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode of the field-effect transistor are simultaneously formed from a same starting film in one patterning step by use of one photomask. After forming the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode, heating is performed thereon at 800° C. or higher for a predetermined time. Thereby, the contact resistances between the source electrode and the crystalline semiconductor and between the drain electrode and the crystalline semiconductor are reduced, whereby improving the electrical conductivity.
US07718473B2	HF control bidirectional switch An HF control bi-directional switch component of the type having its gate referenced to the rear surface formed in the front surface of a peripheral well of the component, including two independent gate regions intended to be respectively connected to terminals of a transformer having a midpoint connected to the rear surface terminal of the component.
US07718472B2	Integrated circuit package-on-package stacking system and method of manufacture thereof An integrated circuit package-on-package stacking method includes forming a leadframe interposer including: forming a leadframe having a lead; forming a molded base only supporting the lead; and singulating the leadframe interposer from the leadframe.
US07718470B2	Package substrate and method for fabricating the same A package substrate and a method for fabricating the same are provided according to the present invention. The package substrate includes: a substrate body with a die attaching side and a ball implanting side lying opposite each other, having a plurality of wire bonding pads and a plurality of solder ball pads respectively, and having a first insulating passivation layer and a second insulating passivation layer respectively, wherein a plurality of first apertures and a plurality of second apertures are formed in the first insulating passivation layer and the second insulation passivation layer respectively to corresponding expose the wire bonding pads and the solder ball pads; a chemical plating metal layer formed on the wire bonding pads and solder ball pads respectively; and a wire bonding metal layer formed on a surface of the chemical plating metal layer of the wire bonding metal layer.
US07718469B2	Alternative methods for fabrication of substrates and heterostructures made of silicon compounds and alloys The present invention relates to alternative methods for the production of crystalline silicon compounds and/or alloys such as silicon carbide layers and substrates.
US07718465B2	Semiconductor device and process for producing same A semiconductor device and process for producing same are provided. The process for producing a semiconductor device includes a first embossing step of pressing a stamp having a relief pattern onto a surface of a substrate to form a depression pattern on the surface of the substrate; a second step of feeding an application material composed of a semiconductor material or a conductive material into the depression pattern by printing; and a third step of curing the application material fed by printing.
US07718454B2	Method for manufacturing a semiconductor laser A method of manufacturing semiconductor laser device including a GaN wafer includes forming a semiconductor layer on the GaN wafer and on which ridge portions are formed. Grooves are formed in the semiconductor layer such that each groove is disposed in line with the scribe marks, between each of the ridge portions and an upstream scribe mark. The grooves are curved and convex outwardly towards a downstream side, and each groove has an apex on a cleavage line. The side extending from the apex preferably does not form an angle of 60 degrees with respect to a cleavage direction or the cleavage line.
US07718452B2	Display apparatus and method of manufacturing the same Disclosed is a display apparatus, and method of making same, including a plurality of lower electrodes patterned on a substrate on the basis of each pixel, an auxiliary wiring composed of the same layer as the lower electrodes and arranged in the state of being insulated from the lower electrodes, an insulating film formed on the substrate and provided with pixel openings for exposing central portions of the lower electrodes and connection holes reaching the auxiliary wiring, organic layers so patterned as to cover bottom portions of the pixel openings and to have end portions partly overlapping on each other between the adjacent pixels, and an upper electrode so formed as to cover the organic layers and to be connected to the auxiliary wiring through the connection holes between the organic layers.
US07718451B2	Method for producing an optoelectronic device with patterned-metallized package body and method for the patterned metalization of a plastic-containing body A method for patterned metallization of a plastic-containing body, which comprises the steps of producing the body via a two-component injection-molding process with at least two plastics, one of which is non-metallizable, and metallizing the body in such a way that a metallized region and a non-metallized region are formed, wherein the non-metallized region is determined by the non-metallizable plastic. A method for the patterned metallization of a plastic-containing body in particular a package body for an optoelectronic device is also provided.
US07718450B2	Method for manufacturing nitride semiconductor device There is provided a method for manufacturing a nitride semiconductor device which has a p-type nitride semiconductor layer having a high carrier concentration (low resistance) by activating an acceptor without raising a problem of forming nitrogen vacancies which are generated when a high temperature annealing is carried out over an extended time. A semiconductor lamination portion (6) made of nitride semiconductor is formed on a substrate (1) so as to form a light emitting layer, and irradiated by a laser beam having a wavelength λ of λ=h·c/E or less (E is energy capable of separating off the bonding between Mg and H) from the front surface side of the semiconductor lamination portion. Then, a heat treatment is carried out at a temperature of 300 to 400° C. And, similarly to a process for normal nitride semiconductor LED, a light transmitting conductive layer (7) is provided, an n-side electrode (9) is formed on an n-type layer (3) exposed by removing a part of the semiconductor lamination portion by etching, and a p-side electrode (8) is formed on a surface of the light transmitting conductive layer, thereby a LED is obtained.
US07718443B2	Assay device Disclosed is an assay device to determine the presence of at least one analyte of interest in a liquid sample, the device comprising means for generating a first signal (the ‘test’ signal) which indicates the presence and/or amount of analyte of interest in the sample; and means for generating a second signal, the generation of which second signal indicates both (a) the test has been successfully conducted, and that (b) sufficient time has elapsed following contact of the assay device with the liquid sample for the test to be read and the first signal to have been properly generated.
US07718442B2	Sealed sample storage element system and method A system and method operative in accordance with the present disclosure facilitate storage and retrieval of individual or discrete samples of biological, non-biological, and chemical material stored on dry media. Sample material may be disposed upon or within a porous or solid (i.e., non-porous) sample storage medium and subsequently archived in, and retrieved from, storage elements such as multi-well plates, for example, using robotic devices or other automated apparatus. The disclosed system and method enable ejection of sample material from a sealed storage element into a specific well of a multi-well daughter plate, or into a specific cuvette, test tube, or similar container. In some embodiments, a sample carrier comprising a storage medium may be punched or ejected through a first seal of the storage element with an apparatus or implement such as a disposable piercing tip, for instance, inserted through a second seal of the storage element.
US07718438B2	Method for producing a microarray A microarray obtainable by slicing a block comprising a plurality of linear bodies or through-holes which carry an organism-related substance, in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the linear bodies or through-holes, wherein the linear body and/or block comprise a substance that reduces the self-fluorescence thereof.
US07718436B2	Method for multi-batch production of FDG A method of producing multiple batches of a radiopharmaceutical, such as FDG. The method includes the steps of transferring the appropriate liquids to a production apparatus, processing the liquids to produce the radiopharmaceutical, delivering the radiopharmaceutical to a container, automatically cleaning the apparatus, and repeating the previous steps, as desired. The apparatus for multi-batch production of FDG includes a reagent delivery system, a reaction vessel, a filter assembly, and a control system. The combination of these components provides a method that is capable of producing multiple batches of a radiopharmaceutical with minimal operator intervention and, consequently, minimal radiation exposure.
US07718435B1	Automated slide stainer with slide housing This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump has a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a sensor for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.
US07718432B2	Non-immunogenic, hydrophilic/cationic block copolymers and uses thereof The present invention provides novel non-immunogenic, hydrophilic/cationic block copolymers comprising a neutral-hydrophilic polymer and a cationic polymer, wherein both polymers have well-defined chain-end functionality. A representative example of such a block copolymer comprises poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide) (PHPMA) and poly(N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide) (PDMAPMA). Also provided is a synthesis method thereof in aqueous media via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Further provided are uses of these block copolymers as drug delivery vehicles and protection agents.
US07718430B2	Disposable tubing set for use with a cell expansion apparatus and method for sterile sampling A disposable apparatus for cell expansion, having at least one bioreactor. The bioreactor has a cellular growth area and a supply area, the cellular growth area being separated from said supply area by a membrane. A fluid recirculation path in fluid communication with the cellular growth area allows for hermetically removing a sample containing cellular matter. This may comprise an elongated tube, or a plurality of parallel tube segments. The parallel tube segments have inflow ends and outflow ends, and the inflow ends are joined at a first common juncture and the outflow ends are joined at a second common juncture. The common junctures may comprise valves.
US07718426B2	Preparation method of a hair dermal papilla cell preparation, composition and method for regenerating hair follicles, and animal having regenerated hair follicles The present invention provides a method for preparing a hair dermal papilla cell preparation comprising preparing a cell suspension by removing epidermal tissue from skin tissue and subjecting the resulting dermal tissue fraction to collagenase treatment, and cyropreserving the cell suspension to kill the follicular epidermal cells. The present invention also provides a composition for regenerating hair follicles comprising hair dermal papilla cell and epidermal cells, wherein the ratio of the number of hair dermal papilla cell to the number of epidermal cells is from 1:10 to 10:1.
US07718425B2	Use of a B-cell-depleting antibody for treatment of polyoma virus infections The present invention relates to uses of a B-cell-depleting antibody for the treatment of a polyoma virus infection.
US07718424B2	AAV4 vector and uses thereof The present invention provides an adeno-associated virus 4 (AAV4) virus and vectors and particles derived therefrom. In addition, the present invention provides methods of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell using the AAV4 vectors and particles.
US07718423B2	Incubator for observation by microscope An incubator capable of observing an observed specimen in a dish 220 by a microscope while culturing the specimen, wherein light is radiated from a capacitor(C), passed through a hole 273 in a top plate 271, a hole 275a in a upper side plate 275 and a hole 277a in a lower side plate 277, and let into an objective lens (T), and the specimen put in the dish 220 is observed by the microscope, whereby the change of the specimen with elapse of time can be continuously observed or recorded on a videotape while culturing the observed specimen in the dish 220.
US07718421B2	Sample processing A sample processing tubule may include a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. Each segment may be defined by the tubule, may be fluidly isolated, at least in part by a breakable seal, may be so expandable as to receive a volume of fluid expelled from another segment, and may be so compressible as to contain substantially no fluid when so compressed. Each segment may contain at least one reagent.
US07718420B2	Microfluidic biochip for blood typing based on agglutination reaction The present invention is directed to a microfluidic biochip based on an agglutination reaction that is frequently used in qualitative typing in the diagnostic medicine field by realizing a specimen inlet, a reagent inlet, a split microchannel, transfer microchannels, a chaos micromixer, a reaction microchamber, a microfilter, a passive microvalve, and an outlet on a plastic microchip. Particularly, the biochip of the present invention is characterized in that portability thereof is superior and a small amount (about 1 μl) of each of a specimen and a reagent is used. In addition, the biochip of the present invention can be cheaply made through conventional photolithography, electroplating, injection molding, and bonding. Therefore, by utilizing the microfluidic biochip for blood typing according to the present invention, a point-of-care diagnosis for performing blood typing based on an agglutination reaction at any place becomes possible.
US07718419B2	Microdevices having a preferential axis of magnetization and uses thereof This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule isolation, detection and manipulation and library synthesis. In particular, the invention provides a microdevice, which microdevice comprises: a) a magnetizable substance; and b) a photorecognizable coding pattern, wherein said microdevice has a preferential axis of magnetization. Systems and methods for isolating, detecting and manipulating moieties and synthesizing libraries using the microdevices are also provided.
US07718418B2	Systems for genome selection Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.
US07718416B1	Fungal-derived formulations and associated methods Methods for stimulating in-vitro paecilomyces hepiali or hirsutella sinensis growth, and nutritional supplement formulations containing such fungal strains are disclosed and described. In some embodiments, such a method may include providing a an effective amount of a p. hepiali fungus strain for use as a stimulating agent on a culture medium for which h. sinensis is grown and regulating the temperature to induce and maintain the growth of the h. sinensis fungus. Alternatively, a p. hepiali fungus may be grown in a similar manner using h. sinensis as the stimulating agent. In some aspects, the growth of one fungus may be sequentially switched with the other in order to improve fungi potency.
US07718415B1	Acetyl esterase producing strains and methods of using same Acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains or functional mutants thereof and methods of using acetyl esterase producing bacterial strains as forage additives are disclosed.
US07718411B1	Trichoderma reesei G/11 xylanases with improved stability The present invention relates to protein engineering, and concerns especially family G/11 xylanases, and genes encoding said enzymes. In specific, the invention concerns Trichoderma reesei XYNII gene, which codes for endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). The invention describes how site-directed mutagenesis can be used to improve the properties of an enzyme to match the industrial conditions where it is used. Protein engineering can be used to improve thermoactivity and thermostability of xylanases, as well as to broaden their pH range.
US07718407B2	Process for the preparation of vitamin K2 A process for the preparation of vitamin K2 (MK-7) comprising the culture of Bacillus subtilis mutant strain GN13/72-DSM 17766 deposited on Dec. 5, 2005 at the DSMZ.
US07718402B2	Biological reagents and methods to verify the efficiency of sample preparation and nucleic acid amplification and/or detection This invention relates to reagent comprising: any one of cells, viral particles, organelles, parasites, cells comprising organelles, cells comprising viral particles, cells comprising parasites, cells comprising bacterial cells and any combination thereof, the cells, viral particles, organelles or parasites comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence serving as an internal control (IC) target for nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay; wherein the reagent is suitable to be added to a test sample undergoing sample preparation to release, concentrate and/or purify nucleic acids and amplification and/or detection of nucleic acids so as to be used to verify: (i) the efficiency of sample preparation; and (ii) the efficiency of nucleic acid amplification and/or detection. The present invention also relates to a method to verify or validate the preparation and amplification and/or detection of a nucleic acid target sequence in a sample spiked with a reagent of the present invention.
US07718396B2	Inducible high expression system The present invention provides a vector containing a DNA construct containing a first promoter that is a nitrilase gene promoter, a multicloning site and a nitrilase transcription regulatory protein gene (particularly preferably a structural gene is ligated into a multicloning site and a second promoter is placed at the upstream of the nitrilase transcription regulatory protein gene), and the like. The present invention affords a high expression system capable of expressing a large amount of useful proteins by actinomycete host represented by actinomycete belonging to the genus Streptomyces and the like beneficially used for the production of useful proteins.
US07718395B2	Monitoring cleaning of surfaces A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
US07718394B2	Methods for diagnosis and monitoring of neurological disease by detection of an encephalotoxin Encephalotoxin produced by activated mononuclear phagocytes is present in individuals having neurological disease including neurodegenerative and neuro-inflammatory diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, prion disease, minor cognitive/motor dysfunction, acute stroke, acute trauma, or neuro-AIDS. Biochemical detection of encephalotoxin according to the methods of the invention will allow diagnosis of neurological disease in early, presymptomatic stages, thereby allowing early intervention in disease progression as well as identification of subjects or populations at risk for developing neurodegenerative disease. The methods of the invention also provide a mechanism for monitoring progression and treatment of neurological disease.
US07718393B2	Method for determining the efficacy of an anthracycline anticancer agent The present invention provides a method for determining susceptibility to an anthracycline anticancer agent, comprising the steps consisting of detecting the expression of activated Akt in a cancer cell or cancer tissue and determining the susceptibility of the cancer cell or cancer tissue to the anthracycline anticancer agent on the basis of the detection result. The method for determining the susceptibility to an anticancer agent can be used in objective and accurate determination of the susceptibility of a cancer cell or cancer tissue to an anthracycline anticancer agent without imposing a heavy burden on a patient.
US07718389B2	Stabilizing composition and stabilizing method of coelenterazine solution for high-throughput measurement of luciferase activity The present invention relates to a stabilization composition of coelenterazine or an analog thereof, a kit, a method for measuring a coelenterazine-based biological luminescence, containing coelenterazine or the analog thereof and an antioxidant.
US07718388B2	Universal biosensor and methods of use The present invention relates to methods for detecting or quantifying an analyte in a test sample including providing at least one test mixture including a test sample, at least one marker complex, wherein each marker complex includes a particle, a marker, and one member of a coupling group, a first binding material selected to bind to a portion of the analyte, a second binding material selected to bind with a portion of the analyte other than the portion of the analyte for which the first binding material is selected, analyte analog, and/or marker conjugate. The at least one test mixture is passed through a membrane. The amount of marker on the membrane is detected and correlated to the presence or amount of analyte in the test sample.
US07718383B2	Human T2R65 taste receptor and related assays for identifying human bitter taste modulators The present invention relates to the discovery of a specific human taste receptor in the T2R taste receptor family, hT2R64 that responds to particular bitter compounds The present invention further relates to the use of this receptor in assays for identifying ligands that modulate the activation of this taste receptor. These compounds may be used as additives and/or removed from foods, beverages and medicinals in order to modify (block) T2R-associated bitter taste. A preferred embodiment is the use of the identified compounds as additives in foods, beverages and medicinals for blocking bitter taste.
US07718381B2	Method of screening for cell colonies that express a soluble variant of a target protein The present invention concerns a method of identifying a cell colony which expresses a soluble variant of a target protein which method comprises (a) subjecting the cell colony to conditions which are capable of causing lysis thereof; (b) filtering the lysate through a filter having pores which allow only soluble proteins to pass through the filter; and (c) detecting target protein which has passed through the filter where the target is not detected an the basis of its own enzymatic activity. The invention further covers the identification of a cell colony expressing a soluble variant of a membrane protein using steps (a) and (b) of the method above. A kit for use in the methods is also covered by the invention.
US07718376B2	Identification and isolation of somatic stem cells and uses thereof The present invention relates to the identification of a specific population of cell types, in particular somatic stem cells including haematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocyte stem cells. The invention also provides for methods of isolation and uses of the stem cells. Derived from the methods of the present invention, there is provided a method of identifying a stem cell comprising the steps of: obtaining a cell sample including stem cells; detecting the presence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) or a fragment thereof on a cell; and identifying the stem cells having ACE or a fragment thereof.
US07718373B2	Canola event PV-BNGT04(RT73) and compositions and methods for detection thereof The present invention provides assays for detecting the presence of the PV-BNGT04(RT73) canola event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the canola genome and of genomic sequences flanking the insertion site.
US07718372B2	Genetic polymorphisms in the prostate-specific antigen gene promoter The present invention includes methods of identifying a subject at risk for increased cellular PSA production and/or prostate cancer by detecting the presence or absence of a genetic polymorphism in the prostate specific antigen gene.
US07718369B2	Recurrent gene fusions in prostate cancer Recurrent gene fusions of androgen regulated genes and ETS family member genes in prostate cancer are described. Compositions and methods having utility in prostate cancer diagnosis, research, and therapy are also provided.
US07718350B2	Method of metal plating by using frame The frame plating process of the invention comprises the dry film resist pattern formation step at which a part of the dry film resist is located in such a way as to cap the upper position of the given pattern of opening concavity corresponding to the site needing film thickness precision. It is thus possible to obtain a fairly good film thickness distribution at the specific site needing film thickness precision in a simple manner yet without depending on the film thickness distribution of the plated film based on plating conditions.
US07718343B2	Decomposable resin composition and pattern-forming material including the same A decomposable resin composition contains a base generator, and a polyurethane resin capable of being decomposed with a base generated from the base generator.
US07718330B2	Image forming method and an image forming apparatus An image forming method characterized in that a plurality of toner images which differ in color is formed as superposed; a plurality of the superposed toner images is simultaneously transferred onto a sheet of recording paper; the turbidity of toners of each color which form a plurality of the toner images is less than 60; and the maximum turbidity difference among said toners of each color is 5-45.
US07718327B2	Overlay management method and apparatus, processing apparatus, measurement apparatus and exposure apparatus, device manufacturing system and device manufacturing method, and program and information recording medium In repeated processes (steps 201 to 213) of lot processing, an analytical apparatus detects abnormality of overlay, that is, deterioration of overlay accuracy in step 211 and optimizes an apparatus parameter of an exposure apparatus so that the abnormality is solved (so that the overlay accuracy is improved), and then the optimization result is promptly reflected in the exposure apparatus and a measurement/inspection instrument. Since such optimization is performed without stopping the lot processing, the productivity of devices is not lowered.
US07718322B2	Electrolyte for rechargeable lithium battery and rechargeable lithium battery comprising same Disclosed in an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery, including a mixture of organic solvents including a cyclic solvent and a nitrile-based solvent represented by formula 1 and a lithium salt.
US07718317B2	Electrode active material and method of making the same The invention provides an electrochemical cell which includes a first electrode and a second electrode which is a counter electrode to said first electrode, and an electrolyte material interposed there between. The first electrode includes an alkali metal phosphorous compound doped with an element having a valence state greater than that of the alkali metal.
US07718315B2	Alkaline battery and positive electrode material for alkaline battery comprising nickel oxyhydroxide and manganese dioxide There is disclosed an alkaline battery including a positive electrode material mixture, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode material mixture and the negative electrode, and an alkaline electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode material mixture includes a first active material comprising nickel oxyhydroxide and a second active material comprising manganese dioxide, the nickel oxyhydroxide includes a γ-type crystal structure, the content of nickel in the nickel oxyhydroxide is not less than 45 wt %, and the average particle diameter on a volume basis of the nickel oxyhydroxide measured with a laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer is 3 to 20 μm.
US07718314B2	Cathode material and battery A cathode material capable of improving capacity and superior low temperature characteristics, and a battery using the cathode material are provided. A cathode and an anode are layered with an electrolyte layer and a separator in between. The cathode contains a complex oxide containing lithium, manganese, nickel, and cobalt; a complex oxide containing lithium and at least one of nickel and cobalt; and a complex oxide containing lithium and manganese and having a spinel structure or a phosphorus oxide containing lithium and iron at a given ratio.
US07718309B2	Platinum and tungsten containing electrocatalysts The present teachings are directed toward electrocatalyst composition of an alloy of platinum and tungsten for use in fuel cells. The alloy consists essentially of platinum metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 20 percent and about 50 percent, and tungsten metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 50 percent and about 80 percent.
US07718306B2	Rechargeable battery with gas release safety vent A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed therebetween, a case having a space for housing the electrode assembly therein, lead elements connected to the electrode assembly and disposed at a sealing region of the case, and a sealant arranged between and adjacent to the case and the lead element the sealant including an area having relatively less resistance to fracture.
US07718302B2	Electrochemical deoxygenation of fuel by electrolysis A fuel stabilization device reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen within a fuel stream utilizing the combination of an electrochemical device to produce hydrogen gas and water and a catalyst that promotes the formation of water utilizing dissolved oxygen within the fuel and hydrogen gas generated by the electrochemical device.
US07718297B2	Fuel cell system having water-retaining material A product comprising a fuel cell stack comprising a cathode outlet, a first conduit connected to the cathode outlet and to a first housing, a water-retaining material provided in said first housing, a bypass conduit connected to the cathode outlet of the fuel cell system, and a first valve for opening and closing at least one of said first conduit and said bypass conduit.
US07718294B2	Fuel cell system A fuel cell system (1) capable of securely removing moisture in particulate form floating in an exhaust gas passage along with impurities mixed in the moisture, enhancing the performance of a fuel cell, and extending the service life of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system (1) includes a gas circulation system for recirculating and resupplying an exhaust gas to a fuel cell (100). This gas circulation system is equipped with an ion exchange resin member (20) that adsorbs impurity components contained in the moisture particles mixed in the exhaust gas flowing through the gas circulation system. The gas circulation system resupplies fluid that has passed through the ion exchange resin member (20) to the fuel cell (100).
US07718291B2	Fuel cell stack end cell control methodology A method of controlling the relative humidity in an electrochemical conversion device comprises the steps of: providing a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells stackingly arranged, and at least one heater coupled to at least one end fuel cell; selecting a relative humidity setpoint for the at least one end cell; calculating an end cell membrane electrode assembly temperature setpoint using the relative humidity setpoint; calculating a heater temperature setpoint equal to the calculated end cell membrane electrode assembly temperature setpoint plus a computed temperature difference from the at least one end cell membrane electrode assembly to the heater; and adjusting the temperature of the end cell heater until it reaches the heater temperature setpoint and thereby achieves the relative humidity setpoint of the at least end cell membrane electrode assembly.
US07718290B2	Cogeneration system A cogeneration system of the present invention includes: an electric power generator (5); a cooling circuit (10) configured to cool the electric power generator (5) with a first heat transfer medium; a heat exchanger (16) provided on the cooling circuit (10); an exhaust heat recovery circuit (12) through which a second heat transfer medium that exchanges heat with the first heat transfer medium via the heat exchanger (16) flows; a heat storage unit (20) connected to the exhaust heat recovery circuit (12) and configured to store the second heat transfer medium that has undergone a heat exchange by the heat exchanger (16); and a controller (21), wherein a first temperature sensor (17), and a heater to which electric power is supplied from the electric power generator (5), are connected, in this order, downstream of the heat exchanger (16) in a direction in which the second heat transfer medium flows, and the controller (21) controls a flow rate of a circulating pump (13) so that, based on a temperature detected by the first temperature sensor (17), the detected temperature becomes a predetermined target temperature. In addition to preventing water temperature decrease in heat recovery and ensuring safety, this configuration can keep water temperature high at all times.
US07718285B2	Type of fuel cell battery A fuel cell battery, comprising a chamber unit (1), an anode entrance (2) connected to the chamber unit (1), an anode exit (3), a cathode entrance (4) and a cathode exit (5). The anode entrance (2) is connected to a hydrogen source (11) and an organic fuel source (12) respectively through a hydrogen duct (9) and an organic fuel duct (10). Duct (9) and duct (10) are respectively installed with a hydrogen valve (13) and an organic fuel valve (14). An exit valve (20) is installed at the anode exit. This fuel cell battery combines the advantages provided by hydrogen fuel and organic fuel. The fuel cell battery can meet the dual requirements of operating on both high and low power. The fuel cell battery's design leads to low manufacturing costs, a simple structure, and easy implementation.
US07718279B2	Epitaxial ferromagnetic Ni3 FeN An epitaxial Ni3FeN film with unique magnetic properties such as single magnetic domain (even in a large scale 0.5″×0.5″), which rotates coherently in response to the desired switching field with a very sharp transition is described. The magnetic hysteresis loop of this new magnetic nitride is close to the perfect ideal square with the same value of saturation magnetization, remnant magnetization, and magnetization right before switching (domain reversal). The switching field is tunable which make this material more attractive for magneto-resistive devices such as MRAM's, read heads and magnetic sensors.
US07718277B2	Electronic devices comprising organic iridium compositions The present invention provides electronic devices comprising novel polymeric organic iridium compositions which provide for enhanced device performance. The polymeric organic iridium compositions employed comprise a polymeric organic iridium compound comprising at least one cyclometallated ligand and at least one ketopyrrole ligand. The polymeric organic iridium compositions employed are referred to as Type (2) organic iridium compositions and are constituted such that at least one ligand of the polymeric organic iridium compound has a number average molecular weight of 2,000 grams per mole or greater (as measured by gel permeation chromatography). Type (2) organic iridium compositions are referred to herein as comprising “polymeric organic iridium complexes”. In one aspect, the present invention provides optoelectronic devices, such as OLED devices and photovoltaic devices. In another aspect, the invention provides OLED devices exhibiting enhanced color properties and light output efficiencies.
US07718275B2	Electroluminescent materials and devices An electroluminescent material is a metal complex of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-trimethylacetyl-pyrazol-5-one of formula (I). An electroluminescent device comprising the compound of formula (I) in the luminescent layer is also part of the invention.
US07718272B2	Laminated product and process for producing the same A laminated product comprising (i) a layer containing a sulfur-vulcanized rubber composition, and (ii) a layer containing a thermoplastic elastomer composition produced by dynamically heating (A) an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer rubber, (B) a propylene resin, (C) a mineral oil, (D) a cross-linking agent, and (E) an ethylene resin; and a process for producing a laminated product comprising the steps of (1) dynamically heating the above components (A) to (E), and (2) laminating the above layers (i) and (ii).
US07718271B2	Material for laser welding and laser welding method A laser welding material and laser welding method which can satisfactorily weld resin members of different resin materials that have no or little adhesive property is provided and includes a set of resin materials constituting a first resin member, a second resin member and a third resin member in which the first resin member and the second resin member are different materials and the first resin member does not absorb laser light and which is used for laser-welding the three members by overlapping the third resin member with the first and second resin members and irradiating laser light to the three members from the first resin member side, and a layer welding method.
US07718269B2	Semiconductor manufacturing method for inter-layer insulating film Provided is a technology capable of improving the reliability of a semiconductor device using a SiOC film as an interlayer film. In the invention, by forming an interlayer film from a SiOC film having a Si—CH3 bond/Si—O bond ratio less than 2.50% or having a strength ratio determined by the FT-IR of a Si—OH bond to a SiO—O bond exceeding 0.0007, a strength ratio of a SiH bond to a SiO—O bond at a wavelength of 2230 cm−1 exceeding 0.0050 and a strength ratio of a Si—H bond to a SiO—O bond at a wavelength of 2170 cm−1 exceeding 0.0067, the interlayer film has a relative dielectric constant of to 3 or less, and owing to suppression of lowering in hardness or elastic modulus, has improved mechanical strength.
US07718268B2	Softening silicone formulations for textile finishing The invention concerns novel formulations containing at least one quaternized aminoalkylsiloxane and at least one compound selected among: a) non-ionic hydrophilic surfactant compounds, b) hydrophilic dispersants and c) divalent of trivalent metal salts with inorganic acids. Said formulations are excellent textile softeners for finishing textile structures in accordance with continuous or drawing process and are characterized by particular shearing stability.
US07718267B2	Heat treatable coated article with diamond-like carbon (DLC) and/or zirconium in coating In certain example embodiments, a coated article includes respective layers including diamond-like carbon (DLC) and zirconium nitride before heat treatment (HT). During HT, the hydrogenated DLC acts as a fuel which upon combustion with oxygen produces carbon dioxide and/or water. The high temperature developed during this combustion heats the zirconium nitride to a temperature(s) well above the heat treating temperature, thereby causing the zirconium nitride to be transformed into a new post-HT layer including zirconium oxide that is scratch resistant and durable.
US07718266B2	Fire-resisting glass There is provided a fire-resisting glass including a first laminated glass pane made of two float-glass panes connected via an intermediate organic layer, a second laminated glass pane made of two float-glass panes connected via an intermediate organic layer, an airtight clearance between the two laminated glass panes which is evacuated or filled with a gas, wherein a thermal insulation layer is provided on at least one of the sides of the float-glass panes facing the intermediate organic layer or the clearance. The thermal insulation layer may be provided on the two sides of the laminated glass panes facing the clearance.
US07718265B2	Release sheet Provided is a release sheet which is non-silicone-based and has a good releasability from a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive and which has a stable antistatic property without being influenced by the air environment and is free of bleeding out of ionic substances derived from an antistatic agent. The release sheet is prepared by providing an undercoat layer containing a polyurethane-based resin and 0.1 to 45% by mass of a lithium salt-based antistatic agent and a layer of a rubber-based release agent formed by coating and drying a liquid containing a release agent in order on a substrate.
US07718261B2	Nanoscale zinc oxide, process for its production and use Nanoscale, pyrogenically produced zinc oxide having a BET surface area of 10 to 200 m2/g, which is in the form of aggregates of anisotropic primary particles and whereby the aggregates display an average diameter of 50 to 300 nm. It is obtained from zinc powder, which is converted to zinc oxide powder in the four successive reaction zones, evaporation zone, nucleation zone, oxidation zone and quench zone. It can be used in sunscreen formulations.
US07718260B2	Hollow fiber having inner wall into which comb polymer is introduced, hollow fiber impregnated with gel, and thin slice of fiber array This invention provides hollow fibers impregnated with gel in which the gel firmly adheres to the inner walls of the hollow fibers due to the introduction of comb polymers on the inner walls of the hollow fibers. These hollow fibers impregnated with gel have no gaps at the interfaces between the inner walls thereof and the gel. Accordingly, analysis can be performed with high accuracy. Also, thin slices obtained by bundling these hollow fibers and then slicing this bundle have sufficient adhesion between the gel and the inner walls of the hollow fibers. This also prevents gel from becoming detached from the inner walls at the time of slicing or during operations such as hybridization.
US07718258B2	Film adhesive and semiconductor package using the same A film adhesive having an adhesive layer (C) mainly containing a thermoplastic polyimide having a glass transition temperature of not more than 100° C. and an adhesive layer (D) having a storage shear modulus of not more than 106 Pa at 50° C. Furthermore, the film adhesive further comprises a base material (A) and an adhesive layer (B). The film adhesive can exhibit excellent low-temperature adhesive property and covering capability functioning as a die bonding adhesive film which can be used in a semiconductor package. In addition, the film adhesive can exhibit excellent low-temperature adhesive property and covering capability which functions both as a die bonding adhesive film and as a dicing tape.
US07718255B2	Cleaning sheets and method of cleaning with the same The invention provides cleaning sheets for use in cleaning, e.g., various substrate-processing apparatus, systems for conveying exposure masks (reticles) in microfabrication, etc., and a method of cleaning these with the cleaning sheets. A cleaning sheet which comprises a sheet material comprising a thermoset resin layer having porosity and, formed on one side of the sheet material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprising a thermoplastic resin.
US07718247B2	Sliding member, sliding member manufacturing method, and coating for sliding member A coating film (43) in which a plurality of fluoric resin particles (45) are dispersed in a matrix resin (44) is formed on the surface of a base material (41). Each exposed part (45a) of the fluoric resin particles (45) which is exposed at the surface of the coating film (43) is crushed to expand therearound to increase the area of the exposed part, increasing the amount of a fluorine element existing in a sliding face portion.
US07718245B2	Restrained breast plates, vehicle armored plates and helmets Ballistic resistant fabric laminates are provided. More particularly, reinforced, delamination resistant, ballistic resistant composites are provided. The delamination resistant, ballistic resistant materials and articles may be reinforced by various techniques, including stitching one or more ballistic resistant panels with a high strength thread, melting the edges of a ballistic resistant panel to reinforce areas that may have been frayed during standard trimming procedures, wrapping one or more panels with one or more woven or non-woven fibrous wraps, and combinations of these techniques. The delamination resistant, ballistic resistant panels may further include at least one rigid plate attached thereto for improving ballistic resistance performance.
US07718242B2	Organic dyes for recording layer and high density optical recording medium using the same A recording layer including a novel dye for a high density optical recording medium, employing short wavelength laser source with a wavelength not longer than 530 nm for recording high density information and reproduction/playback of the high density information recordings, is provided. The dye incorporated in the recording layer has the following general chemical structural formula (III):
US07718241B2	Multi-functional stack of repositionable sheets A multi-functional stack of flexible sheet material containing a plurality of flexible sheets printed with sequential images and stacked with high peel adhesion along alternate opposite edges. The stack functions like a recreational accordion-like toy and animation flip pad.
US07718238B2	Plastics articles such as bottles with visual effect Plastic articles, and in particular polycarbonate articles, provide an appealing aesthetic look in the form of a colored glow at locations defined by cuts and/or protrusions in the surface of the article as a result of incorporation of a photoluminescent material in the polycarbonate from which the article is formed. The cuts and/or protrusions define a graphic image, for example one or more letters (i.e., an initial or name), an abstract design, a drawing or a trademark or logo. Ambient light entering the plastic body results in luminescence from the photoluminescent material which is conducted as a result of internal reflectance within the plastic body to the edges of the cuts in the bodies surface.
US07718234B2	Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing same A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing the occurrence of defective display due to variations in the initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal alignment control film in a liquid crystal display of an IPS scheme, realizing the stable liquid crystal alignment, providing excellent mass productivity, and having high image quality with a higher contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent, and an alignment control film formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At least one of the alignment control films comprises photoreactive polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with an alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially linearly polarized light.
US07718233B2	Liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display element The liquid crystal composition includes at least one compound selected from a group of compounds represented by formula (1) as a first component, has a positive dielectric anisotropy, and has a nematic phase, and a liquid crystal display element containing the composition: wherein R11 and R12 are alkyls having different carbon numbers.
US07718232B2	Nematic liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display element that used the composition A nematic liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric constant anisotropy, comprising one or more compounds selected from the compounds represented by (IA) and (IB) of 10-70% by mass, one or more compounds selected from the compounds represented by (IIA) to (IID) of 10-70% by mass, the total content of one or more compounds selected from the compounds represented by (IA) to (IID) being 35-80% by mass, and a compound represented by (III) of 20-65% by mass: wherein R1 to R14 each independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, etc.; Z1 to Z11 each independently represents a single bond, etc.; Z1 to Z6 and Z9 to Z11 each independently represents —CF2O—, etc.; l and m represent 0 or 1; rings A, B, C and D represent a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene group, etc.; and rings B, C and D represent a trans-1,4-cyclohexenylene group.
US07718225B2	Method to control semiconductor film deposition characteristics Methods are disclosed for adjusting the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of a reaction chamber during a film formation process to control film properties. More than one portion of the chamber surface may be temperature-modulated, and may be accomplished by actively keeping the temperature of a first wall of the reaction chamber above the temperature of a second wall during the film formation process.
US07718224B2	Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes Systems and methods for synthesizing ultra long carbon nanotubes comprising one or more metal underlayer platforms that allow the nanotube to grow freely suspended from the substrate. A modified gas-flow injector is used to reduce the gas flow turbulence during nanotube growth. Nanotube electrodes are formed by growing arrays of aligned nanotubes between two metal underlayer platforms.
US07718220B2	Method and system for forming reinforcing fibers and reinforcing fibers having particulate protuberances directly attached to the surfaces Reinforcing fibers with small particles having a longest average dimension of approximately 0.01 nanometer to approximately 30 micrometers physically and/or chemically bonded directly to their surfaces to form protuberances thereon and a method and system for making these modified fibers are disclosed. The particles directly bonded to the surfaces of the fibers, serve to enhance physical properties of composite articles which incorporate such fibers as reinforcement.
US07718217B2	Method and apparatus for marking electric wire An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for marking an electric wire at a low cost. An apparatus 1 for marking an electric wire forms a band mark 21 on a part of an outer face 5a of the electric wire 3. The band mark 21 is formed along the entire circumference of the part of the outer face 5a of the electric wire 3. The marking apparatus 1 tightens the electric wire 3 in a state where a tensile force is applied in a longitudinal direction. The marking apparatus 1 includes a nozzle 35 for injecting coloring agent toward an uppermost position 10 of the outer face 5a of the electric wire 3. The nozzle 35 has an open end 42 which is opposed to the electric wire 3 and capable of passing the coloring agent. A straight line L extending between a center C1 of the open end 42 and a center C2 of the electric wire 3 lies along a vertical direction.
US07718212B2	Anti-microbial electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same An electrosurgical device including a reinforcing underlayment having a non-stick, anti-microbial coating. In one embodiment, the coating includes a non-stick material having anti-microbial particles interspersed in the non-stick material. This coating is applied to the surfaces of the electrode to minimize the build-up of charred tissue on the surfaces of the electrode. Also, the coating tends to kill harmful organisms residing on the surfaces of the electrode. In another embodiment, a primer coating is initially applied to the surfaces of the electrode. A plurality of anti-microbial particles are then applied to the primer coating layer and engage and are embedded in the primer coating layer. A top coat including a non-stick material is applied to the anti-microbial particle layer. In either embodiment, the coating layers applied to the surfaces of the electrode are cured to harden and adhere the layers to the electrode.
US07718206B2	Infusion bag Described is an infusion bag comprising a layer made of nonwoven fabric composed of bicomponent fibers and/or filaments composed of a high-melting component and a low-melting component, the high-melting component including a polyester. Problems in the fabrication of the nonwoven fabric are avoided by the fact that the low-melting component includes a likewise high-melting polymer having a melting point ≧200° C.
US07718200B2	Plant extract mixtures and their uses A composition comprising extract of one or more plants of one or more of the following plant families: Cissus, Vernonia and Brillantasia. Such compositions have beneficial activity principally in controlling light gain and obesity, especially in conjunction with chitosan or a chitosan derivative and an antioxidant such as vitamin C.
US07718197B2	Colonic purgative composition with soluble binding agent This invention relates to novel colonic purgative compositions in a solid dosage form, comprising at least one purgative and at least one soluble, or soluble, nonfermentable binder, such as polyethylene glycol. Further, this invention relates to methods of using the colonic purgative compositions. The present compositions and methods are designed to improve patient tolerance and compliance, while at the same time improving the quality of bowel cleansing. The formulations and methods of this invention are particularly useful to cleanse the bowel prior to diagnostic and surgical procedures and can also be employed in lower dosages as a laxative to promote elimination and/or to relieve constipation.
US07718196B2	Rapamycin-resistant T cells and therapeutic uses thereof Methods for generating highly enriched Th1/Tc1 and Th2/Tc2 functions are described. In particular, the generation of these functions are attained by the addition of an immune suppression drug, rapamycin or a rapamycin derivative compound. In addition to enhanced purity of T cell function, the T cells generated in rapamycin also express molecules that improve immune T cell function such as CD28 and CD62L. Such rapamycin generated functional T cell subsets may have application in the prevention or treatment of GVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the treatment of autoimmunity, or the therapy of infection or cancer.
US07718192B2	Tamper-resistant oral opioid agonist formulations Disclosed is an oral dosage form comprising (i) an opioid agonist in releasable form and (ii) a sequestered opioid antagonist which is substantially not released when the dosage form is administered intact.
US07718190B2	Self forming, thermodynamically stable liposomes and their applications Certain diacylglycerol-polyethyleneglycol (DAG-PEG) lipids are especially useful for forming thermodynamically stable liposomes. Such liposomes are useful for a variety of purposes, including the delivery of therapeutic agents.
US07718189B2	Sustained release of antiinfectives Provided are lipid antiinfective formulations substantially free of anionic lipids with a lipid to antiinfective ratio is about 1:1 to about 4:1, and a mean average diameter of less than about 1 μm. Also provided is a method of preparing a lipid antiinfective formulation comprising an infusion process. Also provided are lipid antiinfective formulations wherein the lipid to drug ratio is about 1:1 or less, about 0.75:1 or less, or about 0.50:1 or less prepared by an in line fusion process. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a patient with a pulmonary infection comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid antiinfective formulation of the present invention. The present invention also relates to a method of treating a patient for cystic fibrosis comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid antiinfective formulation of the present invention.
US07718187B2	Supplement for maintaining rumen health in ruminants The present invention includes a method of maintaining rumen health in ruminants. The method includes providing to a ruminant a low-moisture block made of molasses and having a buffer. The low-moisture buffer block is specifically designed such that licking rather than chewing consumes the block. The licking action of the cows increases salivation, which acts as a natural buffer for the maintenance of the overall rumen health.
US07718186B2	2-alkoxy-6-alkylphenyl-substituted spirocyclic tetramic acid derivatives The invention relates to novel 2-alkoxy-6-alkylphenyl-substituted spirocyclic tetramic acid derivatives of the formula (I) in which A, B, D, G, X, Y and Z are as defined above, to a plurality of processes and intermediates for their preparation and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides, and also to selective herbicidal compositions comprising, firstly, the 2-alkoxy-6-alkylphenyl-substituted spirocyclic tetramic acid derivatives of the formula (I) and, secondly, at least one crop plant tolerance promoter compound.
US07718183B2	Proteins with repetitive bacterial-Ig-like (big) domains present in Leptospira species The invention relates to three isolated DNA molecules that encode for proteins, BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3, in the Leptospira sp bacterium which have repetitive Bacterial-Ig-like (Big) domains and their use in diagnostic, therapeutic and vaccine applications. According to the present invention, the isolated molecules encoding for BigL1, BigL2 and BigL3 proteins are used for the diagnosis and prevention of infection with Leptospira species that are capable of producing disease in humans and other mammals, including those of veterinary importance.
US07718176B2	Human EPO mimetic hinge core mimetibodies, compositions, methods and uses The present invention relates to at least one human EPO mimetic hinge core mimetibody or specified portion or variant, including isolated nucleic acids that encode at least one EPO mimetic hinge core mimetibody or specified portion or variant, EPO mimetic hinge core mimetibody or specified portion or variants, vectors, host cells, transgenic animals or plants, and methods of making and using thereof, including therapeutic compositions, methods and devices.
US07718170B2	Alkaline phosphatase compositions to reduce skin cancer Compositions of human proteins, methods and regimens for reducing the occurrence and growth of skin cancer, including melanoma, are provided. The methods include steps of administering topically on the skin tumor or a skin cancer-free area of compositions containing therapeutically effective amounts of human alkaline phosphatase, transferrin and α1-antitrypsin. In some embodiments, the composition is topically administered and includes all three proteins. Alkaline phosphatase, alone or in combination with transferrin and α1-antitrypsin can also be administered by injection with or without simultaneous or sequential topical administration. Administration of compositions topically and/or by injection can be part of a more complex cancer therapy including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and electrochemotherapy.
US07718162B2	Medicinal aerosol compositions with a functionalized polyethyleneglycol excipient The invention comprises a medicinal aerosol composition comprising a propellant, an excipient comprising a functionalized polyethyleneglycol, and a drug. The invention also comprises particulate medicinal compositions comprising particles with a mean mass aerodynamic diameter of less than about 10 microns that incorporate an excipient comprising a functionalized polyethyleneglycol.
US07718159B2	Process for co-production of electricity and hydrogen-rich gas steam reforming of a hydrocarbon fraction with input of calories by combustion with hydrogen in situ The invention describes a process for co-production of electricity and a hydrogen-rich gas by steam reforming of a hydrocarbon fraction with input of calories by combustion with the hydrogen that is produced inside the steam reforming reactor-exchanger.
US07718158B2	Polymer-encapsulated ion-exchange resin Polymer-encapsulated ion-exchange resins are disclosed. The resins are useful in adsorption, catalysis, and other applications. Catalysts comprising a polymer-encapsulated combination of an ion-exchange resin and a transition metal are also disclosed. The catalysts are useful in hydrogenation, oxidation, hydroformylation, polymerization, and other valuable processes. Certain of the polymer-encapsulated catalysts enhance the productivity in the process for producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen.
US07718151B1	Methods and systems for deacidizing gaseous mixtures An improved process for deacidizing a gaseous mixture using phase enhanced gas-liquid absorption is described. The process utilizes a multiphasic absorbent that absorbs an acid gas at increased rate and leads to reduced overall energy costs for the deacidizing operation.
US07718147B2	Chemical beneficiation of raw material containing tantalum-niobium The invention relates to a process for the chemical beneficiation of raw material containing tantalum-niobium such as wastes, scoria, concentrates and ores.
US07718146B2	Enhanced bed separation in a styrene monomer reactor using milled plates An apparatus for use in radial flow reactors is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength in supporting a solid particle bed, and is milled to have narrow slots allowing the flow of fluid through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.
US07718138B2	Device for introducing gas into a fluidised bed and a process therefor The present invention relates to a device and a process for introducing gas into a fluidised bed reactor having at least one gas inlet pipe (2, 3) located underneath and/or above the fluidised bed for introducing gas into the fluidised bed, characterized in that the gas inlet pipe (2, 3) has gas-swirling means upstream of and/or at its mouth.
US07718131B2	Methods and apparatus for imaging and processing of samples in biological sample containers Disclosed herein is a holder for biological sample containers such as well plates. The holder comprises a flat vacuum bed surrounded by a seal. A container is placed within the seal and a vacuum is applied, pressing and flattening the lower surface of the sample container against the flat vacuum bed. Samples in all portions of the container may then be imaged without the need to refocus on each portion of the container. For imaging, a sample in a well can be illuminated by a beam of light arranged so that a part or all of the sample is illuminated by direct rays that have not passed through the well plate. The beam is redirected to other parts of the well if a single illumination does not cover the whole well, so that the sample to be imaged using a series of partial images.
US07718123B2	Extended life mineral acid detection tape A mineral acid detection tape includes a cellulose paper substrate saturated with a formula solution and provides an extended life detection tape of at least a three-month period of time when place in service.
US07718115B2	Method of forming hollow part A method of forming a hollow part from a mixture is disclosed. The method may include rotationally molding the mixture into a green part. Additionally, the method may include debinding the green part into a brown part. The method may also include sintering the brown part into the hollow part.
US07718114B2	Ceramic foam filter for better filtration of molten iron A ceramic precursor, and ceramic filter prepared therewith, with 35-70 wt % refractory aluminosilicate; 10-30 wt % colloidal silica; 0-2 wt % modified bentonite; 0-35 wt % fumed silica; 0-10 wt % pore formers and liquid.
US07718111B2	Photocurable compositions for articles having stable tensile properties A photocurable composition comprising cationically curable compound, an acrylate-containing compound; a hydroxyl-containing compound; a cationic photoinitiator; and a free radical photoinitiator; wherein said composition has less than 0.54 equivalents of cationically curable groups, less than 0.10 equivalents of acrylate groups and less than 0.10 equivalents of hydroxyl 0groups per 100 grams of said composition.
US07718106B2	Medical devices and related systems and methods Medical devices including a proximal tubular member, a distal tubular member, and an intermediate tubular member connecting the proximal tubular member to the distal tubular member, and related methods.
US07718105B2	Fabricating multi-component skin systems for robotics and other applications A method for fabricating a product, such as an amimatronic character, with artificial skin. The method includes providing data defining an exterior surface geometry of the product. A base geometry model of the product is generated based on the exterior surface geometry data, which in turn is used to fabricate a prototype of the product. Then, an exterior skin mold is formed using the product prototype mounted on an alignment block. The method includes fabricating an inner support structure based on the base geometry model having an exterior geometry smaller than the 3D base geometry model by the thickness of the exterior skin. The inner support structure is positioned within the mold with the inner support structure mounted upon the alignment block, which is received in the mold. The product is formed by pouring material for an exterior skin layer into the mold and over the inner support structure.
US07718101B2	Process for the production of a friction material based on a sheet-like carbon fiber woven fabric for wet-friction elements A process for producing a friction material based on a sheet-like carbon fiber woven fabric for wet-friction elements, such as clutch linings or synchronizing ring linings. The woven fabric of carbon fibers is impregnated with a binder, in particular with a resin, to form a binder-impregnated fiber material. The prepreg is cured for a curing period under a curing temperature which is elevated with respect to the ambient temperature and is pressed mechanically on its surfaces with a pressing mold before the start and/or at least during part of the curing period.
US07718099B2	Fine channel device, fine particle producing method and solvent extraction method A fine channel device capable of producing fine particles in an industrial scale, hardening the fine particles immediately after the production and recovering the fine particles from a medium without collapsing the shape of the produced fine particles, a fine particle producing method using the fine channel device and a solvent extraction method using the fine channel, are presented. The fine channel device comprises a fine channel provided with an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a dispersion phase, an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a continuous phase, and an outlet channel and an outlet port which discharge fine particles produced by the dispersion phase and the continuous phase, wherein the inlet channel for feeding the dispersion phase and the inlet channel for feeding the continuous phase are joined at an arbitrary angle, and the two inlet channels are connected to the outlet channel at the arbitrary angle.
US07718088B2	Light emitting diode and wavelength converting material A wavelength converting material including a wavelength converting activator and a scatter is provided. The wavelength converting activator is suitable for being activated by a light with a wavelength λ1, so as to emit a light with a wavelength λ2. The scatter is disposed on the wavelength converting activator. The scatter is suitable for scattering a first light and a second light irradiated to a surface thereof. As a result of that the scatters on the wavelength converting activators increases the gap of two wavelength converting activators adjacent to each other, the wavelength converting activators could be sufficiently activated for emitting a light with wavelength λ2 while the wavelength converting materials are irradiated by the light with λ1. Therefore, the brightness of a light emitting diode with the wavelength converting material is enhanced.
US07718084B2	Etchants for selectively removing dielectric materials A method for removing a plurality of dielectric films from a supporting substrate by providing a substrate with a dielectric layer overlying another dielectric layer, contacting the substrate at a first temperature with an acid solution exhibiting a positive etch selectivity at the first temperature, and then contacting the substrate at a second temperature with an acid solution exhibiting a positive etch selectivity at the second temperature. The dielectric layers exhibit different etch rates when etched at the first and second temperatures. The first and second acid solutions may contain phosphoric acid. The first dielectric layer may be silicon nitride and the second dielectric layer may be silicon oxide. Under these conditions, the first temperature may be about 175° C. and the second temperature may be about 155° C.
US07718083B2	Refrigerator oil composition The present invention provides a refrigerator oil composition including: a base oil (A) composed of at least one selected from a polyalkylene glycol, a polyol ester, a poly-α-olefin, an alkylbenzene, and an mineral oil; an organic sulfur compound (B) having a sulfur content of 35% by mass or less; and a refrigerant (C) composed of at least one selected from carbon dioxide gas, a hydrocarbon, and ammonia, in which the refrigerator oil composition has a total sulfur content of 0.01 to 0.1% by mass with respect to a total amount of the components (A) and (B). The refrigerator oil composition is novel, and is free from an environmental problem such as the ozone layer destruction or the global warming, can retain its lubrication property for a long period of time, and does not cause the clogging of a capillary in a refrigeration cycle.
US07718082B2	Lubricants for insulated soft magnetic iron-based powder compositions The invention concerns a powder metallurgical composition containing, preferably a coarse, soft magnetic iron or iron-based powder, wherein the particles are surrounded by an insulating inorganic coating and as lubricant at least one non-drying oil or liquid having a crystalline melting point below 25° C., a viscosity (η) at 40° C. above 15 mPas and wherein said viscosity is temperature dependent according to the following formula: 10 log η=k/T+C wherein the slope k is above 800 T is in Kelvin and C is a constant in an amount between 0.05 and 0.4% by weight of the composition.
US07718080B2	Electronic beam processing device and method using carbon nanotube emitter Methods and devices for selective etching in a semiconductor process are shown. Chemical species generated in a reaction chamber provide both a selective etching function and concurrently form a protective coating on other regions. An electron beam provides activation to selective chemical species. In one example, reactive species are generated from a plasma source to provide an increased reactive species density. Addition of other gasses to the system can provide functions such as controlling a chemistry in a protective layer during a processing operation. In one example an electron beam array such as a carbon nanotube array is used to selectively expose a surface during a processing operation.
US07718078B2	Manufacturing method of circuit board A manufacturing method of a circuit board is provided. Firstly, a substrate board having a plurality of through holes is provided. Next, a first metal layer is electro-less plated on the surface of the substrate board and the surface of the through holes. Then, a second metal layer is plated on the first metal layer. After that, the second metal layer and the first metal layer are patterned to form a patterned circuit layer. Lastly, a third metal layer is plated on the patterned circuit layer.
US07718077B1	Fabricating a structure usable in an imprint lithographic process A method of fabricating an article usable in an imprint lithographic process is disclosed. The method includes patterning masking material layers on a substrate thereby forming a multi-layer mask and sequentially removing portions of the substrate based on the multi-layer mask to thereby forming a structure usable in an imprint lithographic process.
US07718070B2	Method of obtaining an organic salt or acid from an aqueous sugar stream A process for obtaining one or more than one salt of an organic acid(s), or organic acid(s), from an aqueous sugar stream comprising one or more than one mineral acid and the organic acid(s) is provided. The process comprises introducing the aqueous sugar stream to a separation system comprising one or more beds of anion exchange resin and obtaining a stream therefrom comprising the sugar. The one or more beds of anion exchange resin are then regenerated in one or more stages to produce at least one product stream comprising the organic acid, a salt of the organic acid, or a combination thereof, and a separate outlet stream comprising the mineral acid, a salt of the mineral acid, or a combination thereof. The product stream is then recovered. The separation may be conducted with two separation units, or using a single anion exchange unit.
US07718066B2	Method and apparatus for controlling wastewater treatment processes Methods and apparatus for continuing, automated control of wastewater treatment processes. In certain preferred embodiments, method and apparatus for control of aeration in suspended growth biological treatment processes, especially in activated sludge processes.
US07718065B2	Filtration method and apparatus The invention relates to a membrane bioreactor process combined with an advanced biological sludge digestion process that provides significant improvements in sludge digestion by reducing the costs and resources required for disposing of digested sludge. The offline treatment vessel is used to solubilize the organic material by operating in a very low oxygen environment. Digested process fluid is transferred back to the membrane bioreactor. The processes and apparatus substantially reduce the production of waste sludge.
US07718063B2	Treating pollutants by phytoleaching The invention relates to a method of depollution by phytoremediation intended for treating wastewater, polluted air or soil comprising a first step of introducing the pollutants in solid, liquid or gaseous form in a planted filter bed, and characterized in that it also comprises a step of irrigation of said planted filter bed so as to define aerobic or anaerobic periods, and to a device for carrying out that method.
US07718062B2	Wastewater purification plant by means of plants A waste water purification plant purifies water by means of plants and a waste water purification process. The waste water purification plant has at least one plant container, a feed unit, an evacuation unit and plants. Waste water to be purified can be supplied to the purification plant by the feed unit. Purified waste water can be discharged from the purification plant by the evacuation unit. The plants are arranged in the plant container without a substrate. A plant container preferably has at least two plant basins. At least one other container can be provided. At least part of the plant container is arranged on the roof of a building. Plants of at least two different plant species are provided in the plant container. Depending on the type of waste water for example industrial and/or sanitary waste water the waste water to be purified may be purified in a predeterminable sequence by the plants of the different plant species. This purification plant makes it possible to purify industrial and/or sanitary waste water, i.e. it is applicable to industries and/or private homes. In particular, the waste water purified by the purification plant should possess a high degree of purity, for example that of drinking water.
US07718058B2	Chromatography column with pack, unpack, and clean-in-place features A preparative chromatography column is equipped with one or more valves that can each be used to both inject a column packing into the column or withdraw used packing from the column, in addition to cleaning the supply and discharge lines associated with the valve itself, all by moving a movable plug within the valve body and all without protruding into the column interior. Each valve is mounted on the lateral wall of the column just above the filter plate at the column floor, and the plug is movable between a closed position in which the end surface of the plug is flush with the inner wall of the column and an open position in which the plug is recessed within the bore. Each valve has two additional ports in its valve body, positioned such that when the plug is closed, both ports are open to the valve bore, and when the plug is open, at least one of the ports is open to the bore. The position of the plug within the valve bore determines the valve function.
US07718056B2	Separator for removing impurities, especially smaller particles from rain water Separator for removing impurities, especially smaller particles, from rain water. It comprises a first reservoir (2) and a second reservoir (6). The first reservoir (2) performs the function of removing the heaviest portions of the impurities, but is also provided with a lamellar device (4), wherein small drops and impurities of the rain water may be combined to larger impurity aggregates. The second reservoir (6) is divided into a first chamber (6a) and a second chamber (6b), said chambers communicating with each other. A tube (5) provided with perforations (5′) is arranged above the lamellar device (4), through which rain water containing impurities is able to flow from the first reservoir (2) and into the first chamber (6a). The first chamber (6a) is provided with a filter (9). In this way, a more efficient purification of rain water than using the known separator is provided.
US07718047B2	Electrochemical high pressure pump The invention provides electrochemically-based methods and devices for producing fluid flow and/or changes in fluid pressure. In the methods and devices of the invention, current is passed through a divided electrochemical cell. Adjacent compartments of the cell are divided by a separator which comprises an ionically conducting separator. Each compartment includes an electrode and an electrolyte solution or ionic liquid. The electrolyte solution(s) or ionic liquid(s) and the ionically conducting separator are selected to obtain the desired relationship between the current through the cell and the fluid flowrate and/or change in fluid pressure.
US07718046B2	Micellar gradient focusing A method and device are provided for affinity gradient focusing for directing at least one analyte in a solution containing a pseudostationary phase and located in a channel such as a capillary or a microchannel. The method includes establishing a steady-state spatial gradient in a retention factor of the pseudostationary phase for the at least one analyte. The analyte is caused to be moved within the channel whereby the concentration of the at least one analyte changes at one or more positions along the gradient. The pseudostationary phase is charged and the analyte is either neutral or charged or alternatively, the pseudostationary phase is neutral and the analyte is charged. The device may include a fluid channel, a pseudostationary phase having a retention factor gradient, an electrical current source and a pump system for establishing the bulk flow in the solution in the channel.
US07718037B2	Creping foil for redirecting dust A creping foil having a machine direction, cross machine direction, and Z-direction normal to a plane formed by machine direction and cross machine directions. The creping foil also has a front face, back face, and bottom side. The front face has one or more top conduits with one or more upper pipes integrally mounted therein. The one or more upper pipes are rotatable about an axis in the cross machine direction and have one or more upper diameter holes. The bottom side has one or more bottom conduits with one or more lower pipes integrally mounted therein. The one or more lower pipes are rotatable about an axis in the cross machine direction and have one or more lower diameter holes.
US07718026B2	Retractable clip press The specification discloses a cardboard and blister pack packaging and sealing machine that includes an upper and lower heater and die combination that can be compressed together over a package for sealing using heat activated adhesives. The machine may use at least one piston and rod device or pump to provide the necessary energy or pressure. The machine may include a moveable tray containing at least one aperture to hold an unsealed package wherein the unsealed package can be moved proximate to the upper and lower heaters and dies and the upper and lower heaters and dies can press together. In this way, both the top and bottom dies may be heated and the operator is not required to remove the sealed packaging from the hot die.
US07718024B2	LED reflector molding process, construction, and loader thereof A light emitting diode reflector molding process, and a construction thereof includes preparation of a first and a second green sheet structures, the first green sheet structure being provided with a first pattern; the second green sheet structure being placed on top of the first green sheet structure; a metallic layer being coated on the second green sheet structure, the second green sheet structure being molded along the opening pattern of and covering upon the first green sheet for the metallic layer to become the wall of the reflector opening.
US07718023B2	Vibration welding apparatus and welding method A vibration welding apparatus and a method for executing vibration welding of three or more work pieces made of a thermoplastic material to make them integral in a sandwich shape, comprises an upper tool means supporting a first work piece so as to apply a lateral motion to it by a vibration means, a lower tool means capable of supporting a plurality of second work pieces to be welded to at least both surfaces of the first work piece, and a means capable of actuating the lower tool means in such a manner as to move the second work pieces vertically by an elevating means so as to align with the first work piece, and move the second work pieces toward the first work piece laterally by a slide actuating means so as to bring them into contact with the first work piece.
US07718019B2	Methods of and systems for preparing a heat resistant accelerant slurry and adding the accelerant slurry to a post-mixer aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum Methods and systems are provided for preparing a heat resistance accelerator (HRA) slurry. Also provided are methods and systems for introducing a HRA slurry to an aqueous dispersion of calcined gypsum in a discharge apparatus downstream of a stucco mixer in which the dispersion was prepared. These methods and systems are useful in the production of various gypsum products such as board including wallboard and ceiling tiles.
US07718018B2	Method of cooling steel plate A method of cooling both surfaces of steel plate, which stably secures precision of cooling control from a start of cooling to an end so as to uniformly cool the top and bottom surfaces of the steel plate and thereby stably secures the steel plate quality and cools the steel plate down to a target temperature with a good precision. The method comprises dividing a steel plate cooling region into at least a spray impact part region and a spray non-impact part region, predicting a heat transfer coefficient for each divided region in advance, computing a predicted temperature history of the steel plate based on this predicted value, and setting and controlling amounts of sprayed coolant on the spray impact part regions by top and bottom surface nozzles.
US07718016B2	Methods of making multilayered, hydrogen-containing intermetallic structures Methods of making multilayered, hydrogen-containing intermetallic structures including at least two adjacent metal layers are disclosed. At least one of the metal layers contains hydrogen, which can be introduced into the metal by plasma hydrogenation. The intermetallic structures can have high hydrogen contents and micrometer-sized and nanometer-sized dimensions.
US07718013B2	Apparatus and a method for cleaning enclosed spaces The invention relates to an apparatus and a method to clean enclosed spaces. The apparatus consists of an inlet-pipe (1) for cleaning-medium, equipped with thread (10) on outside where a vertical displacement nut (12) is located, which moves vertically when the drive-shaft (6), which is directly connected to a cleaning-medium distributor (18) and, indirectly to a shielding-pipe (8) and nozzle-arms (15, 21), is rotated by a motor (3). The upper nozzle-arms (21) and the vertical displacement nut (12) are interconnected through vertical displacement arms (14) so that the nozzle-arms move vertically and circularly in concert with the vertical displacement nut (12) when the motor rotates the drive-shaft (6). The method relates to cleaning of various enclosed spaces with different cleaning media and is effective for cleaning enclosed spaces such as storage tanks.
US07718010B2	Method for treating a surface with a treatment gel, and treatment gel The present invention related to a method for treating a surface with a gel, as well as to a treatment gel.The treatment may be a decontamination, etching or surface degreasing treatment, for example.The method comprises in this order, the following steps: applying the treatment gel on the surface to be treated, maintaining the treatment gel on the surface to be treated at a temperature and relative humidity such that the gel dries by breaking up and that it has the time to treat the surface before forming a dry and solid residue, and removing the dry and solid residue from the treated surface by suction or brushing.The gel comprises a viscosing agent, a treatment agent and optional an oxidizing agent.
US07718009B2	Cleaning submicron structures on a semiconductor wafer surface Cleaning solutions and cleaning methods targeted to particular substrates and structures in semiconductor fabrication are described. A method of cleaning fragile structures having a dimension less than 0.15 um with a cleaning solution formed of a solvent having a surface tension less than water while applying acoustic energy to the substrate on which the structures are formed is described. Also, a method of cleaning copper with several different cleaning solutions, and in particular an aqueous sulfuric acid and HF cleaning solution, is described. Also, methods of cleaning both sides of a substrate at the same time with different cleaning solutions applied to the top and the bottom are described.
US07718008B2	Method for cleaning photo mask The present invention provides a method for cleaning a photo mask without the need for removal of the pellicle mounted on the photo mask, without the large scale equipment for washing with a solution, with a small number of steps for cleaning and inspection, and without the increase of the production cost. The method for cleaning a photo mask with a pellicle mounted, in which the pellicle frame has a gas introducing hole and a gas discharging hole, comprises: a step of introducing a gaseous substituting substance from the gas introducing hole in a pellicle inner space surrounded by the photo mask and the pellicle, substituting foreign substances on the photo mask, and discharging the foreign substances from the gas discharging hole; and a step of irradiating an ultraviolet ray to the photo mask, while an air or a nitrogen gas or a rare gas is introduced from the gas introducing hole, for degrading the substituted substituting substance so as to be gaseous, and discharging the same from the gas discharging hole.
US07718006B2	Mask holding structure, film forming method, electro-optic device manufacturing method, and electronic apparatus A mask includes a base plate having aperture parts, and chips having aperture patterns and positioned in the aperture parts of the base plate. The mask is arranged on a bottom surface of a bed plate with a substrate on which a film is to be formed sandwiched therebetween. Magnets are arranged on the bed plate, and plugs which are attracted to the magnets are arranged in the base plate.
US07718005B2	Film forming equipment and film forming method Film forming equipment (20) is provided with a treatment container (22), a gas supplying system for supplying the container with a treatment gas including a film forming gas, and an exhaust system for exhausting the atmosphere in the container. In the treatment container, a placing table (46) having a placing plane for placing a flat board shaped body to be treated (W) is arranged. The body to be treated on the placing table is heated by a heater (80). A clamping apparatus (56) is provided to abut/separate to and from a surface peripheral part of the body to be treated, so as to press/release the body to be treated on and from the placing table. On the placing plane of the placing table, a suction structure (92) having a recessed part (94) is formed for temporarily sucking the body to be treated by pressure difference, by forming a substantially hermetic space between the placing plane and the rear plane of the body to be treated.
US07718001B2	Method for fabricating semiconductor epitaxial layers using metal islands Disclosed is a method for fabricating a GaN semiconductor epitaxial layer. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate within a reaction furnace; (b) setting a temperature range of the substrate to be 200° C.˜1,300° C.; (C) supplying a Ga metallic source on the substrate; (d) changing the supplied Ga metallic source on the substrate, to Ga metal islands; (e) supplying a nitrogenous source to the Ga metal islands after suspending supply of the Ga metallic source; (f) forming GaN islands by reacting the Ga metal islands with the nitrogenous source; and (g) growing a GaN epitaxial layer by basing the GaN islands as a seed.
US07718000B2	Method and article of manufacture corresponding to a composite comprised of ultra nonacrystalline diamond, metal, and other nanocarbons useful for thermoelectric and other applications One provides (101) disperse ultra-nanocrystalline diamond powder material that comprises a plurality of substantially ordered crystallites that are each sized no larger than about 10 nanometers. One then reacts (102) these crystallites with a metallic component. The resultant nanowire is then able to exhibit a desired increase with respect to its ability to conduct electricity while also substantially preserving the thermal conductivity behavior of the disperse ultra-nanocrystalline diamond powder material. The reaction process can comprise combining (201) the crystallites with one or more metal salts in an aqueous solution and then heating (203) that aqueous solution to remove the water. This heating can occur in a reducing atmosphere (comprising, for example, hydrogen and/or methane) to also reduce the salt to metal.
US07717998B2	Ultrafine particle grouting composition To provide an ultrafine particle grouting composition which is excellent in dispersibility and dispersion retainability and can be easily injected into minute spaces between particles of grounds, rock cracks, and the like. An ultrafine particle grouting composition comprising ultrafine particle cement, wherein the ultrafine particle grouting composition is at least one selected from the group consisting of the following (i) and (ii): (i) the ultrafine particle grouting composition comprises ultrafine particle cement (A) and a polycarboxylic acid dispersant (C), and the ultrafine particle cement (A) comprises blast furnace slag and gypsum, andthe ultrafine particle cement (A) has 10% by volume or less of particles having a particle diameter of 16 μm or more in powder form of the cement; and (ii) the ultrafine particle grouting composition comprises ultrafine particle cement (B) and a polycarboxylic acid dispersant (D), and the ultrafine particle cement (B) comprises 2 to 25% by weight of cement clinker containing 5% by weight or less of 3CaO.Al2O3, 74 to 97% by weight of blast furnace slag, and 1 to 5% by weight of gypsum, and the ultrafine particle cement (B) has 60 to 80% by volume of particles having a particle diameter of 1 to 5 μm in powder form of the cement.
US07717997B2	Integral water resistant fibre-cement A method of producing a water resistant fiber-cement product. The water repelling agent can be added or applied to the fiber-cement or indeed the material forming the fiber cement at a number of different stages in the process. The resultant material has increased water impermeability over conventional fiber-cement products.
US07717994B2	Coating materials for cores The invention relates to coating material comprising a water-soluble salt as a filler. Such materials are especially suitable as core washes for salt cores for using in foundry technology.
US07717993B2	Ink set, and recording method and recorded matter using the same The present invention provides an ink set comprising at least two or more pigment inks different in color, wherein differences in average particle size between the inks different in color are 30 nm or less, the inks each have a sedimentation rate, as indicated by equation (I), of 15% or less, and differences in the sedimentation rate between the inks different in color are 4% or less: Sedimentation rate (%)=(S0−S1)/S0×100 (I) wherein S0 represents an “initial ink concentration”, which is an absorbance at a wavelength of λmax (or at 500 nm when λmax is not detected) at the time when UV spectral characteristics are measured for a 1000-fold diluted solution of the ink; and S1 represents an “ink concentration after sedimentation”, which is an absorbance at a wavelength of λmax (or at 500 nm when λmax is not detected) at the time when UV spectral characteristics are measured for a 1000-fold diluted solution of a supernatant obtained by centrifuging the ink at 16500 G at 1.60×107 g·sec.
US07717991B2	Inkjet ink, method for producing the same, ink cartridge, and inkjet recording method An inkjet ink contains at least one coloring material selected from the group of C. I. Direct Violet 107, C. I. Acid Red 14, C. I. Acid Red 52, C. I. Acid Red 87, C. I. Acid Red 289 and C. I. Reactive Red 180, and a coloring material including a compound expressed by general formula (I): wherein in the formula (I), each M independently represents hydrogen, an alkali metal, ammonium, or an organic ammonium. The ratio of the content in the inkjet ink of the compound expressed by general formula (I) to the total content of coloring materials in the inkjet ink is in the range of 15.0% by mass or more to 40.0% by mass or less.
US07717989B2	W/O emulsion ink for inkjet A water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion ink which is suitable for use in inkjet printing and is low in viscosity and superior in storage stability is provided. The ink comprises an oil phase and a water phase emulsified in the oil phase using a nonionic surfactant, in which the water phase contains a salt of at least one metal selected from potassium or calcium. The metal salt is preferably a calcium salt, and particular preferably calcium chloride. The nonionic surfactant is preferably a polyglycerin fatty acid ester, and particularly preferably an esterification product of a polyglycerin and a hydroxy fatty acid. Preferably, the ink comprises 40-99 mass % of the oil phase and 60-1 mass % of the water phase, and contains a polyglycerin fatty acid ester in an amount of 0.5-40 mass % based on the total of the ink.
US07717988B1	Fire resistive coating A fire resistive coating made Lassenite N Pozzolan and a water based paint. The Lassenite N Pozzolan is present in a range from about 20% by weight of the composition to about 80% by weight of the composition. The water-based paint present in the range from substantially 20% by weight of the composition to substantially 80% by weight of the composition.
US07717986B2	Vehicle passenger compartment air filter devices A vehicle passenger compartment air filter device comprising a filtration medium comprising a nonwoven web of electret charged thermoplastic microfibers as a filter layer, said microfibers having an effective fiber diameter of greater than 10 μm and comprising a thermoplastic resin having a resistivity greater than 1014 ohm·cm and an additive selected from fluorochemical compounds or oligomers, organic triazine compounds or oligomers, hindered amine compounds, aromatic amine compounds, nitrogen containing hindered phenols, metal containing hindered phenols and mixtures thereof; said web having a basis weight less than 60 g/m2; and a gas adsorption layer comprising an adsorbent particle loaded layer and optionally further comprising a support layer and/or a cover layer bonded to said adsorbent layer; the basis weight of adsorbent particles in gas adsorption layer being at least 150 g/m2; wherein the filter layer is upstream from the gas adsorption layer and wherein the filter layer and gas adsorption layer are co-pleated and substantially non-bonded to one another except optionally at one or more of the outer edges of the filtration medium.
US07717984B1	Electrostatic precipitator unit An electrostatic precipitator unit used for the removal of coolant liquid and particles generated by a machine tool includes an electrostatic precipitator cell. The electrostatic precipitator cell includes power and collector ground fins and an ionizer grid positioned below the fins. The lower edges of the power fins are spaced above the collector ground fins to prevent contact of the liquid on the ground fins with the power fins. An electrical contact assembly for supplying electrical current to the ionizer grid and power fins is electrically isolated from all ground contacts by dielectric standoffs which define an insulating air gap. The likelihood of liquid tracking to ground is therefore eliminated.
US07717982B2	Thin film in-line degasser The present invention relates to a stackable packing element for use in degassing liquid ophthalmic lens monomer and a lens resulting therefrom. One or more stackable elements can be used to form a modular degasser and implement an in-line degassing process, employing same. The stackable packing element is comprised of a body module and a removable puck component.
US07717981B2	Performance stability in shallow beds in pressure swing adsorption systems PSA process for oxygen production comprising (a) providing an adsorber having a first layer of adsorbent selective for water and a second layer of adsorbent selective for nitrogen, wherein the heat of adsorption of water on the adsorbent in the first layer is ≦about 14 kcal/mole at water loadings ≧about 0.05 to about 3 mmol per gram; (b) passing a feed gas comprising at least oxygen, nitrogen, and water successively through the first and second layers, adsorbing water in the first layer of adsorbent, and adsorbing nitrogen in the second layer of adsorbent, wherein the mass transfer coefficient of water in the first layer is in the range of about 125 to about 400 sec−1 and the superficial contact time of the feed gas in the first layer is between about 0.08 and about 0.50 sec; and (c) withdrawing a product enriched in oxygen from the adsorber.
US07717979B2	Composition for a desulfurizer with a high sulfur capacity and the process of making the same The present invention discloses a composition for a desulfurizer with a high sulfur capacity and a process for making the same. The composition comprises the active components of three kinds of iron oxides and is used in the desulfurizer to remove hydrogen sulfide from the gaseous and liquid state feed stocks. The process for preparing the composition comprises the following steps: (1) mixing a solid ferrous compound with a solid hydroxide at a molar ratio of iron to hydroxyl being in the range from 1:2 to 1:3; (2) kneading the mixture feeds obtained in step (1) and making them react completely; (3) drying the products obtained in step (2) in the air; (4) washing and filtering the feeds obtained in the step (3); (5) naturally drying or baking the solids obtained in step (4) to form a composition for a desulfurizer with a high sulfur capacity.
US07717978B2	Method and installation for production of secondary steel based on scrap At the production of the secondary steel based on scrap, wherein the scrap (10) is fed in a scrap preheater (2) through a charging device (1), is preheated there and, finally, is brought into a smelting unit (3) and is melted there with primary energy only, the process gases (19), which leave the smelting unit (3), are not used any more for directly preheating the scrap (10) but are rather used indirectly by heating a gaseous preheatable medium, e.g., air (18) or inert gas, whereby energetic, fluidic, and spatial decoupling of preheating and melting and of post-combustion and preheating is achieved.
US07717974B2	Air filter arrangement for an internal combustion engine An air filter arrangement for an internal combustion engine, especially for a two-cycle engine in a manually guided implement such as a power saw, a cut-off machine, etc., and including an air filter element that delimits a first clean chamber. The air filter arrangement has an inlet opening for an air channel and an inlet opening for a mixture channel. A shield is provided for shielding the air filter element relative to the mixture channel. The inlet opening of the air channel and the inlet opening of the mixture channel are interconnected via the shield.
US07717973B2	Cyclone dust-separating apparatus of vacuum cleaner A cyclone dust-separating apparatus includes a cyclone unit having air inflow and air outflow parts that separate dust or dirt from air, the cyclone unit being installed such that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially horizontally arranged; a dust bin joined to a bottom end of the cyclone unit that collects the dust or dirt separated by the cyclone unit, the dust bin installed in such a manner that a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cyclone unit; a nonporous envelope detachably disposed in the dust bin that stores the dust or dirt collected into the dust bin; and a pressure difference-generating passage to communicate an outlet of the air outflow part and the dust bin with each other so as to allow the nonporous envelope to come in contact with an inner surface of the dust bin by a pressure difference between the dust bin and the air outflow part.
US07717972B2	Diamond disc manufacturing process A diamond disc manufacturing process includes the following steps. Firstly, a container is provided, and an adhesion layer is formed in the container. A hollow member having a plurality of meshes is covered on the adhesion layer. A plurality of diamond particles is implanted on the hollow member and embedded into the meshes of the hollow member, so that the diamond particles are adhered onto the adhesion layer. Then, a resin material is infused into the container, so that the diamond particles are bonded on the resin material. Finally, the resin material together with the diamond particles is released from the container, so as to obtain a diamond disc base with the diamond particles having uniform distribution and orientation.
US07717967B2	Method for manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor A method for manufacturing a solid electrolytic capacitor has the steps of: mixing valve metal powders with organic binder for granulation, press-molding granulated powders embedded with a valve metal lead, sintering a press-molded compact in vacuum to produce a sintered body, and anodizing the sintered body to form a dielectric oxide film layer. The method further has a step of performing a cathode electrolytic cleaning to the sintered body before the step of forming the dielectric oxide film layer. The cathode electrolytic cleaning is performed in an acid solution, which is a mixed acid solution of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid.
US07717966B2	Barrier assembly for an exposure apparatus A barrier assembly (58) for sealing an assembly gap (274) between a first assembly (266) and a second assembly (268) includes a first barrier (270) that seals the assembly gap (274) and a second barrier (272) that seals the assembly gap (274). The barriers (270) (272) can be spaced apart. Further, the first barrier(270) provides a flexible pressure barrier that seals the assembly gap (274) and the second barrier (272) provides a flexible barrier that inhibits the first barrier (270) from contaminating a chamber environment within the assemblies (266) (268). Additionally, the barrier assembly (58) includes a barrier source (62) that controls a barrier environment between the barriers (270) (272).
US07717964B2	Styryl thiol/disulfide compound with a hydroxy(cyclo)alkylamino unit, process for lightening keratin materials using same The disclosure relates to the dyeing of keratin materials using styryl hydroxy(cyclo)alkylamino thiol/disulfide fluorescent dyes. Disclosed herein is a dye composition comprising a styryl hydroxy(cyclo)alkylamino thiol/disulfide fluorescent dye and a dyeing process with, for example, a lightening effect on keratin materials such as hair, using said composition. Disclosed herein are novel thiol/disulfide fluorescent dyes and the uses thereof in lightening keratin materials. This composition makes it possible to obtain a lightening effect which can be resistant and visible on dark keratin fibers.
US07717963B2	Water- and oil-repellent treatment of textile Excellent water repellency and Oil repellency are imparted to a textile by a method including (1) preparing a treatment liquid comprising a water- and oil-repellent agent, (2) adjusting pH of the treatment liquid to at most 7, (3) applying the treatment liquid to a textile, (4) treating the textile with steam, and (5) washing the textile with water and dehydrating the textile, wherein the water- and oil-repellent agent comprises at least one fluorine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of a fluorine-containing polymer and a fluorine-containing low molecular weight compound, and the water- and oil-repellent agent or the treatment liquid contains a cationic emulsifier and/or a salt.
US07717953B2	Delivery system for placement of prosthesis at luminal OS An embodiment of the invention provides a prosthesis delivery system comprising a delivery catheter having an expandable member and a prosthesis carried over the expandable member. The prosthesis includes a radially expandable scaffold section and at least two anchors extending axially from an end thereof; and means for capturing at least the anchors to prevent the anchors from divaricating from the expandable member as the catheter is advanced through a patient's vasculature.
US07717952B2	Artificial prostheses with preferred geometries Implantable medical devices, such as intraluminally implantable stents and valves, are provided having certain preferred shapes. Preferably, a portion of the implantable medical device can define a sinus region having a preferred geometry. The sinus region can have one or more preferred geometric configurations described herein, for example to mitigate or prevent thrombosis within a body vessel. The medical device can include a valve means, such as one or more valve leaflets positioned within the sinus region. The implantable medical devices can be delivered from a catheter within a body vessel, and are preferably expandable from a compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The implantable frames can be self-expanding or balloon expandable. Portions of the medical device, such as the implantable frame or a valve leaflet, are optionally coated with one or more bioactive materials.
US07717950B2	Double sheath deployment system A stent-graft deployment system (10) includes a stent-graft (15), a flexible catheter tip (12) attached to a catheter shaft (25), a retractable primary sheath (20) containing the stent-graft in a first constrained small diameter configuration around the catheter shaft near the flexible tip. The stent-graft deployment system further includes a flexible secondary sheath (14) disposed within the retractable primary sheath and also containing the stent-graft, wherein when the primary sheath is removed from around the stent-graft, the flexible secondary sheath contains the stent-graft in a second constrained small diameter configuration around the catheter shaft near the flexible tip. The removal of the secondary sheath releases the stent-graft from a radial constraint so that stent-graft deployment may proceed.
US07717948B2	Methods and apparatus for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.
US07717947B1	Bone screw A bone screw has a screw head and a threaded shank. An axial bore into which a plurality of radial bores set at a distance from each other open, extends through the threaded shaft. The axial bore is open at the screw head side end, and the radial bores are also open at the radially outer end. The axial bore is closed in an axial direction in the area of the end of the screw shank that lies opposite the screw head.
US07717944B2	Instruments and methods for stabilization of bony structures The present invention relates to methods and instruments for placing a brace or connecting element into an animal subject for engagement with anchors secured in the animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position the connecting element in a position more proximate the anchors.
US07717943B2	Capless multiaxial screw and spinal fixation assembly and method A spinal fixation assembly and capless multi-axial screw system and method are shown. The assembly comprises a receiver having a rotary lock which in one embodiment includes a plurality of channels which urge and lock the elongated member to the screw using a bayonet type connection.
US07717941B2	Linking element for dynamically stabilizing a spinal fixing system and spinal fixing system comprising same A linking element for a spinal fixing system is designed to link at least two implantable connecting assemblies. The linking element is formed at least partly of a support made of polymeric material and of two rods with a first rod, bent or not, substantially coaxial with the support, and a second rod formed of turns surrounding the first rod with the turns being at least partly embedded in the support. A spinal fixing system has at least two implantable connecting assemblies linked by at least one linking element.
US07717939B2	Rod attachment for head to head cross connector Exemplary spinal fixation devices, systems, and method are provided for stabilizing vertebrae in a patient's spine. In one exemplary embodiment, methods and devices are provided for coupling one or more bone anchors, such as hooks, screws, etc., and/or one or more spinal fixation elements, such as spinal rods, cables, plates, etc. In certain exemplary embodiments, a cross connector is provided for connecting and stabilizing two bone anchors, a bone anchor and a spinal fixation element, or a bone anchor and bone.
US07717936B2	Device for loading an embolic protection filter into a catheter A transvascular embolic protection system for safely capturing and retaining embolic material released during an interventional procedure comprises an embolic protection device (1) and a delivery catheter (2) for delivery of the embolic protection device (1) to a desired location in the vascular system. A pack (4) is provided to safely store and prepare the embolic protection system for use. The pack (4) comprises a tray (5) with a channel (6) extending in a looped configuration around the tray (5) for receiving the delivery catheter (2). A loading device (7) is mounted in the tray (5) adjacent to the delivery catheter (2). The embolic protection device (1) is mounted in an expanded configuration in a well (90) in the tray (5). A pushing device (8) for loading the collapsible embolic protection device (1) into the delivery catheter (2) is mounted in the tray (5) adjacent to the embolic protection device (1).
US07717934B2	Rapid exchange catheters usable with embolic protection devices Catheters, assemblies, and methods for delivering and recovering embolic protection devices. Catheters are provided that can be advanced over single length guide wires and which can be retracted over single length wire shafts of distal embolic protection devices. One catheter is a two-port catheter having two sidewall ports, a distal end port, and a proximal end port. The two-port catheter can be advanced over a guide wire threaded between the distal end port and the distal sidewall port. An embolic protection device wire shaft can be back loaded into the distal end port and out the proximal sidewall port. A three-port catheter includes a distal end port, and distal, intermediate, and proximal sidewall ports. The distal sidewall port can be dimensioned to accept passage of a filter body through the port. The distal end port can be dimensioned to accept only a guide wire to provide a smooth transition from the guide wire to the small profile distal end. The guide wire can extend between the distal end port and the intermediate port while the filter body shaft can extend through the proximal port, to be distally urged through the distal sidewall port. Another catheter embodiment is a slotted catheter, including a biased, normally open slot over most of its length. The slot can be sufficiently small to resist unwanted transverse movement of a wire through the slot. The slotted catheter can be retracted over a wire by forcing the wire through the resilient slot.
US07717930B2	Valvulotome with a cutting edge Valvulotome devices comprising a cutting edge are provided. Some valvulotome devices incisably engage a venous valve leaflet within a body vessel while at least a portion of the cutting edge is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valvulotome device. Valvulotome devices are preferably configured to slidably engage a venous valve leaflet upon translation of the valvulotome device along the longitudinal axis of a body vessel. A valvulotome device can further comprise one or more valvulotome arms of variable lengths and dimensions. In some embodiments, the valvulotome device can be self expanding. Embodiments of the invention also provide delivery systems comprising a valvulotome device. The present invention also provides for methods of using a valvulotome device. Kits comprising a valvulotome device are also provided.
US07717921B2	Instruments and methods for delivering multiple implants in a surgical procedure Instruments and methods are provided for delivering multiple implants to locations for implantation in a patient without requiring a second implant to be loaded onto or engaged to the delivery instrument after delivery of a first implant.
US07717914B2	Treatment device A treatment device of this invention has a pair of first, second jaws capable of opening/closing with respect to each other at the tip end portion and comprises a tissue pressing portion in the relatively dull shape provided on a surface portion of the first jaw opposite to the second jaw and having a projection portion formed projecting toward the second jaw side, a receiving member provided on a surface portion of the second jaw opposite to the first jaw at a position opposite to the tissue pressing portion, and a plurality of electrode portions provided at least at one of the first jaw and the second jaw so that a high-frequency current flows through a living tissue compressed by the tissue pressing portion and the receiving member.
US07717913B2	RF cauterization and ultrasonic ablation instrument with multi-hole collar and electrode mounting sleeve A surgical instrument comprises, in accordance with the present invention, an elongate probe, a sleeve, a sleeve extension and at least one cauterization electrode. The probe is an ultrasonic element, serving to convey ultrasonic vibrations (as standing waves) to organic tissues at a surgical site. The probe has a working tip and a longitudinal axis. The sleeve surrounds the probe with the working tip of the probe projecting from a distal or free end of the sleeve. The sleeve extension is disposed at the distal or free end of the sleeve and defines a multiplicity of apertures having respective axes oriented at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The electrode has a distal or free end removably inserted through one of the apertures.
US07717910B2	Electrosurgical generator An electrosurgical generator for supplying RF power to an electrosurgical instrument for cutting or vaporizing tissue has an RF output stage (42) with an RF power bridge (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4), a pair of output lines (74) and a series-resonant output network (48). The output impedance of the output stage (42) at the output lines (74) is less than 200/√P ohms, where P is the maximum continuous RF output power of the generator. The generator offers improved cutting and vaporizing performance, especially in relation to the reliability with which an arc can be struck when presented with an initial low impedance load. Overloading of the output stage is prevented by rapidly operating protection circuitry responsive to a predetermined electrical condition such as a substantial short-circuit across the output lines. In the preferred embodiment, the output stage is capable of maintaining output pulses at least 1 kW peak by supplying the power bridge from a large reservoir capacitor (60). Pulsing is dynamically variable in response to load conditions by controlling the maximum energy per pulse in response to the reservoir capacitor voltage.
US07717905B2	Time-resolved scanning patterns for intrastromal surgery A system and method for performing laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) in corneal tissue of an eye requires calculating a pattern of focal spots. LIOB is then induced at a first focal spot, and is continued at a plurality of interim focal spots within a time period τ. Each focal spot has a diameter “d1” and generates a temporal cavitation bubble of diameter “d2”. It then collapses within time “τ” to a substantially stationary diameter “d3”, with (d1≦d3≦d2). Importantly, each focal spot is located more than “d2” from every other interim focal spot within the time period of “τ”. At the time “τ”, a second focal spot in the pattern can be generated at a distance “d3” from the first focal spot. This process is then continued with another plurality of interim focal spots being generated within another time period “τ”.
US07717901B2	Instrument for performing liposuction An instrument for performing liposuction with a longitudinally extended rod-shaped part that, at its rear end, has a handle and a front end piece for partially introducing the rod-shaped part under the skin at a site to be treated. The rod-shaped part is, at least over a portion of its length, provided with a roughened surface. This enables the rod-shaped part to be partially introduced under the skin at the site that has already been treated with a suction instrument. At this location, the rod-shaped part can, with its roughened surface, simultaneously distribute the remaining fatty layer remnants or to remove these remnants from the remaining tissue by means of a to-and-fro movement in the longitudinal direction.
US07717900B2	Locking clamp A locking clamp is provided that is used for securing at least one tube. The locking clamp has a first and second end axially opposed end pieces and a plurality of locking members extending between the first and second end pieces. Living hinges connect the first and second end pieces to the locking members and allow selective movement of the locking members between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position, the locking members can extend in overlying partially coextensive relation to each other, and the one set of locking members can be defined in a substantially axially opposed, coplanar parallel relationship to the second set of locking members. The clamp may be used during high pressure applications to secure one tube in relationship to another tube.
US07717899B2	Inner and outer telescoping catheter delivery system A catheter assembly employs an outer catheter with a pre-formed distal end and an open lumen. An inner catheter having an open lumen and a pre-formed distal end is movably disposed within the outer catheter. Relative rotation and extension of the inner and outer catheters provides the distal end of the catheter assembly with an adjustable range of two- and three-dimensional shapes. The inner catheter can include sections of varying stiffness, such that extension of the inner catheter within the outer catheter modifies the shape of the outer catheter's pre-formed distal end. The adjustable shaping of the catheter assembly's distal tip provides an improved system for locating and cannulating cardiac venous structures, particularly the coronary sinus via the right atrium.
US07717897B2	Medical fluid container with concave side weld A flexible non-PVC, non-DEHP polyolefin container or bag for medical fluids has an elongated container body formed of polyolefin film. The container has one or more ports equipped with a polyolefin fill tube and port closure assembly. The container includes a concave seam on at least one of its longitudinal sides.
US07717896B2	Disposable pull-on wearing article A disposable pull-on wearing article has its waist region divided into a front section and a rear section and connector sheet strips adapted to connect these two sections together. Each of the connector sheet strips has zones to be joined to the front sections and a non-joint zone interposed between the zones to be joined to the front and rear sections and adapted to be easily torn apart in the vertical direction of the article. The front and rear sections respectively have ears lying on the outer side. These ears have respective inner surface releasably joined to each other by a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
US07717892B2	Method of treating urinary incontinence A method for treating urinary incontinence includes the steps of inserting into the woman's vagina a first disposable device, removing the first disposable device, and inserting a second disposable device substantially identical to the first disposable device. The disposable devices have a generally cylindrical working portion with opposed faces to provide support to an associated urinary system and an anchoring portion to maintain the disposable device in place during use. The working portion also has an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 170 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 5 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 40 mm and a length ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm. The anchoring portion also has an initial equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm, an insertion equivalent diameter ranging from about 10 to about 25 mm, a use equivalent diameter ranging from about 20 to about 60 mm and a length ranging from about 10 to about 50 mm.
US07717886B2	Medical valve and method of use A closed system, needleless valve device includes a generally tubular body defining an internal cavity. On the proximal end of the body there is an opening which is preferably sufficiently large to receive an ANSI standard tip of a medical implement. The distal end of the body has a generally tubular skirt. The valve also includes a hollow spike having a closed tip. The spike includes at least one longitudinal 18-gauge hole located distal the tip, and is seated inside the cavity such that the tip is below the proximal end of the body. An annular support cuff is connected to the spike which seals off a portion of the cavity of the body such that an upper cavity containing the tip is defined. The valve also includes a plastic, resilient silicone seal which fills the upper cavity and opening and covers the tip of the spike so as to present a flush surface. An adaptor enables the valve to be attached to a resealable container.
US07717870B2	System and method for providing decompression modalities using oscillatory signaling at high tension levels and smooth transition signaling for spinal treatment A modality system that computes a signal having a first tension level, a second tension level, and transition tension levels between the first and second tension level, where the higher of the first and second tension levels includes an oscillation. The system communicates the signal to an electromechanical actuator to apply a modality treatment to a patient.
US07717856B2	Non-toxic liquid column sphygmomanometer A sphygmomanometer having an elongated tube, an air chamber coupled to a first end of the tube, and a liquid chamber coupled to a second end of the tube. The liquid chamber is partially filled with fluid and is couplable to a source of external pressure. An offset region located proximate the second end of the tube has a significantly reduced cross-sectional area so as to reduce the effect of fluid level changes on pressure measurement accuracy. At least one ventilation valve is coupled to the elongated tube and the air chamber and is operative to vent the elongated tube and the air chamber to atmosphere.
US07717852B2	Method and device for determining the motion vector tissues in a biological medium The invention relates to a method of determining the motion vector of tissues in a biological medium. This method comprises the steps of: —acquiring a sequence of echographical images at a given repetition rate, —digitalising said echographical images and storing the so-digitalised images, —defining a digital pseudo echographical pulse, —effecting in a plurality of directions a convolution of said digital pseudo echographical pulse with said digitalised images and deducing therefrom at each point of said medium a plurality of pseudo echographical signals associated with said plurality of directions, —determining an estimate over said plurality of directions of the phase shift between two successive pseudo echographical signals and deducing therefrom the magnitude and the direction of said motion vector.
US07717850B2	Signal processing for ultrasound imaging The visibility of features in ultrasound images that include at least two types of tissue can be improved by processing the images using a variety of algorithms. In one such algorithm, the ratio of power in a first spatial frequency band to power in a second spatial frequency band is computed for a plurality of samples of a received ultrasound return signal that are associated with a given pixel. In another such algorithm, the ratio of power in a first spatial frequency band to total power is computed. With both algorithms, the computed ratio is then mapped to a gain for the given pixel, the raw intensity of the given pixel is modified in accordance with the gain, and the pixel is displayed with the modified intensity.
US07717847B2	Surgical hand access apparatus A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening extending therethrough for passage of a surgeon's hand, a retractor base mounted to the access housing and having a flexible liner for positioning within the incision to engage tissue portions defining the incision, and a trocar adapter which is releasably mounted to the access housing. The trocar adapter includes a trocar sleeve positioned for reception within the longitudinal opening and a trocar valve adapted to receive a surgical instrument in fluid tight relation therewith. The access housing may include a seal adapted to form a seal about each of the surgeon's arm and the trocar sleeve. The seal is adapted to close in absence of the surgeon's arm or the trocar sleeve.
US07717846B2	External endoscopic accessory control system The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.
US07717842B2	Apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in audio device An apparatus and method for generating pulsating noise in an audio device are provided. The apparatus and method mix audio signals processed by an audio play operation with pulsating noise generated by a pulsating noise generator if a brain wave induction mode is set in an audio device and output a result of the mixing operation through wired or wireless speaker. Therefore, a user can efficiently experience brain wave induction action based on the pulsating noise while he/she hears audio from the speaker.
US07717839B2	Multi-path interfolding apparatus An interfolding apparatus and method, utilize, first and second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangements and an interfolding arrangement simultaneously mounted and operatively interconnected in a common frame, for alternatively selectively forming a first or a second interfolded pattern having a given folded width, without replacement of components of the interfolding apparatus. The first interfolded pattern is formed from a first stream of overlapped sheets of a first length cut from a web of sheet material fed along a first path extending through the first sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement. The second interfolded pattern is formed from a stream of overlapped sheets of a second length cut from the web of sheet material fed along a second path extending through the second sheet-cutting-and-overlapping arrangement to the interfolding arrangement.
US07717837B2	Exercise system and related methods Facilitating exercise using easy to transport and easy to assemble components and, when assembled, providing a portable apparatus on which a human can engage in a wide variety of exercises. Support elements including vertical components are supported on bases. Collars slideably insert over the support elements and further include bar supports for receiving one or more stabilizers. The stabilizers join the support elements and the bases forming a system base.
US07717833B1	Adjustable, reversible exercise apparatus with converging and diverging motion Disclosed are adjustable exercise machines, apparatuses, and systems. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically include an adjustable, reversible mechanism that utilizes pivoting arms and a floating pulley. The disclosed machines, apparatuses, and systems typically are configured for performing pushing and pulling exercises and may provide for converging and diverging motion.
US07717831B2	Torso exercise machine The subject invention provides an exercise machine for exercising the lower torso. As described herein, the exercise machine includes a stabilizer pad, which effectively immobilizes the user's lower body to maintain proper pelvic positioning during execution of the exercise. The stabilizer pad can be part of a user support structure having a seat surface, a pelvic stabilizer pad and a footrest. The footrest is positioned so the user can apply a force using the leg muscles to push the pelvis into the pelvic stabilization pad. The spatial arrangement of the stabilization assembly which comprises: pelvic stabilizer pad, seat, and footrest combination effectively immobilize the user's pelvic area, preventing it from rotating in either the anterior or posterior direction.
US07717824B2	Isokinetic exercise equipment Isokinetic rehabilitation apparatus including a motor-driven pedal assembly having associated therewith a pair of foot pedals and at least one hand engagement element and a computerized motor controller operative to drive the motor-driven pedal assembly at a generally constant, selectable speed, generally irrespective of the extent to which forces are applied to the pedal assembly.
US07717823B2	Method and apparatus for changing shift scheduling modes of automated mechanical transmission A method of and apparatus for operating an automated mechanical transmission (AMT) achieves switching between and selecting one of a plurality of automated mechanical transmission shift scheduling modes. Such switching or selection occurs and is controlled by the vehicle operator undertaking a sequence of non-routine operating steps or inputs which are interpreted by a microprocessor or controller as a request for a change of the shift scheduling mode.
US07717822B2	Method for the operation of a drivetrain A method for operation of a drivetrain, comprising an automatic transmission and a drive motor, for improving the shift speed of successive upshifts or downshifts such that during a first shift at least one shift element required for a successive shift is prepared such that when a synchronization point is reached, the successive shift is immediately carried out. Two successive shifts can be carried out as overlapping single shifts by actuating three shift elements such that: a) during the first shift a first shift element is either disengaged or engaged while the second shift element is either engaged or disengaged; b) during the successive shift a second shift element is prepared for disengagement or engagement while the third shift element is prepared for engagement or disengagement, the actuation of the second shift element, when transiting from the first to the successive shift, takes place by a desired selection.
US07717821B2	Method for the operation of a drivetrain A method for operation of a drivetrain including a drive motor and an automatic transmission having at least five shift elements, of which, at least three shift elements are engaged in each forward and reverse gear and the other shift elements are disengaged. Two successive shifts are accomplished by two overlapped single gear shifts such that a) during the first shift, a first shift element is engaged or disengaged while a second shift element is disengaged or engaged; b) during the first shift, second and third shift elements are prepared for either engagement or disengagement, and c) during the first and the second shifts at least one fourth shift element is kept engaged or nearly engaged.
US07717819B2	8-speed transmission The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes three planetary gear sets, five torque-transmitting devices, one fixed interconnection, three external gear sets and a final drive gear set. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with one of the external gear sets. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various planetary and external gear members, the input shaft, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07717813B2	Bases for baseball and softball A base for baseball or softball including a bottom surface wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface includes a prepared surface having a higher coefficient of friction than the surface in its unprepared state and wherein the base will move from its resting position when a human body applies a lateral force thereto, the force being low enough to avoid substantial injury to the human body, but will remain in position when a force applied to the base includes a downward force component that is substantial in comparison to the lateral force component.
US07717810B2	Golf ball A golf ball composed of a solid core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer is characterized in that the solid core or an inner cover layer adjacent to an outer cover layer has a light-reflecting pigment-containing coating applied to a surface thereof and at least the outer cover layer is transparent or translucent and has a surface that is marked with lettering or a design. The ball has a metallic texture, in addition to which the marks such as lettering or a design appear three-dimensional, giving the ball a high-quality feel.
US07717809B2	Multi-piece solid golf ball The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having a core, an outermost layer cover with a surface on which are formed a plurality of dimples, and one or more intermediate layer between the core and the cover. At least one intermediate layer and the outermost layer cover are each formed primarily of an ionomer-containing thermoplastic resin. The resin of which the outermost layer cover is formed contains up to 20 wt % of a ternary copolymer ionomer and has formulated therein from 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight of short organic fibers per 100 parts by weight of the resin. The golf ball of the invention has a fully satisfactory flight performance and a good feel on impact. Moreover, it has an excellent durability to cracking on repeated impact and also an excellent scuff resistance.
US07717808B2	Golf ball The present invention provides a golf ball having a resilient core made of rubber and a cover of one or more layer enclosing the core, wherein, letting V be the initial velocity (m/s) of the ball as measured by a method set forth in the Rules of Golf using an initial velocity measuring apparatus of the same type as the USGA drum rotation-type initial velocity instrument and letting E be the deflection (mm) of the ball when subjected to loading from an initial load state of 98 N (10 kgf) to a final load of 1.275 N (130 kgf), the value of V/E is at most 19. The golf ball has a good feel on impact and an excellent flight performance when hit with an iron.
US07717804B2	Golf club head having movable weights One embodiment of a golf club head having movable weights includes a body with a face plate positioned at a forward portion of the golf club head, a sole positioned at a bottom portion of the golf club head, a crown positioned at a top portion of the golf club head and a skirt positioned around a periphery of the golf club head between the sole and the crown. Two or more weight ports are formed in the body and at least two weights are configured to be retained at least partially within the weight ports.
US07717802B2	Putting training device and method The putting training device positions a plurality of objects and a practice ball on a practice surface, and, in the preferred embodiment, comprises an arm arrangement of two connected rods having telescoping ball receptacles at each end. Four golf balls contained within perimeter receptacles are guiding balls. A golf ball positioned within a fifth receptacle is a practice ball to be putted once the putting training device is removed from the five positioned golf balls. The method comprises: providing an alignment device comprising; two ball sockets that define a take-away gap; two ball sockets that define a follow-through gap; the take-away gap and follow through gap further defining a putting arc distance gap; placing a plurality of objects on a putting surface; overlaying the alignment device on the objects so that the sockets contain an object; and removing the device, thereby leaving the objects on the putting surface.
US07717800B2	Swing with a recline mechanism and method of using the same The present invention relates to an infant support structure, such as a swing for a child. In one embodiment, the child swing includes a recline mechanism that can be adjusted to change the recline angle of the seat in which a child is positioned.
US07717798B2	Child motion device A child motion device has a frame assembly configured to rest on a support surface. The frame assembly includes at least one track configured to slidably receive a child seat assembly. The track can extend in any desired direction and include a geometric profile so that as the seat assembly travels along the track, a desired motion profile is imparted onto the seat assembly and to the child seated therein.
US07717796B2	Shock absorbing structure of propeller shaft When an inner ring portion of a tripod is brought into contact with a protruding portion, the inner ring portion is brought into contact with the protruding portion because an outer diameter of the protruding portion is smaller than a diameter of a tilted outer end portion of the inner ring portion. Since the inner ring portion is tilted with respect to an axial direction, the inner ring portion is brought into contact with the protruding portion by a point (a line) not by a surface. If the inner ring portion is brought into contact with the protruding portion by the point, a stress concentration is generated at the point with which the protruding portion is brought into contact, a small impact force overcomes a breaking load of the protruding portion in the stress concentration portion, and the stress concentration portion is easily broken (plastically deformed). Accordingly, it is possible to easily break the protruding portion, and even if there is a dimensional error of the protruding portion or the like, it is possible to make a load breaking the protruding portion approximately constant.
US07717794B2	Longitudinal plunging unit with cage securing means A longitudinal plunging unit comprises a profiled sleeve with longitudinally extending first ball grooves, and a profiled journal with longitudinally extending second ball grooves. The profiled journal engages said profiled sleeve with balls arranged in groups in pairs of first ball groove and second ball grooves. A ball cage positioned between the profiled sleeve and the profiled journal fixes the balls in their axial position relative to one another. The ball cage is displaceable relative to the profiled journal between spaced axial stops. On the profiled journal, there is arranged a stop sleeve, which can abut the profiled journal or a component connected thereto. The stop sleeve delimits the displacement path of the ball cage towards the second portion.
US07717792B2	Torsional detuner A torsional detuner for dampening vibrations developed in an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, a flywheel connected to the crankshaft and a transmission assembly coupled to the flywheel. The detuner includes a planar body mounted to the flywheel and having a central hub, a peripheral rim and a plurality of elastically deformable members connecting the hub to the rim. The deformable members extend outward from the hub to the rim in an outwardly radial spiral. Advantageously, vibrations developed in the engine are dampened by the relative rotation between the hub and rim.
US07717789B2	Game program, game device, and game method The present invention provides a player with replay images without setting a reference value to the replay images. First, in a game implemented by a program of the present invention, a first event table that identifies event content and the importance level thereof, is set. Next, replay images of an event that occurred during the execution of the game are saved in the memory unit. Then, the first event table is referenced during execution of the game, and the importance level of the replay images saved in the memory unit is set. Next, a second event table used to identify the importance level of the replay images is set. Finally, at least either the latest replay images saved in the memory unit, or the replay images saved in the memory unit in accordance with the importance level of the replay image, or both, is displayed on a monitor.
US07717780B2	Game machine and game program A game machine is comprised of means for producing a field having two or more stages which are connected with each other on world coordinates, means for respectively locating two or more characters appearing in a game in the stage, means for locating an operation character, means for computing a character density in the stage where the operation character is located, means for judging as to whether or not the character density is lower than a predetermined character density, means for computing a number of short characters, and means for extracting the short characters from the stages other than the stage where the operation character is located and relocating the short characters.
US07717779B1	Combine with a conveyor switchable between swath deposit operation and chopper operation in different directions of rotation The invention concerns a combine (10) with a chassis (12) that can be moved across a field in the forward operating direction, a harvested crop processing arrangement (26) with an outlet (62) for straw and a straw chopper (60) with an inlet for straw (58). A rotating conveyor drum (68) is attached downstream of the outlet (62) of the harvested crop processing arrangement (26) and upstream of the inlet (58) of the straw chopper (60) that rotates in a first direction of rotation in the swath deposit operating mode and that conveys the straw received from the harvested crop processing arrangement (26) past the straw chopper (60) to the ground, and conveys it in the chopper operating mode in the second direction of rotation into the inlet (58) of the straw chopper (60).
US07717777B2	Adjustable rear rotor discharge flights An improved threshing and separating mechanism for a combine that includes an elongated rotor mounted for rotation about a rotor axis within a rotor housing on the combine. The rotor has a threshing portion and a separating portion. The housing has a threshing section and a separating section corresponding to the threshing portion and the separating portion. The housing surrounds the rotor and is spaced from the rotor to form an annular space between the rotor and the housing for crop material to flow through in an axial crop flow direction from an inlet end of the housing to an outlet end of the housing. A rear portion of the rotor tube includes one or more discharge flights or vanes that are adjustable in height and assist in discharging material through the outlet of the rotor housing. The discharge vanes work in conjunction with the vanes in the top covers of the rotor housing.
US07717774B2	Sterile filling arrangement An arrangement for the sterile, aseptic production and/or filling of pharmaceutical products contains a housing which, with the exception of an inlet and an outlet with a clearly defined cross-section, is closed in an airtight manner. Through the air inlet air is forced via a filter into the interior of the housing. The air passes out of the housing through the air outlet or channels. The size of the cross-section of the air outlet and the performance of the ventilating device are matched in such a way that within the interior of the housing there is a laminar unidirectional or combined airflow and a constant overpressure with respect to the pressure outside the housing.
US07717772B2	Polishing tool There is provided a polishing tool which enables a polishing surface thereof to be in surface contact with a to-be-polished surface over a wide area of the polishing surface when polishing a corner portion, and which can reduce an impact of a polishing member caused when the polishing member hits against a member around the polishing member. A generally triangular polishing member having apex angles of 60 degrees is connected, through the intermediary of an oscillation transmitting member made of a plate-like spring member, to an oscillating shaft oscillated by a motor. The oscillation transmitting member has a triangular base having at the center thereof a fixing hole by which the triangular base is fitted and fixed to the oscillating shaft, and triangular polishing member holding portions each extending from each side of the triangular base. The polishing member has three polishing pieces each composed of a pad held by the polishing member holding portion and a polishing sheet laminated to the pad. The edge of the polishing piece extends outwardly beyond the edge of the polishing member holding portion.
US07717771B1	Angle grinder and angle grinder spindle-collet adaptor A simple three piece machined steel Collet-Spindle Adaptor for angle grinders includes a hat-shaped base having interior threading for coupling with a threaded spindle on an angle grinder. A sleeve extends therefrom and has an interior surface which engages with a collet. The preferred adaptor converts an angle grinder to accept die grinding tools and other similar tools, thereby providing flexibility of tooling, flexibility of application and work area, ergonomics in operator comfort by providing two hand operation, safety in lower operating tool speed, and reduced cost as an additional die grinder and expensive air compressor are not required. Simple machined design allows rapid change over and small size allows easy toolbox storage.
US07717767B2	Modular toy vehicle accessory mounts A toy vehicle design having two distinctly different methods to attach accessories. Accessories that attach to the front, sides, rear and bottom of the vehicle can connect to the chassis via a tab and slot system. Strategically positioned slots on the chassis undercarriage can accept tabs that extend from those accessories. The various accessories can be interchangeable and can be easily attached and removed without the need for tools. For front, side, rear and bottom fitting accessories, slots can be located along the outer perimeter of the vehicle chassis' undercarriage. The accept tabs can extend from the various accessories. Accessories that attach to the hood, roof and truck beds, magnets are built into the underside of the vehicle body with magnets of the opposite polarity attached to the inside of the accessories. For electronic accessories, the present invention can utilize female electrical connectors that can be located along the sides of the chassis undercarriage to accept male electrical connectors attached to accessories.
US07717765B2	Method of sealing a flat-type fluorescent lamp device and process for coating fluorescent layers on corresponding first and second substrates A flat-type fluorescent lamp device includes a first substrate, a plurality of first and second electrodes arranged on the first substrate at fixed intervals, a first fluorescent layer on an entire surface of the first substrate including the first and second electrodes, a second substrate having a plurality of projection portions for maintaining a uniform gap between the first and second substrates, and a second fluorescent layer on the second substrate except at regions of the projection portions that contact the first substrate.
US07717764B2	Method of manufacturing image display panel and image display panel A method of manufacturing an image display panel, having one or more cells formed in an isolated manner from one another by partition walls and accommodating image display media and a plurality of image display elements, in which the image display media are sealed between opposed two substrates, at least one of the two substrates being transparent, and, in which the image display media, to which an electrostatic field is applied, are made to move so as to display an image, characterized in that the improvement comprises the steps of: (1) manufacturing a substrate with the partition walls on one substrate; applying an adhesive mixture obtained by mixing a photo-curing resin and a heat-hardening resin on the partition walls; and then connecting the other substrate to the partition walls through the adhesive mixture, the steps of: (2) manufacturing a substrate with the partition walls by forming the partition walls on one substrate; performing a washing by a dry treatment with respect to the thus manufactured substrate with the partition walls; applying an adhesive on the partition walls; and connecting the other substrate to the partition walls through the adhesive, or the steps of: (3) manufacturing the partition walls on one substrate by means of a pale color resist; applying an adhesive colored by a dark color on the partition walls; and connecting the other substrate to the partition walls through the adhesive.
US07717757B2	Cassette relay block attachment structure Lock portions 4 are provided more inside than outermost wall surfaces 5a, 6a of a cassette relay block 1, and the cassette relay block 1 is inserted into space surrounded by peripheral walls 16 to 19 on an attaching side, and fixed by the lock portions 4 and locked portions 10 located on the peripheral wall side. The peripheral walls 16 to 19 on the attaching side are formed as a cassette frame 2. The cassette frame is used in common for the cassette relay block 1 or other cassette electric parts mounting blocks. The plural cassette frames are coupled to each other by lock members 54, and coupled to a connection box body by locked members thereby to constitute an electric connection box.
US07717756B1	Probe connector A probe connector has a barrel having a main body which defines a chamber therein, and a base connected with one end of the main body. The main body has an opening at a middle portion thereof. A plunger is mounted to the barrel and partly exposes from the other end of the main body. A wrapping element surrounds an outer periphery of the main body. A resting element has a resting portion of arc shape, and two fixing slices extended opposite to each other from two ends of the resting portion. The resting portion projects into the chamber of the barrel through the opening. The fixing slices are sandwiched between the barrel and the wrapping element. The resting portion rests against a side of the plunger when the plunger is pressed downwards to deflect to contact an inner surface of the main body by an opposite side thereof.
US07717754B2	Connector assembly with internal seals and manufacturing method An implantable medical device connector assembly and method of manufacture include a molded, insulative shell having an inner surface forming a connector bore, a circuit member including a one or more traces extending through the shell; one or more conductive members positioned along the connector bore and electrically coupled to the traces; and sealing members positioned between the conductive members.
US07717753B2	Electrical connector with a sleeve therein An electrical connector includes an insulating housing (1) defining a receiving cavity (10) with an opening (101) opened forward and running through a mating face (11). A plurality of terminals are mounted in the insulating housing. A cover (4) defines a space for partly receiving the insulating housing therein, and includes a front wall (43) with an aperture (430) corresponding with the opening (101). A shell (5) is provided for shielding the insulating housing and the cover. A sleeve (3) has a base portion (32) sandwiched between the mating face (11) and the front wall (43) of the cover (4), and a ring (31) projecting forward through the aperture (430), therefore the sleeve can not release from the insulating housing easily.
US07717752B2	276-pin buffered memory module with enhanced memory system interconnect and features A memory subsystem system including a rectangular printed circuit card having a first side and a second side, a length of between 149.5 and 153.5 millimeters, and first and second ends having a width smaller than the length. The memory system also includes a first plurality of pins on the first side extending along a first edge of the card that extends the length of the card, and a second plurality of pins on the second side extending on the first edge of the card. The memory system further includes a positioning key having it center positioned on the first edge of the card and located between 84.5 and 88.5 millimeters from the first end of the card and located between 62.5 and 66.5 millimeters from the second end of the card.
US07717749B2	Multiport RJ connector A multiport connector which includes a housing having at least two aligned compartments, each compartment being structured and arranged to receive respective plugs. A multilayer printed wiring board separates the two compartments, the printed wiring board having circuit patterns on opposite sides of opposed non-conductive layers and a metal shielding layer intermediate the non-conductive layers. A first plurality of conductive contact fingers is disposed in one of the compartments, the first plurality of fingers having first portions for making electrical contact with one of the plugs and second portions for making contact with the circuit pattern on one of the non-conductive layers of the multilayer printed wiring board. A second plurality of conductive contact fingers is disposed in the other of the compartments, the second plurality of fingers having first portions for making electrical contact with the other one of the plugs and second portions for making contact with the circuit pattern on the other one of the non-conductive layers of the multilayer printed wiring board.
US07717742B2	Apparatus for mechanical and electrical connection An apparatus is proposed for detachable mechanical and electrical and/or optical connection of a recording appliance to an imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises a mounting board and an insert board, which is pushed into the mounting board. In this case, the mounting board has guides on opposite sides, which hold the insert board in an interlocking manner in the pushed-in state. Electrical and/or optical contacts on the mounting board and on the insert board are connected to one another when the insert board has been pushed essentially completely into the guides on the mounting board. In one embodiment, a locking lever is provided, which converts a rotary movement of the locking lever to a linear movement of the insert board in the insertion direction. A latching position is provided in an end position of the locking lever.
US07717740B2	Electrical connector including viewing window assembly and associated methods An electrical connector includes a window assembly including an electrically insulating transparent base and a plurality of electrically insulating transparent windows extending outwardly therefrom. The connector may include an electrically conducting body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective insulation-free electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The individual windows of the window assembly are aligned with respective cable end viewing openings to provide a cover and to permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the insulation-free electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways. The connector may further include an insulating cover on the body and defining a seal with the window assembly.
US07717728B1	Electrical Connector An electrical connector has an insulative housing, terminals and two fastening assemblies. Each fastening assembly has a latching member and a bracket. The latching member is mounted movably on the insulative housing and has a hooking section to hook on a memory module. The bracket is mounted pivotally on the latching member and has a soldering section soldered on a PCB. Because the bracket is pivotally adjustable on the latching member, the electrical connector may be mounted easily on different PCBs with different tolerances.
US07717721B2	Card edge connector with improved spacer A card edge connector for connecting a daughter board to a mother board, includes an insulative housing defining a front mating face, a top portion, a bottom portion opposite to the top portion, and a central slot recessed from the mating face between the top portion and the bottom portion to receive the daughter board, a plurality of terminals retained in the insulative housing, and a spacer disposed under the insulative housing. The spacer having a preselected height and a mounting surface toward the mother board. The spacer and the bottom portion of the insulative housing are assembled by snap-fastening.
US07717718B2	Electric component having microtips and ductile conducting bumps A component and process for making an electrical connection between a first component comprising a set of first pads and a set of hard conducting tips on one face, and a second component comprising a set of second pads and a set of ductile conducting bumps on the other face, in which the two faces are made to face each other and they are brought towards each other such that the tips can penetrate into these bumps, in which the space between two tips is less than the width of a bump and less than the width of a first pad. The process is applicable to such a component on which the set of conducting tips are installed.
US07717715B2	System, method and apparatus using at least one flex circuit to connect a printed circuit board and a socket card assembly that are oriented at a right angle to one another There is disclosed apparatus for routing signals between at least one PCB within a test head and a socket card assembly. In an embodiment, the apparatus may include at least one flexible circuit electrically connecting first and second sides of the PCB and the socket card assembly with one another, and the flexible circuit having a defined shape configured to interface with the socket card assembly and the PCB along substantially perpendicular planes. Methods of routing signals between at least one PCB within a test head and a socket card assembly are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include electrically connecting first and second sides of the PCB and the socket card assembly with one another with at least one flexible circuit having a defined shape configured to interface with the socket card assembly and the PCB along substantially perpendicular planes. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07717711B2	Collapsible motion platform A collapsible, portable motion platform for use with video games, personal computers, simulators, and virtual reality systems is disclosed. The motion platform may include a motion control system including user adjustable regulating devices for setting the range of motion, acceleration and other motion elements in one or more degrees of freedom. The framing may be collapsible and may include an enclosure case. One embodiment of the platform is lightweight and portable, and includes an enclosure case for protection in storage.
US07717710B2	Ceramic instrument The present invention relates to a rotating instrument made of a ceramic material and comprising a shaft 1 and a working member 2 which is secured to the shaft or can detachably be secured thereto, wherein at least part of the working member 2 is made from a ceramic material, characterized in that the ceramic part of the working member 2 has a surface roughness of 0.5 μm to 6 μm.
US07717708B2	Method and system for integrated orthodontic treatment planning using unified workstation A method and workstation for orthodontic treatment planning of a patient. The workstation is based on a computing platform having a graphical user interface, a processor and a computer storage medium containing digitized records pertaining to a patient including image data (3D image data and/or 2D image data). The workstation further includes a set of software instructions providing graphical user interface tools which the user marks a midline and an aesthetic occlusal plane in a two- or three-dimensional virtual model of the patient, marks an occlusal plane in the virtual model; selects a reference tooth in the virtual model; aligns virtual teeth in the virtual model in a proposed arrangement to treat the patient; manages space between the virtual teeth in the proposed arrangement; and repeats one or more of these steps in an iterative fashion to make any further adjustments in the proposed arrangement. When the adjustments are complete, the user selects or identifies a finalized proposed treatment plan for treating the patient.
US07717706B2	Self-ligating bracket and use thereof in orthodontics The self-ligating bracket with base; base support; occlusal and gingival wall with ligature wing from support; slot separating the walls, passage extending through support in gingival-to-occlusal direction; and resilient clip with mutually connected labial and lingual legs; lingual leg received and arranged for displacement in passage in gingival-to-occlusal direction, between closed and open position of clip; in closed position, labial leg extends into cutout in gingival or occlusal wall, with stop for labial leg; in open position, tip of labial leg positioned above the occlusal or gingival wall, labial leg of clip provided with wing extending in distal and/or medial direction; in closed position of clip, one wing is positioned above the slot, lingual extension of labial leg of clip is positioned in cutout, with extension narrower than width of labial leg; extension of labial leg of clip contacts the closed position, with the labial stop even when slot is empty.
US07717703B2	Combustion head for use with a flame spray apparatus The present invention provides an improved combustion head and combustion chamber for use with known flame spray apparatus. The combustion head includes a body portion defining a combustion opening for receiving an outlet end of the combustion chamber and an interior chamber extending from the combustion opening into the body portion. The body portion also defines a material feed conduit extending through the body portion along a longitudinal axis thereof. The body portion being substantially hollow wherein the interior chamber extends from the combustion opening throughout substantially the entire body portion including adjacent the material feed conduit. The body portion defining coolant channels on an outer surface thereof of varying depth such that the wall thickness of the body portion at the coolant channels is substantially uniform. The combustion chamber having a flange formed on an outer surface thereof for limiting insertion of the combustion chamber into the combustion head.
US07717701B2	Pulverized solid fuel burner A burner includes a first oxidant conduit to transmit a first stream of an oxidant; a solid fuel conduit having an outtake and surrounding the first oxidant conduit, thereby forming a first annulus to transmit a mixture of a transport gas and particles of a solid fuel; a second oxidant conduit surrounding the solid fuel conduit, thereby forming a second annulus to transmit a second stream of the oxidant or an other oxidant; and means for segregating the mixture proximate the outtake into a lean fraction stream and a dense fraction stream. The first stream of the oxidant exiting the first oxidant conduit combines during combustion with the lean fraction stream, thereby forming an inner combustion zone adjacent the outtake, and the second stream of the oxidant, or the other oxidant, exiting the second oxidant conduit combines during combustion with the dense fraction stream, thereby forming an outer combustion zone.
US07717700B2	Hybrid burner and associated operating method The present invention relates to a hybrid burner (1) for a combustor (7), in particular of a power plant, comprising a housing (2), in which a full oxidation catalyst (9) and a partial oxidation catalyst (10) are arranged. An inlet side of the housing (2) is connected to at least one oxidizer supply (3) and to at least one fuel supply (4, 5). An outlet side of the housing (2) is connected to a combustion chamber (7).
US07717697B2	Methods and systems for controlling mold temperatures Disclosed is a preferred mold design for producing plastic, molded preforms, which may be blow-molded into a container of a final, desired shape. A preferred mold includes a temperature control system for maintaining the preform mold at a desired temperature. The temperature control system can pass fluid through channels within the preform mold to cool plastic that is injected into the preform mold. In some arrangements, a mold comprises a neck finish mold, the neck finish mold configured to transfer heat away from the molding surface toward a channel conveying a working fluid. A heat transfer member may be at least partially positioned within the channel to transfer heat to the working fluid. In some embodiments, the mold comprises a high heat transfer material.
US07717693B2	Modified metal mold for use in imprinting processes The invention relates to a novel metal mold having anti-adhesive properties comprising a base metal mold and an anti-adhesive layer comprising a fluorinated alkyl phosphoric acid derivative or a fluorinated alkyl poly-phosphoric acid derivative, including a phosphorous atom and an alkyl chain. The anti-adhesive layer is bonded directly onto a surface of the base metal mold. The base metal mold may be e.g. Nickel, and said fluorinated alkyl phosphoric acid derivative or said fluorinated alkyl poly-phosphoric acid derivative may be selected from the group consisting of phosphonic acids, phosphonic acids, phosphonates and phosphonate salts, phosphonates and phosphonate salts, or their respective oligomers, such that the phosphorous atom is coupled directly to the alkyl chain, such that the phosphorous atom is coupled directly to the alkyl chain.
US07717686B2	Two stage compressor having rotary and scroll type compression mechanisms There is provided a compressor capable of feeding lubricating oil to a blade of a rotary type compression mechanism even if the oil level in an oil reservoir lowers. The compressor includes a low stage-side rotary type compression mechanism having a rotor, and a blade reciprocating with the rotation of the rotor while the tip end thereof is in contact with the rotor; a high stage-side scroll type compression mechanism for sucking and compressing refrigerant gas compressed by the low stage-side rotary type compression mechanism; a positive displacement lubrication pump for feeding lubricating oil to the high stage-side scroll type compression mechanism; and an oil feeding path for feeding the lubricating oil, which is fed to the high stage-side scroll type compression mechanism, toward the blade of the low stage-side rotary type compression mechanism.
US07717678B2	Spindle with overmolded bushing A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure having a plurality of blades projecting radially therefrom. A bushing assembly translates rotational movement of the propeller shaft to the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface that meshes with the outer surface of a propeller shaft and a resilient bushing molded over the spindle. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending keys extend along the outer surface of the spindle. In the event that the propeller blades become fixed during operation of the watercraft, the keys fragment from the outer surface of spindle so as to disengage the spindle from the housing structure. In such manner, damage to the engine and to the drive system of the marine vehicle may be avoided.
US07717675B1	Turbine airfoil with a near wall mini serpentine cooling circuit A stator vane for use in a gas turbine engine, the vane having a plurality of near wall mini serpentine flow cooling modules arranged in an array on the airfoil walls. Each module includes a series of multiple pass serpentine flow cooling channels extending in the airfoil chordwise direction. Each module is connected by a cooling air feed hole to a cooling air supply cavity and a cooling air discharge hole connected to a cooling air discharge cavity, where both cavities are formed between the airfoil walls. Each series of multiple pass serpentine cooling channels is connected together by a spanwise channel. The spanwise channels can include a row of film cooling holes to discharge film cooling air onto the airfoil external surface. The discharge cavity can also include film cooling holes to discharge cooling air from the cavity onto the airfoil external surface.
US07717671B2	Passive air seal clearance control A seal for restricting leakage of a fluid through a gap disposed between rotating and stationary components concentrically aligned within a gas turbine engine comprises a sealing member and a land. The sealing member is positioned on either the rotating or stationary component of the gas turbine engine and closes a gap between the rotating member and the stationary member. The land is positioned opposite the sealing member on either the rotating or stationary component of the gas turbine engine such that a clearance height is provided between the sealing member and the land. In one embodiment, the land is geometrically shaped according to expected changes in the gap and relative axial position of the sealing member and land during operation of the gas turbine engine. The sealing member and the land are positioned with respect to each other so that the clearance height is maintained approximately constant during operation of the gas turbine engine.
US07717665B2	Pallet stacker system A method and apparatus for stacking first and second loaded pallets includes a pallet stacker that defines a stationary stacking location. A first loaded pallet is conveyed to the stationary stacking location. A pair of pallet lift carriages are vertically adjustable at the stationary stacking location to selectively engage the first loaded pallet and raise it to a temporary holding position. A second loaded pallet is conveyed into vertical registration with the first loaded pallet. The first loaded pallet is then vertically adjusted into stable stacked relation with the second loaded pallet, and the pallet lift carriages disengage the first loaded pallet. The first and second loaded pallets, in stable stacked relation to each other, thereafter are discharged from the stationary stacking location.
US07717662B2	Utility truck combined with hoist, lift or crane elements A utility truck is specially modified in order to accommodate a lift, hoist or crane unit. Portions of the utility truck elongated lateral tool boxes and compartments are cut out and shelving is provided to support the lower portions of the lift or crane. The design allows a load such as a large electrical or telephone box to be transported and unloaded by a single operator. The design enables protection from the harsher winter conditions of colder parts of the earth such as the north U.S. and Canada.
US07717661B1	Compact multiple diameters wafer handling system with on-chuck wafer calibration and integrated cassette-chuck transfer A compact multiple diameter wafer testing device with a footprint of about 33 by 34 inches features on-chuck wafer calibration and integrated cassette-chuck transfer. It includes a five axes wafer handling system, a quick exchange chuck and a fixed through beam sensor fixed. Two of the five axes are provided by an X-Y stage, a third axis is provided by a rotary stage on top of the X-Y stage, a fourth axis belongs to a rotating effector and a fifth axis is provided by motion controlled pin lifters all combined with the X-Y stage. The quick exchange chuck may be easily changed for different wafer diameters and also calibrated by the through beam sensor. The through beam sensor provides on-chuck position calibration of the chucked wafers in conjunction with the X-Y stage and rotary stage. The compact wafer testing device handles wafers between six and twelve inches diameter.
US07717659B2	Zero-clearance bolted joint A bolted joint which is formed by using a bolt having a tapered shoulder to cold form a deformable sleeve in order to provide a “zero-clearance” fit. Specifically, preferably a plurality of bolted joints are used to join a ring gear to a differential case. As the bolts are installed into the differential case and ring gear, tapered shoulders on the bolts dilate deformable sleeves until outer diameters of the sleeves contact internal walls of through holes in the differential case.
US07717658B2	Bolt assembly A bolt assembly has a bolt body which includes a threaded portion and a shank; a head; a ring; and a shear zone. The head is configured to transmit rotary motion to the threaded portion through the shank. The ring is disposed on the shank and has a ring thread and a tab configured to ensure continuity between the ring thread and the threaded portion. The shear zone joins the shank to the threaded portion and a complementary recess, disposed on the threaded portion, is engageable with the tab to ensure rotation locking of the ring in relation to the threaded portion.
US07717656B2	Attachment device for moving cargo containers A device and method for transferring cargo are disclosed, including a device having a directional diverter and a means for securing the directional diverter to an ANSI/ISO corner fitting having a vertical face. The directional diverter may facilitate the conversion of horizontal movement of the container to inclined travel on an inclined surface, for example the inclined surface of a cargo transfer bed, such that when a force pulls the container in a direction generally normal to the vertical face and along the inclined surface, the directional diverter may contact the inclined surface prior to contact between the corner fitting and the inclined surface. In some embodiments, the directional diverter may be a sloped surface. In other embodiments, the directional diverter may be a roller or wheel.
US07717655B2	Compact wheelchair restraint system with housing and release An apparatus for restraining a mobility aid in the interior of a vehicle includes two or more retractor spools contained within a common housing. The retractor spools carry flexible webbed belts, and are operated by common actuator mechanism having a direct mechanical attachment to the spools. The various elements of the apparatus are contained within a common housing which is easily mounted to a bulkhead or under a foldable seat. A third retractor is mounted in opposition permitting both the front and rear of the mobility aid to be easily secured by the occupant of the mobility aid without assistance of the operator of the vehicle. The operative portions of the retractor are designed to be positioned so as not to present an obstacle to other users of the vehicle in which the apparatus may be installed. A timing mechanism is provided for at least one of the retractor spools to allow at least one of the retractor spools to be freely manipulated during a predetermined time interval.
US07717648B2	Method for repairing drainage pipe In a method for repairing a drainage pipe, a resin pipe can be placed in an existing drainage pipe connected between connection bodies such as manholes while being buried in the ground, without causing an elongation. The method involves supplying a corrugated resin pipe 5, which is made by forming, spirally or in a ring shape, ridge portions 5c of a hard resin on the outer wall of a soft resin pipe 5d, 5e in which a reinforcement material 5f that restricts an elongation in the pipe axis direction has been embedded, into the existing drainage pipe through the upper opening of either of the connection bodies; inserting the head of the corrugated resin pipe 5 thus supplied from a drainage pipe opening connected to either of the connection bodies; pulling the corrugated resin pipe 5 thus inserted into the drainage pipe from the other side of the connection body; and laying the corrugated resin pipe 5 over the entire length of the drainage pipe.
US07717641B2	Bollard type barrier assembly The present application relates to a barrier assembly used to block access, improve security, and landscape property. The barrier assembly comprises at least a support assembly so configured to secure to the ground; a retractable assembly so configured to be received within the support assembly; and a locking assembly attached to the retractable assembly, the locking assembly comprising (a) a locking rod assembly configured to hold the retractable assembly in at least a first fixed position, (b) a tamper proof lock configured to maintain the orientation of the locking rod assembly, and (c) a locking tool configured to access the tamper proof lock and adjust the locking rod assembly so that the retractable assembly can be adjusted from the first fixed position to a second fixed position.
US07717638B2	Refillable notebook A binding mechanism assembly for binding a sheet item, the binding mechanism assembly including a backing member having an upper surface, and a binding member directly or indirectly coupled to the backing member. The binding member includes a protrusion shaped and located to protrude through a hole of a sheet item to be bound thereto. The binding member further includes a generally flexible flange that is manually movable into engagement with the protrusion to form a generally closed loop and thereby bind the sheet item thereto. The loop is rotatable relative to the backing member from a first position in which the loop is generally located above the upper surface to a second position wherein at least part of the loop is located below the upper surface. The loop is fixedly and not slidably coupled to the backing member.
US07717637B2	Appliance, cartridge and system for personal care with auxiliary fluid The invention relates to an appliance for personal care (3) comprising a fluid channel (4) having an inlet opening (5) and an outlet opening (6), a coupling structure (7) for coupling an outlet opening (18) of a cartridge (8) for storing an auxiliary fluid to the inlet opening (5) of the fluid channel (4), said coupling structure (7) comprising a contact element (71) with at least one orifice (75) forming the inlet opening (5) of the fluid channel (4), which contact element (71) is connectable to the outlet opening (18) of the cartridge (8), and a sealing element (72) which is moveable relative to the contact element (71) between a first position in which it covers the orifice (75) and a second position in which it is released from said orifice (75), said sealing element (72) comprising engagement means (73) for engaging with means (83) in the cartridge and moving the sealing element (72) to the first position upon disconnection of the cartridge (8) from the appliance (3). The invention furthermore relates to a cartridge (8) for use with an appliance for personal care (3), said cartridge comprising a space for storage of an auxiliary fluid and an outlet opening for coupling the cartridge to said appliance, wherein the cartridge comprises means (83) for cooperating with the engagement means (73) of the sealing element (72) of the coupling structure (7), and to a system comprising such an appliance and such a cartridge.
US07717635B1	Liquid dispensing brush A liquid dispensing cleaning or scrubbing device that includes a handle and a scrubbing head. The handle is hollow and holds a cleaning liquid. The head twists from an open position to a closed position. When the head is an open position, the user pushes a button on the back of the head to deliver a substantial amount of cleaning liquid to the bottom of the scrubbing head. The head receives liquid through a re-sealable inset screw cap filler port. The filler port is on the bottom of the head, and when the scrubbing device is fully assembled the filler port is completely and conveniently out of the user's way.
US07717628B2	System package using flexible optical and electrical wiring and signal processing method thereof A system package using flexible optical waveguides and electrical wires, and a signal processing method thereof are disclosed. Several rigid substrates having highly integrated electronic elements and optical elements mounted thereon can be electrically and optically connected by using flexible substrates that are electrically wired and optically connected. The package can be variously changed when configuring the package by the flexible substrate and the heat dissipation device and the electromagnetic shielding device are installed in the inside of the package, making it possible to solve electromagnetic wave interference problems and thermal problems occurring in the inside of the package.
US07717625B2	High density fiber optic interconnect system with push-release mechanism and method for using same An optical fiber interconnect system wherein the adapter is connected to and released from the holder and the connector is connected to and released from adapter through two push-release connection and release mechanisms. The connector is engaged with the adapter by applying an insertion force to the connector. The connector is released by applying a releasing force to the connection mechanism on the adapter. The system of the invention includes a holder for attachment of the adapter to a front panel. A release opening is provided on the holder for the release of the adapter from the holder from the front of the panel so as to provide access to the back connector.
US07717623B2	Optical connector and optical connector assembling method The present invention relates to an optical connector and an optical connector assembling method allowing simplification of assembly, improvement of reliability, and lower prices. The optical connector comprises a connector plug for holding a coated optical fiber and a connector socket for holding a coated optical fiber. The connector plug has a fiber holding portion disposed in a plug housing, and a fiber inserting hole is provided in the fiber holding portion. A fiber deflection space for allowing deflection of the coated optical fiber, when the coated optical fibers are butted, is provided in the plug housing. The connector socket has a fiber holding portion disposed in a socket housing, and a fiber inserting hole is provided in the fiber holding portion. A fiber deflection space for allowing deflection of the coated optical fiber, when the coated optical fibers are butted, is provided in the socket housing.
US07717619B2	Contactless power and data transmission apparatus Methods and apparatus for an imaging system are provided. The imaging system includes a gantry having a stationary member coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member has an opened area proximate an axis about which the rotating member rotates. An x-ray source provided on the rotating member. An x-ray detector may be disposed on the rotating member and configured to receive x-rays from the x-ray source. A rotary transformer having circumferentially disposed primary and secondary windings may form part of a contactless power transfer system that rotates the rotatable portion of the gantry at very high speeds, the primary winding being disposed on the stationary member and the secondary winding being disposed on the rotating member.
US07717618B2	Apparatus and method for high resolution temperature measurement and for hyperthermia therapy An apparatus and method for increasing the resolution of a linear array of fiber Bragg gratings by applying a plastic coating having a high CTE over the optical fiber. Apparatus and method for determining the temperature of each of a succession of points along a tissue portion during hyperthermia treatment includes an optical fiber with a succession of closely spaced fiber Bragg gratings. Each grating is responsive to a different wavelength and is sensitive to ambient temperature to change that wavelength as a function of temperature. A tunable laser operative continuously over a range of wavelengths including those to which the gratings respond is used to interrogate the gratings. Sensitivity-enhancing coatings are used on the fibers and the lasers are tuned over very short time cycles.
US07717613B1	Portable blender with swiveling base The invention is an improved portable blender for use in a vehicle that has a self-righting base capable of pivoting in order to balance out the contents contained in the blender while the vehicle is moving. The base also has a power cord with a cigarette lighter adapter.
US07717612B2	Device for continuously mixing a food dough provided with two types of superimposed mixing tools and a side discharge The invention relates to a device for continuously mixing ingredients of a flour-and-water-based food dough comprising two mixing tools rotatably mounted one above the other about an axis of rotation, wherein the top tools is embodied in the form of a helix extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to said axis of rotation in such a way that the ingredient mixture is produced, the lower tool comprises at least one radial arm provided with a leading surface inclined with respect to the axis of rotation and an enclosure is provided with a mixed dough discharge opening which is arranged in the peripheral side part of a mixing space and in front of the lower tool.
US07717608B2	Sectional light-emitting-diode lamp A sectional LED lamp includes a base portion, a lamp portion, and a connecting unit. The base portion includes a base body having an LED driving unit provided therein. The lamp portion includes a lamp body detachably connected at an end to the base body, a lampshade fitted around the lamp body, and at least one LED chip arranged in the lampshade and electrically connected to the lamp body. The connecting unit is located between two adjacent ends of the base body and the lamp body for electrically connecting the LED driving unit to the LED chip and detachably connecting the base portion to the lamp portion. A space is maintained between the base portion and the lampshade, allowing heat generated by the LED chip to quickly dissipate via the space into surround environment.
US07717605B2	Liquid crystal display device A liquid-crystal display device is provided which has a backlight that applies light onto a liquid crystal panel. The backlight includes a light guide having an LED as a light-emitting device. The light guide has recesses on the light incident surface, in which electric elements are disposed. Disposing the electric elements connected to external driving circuit in the backlight can reduce the area for mounting the electric elements.
US07717599B2	Integrating light source module A light source module is provided comprising an emitter having at least one light emitting surface and an at least partially hollow integrating optic mounted over the emitting surface; where the index of refraction within the hollowed area is less then the index of the subsequent medium along the optical path. The integrating optic has a proximal end facing the emitting surface and a distal end facing away from the emitting surface. The distal end of the integrating optic is flat and has a rectangular aspect ratio which can differ from the aspect ratio of the emitter. One or more optical films and/or an optical component such as a collection lens can be adhered to the distal end of the integrating optic.
US07717597B2	Semiconductor light engine using polymer light pipes and lighting systems constructed with the light engine A light engine for use in systems such as automotive lighting systems employs two or more semiconductor light sources, such as LEDs. Light emitted from the light sources is captured by light pipes which are mounted such that the light capturing surface of the light pipes are properly positioned, with respect to the semiconductor light sources, substantially independent of changes in the dimensions of the light pipes which may result from thermal expansion or contraction of the light pipes. The light pipes transfer substantially all of the light captured from the semiconductor light sources to light emitting surfaces of the light pipes which can be appropriately located adjacent the output optics of the lighting system. The light engine can be easily assembled as the light pipes are retained in slots on a positioning member which is mounted at a known position with respect to the semiconductor light sources.
US07717595B2	Brake warning apparatus for bicycles A brake warning apparatus for bicycles is provided, including a lighting device and a switch handle, to be installed on the handles of bicycles. The lighting device includes a light case, a lighting unit and a power unit. The light unit includes at least a switch. The switch handle is partially coupled to the inside of the light case and the rod of the switch handle extending outside the light case is located on the path of the movement of the handbrake of the bicycle when braking the bicycle. When the switch handle is pressed by the handbrake, the rod inside the light case will trigger the switch of the lighting unit so that the lighting device will display the pre-defined lighting condition to achieve the warning effect.
US07717593B2	Device for improved illumination efficiency Interior lighting and illumination systems for aircraft, particularly commercial passenger airplanes. Efficient beam forming optical light emitting diode arrangements having offset apertures for maximizing effectiveness are positioned in the ceiling panels above the aisles between sets of seats in the passenger cabins for cross bin illumination of stowage areas. The efficient beam forming optical LED devices are positioned to shine on opposite storage/stowage bins and are positioned to overcome line of height light source restrictions such as may be imposed by a valence. The devices are effective for illuminating across the aisles, thus creating a cross-bin lighting system.
US07717591B2	Incorporating reflective layers into LED systems and/or components A light emitting apparatus includes a support having circuitry disposed thereon, at least one light emitting diode (LED) chip mounted on the support and in electrical communication with the circuitry and a reflective layer on the support adjacent the at least one chip.
US07717590B1	LED lamp with reflecting casings An LED lamp with reflecting casings comprises a bulb seat having an international standard joint at an outer side thereof; an interior of the bulb seat having a power supply; an insulating layer for isolating the power supply and an auxiliary heat dissipating casing; a main heat dissipating casing being a hollow tapered shape and being opened at two ends; the tapered size of the main heat dissipating casing being smaller than that of the auxiliary heat dissipating casing; an LED lamp body having a conductive metal heat sink with good conductivity at an upper side thereof; an inner supporting surface of the LED lamp body serving to install with at least one LED chip; the metal heat sink having a round shape and a rear end thereof protrudes with chip pins; and a heat conducting base for receive the LED lamp body.
US07717589B2	Light emitting device using light emitting diode chip A light emitting device comprises: an LED chip mounted in a recess formed in a mounting substrate; a wavelength converting member that is disposed so as to cover the recess and the edge area around the recess and that is excited by light emitted from the LED chip to emit light of a wavelength different from an excitation wavelength; and an emission control member disposed at a light output side of the wavelength converting member so as to allow emission of light coming from an area of the wavelength converting member that corresponds to the recess and to prevent emission of light coming from an area of the wavelength converting member that corresponds to the edge area around the recess. This can prevent variations in color between light emitted from the central part of the wavelength converting member and light emitted from the part of the wavelength converting member that is located on the edge area around the recess of the mounting substrate, thereby reducing unevenness of color on the irradiation surface.
US07717583B2	Responsive luminous pad A responsive luminous pad includes a luminous module (10), and a pad (20) encloses the module (10) to a middle portion inside the pad (20). The module (10) includes a harden plastics (15) further encloses a printed circuit board (PCB) (11), a battery (12), light emitting diode (LED) (13), rolling ball switch (14), and integrated circuit (IC) processor (16) inside the plastics. Said pad (20) includes a waterproof first sheet (22B), and a waterproof second sheet (22A) printed with patterns. Rims of both first, second sheets (22B, 22A) are heat weld to form a cavity in between for receiving the luminous module (10) a widened middle portion inside the pad, and the rims further coupled to a surface of a textile (30).
US07717579B2	LED display device for displaying pattern on rotatable object An LED display device for displaying a pattern on a rotatable object is disclosed. When the rotating object rotates with a high speed, the pattern will be displayed. The device comprises a first printed circuit board on the rotatable object; at least one bank of light emitting diodes being arranged on the first printed circuit board; a second printed circuit board having a bank of elastic sheets; a third printed circuit board having a conductive pattern thereon; the third printed circuit board do not rotate with the rotatable object. The first printed circuit board and second printed circuit board will rotate with the rotatable object; and the elastic sheets are capable of being in contact with the pattern of the third printed circuit board; and each elastic sheet is connected to a corresponding LED; and the third printed circuit board is connected to all the light emitting diodes.
US07717574B1	Method for simplifying the imaging of objects with non-Lambertian surfaces For objects with non-Lambertian surfaces, an object surface is mapped by effectively modifying the reflective properties of the object surface being sensed. By effectively making the surface Lambertian with high albedo, a calibration imaging task is achieved using a typical camera from a single or small number of camera positions. The calibration method temporarily modifies the surface properties of the imaged object by applying a thin and opaque layer, such as a coating, covering, or veneer, to the object for the duration of the calibration imaging task. The surface of this layer is a Lambertian reflector, with medium to high albedo. The layer is snugly applied, so a shape of the layer is as close as possible to that of the surface. Once the layer is applied, imaging of the layer surface essentially yields the same shape as the underlying object.
US07717573B2	Projection display apparatus A projection display apparatus has a light source, an image forming device for modulating light emitted from the light source with an image signal supplied thereto, and a reflective optical system for magnifying and projecting an image generated by the image forming device. The reflective optical system has a first reflecting mirror for reflecting light emitted from the image forming device and initially applied thereto, and a plurality of reflecting mirrors for successively reflecting the light reflected by the first reflecting mirror. The first reflecting mirror has a spherical reflecting surface, and a normal line passing through the crest of the spherical reflecting surface and a normal line passing through the image forming device extend nonparallel to each other.
US07717570B2	Image projector display device An image projector display device projecting an image onto a surface substantially parallel to a path of light emitted through a representation of an image and a projection/objective lens. The display device compensates for the varying distances of the surface onto to which the image is projected from the projection/objective lens to display a clear, non-distorted image.
US07717569B2	Projector screen with one or more markers A projector screen includes one or more markers that are configured to be usable by projection processing circuitry in order to calculate a user perceived distortion in an image to be projected on the projector screen.
US07717567B2	Lighting optical system Disclosed is a lighting optical system, including: a lighting optical system, comprising, a light separating means for separating incident light into three colored lights according to wavelength bands, and progressing the three separate colored lights for the same amount of distance from a light source of the incident light through different optical paths, and emitting the three separate colored lights to a first, a second and a third LCD, a first, a second and a third LCD for respectively receiving the three colored lights from the light separating means, and forming images therefrom; and a light combining means for synthesizing the three colored lights emitted from the first, second and third LCD, and outputting the synthesized light outside.
US07717559B2	Method for designing spectacle lens, and spectacles A method for designing a spectacle lens that includes an optical convex surface on an object side of the spectacle lens and an optical concave surface on an eye side of the spectacle lens and is mounted in a spectacle frame in a manner tilting with respect to a forward sight line, the optical convex surface being spherical, the optical concave surface being optically curved according to a prescription, the method including: defining a design reference point at an intersection of the optical concave surface and the forward sight line; and determining an angle formed by a tangent line at the design reference point and a perpendicular plane perpendicular to the forward sight line as a lens tilt angle θ with which the spectacle lens is mounted in the spectacle frame.
US07717548B2	Ink container and ink jet recording apparatus An ink cartridge is partitioned into a negative pressure generator chamber containing a negative pressure generator and a storage chamber containing an ink bag. The ink bag stores ink and supplies the ink to the negative pressure generator chamber through an ink port. The negative pressure generator absorbs and holds the ink by its capillary force, to keep pressure inside nozzles of a recording head negative to atmospheric pressure. Through a first air introduction hole, the air is introduced into the negative pressure generator chamber as the ink in the negative pressure generator chamber decreases. Through a second air introduction hole, the air is introduced into the storage chamber as the ink in the ink bag decreases. So variations in pressure inside the nozzles are suppressed, which makes ink discharge from the nozzles stable.
US07717539B2	Apparatus and method for coating polyimide layer An apparatus for coating polyimide layer includes a print table for affixing a substrate thereon, an inkjet head installed over the print table and having a jetting surface with a plurality of nozzles for jetting polyimide liquid onto the substrate, a polyimide liquid supply tank for receiving a polyimide liquid therein, a cleaning liquid supply tank for receiving cleaning liquid, a wiper cleaning bar adjacent to the cleaning liquid supply tank, and a wiper movable from one side of the jetting surface to an other side of the jetting surface while the wiper contacts the jetting surface of the inkjet head, and rotatable to dip the wiper into the cleaning liquid and then contact the wiper cleaning bar so as to remove cleaning liquid from the wiper.
US07717536B2	Liquid ejecting apparatus, computer system, and liquid ejection method A liquid ejecting apparatus etc. creating no blank space on a medium is achieved. The liquid ejecting apparatus has: a movable ejection head for ejecting a liquid; a feed mechanism for feeding a medium; and detecting means for detecting a position of an edge of the medium; wherein the apparatus repeats an operation of detecting the position of the edge with the detecting means, an operation of feeding the medium with the feed mechanism, and an operation of ejecting the liquid onto the medium from the moving ejection head; in accordance with the position of the edge that has been detected, the apparatus changes at least either one of a start position and an end position for ejecting the liquid from the moving ejection head; and if the position of the edge was not detected, the apparatus sets the start position or the end position to a position that has been established in advance.
US07717534B2	Printing apparatus and image processing apparatus This invention provides a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus which can process precise information on the number of pixels printed by nozzles of the print head without degrading throughput and properly manage the service life of the print head. To this end, a plurality of nozzles of the print head are divided into a plurality of blocks and a nozzle in each of the blocks which prints a maximum number of pixels in a predetermined unit print volume is taken to be a representative nozzle. In each of the blocks, the numbers of pixels printed by the representative nozzle for every unit print volume are accumulated and managed.
US07717533B2	Systems and methods for medium registration Embodiments according to the present disclosure provide methods and systems of determining nip velocity profiles in a medium registration system, including parameterizing a set of equations into a set of standard parameters, the set of equations representing an analytic form of the nip velocity profiles; determining values of the parameters through an iteration process; and determining the nip velocity profiles based on the determined values of the parameters. The embodiments separately provide systems and methods of simulating a medium registration process, including inputting an error parameter to a velocity nominal profile of a nip in a medium registration system; determining an output value of the velocity nominal profile; and using the output value in a regression algorithm to obtain a simulated relationship, the simulated relationship indicative of a manner in which the error parameter influences the output value. The embodiments separately provide systems and methods of determining an angular velocity of a medium relative to a nip in a medium registration system, including determining a path of the nip on the medium; and determining the angular velocity as a function of a position of the nip in the path. The embodiments separately provide systems and methods of controlling nips of a medium registration system, including wagging a medium relative to a center line of two nips of the medium registration system; and then unwagging the medium relative to the center line of the two nips.
US07717528B2	Recording apparatus A recording apparatus, which operates by using a fuel cell as a power source, for performing recording with a printing material, includes a printing material storing portion for storing the printing material; a fuel tank for storing a fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell; a power generation portion of the fuel cell, for outputting electric power generated by the fuel supplied from the fuel tank to the recording apparatus; a heating portion for consuming the fuel from the fuel tank; and a control portion for performing control so that an excess amount of the fuel can be supplied to the heating portion such that when the printing material in the printing material storing portion is exhausted, the fuel in the fuel tank is also exhausted.
US07717524B2	Method of molding a cleaning device with a squeegee The invention relates to cleaning devices adapted to sweep floors with an attached squeegee, and to methods of manufacturing such cleaning devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a squeegee blade may be molded out of a first material. Subsequently, a head member may be molded, out of a second material of greater hardness than the first material, to a first portion of the previously molded squeegee blade. Bristles and a handle may be attached to the head member.
US07717522B2	Conveyor segment, driving means and method for high wall mining The invention relates to a conveyor segment for use in a train of conveyor segments for high wall mining, comprising: conveyor means for transporting mined material from and to opposite adjacent conveyor segments in a train of conveyor segments (1), and a transmission for transmitting power from and to opposite adjacent conveyor segments in a train of conveyor segments. The invention further relates to driving means (31). Moreover, the invention relates to an assembly of a conveyor segment and driving means, and to a train of conveyor segments. Further, the invention relates to a launching platform (30), and to a method for high wall mining.
US07717521B2	Metal detector for an asphalt milling machine A milling machine for milling a paved surface has milling tools connected to an underside of a body of the machine. At least one ferrous metal detector is attached to a front end of the machine. Electronic equipment is disposed within the machine and is in communication with the metal detector, the equipment being adapted to interpret feedback from the detector.
US07717520B2	Aircraft passenger seat cushions An aircraft seat assembly configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention offers a light weight and comfortable seat cushioning system that also provides energy-absorption and enhanced passenger maneuverability in extreme conditions such as may be experienced in a hard landing situation. The cushioning system includes a crushable, energy-absorbing layer, a main cushioning layer, a smaller ishial insert layer which may be the same as the main cushioning material and a semi-dynamic pneumatic cell which uses a dual action breather valve to vary its inflation with changes in cabin pressure. The seat cushion may be finished with a covering of cloth or upholstery.
US07717516B2	Articulating/folding head restraint Articulating/folding head restraint assemblies that include modular brackets that function as modules and allow for platformability and customization by varying auxiliary components. The modular brackets can be molded or cast using conventional manufacturing processes, and are designed to receive and/or house various components of the assembly such as pivotal head restraint supports, pivotal shafts, locking assemblies, etc. The modular brackets are designed to integrate a number of components that are typically separate in prior art devices and have to be individually assembled together.
US07717515B2	Chair having an automatically adjusting resistance to tilting A chair having an automatically adjusting resistance to tilt. The chair includes a back support, a frame, a base and a back pivot member, which is pivotally mounted to the frame, and a seat, which is also pivotally mounted to the frame, such that an occupant of the chair adjusts resistance to tilt or reclining of the chair by applying a rearward force to the back support.
US07717509B2	Vehicle seat apparatus A vehicle seat apparatus includes a pair of vehicle-width spaced lower arms attached to a seat cushion, each of the lower arms having a rear portion; a connecting member fixed to the rear portion of each of the lower arms; a pair of vehicle-width spaced upper arms attached to a seat back, each of the upper arms being pivoted by a rotational shaft to the rear portion of the corresponding lower arm to rotate relative thereto; a reclining apparatus provided at one of the connecting member and serving for restricting and allowing the upper arms to rotate; and a load receiving portion provided at one of the lower arms for receiving a downward load, when the downward load is transmitted from the connecting member to the rear portion of one of the lower arms, by being brought into engagement with at least one of the upper arm, the reclining apparatus, and the connecting member.
US07717507B2	Head rests A head rest of a vehicle seat may include a head support portion for supporting a head of a passenger, and a drive unit for moving the head support portion. The drive unit has a moving mechanism that is arranged and constructed to move the head support portion toward and away from the passenger head, an actuator for actuating the moving mechanism, a load detecting device that can detect a load applied to the actuator and generate a control signal representative of the detected load, and a controller that can control the actuator so as to control the moving mechanism. The controller controls the moving mechanism so as to move the head support portion toward the passenger head. The controller controls the moving mechanism based on the control signal so as to stop the motion of the head support portion.
US07717505B2	Saddle having a cushion sandwiched between a pad and a base A cushioned saddle is provided. The saddle is defined with a crotch portion and a buttocks portion. The saddle comprises a pad, a base disposed beneath the pad, at least one cushion, a first fastening device and a second fastening device. The cushion is disposed between the base and the pad, with a contour substantially the same as that of the pad at the buttocks portion and adapted to space the base and the pad apart from each other. The first fastening device is adapted to fasten the cushion and the base together. The second fastening device is adapted to fasten the cushion and the pad together. The pad and the base are cushioned by the cushion disposed therebetween.
US07717501B1	Portable outdoors chair system A portable outdoors chair system for efficiently allowing an individual to sit comfortably against a stationary object, such as a tree. The portable outdoors chair system generally includes an elongated primary support to be leaned against a stationary object from a ground surface in a transverse manner and a seat extending from the primary support. The first end of the primary support defines an acute angle with the stationary object towards a lower end of the stationary object and an opposing second end of the primary support defines an acute angle with the stationary object towards the lower end. The seat extends from the stationary support in a manner as to define an acute angle with the primary support towards the second end in a manner to have the seat positioned in a horizontal configuration.
US07717500B2	Opening roof hatch for a collapsible car roof A roof hatch for a collapsible or fixed vehicle roof includes panels which are displaceable away from an opening in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The panels are disposed in guides along the front and rear edges of the opening. The arching of the panels is adapted to follow the contours of the vehicle roof, seen from the sides of the vehicle. Where a collapsible roof is employed, extra storage space may be made available in the luggage compartment when the vehicle roof is in its collapsed position. The extra space is created in that light luggage is stored in the opening of the roof hatch when the panels are located in their open positions.
US07717498B2	Reduced weight components for vehicle frame and method of making same A vehicle frame component, such as a siderail or a cross member, is formed with a generally C-shaped cross section in which the vertical web member has a greatly reduced mass, as compared to a comparable C-channel section of uniform construction. The reduced mass web member has a corresponding reduced effective cross section to substantially reduce the component weight without adversely affecting its vertical stiffness.
US07717497B2	Intake heater for HVAC fresh air intake A vehicle having a cowl tray and a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is provided with one or more coolant-to-air heat exchangers near the intake opening of the HVAC system or attached to the cowl tray, in order to prevent an accumulation of snow and ice from blocking the flow of intake air into the HVAC system and interfering with the windshield wiper system. The accumulation of snow and ice in the HVAC intake is a problem commonly experienced by vehicles having the HVAC intake located near the base of the vehicle windshield, due to turbulent precipitation.
US07717491B2	Sun visor for use in a vehicle and method for producing a sun visor A component, in particular a sun visor that is designed for use in a vehicle, is described having a structural part and a cover part, the cover part being connected to the structural part by a removable connection. In order to produce the connection, the cover element performs a connection displacement in relation to the structural part in a tangential direction to at least one main extension direction of the cover element.
US07717479B2	Tightenable band clamp A tightenable band clamp with a clamping band and a tightening head with two clamping jaws which are a certain circumferential distance apart and which can be moved toward each other by a tightening device. For this purpose, at least one clamping jaw, in the area of its radially inside surface, has at least one projection which extends in the circumferential direction toward the other clamping jaw and which projects into the gap.
US07717478B2	Scalloped wedge threads A threaded connection between adjacent tubular members includes a pin member providing an external wedge thread and a box member providing an internal wedge thread, wherein the internal wedge thread corresponds with the external wedge thread. Further, the threaded connection includes at least one interruption along a helical thread length of one of the external wedge thread and the internal wedge thread and at least two regions along an axial length of the threaded connection where the external wedge thread and the internal wedge thread form a thread seal.
US07717477B1	Swivel A manipulator operative in hygienic environments. A swivel operative to flexibly transport gas includes a fixed part comprising a plurality of members divisible to permit the swivel to be cleaned, a moveable part journaled in the fixed part, and a cavity arranged between the fixed part and the moveable part, the cavity operative to decrease a speed of gas flow whereby particles present in the gas are stopped and deposited in the cavity.
US07717475B2	Hexpipe barbed fitting An elbow barbed fitting for use with flexible pipe and the like is provided with a barbed fitting drive cap for cooperating with a compatible drive tool, such as a socket or nut driver. The barbed fitting drive cap is configured as a hexagonal cap, square cap, star cap or other common driver shapes. The barbed fitting drive cap is positioned on the fitting body opposite the opening to the barbed end, but coaxially aligned with the barb. The cross-sectional body width of the barbed fitting drive cap is narrower than a corresponding width of the fitting body for exerting a drive force on the fitting body. Alternatively, the elbow barbed fitting is provided with a drive recess configured as a hexagonal recess, slotted recess, cross point recess, square recess, star recess or other common driver shapes for cooperating with a compatible driver. Common elbow fitting types include 90° or 45° ells.
US07717471B2	Hydraulic line attachment device and method A hydraulic line attachment device is provided. The hydraulic line attachment device comprises a first assembly comprising a first frame constructed for holding a plurality of first hydraulic line couplers and a first coupling member; and a second assembly comprising a second frame constructed for holding a plurality of second hydraulic line couplers and a second coupling member constructed to engage the first coupling member and align the plurality of first hydraulic line couplers with the plurality of second hydraulic line couplers. At least one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises an arm constructed to engage at least one of the first frame and the second frame and engage the other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member. The other of the first coupling member and the second coupling member comprises a cam that engages the arm to provide tightening of the first assembly relative to the second assembly. A method for using a hydraulic line attachment device is provided.
US07717470B1	Quick fluid connector leakage containment A quick fluid connector includes two mating portions. Leakage may occur during mating and demating. In order to contain such leakage, the mating portions of the connector are mounted on the distal end of a projecting boss and at the fundus of a matching well, respectively, so that the boss and well together define a chamber which surrounds the two mating portions of the quick connector. One or more drainage channels are coupled to the chamber to carry away leakage.
US07717469B2	Embossed paper A sheet of embossed paper including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The invention may also include a notebook including a plurality of sheets of paper, each sheet including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The notebook may include binding means binding the plurality of sheets together.
US07717467B2	Vehicle mud flap with sliding fender fold clamp The drilling of new holes into a vehicle fender fold is avoided by providing a mud flap with a sliding clamping member. When an attachment bolt is slid in a slot formed in the polymeric mud flap body, the sliding clamping member slides with it from a disengaged position to a second position behind the fender fold. A wall integrally formed in the mud flap body prevents rotation of the clamping member as the attachment bolt is rotated, drawing the clamping member forwardly on the threads of the attachment bolt to clamp the fender fold between the sliding clamping member and a stationary clamping member insert-molded into the mud flap body.
US07717461B2	Motor vehicle with a displaceable roof configuration and a rollover protection element A motor vehicle with a roof configuration which can be displaced between a closed position and open position and has a roof skin. At least one rollover protection element which, in a retracted inoperative position, is concealed under a covering, is moveable, by displacing the covering, into an extended protective position and has a manipulation element for the roof skin in order to be able to penetrate the roof skin to reach the protective position. In order to be able to reliably extend the rollover protection element, it is provided that, on its lower side facing the rollover protection element, the covering has a contact structure which prevents the manipulation element from making contact with the covering.
US07717453B2	Motorcycle trailer construction A motorcycle trailer has a wheeled frame which may be hitched to and unhitched from a towing motorcycle. The frame has a towbar which is movable from a projected position in which it may be hitched to the motorcycle to a retracted position in which it underlies the frame. The frame or the towbar has a handle which may be grasped by a person to enable the frame and the container conjointly to be towed by a person in a manner similar to that of a wheeled suitcase. When unhitched from the motorcycle, the frame and container may be maintained in either an upright or horizontal position.
US07717452B2	Tractor trailer dolly jockey Disclosed is a tool to help move and connect a tractor trailer dolly to the lead trailer in a safe, easy and efficient manner. The dolly jockey is a bar about three feet long with lips at the bottom to connect to the safety chain mounting ring on the rear of trailers. The bar has one or more hooks that connect to a chain with a hook at the end. The chain is connected between the dolly and the bar. The bar is used as a pry bar to pull the trailer towards the lead trailer. The bar can also be used to pry the front of the dolly from side to side in order to line it up with the lead trailer hitch.
US07717446B2	Self-propelled vehicle propelled by an elliptical drive train A bicycle that includes an elliptical pedaling motion is provided. The bicycle includes a frame, having a front wheel and a rear wheel, and a first and a second foot link guide track. A first and a second foot link, each including a foot platform and a guide track coupler that slideably couples each foot link to a respective foot link guide track and a crank assembly that is coupled to the first and second foot links and to a sprocket that is rotatably coupled to the frame. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US07717438B2	Chassis system for a motor vehicle and method for driving dynamics regulation A chassis system for a motor vehicle has a device for roll stabilization and a device for wheel camber adjustment. The device for roll stabilization and the device for wheel camber adjustment have one or more hydraulic actuating devices. The device for roll stabilization and the device for wheel camber adjustment are coupled to one another by a common hydraulic system. Accordingly, a link is provided between the roll stabilization arrangement and the camber adjustment arrangement in the motor vehicle. An active camber adjustment arrangement is realized by using the hydraulic power supply and the valves of the roll stabilization arrangement.
US07717435B2	Spherical annular seal member A spherical annular seal member (58) includes: a spherical annular base member (56) defined by a cylindrical inner surface (52), a partially convex spherical surface (56), and end faces (54, 55); and an outer layer (57) formed integrally with the partially convex spherical surface (53) of the spherical annular base member (56). The spherical annular base member (56) includes a reinforcing member (5) made from a compressed metal wire net (4) and a heat-resistant material filling meshes of the metal wire net (4) of the reinforcing member (5), integrated with the reinforcing member (5) in mixed form, and containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound. The outer layer (56) includes a heat-resistant material constituted by a heat-resistant sheet member (6) containing expanded graphite and an organic phosphorus compound, and a reinforcing member constituted by a metal wire net (4) integrated with the heat-resistant material in mixed formed.
US07717429B2	Card game with counting Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic.
US07717426B1	Self-contained dice tumbler In one embodiment there is provided a self contained dice tumbler device. The device includes an interior lateral panel positioned within the interior of the device and which separates the interior into a tumbler compartment and a holding compartment. The holding compartment can be used to store playing cards. The device also includes at least one ramp in the tumbler compartment that leads to an exit opening. Dice dropped into the tumbler compartment can get scrambled and will slide out of the exit opening. The cover the top and exit opening on the device, a hinged panel door is included. The hinged panel door has a rear panel to cover the exit opening and a top panel to cover the top of the device.
US07717424B2	Sheet conveying device and image scanning apparatus A pair of discharge rollers is provided at a position most downstream in a conveying direction of a sheet conveying path defined by guide surfaces. The discharge rollers discharge a sheet from the sheet conveying path. A discharge chute portion, including upper and lower discharge guides, guides the discharged sheet toward a discharge tray. An elastic support piece is provided in the discharge chute portion and elastically urges a trailing edge of the discharged sheet toward the upper discharge guide. The pair of discharge rollers is arranged such that a direction in which the drive roller contacts the follower roller is inclined toward upstream in the conveying direction with respect to a direction of a normal line of a lower one of the guide surfaces that is located in the sheet conveying path at a position the most downstream in the conveying direction.
US07717421B2	System and method for sensing a media stack from side of stack and delivery path to stack to detect given stack height A system for sensing a media stack to detect a given stack height includes a stack site in an output bin and a mechanical flag mounted adjacent to a side thereof in a counterbalanced state at a home position where an exposed portion of the flag extends into a media sheet delivery path where it is struck by an edge of repetitive media sheets moving to the site. The striking of the exposed portion by the sheet edge causes the flag to deflect to a displaced position outside of the delivery path, allowing the sheet to land on the site increasing the height of a media sheet stack at the site. The counterbalanced state further allows the flag to return to the home position with its exposed portion in the media path until a given stack height is reached where the stack blocks further return of the flag indicating that the output bin is full.
US07717420B2	Apparatus for feeding sheets with variable overlap length and sheet arrival control and printing press having the apparatus An apparatus for feeding sheets in sheet-processing machines includes a transport belt which transports sheets from a first location to a second location. The transport belt can be driven at variable speed by a drive. The speed of the transport belt can be controlled by a control device in such a way that, through the use of a combination of at least two speed profiles, the number of sheets on the transport belt and the transfer of the sheets at the first and second locations can be adjusted. A printing press having the apparatus is also provided.
US07717416B2	Paper sheet separation and transfer apparatus A paper sheet separation and transfer apparatus has a take-out roller which takes out stacked paper sheets onto a transfer path, a first separation unit, and a second separation unit. When the front end of a first paper sheet in the transfer direction reaches a nip of the second separation unit, the take-out roller and first feed roller are “decelerated”.
US07717414B2	Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method A sheet processing apparatus according to the invention includes a sheet feeding tray capable of aligning and storing plural sheets, a discharging member that discharges a sheet at the top of a bundle of the sheets aligned from the sheet feeding tray, and a retracting member that moves the sheet at the top of the sheet bundle in a direction opposite to a direction of the discharge. When plural pieces of plural types of sheets are stored in the sheet feeding tray, the sheet processing apparatus controls the operations of the discharging member and the retracting member, discharges, for each of the types, a sheet located at the top of the sheet feeding tray and retracts the remaining sheets, performs alignment again at a point when the discharge and the retraction are finished for all the types, and repeats the operations to sequentially discharge the sheets of the respective types.
US07717412B2	Spring-pressurizing unit and fitting-washer A spring-pressurizing unit includes a pair of screw members which are respectively formed with male and female screws to be screwed to each other and in which after the male and female screws are fastened to each other, a shaft having a predetermined length is formed, a spring disposed as to be wound around the shaft, a pressing member which is disposed on one end of the spring and which is pressed toward the spring after the pair of screw member are fastened to each other, thereby compressing the spring, and a support member which supports the pressing member in a state where the pressing member compresses the spring.
US07717411B2	High-strength stainless steel spring and method of manufacturing the same Provided is a high-strength stainless steel spring exhibiting a good workability and having a high load characteristic. Thus, the high-strength stainless steel spring of the invention has an chemical component containing 0.04 to 0.08% by mass of C, 0.15 to 0.22% by mass of N, 0.3 to 2.0% by mass of Si, 0.5 to 3.0% by mass of Mn, 16 to 20% by mass of Cr, 8.0 to 10.5% by mass of Ni, 0.5 to 3.0% by mass of Mo, and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, and when the average diameter of the coil is represented by D and further the diameter of the steel wire is represented by d in the case that cross sections of the stainless steel wire are in a complete round form or the value obtained by subtracting the average coil diameter from the outer diameter of the coil is represented by d′ in the case that the cross sections of the stainless steel wire are in a form other than the complete round form, the spring has a spring index D/d or D/d′ of 2 to 6.
US07717408B2	Control system for active vibration isolation support system and method of use In a V6 engine that can switch between a first running state and a second running state which differ in the number of cylinders that are permitted to operate, when switching from L3 selective cylinder operation to V4 selective cylinder operation is determined to be required, control of an active vibration isolation support system corresponding to L3 selective cylinder operation is normally continued for one cycle. However, in this case of switching from L3 selective cylinder operation to V4 selective cylinder operation, a vibration pattern of L3 selective cylinder operation continues for longer than usual, that is, for a period greater than one cycle. Therefore, control of the active vibration isolation support system corresponding to the vibration pattern of L3 selective cylinder operation is continued for two cycles of the vibration pattern, thereby further effectively improve a vibrational state when switching between running states from L3 selective cylinder operation to V4 selective cylinder operation.
US07717407B2	Sleeve assembly for an elastomer bearing The invention relates to a sleeve, in particular an outer sleeve assembly for an elastomer bearing (3), with a first, outer sleeve part (1) forming a slit (S1) being arranged coaxially with a second, inner sleeve part (2), which likewise comprises a slit (S2). The outer sleeve part (1) is, on its inner peripheral surface (I1), and the inner sleeve part (2) is, on its outer peripheral surface (O2), provided with a bonding-agent layer (HS1, HS2). The slits (S1, S2) of the sleeve parts (1, 2) are staggered in relation to one another.
US07717406B2	Algae resistant edge coating and method of forming same A gas-liquid contact body for use in a gas-liquid contact apparatus is formed of a plurality of facially opposed corrugated sheets with the corrugations in alternate sheets being disposed in parallel to form a plurality of criss-crossing channels for gas and liquid. The contact body has an air inlet side including an air inlet portion which is coated with a water-impermeable hydrophilic material whose density on the surface of the sheets decreases from a maximum at the edge of the sheets downstream within the air inlet portion to leave progressively increasing areas of said sheet exposed to air.
US07717397B2	Electrically isolated actuator output shaft An actuator for use in a fuel system. The actuator has a first metallic section adapted to be coupled to a motor, a second metallic section adapted to be coupled to a valve, and a nonmetallic section coupled to the first and second metallic sections for transmitting torque from the first metallic section to the second metallic section.
US07717396B2	Magnetic actuator device The magnetic actuator device of the invention comprises a magnetic field generator external to the duct and a permanent magnetic field generator internal to the duct, separated from the magnetic field generator external to the duct by a non-magnetic separator wall, and connected to a moving member, the permanent magnetic field generator internal to the duct being dimensioned to have a face spaced apart from the separator wall so as to define a space that can receive particles of metal without the actuator device jamming.
US07717393B2	Field easel with integrated paint/sketch box A field easel with an integrated sketch box is provided. The sketch box comprises cavities for art supplies, allowing art supplies to be stored inside the cavity and secured with plates covered in memory foam. An easel is hinged to the rear wall of the box such that the easel can display painting support in a multitude of angles, and the easel provides adjustable support clamps that accept different sizes of painting support and can raise and lower the height of the painting support with respect to the box. Optionally, the field easel can be secured to a standardized tripod.
US07717383B2	Adjustable support mechanism An adjustable support mechanism is assembled from: a first bracket that can attach to the underside of a desk; a second bracket that can attach to a keyboard platform; a pivotally coupled connecting member; and a linking member. In one embodiment of the present invention, pivotal movement of the connecting member relative to the first bracket causes the linking member to move the second bracket in a corresponding manner.
US07717382B2	Accessory mounting systems and mounting methods thereof An accessory mounting system and mounting method thereof provides an effective solution for sectioning a portion of a room and for organizing tools, objects and cables involved in the activity that gives rise to the need for sectioning or organizing the room. In particular, the present invention provides an accessory mounting system and method whereby accessories can be mounted to poles that are designed for use in temporary partitioning systems, or to other poles such as painter's poles. Such accessories can include, for example, a caution tape dispenser that mounts to a side surface of a pole following installation of the pole, and various pole clips that locate the caution tape at other poles in a clean, visually attractive, and effective manner. Other accessories include tool mounts, cable mounts, shelves, trays, drawers, hooks, camera or laser mounts, and the like, all attachable to a side surface of a pole following installation of the pole.
US07717381B2	Pneumatic corner climber The present invention is a novel device for climbing inside corners, outside corners, and a variety of surfaces. The technology presented herein relies on high friction materials, suction devices, adhesive materials, pneumatic devices, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are designed to clamp onto inside or outside corners such that the devices weight, and an optional load, can be supported. Further embodiments allow the device to climb up, down, and across corners. Moreover, embodiments that can scale flat, rough, or jagged surfaces are also disclosed.
US07717379B2	Furniture balancing apparatus A furniture balancing pad stabilizes a furniture piece having an uneven leg base or support surface. The furniture balancing pad comprises a biscuit portion having a top surface, a substantially flat bottom surface, and side walls. A flexible stabilization cushion having a central cushion thickness is attached to the top surface of the biscuit to form an outer perimeter shelf extending horizontally and adjacently in relation to the flexible stabilization cushion and adjacent to the side walls of the biscuit. This shelf acts as a support lip for the furniture piece. The outer perimeter shelf of the biscuit includes a perimeter thickness, or height, and a shelf depth. The flexible stabilization cushion and the biscuit may be constructed as a unitary pad. As arranged, the flexible stabilization cushion and the outer perimeter shelf of the biscuit level and buttress the uneven leg base or uneven surface when the furniture balancing pad is slid under the furniture piece.
US07717372B2	Reduced-perimeter aircraft Aircraft that have fuselages including a series of frames spaced apart according to a frame pitch. The series of frames are covered by an aircraft skin to define an interior volume of the aircraft. The interior volume contains a series of rows of seats separated according to a seat pitch. The seat pitch may be indexed to the frame pitch such that seats are located between adjacent ones of the series of frames to permit a reduced-perimeter aircraft fuselage with substantially equal passenger comfort metrics. In some embodiments, in addition, a series of windows are located adjacent outboard seats of the series of rows of seats to permit ergonomically appropriate viewing through the series of windows by passengers seated in the outboard seats.
US07717367B2	Pretensioner device In a pretensioner device, engaging teeth of a pinion (rotating body) have first projections which project-out toward the other side in the peripheral direction of a cam portion. Meshing claws of a clutch plate have second projections which project-out toward a one side in the peripheral direction of the cam portion, and whose gear portion side end surfaces face the first projections. In a state before operation of the pretensioner device, movement of the clutch plate toward one side in the axial direction with respect to the pinion is restricted due to the second projections engaging with the first projections. Accordingly, in the pretensioner device, in the state before operation, even if some type of external force is applied to the clutch plate, positional offset of the clutch plate toward the one side in the axial direction with respect to the pinion can be prevented.
US07717364B2	Apparatus for the separation and treatment of solid biomass An apparatus to separate components of a solid feedstock is described. The apparatus may include a threaded shaft that has a plurality of reaction zone segments along the length of the shaft that are separated from each other by dynamic plug segments. The threads of the shaft have a first thread pitch in the reaction zone segments, and a second thread pitch in the dynamic plug segments. The apparatus may also include a motor to rotate the shaft, and an outlet coupled to a second end of the shaft, where one or more solid components of the solid feedstock exit the apparatus through the outlet. The apparatus may additionally include a feeder to supply the solid feedstock to the threaded shaft, and a pump to provide a rinse fluid to the threaded shaft, where the rinse fluid flows in the opposite direction of the solid feedstock along the shaft.
US07717362B2	Pull-down spray head with metal shell An spray head includes a spray engine and a metal shell retained on the spray engine. The spray head is assembled by fitting the shell onto the spray engine and seating the shell against a cushioning ring. A retaining device is attached to the spray engine to secure the shell is position. A surface finish is applied to the outer surface of the shell to achieve a desired appearance.
US07717361B2	Distributor plate with diffuser on fixed shaft A water distribution plate and diffuser plate assembly for distributing a stream emitted from a sprinkler nozzle comprising: a shaft having one end attached to a sprinkler component and an opposite end supporting first and second plates in axially spaced relationship for rotation about the shaft independent of one another; the first plate located adjacent the nozzle and formed with at least one water distribution groove shaped and arranged to divide a primary stream emitted from the nozzle into a plurality of secondary streams, and the second plate located downstream of the first plate and formed with at least one diffuser element arranged to be struck by at least some of the secondary streams exiting the first plate, and wherein speed of rotation of the first and second plates is braked.
US07717358B2	Nozzle for use with thermal spray apparatus The present invention provides an improved nozzle assembly for use with a thermal spray apparatus for applying a coating to a workpiece. The nozzle assembly including a housing supporting a nozzle defining a gas conduit having an inlet and an outlet at opposing ends of the housing. The inlet for receiving a carrier medium from a thermal spray apparatus. The housing and the nozzle cooperating to define a material feed opening such that the material feed opening intersects the gas conduit proximate the outlet end of the nozzle. The material feed opening being angularly disposed relative to the gas conduit and intersecting the gas conduit proximate the outlet end of the nozzle such that coating material injected into the gas conduit through the material feed opening is heat-softened and propelled towards a workpiece to be coated by the carrier medium flowing outwardly from the nozzle.
US07717357B2	Method for rapid insulation of expanses A process for cost-effectively and rapidly insulating a desired surface with spray foam insulation is described which includes the application of a polyurethane foam dispensed through heated conduits into a dispensing gun having a nozzle with essentially planar divergent lips having a triangular prism opening, the lips of the nozzle diverging at an angle of between about 5 and 35° inclusive, more preferably between 8 to 15° inclusive, most preferably 10 to 12° inclusive, thereby achieving application rates which are in excess of 70 Ft2/min, and optimally in excess of 100 Ft2/min.
US07717352B2	Rail seat A rail seat for rails having a lower patten provided on both sides with upper support surfaces, with a ribbed plate which is connected to a support by fastenings and with push-down elements for retaining the rail. The rail seat including an elastic intermediate plate arranged between the ribbed plate and the support, wherein the intermediate plate presses the ribbed plate, in a load-free condition, against an upper abutment. The ribbed plate is pressed down in a direction of the support with compression of the elastic intermediate plate. The rail seat further includes a spring element arranged between the support and the ribbed plate, wherein the spring element is connected in parallel to produce a spring action of the elastic intermediate plate.
US07717351B2	Mixing valve A mixing valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having a hot fluid inlet (14), a cold fluid inlet (16), a mixed fluid outlet (18), and a cavity (20) in the valve body (12) between the inlets (14, 16) and the outlet (18). Mixing valve (10) includes a liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) positioned in valve body (12) and a valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840) movable therein between a first position restricting the flow of hot fluid and a second position. Liner (30, 130, 230, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830) includes a downstream valve seat (74, 174, 274, 474, 574, 674, 774) that, when engaged by valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840), restricts flow of hot fluid past valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640, 740, 840).
US07717348B2	Semiconductor memory card A semiconductor memory card includes a direction obtainment unit which obtains a first access direction type in which the semiconductor memory card accesses the reader/writer; a condition management unit which previously hold and manages an access condition including two or more of second access direction types; a condition judgment unit which compares two or more of the first access direction types and two or more of the second access direction types, and judges whether or not they match each other; and an execution unit which executes a predetermined application program when it is judged that the first and second access direction types match each other.
US07717347B2	Financial transaction card with pop-up member A financial transaction card including an account identifier, a cover, and a pop-up member. The account identifier links the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The cover is configured to fold about a fold line between an open and a closed position. The pop-up member is coupled with the cover on both sides of the fold line and is configured to transition between a relatively flat position when the cover is in the closed position and an extended position when cover is in the open position. The pop-up member is stored between at least two portions of the cover when the cover is in the closed position. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07717342B2	Data collection device having dynamic access to multiple wireless networks There is described a data collection device that can incorporate an encoded information reading unit that can operate within a system including an access point that is wireline connected to a server. The encoded information reading unit can include at least one of a bar code reading unit, an RFID tag reading unit and a credit/debit card reading unit. Further incorporated in the data collection device can be dynamic access module. The dynamic access communication module enables the data collection device to participate in a self organized network that supports multi-hop data packet transmissions between data collection devices and which further enables the device to transmit data received from a peer device to the system access point.
US07717340B1	Enabling the use of machine-readable codes Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for enabling the use of machine-readable codes. A computer program receives data generated by reading a machine-readable code and detects the presence of formatting information indicating whether the data's payload is in a first or second format. The program uses a first or second procedure to decode the payload depending on whether the formatting information is detected and what it specifies. In some embodiments, the formatting information can include information about how to decode the payload. The machine-readable code can have been produced according to an encoding instruction associated with an electronic document. The first and second formats can be open and closed formats, respectively. The use of multiple formats can enable multiple, co-existing business models in a document workflow, whereby different parties in the workflow can be charged or required to obtain authorization for the use of machine-readable codes.
US07717338B2	Cargo hold item identification and monitoring system In an apparatus for identifying items in a cargo hold, having an entrance that is accessible by a user, each of the items includes an individual mesh network communication device and each individual mesh network communication device includes a memory that stores a unique item identification. The apparatus includes a primary mesh network communications device and a portable computational device in data communication with the primary mesh network communication device. A frame separates the primary mesh network communications device from the portable computational device at a distance that enables the user to hold the portable computational device and to direct the mesh network communications device to the entrance of the cargo hold.
US07717336B2	Information terminal device, method, and computer readable medium storing program An information terminal device includes an acquisition unit that acquires reference information representing a machine-readable feature distributed on a surface of a thing associated with a first user, and collation information representing a machine-readable feature distributed on a surface of a thing associated with a second user, a registration unit that registers the reference information acquired by the acquisition unit from the thing associated with the first user in a storage unit, a collation unit that uses the collation information acquired by the acquisition unit from the thing associated with the second user, and collates the collation information with the reference information, and a judgment unit that judge validity of whether the second user is the first user, based on a result of collation by the collation unit.
US07717333B2	Method and means for registering a debit card A method and means of registering for a debit card includes a card having an account number that is the same as an account number encoded on a magnetic strip of the card. Removably attached to the card is a first and a second label. The first label has the account number printed thereon and a designated area where customer information is filled in. The second label has an authorization code such as a PIN number printed thereon. Both the account number and PIN number are stored in a database maintained by a service provider. To register, the first label is removed from the card and attached to a customer's check and the second label is removed and retained by the customer. The check is scanned and transmitted to the service provider. The service provider compares the account number on the first label of the scanned check with the stored PIN number and creates a debit card account for the customer associated with the customer's checking account.
US07717332B2	Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method An automated banking machine system operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is operative to read a financial card bearing account indicia with a card reader. A user is enabled to perform at least one banking operation responsive to account indicia read from the card. Such banking operations may include dispensing cash and accessing financial accounts. While a user operates the system to dispense cash or perform other banking operations, the system may further permit at least one portable wireless device to wirelessly access the system to conduct transactions.
US07717326B2	Method and system for protecting data A system for protecting data within a portable storage device. A self-destruct unit associated with the portable storage device is enabled. If the portable storage device is not within a pre-specified route tolerance or if the portable storage device is not at a pre-selected identification checkpoint, an alert message is sent. In response to receiving a particular response, a self-destruct signal is sent to the enabled self-destruct unit. Then the enabled self-destruct unit creates an electromagnetic pulse from a xenon flash tube to render confidential data within the portable storage device unusable.
US07717325B2	Double wall container with internal spacer A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an inner wall and an outer wall wrapped therearound so as to define a double-wall container construction. A plurality of spacer elements are interposed between the inner and the outer walls so as to maintain a minimum thickness of an air space defined therebetween. In normal use conditions, the spacer elements do not contact the inner wall; however, the spacer elements prevent the outer wall from contacting the inner wall during non-standard use conditions.
US07717321B2	Carton with interlocking divider A package includes a carton and a divider. The carton has a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and at least two end flaps respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The divider has a divider panel that at least partially divides the interior of the carton and a securing flap that is connected to the divider panel. The securing flap is positioned between the overlapping end flaps of the carton, whereby the divider is at least partially secured to the closed end of the carton.
US07717314B2	Friction stir welding tool A friction stir welding tool is used in welding structures. The tool comprises a shoulder and a probe extending from the shoulder. The probe has at least three sections equiangularly arranged around the longitudinal axis of the probe, each section comprising at least three contiguously arranged flats arranged about the axis of the probe. The flats are so arranged that the normal axes of the flats converge in a direction towards the axis of the probe thereby resulting in the sections each having a generally convex shape. The probe also includes a threaded portion disposed between each pair of adjacent generally convexly shaped unthreaded sections.
US07717311B2	Method for dividing substrate and method for manufacturing substrate using such method Vertical cracks Vm in the thickness direction of a mother glass substrate 10 are sequentially formed along lines to be scribed and broken, and thus main scribe lines MS are formed along the lines to be scribed and broken of the mother glass substrate 10. Then, subordinate scribe lines SS are formed along the main scribe lines MS which have been formed, at a predetermined distance from the main scribe lines MS. Thus, the mother glass substrate 10 is broken along the main scribe lines MS. In this manner, the substrate can be scribed and broken efficiently without requiring a complicated device or the like.
US07717306B2	Two-axis trigger actuator The invention is a dual-axis force transmission mechanism that operates as an actuator for the valve of fluid dispensing devices. It comprises a rotating trigger member (101) that pivots as a force is applied by the operator. The transmission mechanism preferably includes a rack and pinion arrangement in which a pinion gear (108) located on the rotatable trigger member (101) intermeshes with a rack gear (107) located on the opposing force transmission frame. This mechanism inter-converts a force applied to the rotatable trigger (101) into a rectilinear force that is then transmitted to operate the fluid dispensing valve.
US07717304B2	Method and apparatus for dispensing for paste-like substances The present invention discloses a container having a cavity for dispensing a paste and a cavity for another material. In one aspect, a first cavity for a comestible paste resides in an area between a hollow piston and a top section having a dispenser. The top section and piston have corresponding male and female threads in their respective cylindrical sections. The paste can be dispensed by slidably advancing the piston towards the dispenser. The threads can then be engaged to rotatably advance the piston towards the dispenser to dispense additional paste. A comestible seasoning or other material can be disposed in the hollow piston.
US07717303B2	Pump for manually dispensing a fluid substance sealed in a container A pump enabling a fluid substance to be manually dispensed through a hollow stem projecting from a hole in a ring cap sealedly applied to one end of a pump.The stem can sealedly translate within said hole in the ring cap, which in its turn can be sealedly mounted on the mouth of a container containing the fluid substance to be dispensed.
US07717300B1	Aerosol spraying device An aerosol spraying device for actuating an aerosol can to spray an insecticide from the aerosol in a desired location includes a pole including a first end engaging an aerosol can. A canister support is coupled to the pole adjacent the first end. The canister support extends under a portion of the aerosol can to support the aerosol can. An actuating assembly is coupled to the pole. The actuating assembly engages a nozzle of the aerosol can to actuate the nozzle and release contents of the aerosol can when the actuating assembly is actuated.
US07717279B2	Slatwall track A slatwall track, which comprises a horizontally elongated assembly of uniform thickness and has a front and a back side, incorporates an upwardly extending member, retracted from the front side, for intermeshing with a downwardly extending member, coplanar with the front side, of another above located slatwall track. The slatwall track further incorporates one or more channel subassemblies for supporting items. The channel subassemblies are generally followed downwardly by rigidity boxes. A member for stopping projecting backwardly from the downwardly extending member limits an upward movement of a lower slatwall rack during intermeshing. The spacing between an outside extremity of the member for stopping and a wall to which the slatwall track is secured and the spacing between the upwardly extending member and the same wall are equal and correspond to a thickness of a panel intended to be inserted, between two slatwall tracks, into these spacings.
US07717278B2	Tool suspension device A tool suspension device has a base bracket, multiple clamping elements and multiple sliding elements. The base bracket has a baseboard and a rail bracket. The rail bracket is formed on the baseboard and has an inner rail and an outer rail. The clamping elements are mounted slidably on the rail bracket and each has two clamps in pairs. Each clamp is mounted slidably on the outer rail and has two hooks and an arm. The hooks are mounted slidably in the outer rail. The arm is formed with the hooks and has a mounting hole. The sliding elements are mounted slidably in the rail bracket, are connected to the clamping elements and each has two sliding plates and two adjusting bolts. The sliding plates are mounted in the inner rail. The adjusting bolts are mounted in the mounting holes and connected to the sliding plates.
US07717276B2	Stand for displaying articles, such as flat-packed articles The invention relates to a display stand including a backrest which can slide along a rail by a manually-actuated tab so as to form an adjustable area for displaying articles. The invention is characterized in that the stand also includes an independent backstop device which operates by co-operation between at least one notched extension located at the sliding backrest and at least one complementary toothed counterpart positioned on the rail supporting the backrest.
US07717271B2	Membrane structure and method of making A membrane structure is provided. The membrane structure includes a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; and a second layer disposed on the first layer. The second layer has a plurality of unconnected pores. Each of the unconnected pores is in fluid communication with at least one of the interconnected pores of the first layer. A method of making a membrane structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first layer having a plurality of interconnected pores; and disposing a second layer on the first layer. Disposing a second layer includes depositing a conducting layer on the first layer; and anodizing the conducting layer to convert the conducting layer into a porous layer.
US07717266B2	Compact, rolled packaging for a group of sanitary items A packaging method for sanitary items, the preferred embodiment of which is a diapering kit. In the diapering kit example, one or more diaper wipe(s) (12) are rolled around a disposal bag (10). The disposal bag folds back over the wipes, and a diaper (20) is rolled around it. The disposal bag is closed by a releasable closure (18), leaving the closed end of the disposal bag exposed, and folds back over the rolled diaper. A third reusable closure (22) closes the disposal bag at the other end of the rolled diaper, and the disposal bag folds back over the rolled diaper to the half-way point where it is closed tightly around the rolled diaper by a fourth releasable closure (32). Four additional item storage locations are created within the disposal bag, with potential for storing several different material types.
US07717263B2	Support systems for portable containers Portable container support systems are disclosed which include at least one re-closable enclosure which is operable to be coupled to the exterior of a portable container, and which has an integral support coupling adapted to receive supports used for supporting the portable container in a preferred orientation, such as a nearly vertical position for use as a rack for assembled articles. Various re-closable enclosures are disclosed which enable convenient deployment of support legs while providing protection for the supports when stowed for transport. The system may be used with a wide variety of portable containers, such as pool cue cases, golf bags, equipment bags, etc.
US07717257B1	Multi-section package for a mold release agent and a wipe A sealed multi-compartment package includes a wipe and a mold release agent which are kept separate from one another until the time of use. The package includes a first compartment for containing a fabric-like wipe and a second compartment in sealed separation from the first compartment containing a mold release agent. The first and second compartments are in communication and separated by a displaceable seal. Upon displacement of the seal, the mold release agent and the wipe are brought into mutual contact.
US07717253B2	Arrangement for processing disks of different sizes An arrangement for processing disks provides a continuous loop, such as a roller drive chain, to which a plurality of disk securing elements, such as chain fingers, are attached at varying distances from one another. The chain fingers have a center line on an outwardly extending portion that is non-perpendicular with respect to the plane of the roller drive chain when viewed in a top view.
US07717251B2	Apparatus for the conveying of separated goods The invention relates to an apparatus for the conveying of homogenized products having an n-track conveying section and a single-track conveying section adjoining it, wherein at least n+1 individual conveyors extending parallel to one another in a conveying plane adjoin the end of the n-track conveying section.
US07717245B2	Self-actuating clutch A hydromechanical transmission having a self actuating clutch assembly. The self-actuating clutch assembly comprises a first and second gear clutching elements and a shaft clutching element that engages a shaft. The shaft clutching element is a cone clutch that is actuated by a ball element that is biased towards the shaft clutching element by a spring element that is disposed through the shaft.
US07717244B2	Replacement torque converter cover assembly A replacement torque converter cover designed to withstand mechanical stresses generated in the torque converter lock-up clutch of ALLISON transmissions when such transmissions are utilized with diesel engines and other high-torque truck engines. The original equipment cover includes through-drilled holes for receiving unitary threaded stud pins, which function to attach the cover to the engine crankshaft externally and to drive the lock-up clutch piston internally during operation. The present replacement cover provides a lock-up clutch piston interface wherein such through-drilled holes and unitary threaded stud pins are eliminated, which substantially reduces stress concentration and mechanical fatigue in the replacement cover. In comparison to the unitary threaded stud pins of the original equipment cover, the present replacement cover provides separate threaded stud and drive pin components respectively, which are installed at radially offset positions on opposite sides of a modified radial wall having an increased axial thickness and improved durability.
US07717240B2	Electric brake for aircraft An electric brake comprises an actuator module including a module housing, a reciprocating ram, and an electric motor operatively connected to the reciprocating ram for selectively extending and retracting the reciprocating ram with respect to the module housing. The ram has an inner portion of non-circular cross-section and an outer portion of circular cross-sectional, and the housing has a guideway for the ram, which guideway has an inner portion of non-circular cross-section for interacting with the inner portion of the ram to prevent rotation of the inner portion of the ram, and an outer portion of circular cross-sectional. The actuator module can be equipped with a bi-stable holding brake having a first state permitting at least retraction of the ram and a second state preventing at least retraction of the ram.
US07717232B2	Ladder stand with optional extension member, kit for constructing height-adjustable ladder stand, and method of using same A portable ladder stand for supporting a hunter or naturalist above the ground includes a ladder portion, an upper assembly portion and a seat portion. The ladder portion includes a plurality of components including an intermediate ladder segment, ladder extension segment and lower ladder segment. The ladder segments are include vertical rails and horizontal rungs extending between the rails, and the segments are nestingly connected together. The vertical rails include male peg connectors and female socket connectors that are configured in such a way as to limit the number of ladder extension segments that can be included in the ladder portion of the ladder stand.
US07717228B2	Sound absorbing element and method for producing a sound absorbing element A sound absorbing element, in one example, includes a first wall area, a second wall area as well as a plurality of spring elements. In this arrangement, the first wall area and the second wall area are arranged so as to be spaced apart by a clear space. In one example, the plurality of spring elements are arranged in the clear space and connect the first wall area and the second wall area to each other. By pre-tensioning the plurality of spring elements to a state in which their spring constant approaches zero, significant decoupling between the first and the second wall areas may occur, with accompanying sound noise reduction.
US07717226B2	Hearing protection cap The present invention relates to an ear cap intended for use as hearing, the ear cap having a sound-reflecting outer shell and a liner of sound absorption materials. The ear cap is characterized by at least one sound-reflecting and vibration-damping weight element arranged on or within the sound absorption liner to at least partly block an audio mode of vibration that would have existed in the cap in the absence of the weight element.
US07717225B2	Motor-driven steering assist apparatus A motor-driven steering assist apparatus includes a single unit body covered by first to third housings, an upper end portion of an input shaft and a torque sensor are supported to the first housing, an upper end portion of an output shaft, an electric motor, a worm gear and a worm wheel are supported to the second housing, and a lower end portion of the output shaft is supported to the third housing.
US07717223B2	Output shaft of power unit An output shaft of a power unit having a driven gear for supplying a power of an internal combustion engine via a transmission mechanism and for outputting the power to an outside of a unit case. Borne members are connected respectively at each end of a cylindrical member of the output shaft. The borne members are rotatably supported by the unit case via a pair of bearings. The driven gear is fitted to one of the borne members in a position adjacent to one of the bearings. As a result, the output shaft of the power unit can be manufactured by a compact manufacturing apparatus, and the output shaft can be reduced in weight while maintaining the strength.
US07717219B2	Unitary rear frame for mounting engine, hydrostatic transmission, and other components to mower A unitary rear frame mounting an engine and hydrostatic transmissions to the rear of a ZTR mower is disclosed. The unitary rear frame includes a lower mounting surface supporting the engine, an upper mounting surface above and forward of the lower mounting surface; a wall extending between the upper and lower mounting surfaces; and a pair of integral side panels depending downwardly from the upper mounting surface and extending forwardly of the wall. Each side panel may have a side pocket for mounting a hydrostatic transmission thereto.
US07717218B2	Swiveling work machine A swiveling work machine includes a traveling apparatus, a swivel base mounted on the traveling apparatus to be pivotable about a vertical axis, a hood disposed at a rear portion of the swivel base, the hood accommodating therein an engine, a support frame being disposed across over the engine, and a ROPS having a front end thereof fixed to the swivel base and a rear end thereof fixed to an upper portion of the support frame. The support frame includes a front leg member disposed on one lateral side of the ROPS, the front leg member extending to vicinity of a position forwardly of the swivel base.
US07717213B2	Motorcycle A motorcycle is provided with a rear fork attached to a body frame so as to swing up and down freely. A rear wheel is attached to the rear end portion of the rear fork, a gear case is attached to a side of the rear wheel, and a drive shaft is provided between the gear case and an output shaft of a power unit. The output of the power unit is transmitted to the rear wheel via the drive shaft and the gear case. In the motorcycle, the gear case is supported by a rear-wheel axle provided in the rear end portion of the rear fork. A torque rod, which links an outer periphery portion of the gear case with the rear fork, serves as a stopper for rotation of the gear case. The resulting configuration provides a shaft-drive system that reduces the assembling time of the torque rod, and improves the productivity of the main line.
US07717206B2	Air intake system for off-road vehicle An off-road vehicle includes a frame and four wheels that support the frame. Two seat assemblies are disposed side by side on the frame. The seat assemblies are separated from each other to define a space therebetween. An engine powers the wheels. The engine defines an air intake port that communicates with a combustion chamber. An air intake system delivers air to the intake port. At least a portion of the air intake system extends through the space.
US07717204B2	Bumper structure of automotive vehicle An opening portion is formed at an upper-side portion of a shroud panel so as to penetrate the panel longitudinally. A face member and a face support member form a duct that guides part of outside air coming in through an outside-air intake of the face member to an opening portion of the shroud panel. Accordingly, there can be provided a bumper structure that can properly guide the outside air to an engine room behind the heat exchanger.
US07717202B2	Vehicle propulsion system with selectable energy sources and method of use A propulsion system includes a first torque producing arrangement including an electric machine configured to a first energy source supplying electrical energy to the electric machine. The system also includes a second torque producing arrangement having an engine connected to a second energy source configured to supply gaseous fuel to the engine. The system has a hydrogen production system having an electrolyzer, a water source, a hydrogen dispensing and loading system, and a connection to an electricity grid. Hydrogen is loaded to the second energy source when the electrolyzer is electrolyzing the water. The engine further connects to a third energy source configured to supply a non-hydrogen fuel to the engine. The system has a controller electrically connected to the motor and the engine capable of selecting the propulsion component and the fuel source.
US07717195B2	Auger stabilizer An auger stabilizer includes a rigid elongated body having a first end and a second end. The length of the body is adjustable between a retracted transport position and an extended drilling position. A pair of spaced apart wheels are attached at the second end of the body. A split body with two halves connected by fasteners is used to pivotally attach the first end of the body to a handle of an auger. When the body is in the extended drilling position, the pair of spaced apart wheels roll along a ground surface away from the auger as the handle of the auger descends and the pair of spaced apart wheels act to stabilize the handle of the auger against reactive torque.
US07717194B2	Borehole drilling control system, method and apparatus One embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a steerable well bore drilling tool having a main tool body. The steerable well bore drilling tool includes an inertial measurement unit to output a measurement used to determine an azimuthal deviation and inclination of the steerable well bore drilling tool during a drilling operation.
US07717190B2	Method for controlling percussion device, software production, and percussion device A method and software product for controlling a percussion device belonging to a rock-drilling machine, and a percussion device. The impact frequency of the percussion device is set so that the percussion device forms a new compression stress wave to the tool always when reflected waves from the previous compression stress waves reach a first end of the tool. This requires that the impact frequency be set proportional to the propagation time of the stress wave, whereby the length of the used tool and the propagation velocity of the stress wave in the tool material are to be noted.
US07717183B2	Top-down hydrostatic actuating module for downhole tools An apparatus for actuating a downhole tool within a well bore comprises a cylindrical mandrel extending longitudinally through the downhole tool; an interventionless, hydrostatic, top-down actuating piston disposed about the mandrel and forming a first chamber and a second chamber therebetween; and a rupture disk that prevents fluid communication between the well bore and the first chamber until sufficient hydrostatic pressure is applied to the well bore to fail the rupture disk.A method of actuating a downhole tool comprises connecting a top-down actuating module to the downhole tool, running the downhole tool to a desired depth within a well bore, pressuring up the well bore without pressuring up an internal flow bore extending through the top-down actuating module, hydrostatically actuating an upper piston of the top-down actuating module to exert an actuation force onto the downhole tool, and actuating the downhole tool.
US07717182B2	Artificial lift with additional gas assist Well pumping of fluids having low hydrostatic pressure is provided through a combination of jet pumping and gas assisted lifting. A jet pump is located in a borehole in a producing zone of a well, and a source of gas is introduced into the fluid returning from the production location. The gas may be injected into the fluid used to operate the jet pump, such that the gas remains compressed until exiting the jet pump, and then provides assistance in lifting the returning fluid.
US07717178B2	Screen coupler for modular screen packs A coupler for gravel packing completions comprising an annular member having an upper end, a lower end, at least one flange disposed along an inner wall surface of the annular member intermediate the upper and lower ends, and at least one deformable portion is disclosed. The coupler may be used to connect one or more screens to a base pipe in a gravel packing completion by deforming the deformable portion such as by passing a swage over the outer wall surface of the annular member. In a similar manner, the coupler may also be used to connect a gravel packing completion component, such as an inflow control device to the base pipe of the gravel packing completion, to contemporaneously connect a screen section and a gravel packing completion component to the base pipe.
US07717175B2	Methods of improving heavy oil production The invention provides an improved method for extracting heavy oil or bitumen contained in a reservoir. The invention involves directing the formation of a solvent fluid chamber through the combination of directed solvent fluid injection and production at combinations of horizontal and/or vertical injection wells so as to increase the recovery of heavy oil or bitumen contained in a reservoir. The wells are preferably provided with flow control devices to achieve uniform production.
US07717174B2	Water treatment method for heavy oil production using calcium sulfate seed slurry evaporation A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100 % quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.
US07717173B2	Methods of improving oil or gas production with recycled, increased sodium water A method of improving oil or gas well production has the steps of (a) collecting contaminated water having 0.15% or more by weight of the salts of Na, Ca, Mg, K, Cl, SO4 or CO3 or combinations thereof (b) separation processing the contaminated water to produce i.) a first separated liquid product having increased sodium chloride and decreased magnesium chloride and calcium chloride or combinations thereof than the collected water, and ii) a second solid or liquid product having decreased sodium chloride and increased magnesium chloride and calcium chloride or combinations thereof than the collected water, and (c) injecting the first liquid product into an oil or gas well formation to improve production.
US07717171B2	Moving hydrocarbons through portions of tar sands formations with a fluid A method for treating a tar sands formation is disclosed. The method includes heating a first portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the first portion. The heat is controlled to increase a fluid injectivity of the first portion. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid is injected and/or created in the first portion to cause at least some hydrocarbons to move from a second portion of the hydrocarbon layer to a third portion of the hydrocarbon layer. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion. The first, second, and third portions are horizontally displaced from each other. The third portion is heated from one or more heaters located in the third portion. Hydrocarbons are produced from the third portion of the formation. The hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons from the second portion of the formation.
US07717170B2	Stripper rubber pot mounting structure and well drilling equipment comprising same An upper stripper rubber canister system comprises a canister body and a canister body lid. The canister body includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion and a central passage extending therebetween. The central passage is configured for having a stripper rubber assembly disposed therein. The upper end portion of the body includes a plurality of bayonet connector structures. The canister body lid includes an exterior surface, an upper end portion, a lower end portion and a central passage extending between the end portions thereof. The exterior surface is configured for fitting within the central passage of the canister body. The canister body lid includes a plurality of bayonet connector structures integral with its exterior surface. Each canister body lid bayonet connector structure is configured for being engaged with one of the canister body bayonet connector structures for interlocking the canister body lid with the canister body.
US07717168B2	Reinforced stripper rubber body and method of making same A reinforced stripper rubber assembly with a stripper rubber body including a drillstring engaging portion having a drillstring bore extending axially therethrough. The drillstring engaging portion of the stripper rubber body is made from an elastomeric material, has an inner surface that engages a drillstring when the drillstring is dispose therein and has a reinforcing insert receiving recess within an exterior surface thereof extending at least partially around the drillstring bore. A reinforcing insert is disposed within the reinforcing insert receiving recess. The reinforcing insert includes an elastomeric material bonded to the stripper rubber body within the reinforcing insert receiving recess. A support structure is disposed within a support structure engaging portion of the stripper rubber body. The support structure includes a central opening generally aligned with the drillstring bore thereby allowing the drillstring to pass jointly through the central opening and the drillstring bore.
US07717161B2	Circulation-type liquid cooling apparatus and electronic device containing same A cooling apparatus includes a tank for keeping a coolant liquid therein and having an air layer, a heat receiving element in contact with a heat generating part to receive heat therefrom, a radiator for radiating heat absorbed by a coolant liquid, and a circulating mechanism for circulating the coolant liquid from the heat receiving element through the tank and through the radiator again to the heat receiving element. The tank has a conduit forming area for forming a coolant liquid circulating conduit to pass through a middle position of the tank, and a narrow gap which divides the conduit forming area at the middle position of the tank.
US07717160B2	Drive heat-exchanger unit A transmission/heat exchanger unit includes a transmission having an input and at least one output and a heat exchanger, which is assigned to the output side of the transmission and is connected to said transmission at least indirectly via connecting lines. A duct or ducts route fuel, and is/are integrated in the case of the transmission, and extend(s) at least over part of the axial extent of the case to an end face of the transmission on the output side. A retaining device is provided for fastening the heat exchanger to the end face of the case of the transmission on the output side. The connecting lines that couple the fuel-routing duct or ducts in the transmission with the heat exchanger are integrated in the retaining device. Complementary connections of a standard type and size, which are located on the retaining device and the transmission case, are provided for fuel routing and for fastening the retaining device.
US07717154B2	Window coverings A window coverings includes an upper and a lower elongated members, a slat assembly, a first lift cord, a second lift cord and a lift cord retracting and releasing control means. The lift cord retracting and releasing control means is located at the upper elongated member and cooperative with the first and second lift cords to control movement of the slat assembly. The first lift cord has one end fastened to the lift cord retracting and releasing control means and other end threading through the upper elongated member. The second lift cord has one end fastened and wound around the lift cord retracting and releasing control means and threading through the upper elongated member. Through coupling relationship between the first and second lift cords and the lift cord retracting and releasing control means the slat assembly already rolled up or extended at a selected elevation can be altered to another elevation.
US07717153B2	Drive unit for a vertical venetian blind A drive unit for a vertical Venetian blind includes a shared driving element (15) for the displacing motion and the rotating motion of vertical slats. A differential gear (13) is provided with a driving element coupled to the shared driving element (15), a first driven element (17) coupled to the first drive means (21) for the rotating motion of the vertical slats, and a second driven element (16) coupled to second drive means for the displacing motion of the vertical slats. Displacing motions and rotating motions of the vertical slats can be driven by the shared driving element (15). A complete closing of the vertical slats is made possible in both directions of rotation and, at the same time, a hooking up of the vertical slats by means of displacing same in an unsuitable rotating position is prevented.
US07717149B2	Device for applying identification tags around a moving lineal object on a continuous flow basis A continuous flow of a lineal object such as wire, banding or twine is tagged with the device of this invention with an adhesive-backed tag that is folded around the lineal object as it passes underneath and thru the device.
US07717141B1	Forming fabric with dual combination binder weft yarns A forming fabric for a papermaking machine that includes a machine-side layer and a paper-side layer. The machine-side layer includes bottom warp yarns and bottom weft yarns that weave with at least some of the bottom warp yarns. The paper-side layer includes top warp yarns and top weft yarns that weave with at least some of the top warp yarns to create a weave pattern in a repeating pattern area, and at least one of the top weft yarns includes a paper-side float in the repeating pattern area that passes over a number of consecutive top warp yarns. The forming fabric further includes a set of dual combination binder weft yarns disposed adjacent a top weft yarn. At least one dual combination binder weft yarn of the set weaves with some of the bottom warp yarns and some of the top warp yarns. Each dual combination binder weft yarn of the set includes at least one segment in the repeating pattern area that passes over at least one top warp yarn. The at least one segment is disposed adjacent to a segment of another dual combination binder weft yarn of the set. The at least one segment and the adjacent segment combine to form a long weft float that passes over the number of consecutive top warp yarns passed over by the paper-side float to match the weave pattern of the top weft yarns. The long weft float occurs at least once in each repeat of the dual combination binder weft yarns.
US07717140B2	Narrow cranked heald Healds that consist of a metal ribbon section having the width (B) that is narrower than the total width B+X required for the flat ribbon heald (20). The flat ribbon heald (20) has an essentially non-machined—in any event, not trimmed—edge (9) derived from the metal ribbon section and an edge (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) that has been produced, in the region of the shaft (4) and the transition regions (5, 6), by trimming the metal ribbon section. An outward-directed crank of the shaft (4) creates an enlarged distance (R) between two associate oppositely cranked flat ribbon healds of a heald pair (23) which comprises two oppositely cranked flat ribbon healds (20, 21).
US07717137B2	Internal pipe repair method and device A device and method for internally repairing pipes. The device consists of a reusable, elastomeric shell configurable for two, three, and four-pipe junctions. The design of the device aids in positioning the expandable shell over and helps seal off the leak area inside a pipe. Once inflated into proper position, a sealant is injected into the leak area. Not only does the sealant eventually seal and fortify inside the pipe it also forms a seal around the outside of the pipe. Once the sealant has cured, the device is deflated and removed from the pipe. Minimal pipe preparations are necessary before implementing a repair. The device can also be temperature modulated to enhance sealant cure.
US07717136B2	Pipeline closing apparatus A pipeline closing apparatus comprises a lid member attachable to a downstream end portion of a sluice valve, a first control shaft extending through the lid member, a second control shaft extending through the first control shaft, an elastic annular member disposed between pressing plates and provided on inward end regions of the control shafts and elastically deformable to a diameter-increased position by being clamped and pressed, thereby to block between an inner peripheral surface of a branch pipe and the pressing plates, and a retaining device. The retaining device includes engaging link pairs flexing and bulging to a diameter-increased position in response to outward sliding movement of the second control shaft relative to the first control shaft. The apparatus further comprises a reversal preventing device F which, contacts and limits the engaging link pairs and to an outwardly bent position where flexing pivotal portions of the engaging link pairs project radially outward.
US07717135B2	Energy attenuation device An energy attenuation device for a system adapted to convey pressurized fluid through tubing of the system, comprising a multi-part conduit section for receiving fluid from, and returning fluid to, the tubing, the conduit section including a central portion, two intermediate portions respectively disposed at opposite ends of the central portion, and two end portions respectively disposed at an end of an intermediate portion remote from the central portion. The central portion has at least one aperture in a peripheral surface and a first diameter that is less than a second diameter of the intermediate portions. The end portions have a third diameter that is less than the second diameter. The end portions are received at least partially in the tubing sections. A hose section is disposed about the central portion and at least part of each intermediate portion.
US07717132B2	Hydraulic valve actuated by piezoelectric effect A valve-actuator for a hydraulic valve includes a valve chamber, ports spaced mutually and opening into the chamber, a spool axially located in the chamber for opening and closing hydraulic connections between at least two of the ports as the spool moves axially in the chamber. An actuator includes a housing having mutually spaced surfaces, and a piezoelectric element located in the housing between the surfaces, the element expanding and contracting in response to an electric signal applied to the element. A temperature compensation and motion damping circuit comprising feedback resistors and a thermistor. The spool moves axially in the chamber in response to expansion and contraction of the element.
US07717131B2	Diverter valve A diverter valve (10) for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from a fluid source to one of several fluid outlets (132, 136) includes a fixed ceramic disk (14) fixed to a housing (12) and a rotating ceramic disk (16) retained in the housing against the fixed disk by a retainer (24). An accessory mount (20) is adhered to the rotating ceramic disk to facilitate connection to accessories and to direct fluid from the valve. Flow passages (88, 90, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) in the disks cooperate with flow passages (54, 64, 66, 68) in the housing and flow passages (116, 118, 122) in the accessory mount to balance the pressure of fluid flow within the valve against the disks to minimize leaks and prolong durability.
US07717129B2	Automatic stop cock valve A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.
US07717126B2	Float valve structure A float valve structure that includes a case; a valve seat that is formed at an end portion of the case, at a position near an upper opening of the case; a float that is arranged in a space formed in the case so as to be vertically movable; a valve support member that is arranged above the float and that can be inserted into the upper opening; a valve that is fitted to the valve support member and that can contact the valve seat; and a valve opening member that can vertically move together with the float and that opens at least one portion of the valve.
US07717124B1	Collapsible blind A portable and collapsible blind including a flexible cover mounted on a support structure having a plurality of side walls and a top; wherein at least one side wall includes first and second opposite edges, and the opposite edges cooperatively defining a window; an elongated member extending across the opposite edges; and a selective fastener joined to one edge and adjustably joined to the strap, the fastener selectively being fixedly joinable to the elongated member.
US07717122B2	Lightweight single tube crutch A height adjustable crutch includes a single tube member, a foot grip, an underarm support, and a handle. The single tube member has a central axis along which a main member, a telescoping top member, and a telescoping foot member are aligned. The top member is adjustable relative to a top end of the main member. The foot member is adjustable relative to bottom end of the main member. The foot grip is fixedly attached to the foot member, and the underarm support is fixedly attached to a top end of the top member. The underarm support is generally perpendicular to the central axis of the single tube member. The handle is fixedly attached to the main member and is offset from the central axis of the single tube such that a gap separates a central area of the handle and the main member.
US07717120B2	Low sidestream smoke cigarette with combustible paper A low sidestream smoke cigarette comprises a conventional tobacco rod, and a combustible treatment paper having a sidestream smoke treatment composition. The treatment composition comprises in combination, an oxygen storage and donor metal oxide oxidation catalyst and an essentially non-combustible finely divided porous particulate adjunct for said catalyst.
US07717118B2	Protective shield The subject invention provides a shield for protecting a patient's extremities when positioned on an arm or leg board or other surgical or examination table extension. The shield comprises essentially an inverted C-shaped or U-shaped covering with a channel therein. It may further comprise one or more flanges to aid in supporting and positioning the shield.
US07717116B2	Apparatus for connecting a respiratory device with a patient An apparatus for connecting a respiratory device with a patient is provided, including a breathing tube for insertion into a patient's trachea, an inflatable cuff positioned around the breathing tube, a connection tube connected to the cuff for providing inflating air flow thereto, a pressurized air reservoir, and a valve connected to the pressurized air reservoir and to the proximal end of the connection line. The valve includes an entry port associated with an entry differential force chamber, a first exit port associated with a first differential force chamber and coupled with the connection line, a second exit port associated with a second differential force chamber and coupled with the pressurized air reservoir, and a flexible membrane selectively sealingly separating the differential force chambers. The flexible membrane is configured to selectively connect the first and second differential force chambers to maintain a substantially constant air pressure in the cuff.
US07717109B2	Breathing systems with post-inspiratory valve fresh gas flow input, components for implementing same, and methods of use A system for providing anesthesia or assisted ventilation that has a post-inspiratory valve fresh gas flow input is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a fresh gas flow diverter valve is provided to permit an operator to provide fresh gas flow proximally or distally of the inspiratory valve. Also disclosed is an adaptor and other breathing circuit components for forming a system of the present invention. A method of providing anesthesia or assisted ventilation using low flow fresh gas is disclosed.
US07717108B2	Hinged headbrace for front-mounted swimming snorkel A front-mounted swimming snorkel has a forehead brace which pivots about an axis perpendicular to the snorkel tube to adapt to different swimmers' heads.
US07717106B2	Baking oven A baking oven containing a lighting device for lighting the cooking area and a lighting control device for controlling the on/off states and time profiles of the lighting device. The lighting control device has at least two pre-determined time profiles for determining the lighting intensity of the lighting device according to the operation leading to the switching on of the lighting device.
US07717102B2	Reverse engine rotation detection system A method of determining reverse engine rotation includes calculating a ratio of on time to off time of a camshaft position signal during camshaft rotation, determining whether a predetermined camshaft state has been entered based on said ratio, comparing the most recently determined camshaft state with a predetermined camshaft state pattern for forward engine rotation and determining a engine rotation direction based on said comparison.
US07717101B2	Centrifugal oil mist separation device integrated in an axial hollow shaft of an internal combustion engine A centrifugal oil mist separator device integrated into an axially hollow camshaft of an internal combustion engine should permit a good separation effect.To this end, a device is provided whereby the camshaft (101) is provided on a first end with radial oil mist inlet openings (106) for oil mist to be introduced into the axially hollow space (102) in the camshaft (101) and on the second end, for discharge with a radial oil discharge channel (112) for oil separated as liquid phase on the one hand and with an axial gas discharge channel (113) on the other hand for oil mist stream remaining after the liquid component has been separated, a centrifugal oil mist pre-separator is provided upstream from the radial oil mist inlet openings (106) as a pre-separator (107) fixedly connected to the camshaft (101), and within the axially hollow space (102) in the camshaft (101) a spiral flow generating device (108) is provided as the final separator.
US07717099B2	Exhaust gas recirculation device of internal combustion engine, and control method thereof An exhaust gas recirculation device includes a turbocharger (5) having a turbine (5b) on an exhaust pipe (4) and a compressor (5a) on an intake pipe (3), a low-pressure EGR passage (31) connecting the exhaust pipe (4) downstream of the turbine (5b) and the intake pipe (3) upstream of the compressor (5a), and a filter (13) provided on the exhaust pipe (4) downstream of the turbine (5b). In the device, an exhaust throttle valve (19) is disposed on the exhaust pipe (4) that is downstream of the filter (13) and that is upstream of a site of connection with the low-pressure EGR passage (31).
US07717098B2	Controller of internal combustion engine An engine controller performs low opening degree control during a first intake stroke period since an engine start is commenced until first intake strokes of respective cylinders end. Thus, an opening degree of an intake throttle valve is controlled to a fully closed position or proximity of the fully closed position such that intake pressure downstream of the intake throttle valve becomes equal to or lower than critical pressure with respect to intake pressure upstream of the intake throttle valve during an intake stroke of each cylinder. The controller calculates a leak air quantity at the time when the intake throttle valve is fully closed based on an intake air quantity sensed during the low opening degree control. The controller corrects a feedback gain of idle speed control in accordance with the leak air quantity of the intake throttle valve.
US07717095B2	Evaporative emissions purge control A fuel vapor control module for a vehicle comprises a refill diagnostic module, a refill volume calculation module, a canister loading module, and a purge adjustment module. The refill diagnostic module diagnoses a refueling event when an engine is started. The refueling volume calculation module determines a refueling volume based on a difference between a first fuel volume measured before the refueling event and a second fuel volume measured after the refueling event. The canister loading module determines a canister loading value based on the refueling volume, wherein the canister loading value corresponds to a ratio of a volume of a vapor canister to a volume of fuel vapor within the vapor canister. The purge adjustment module adjusts a fuel purge rate from the vapor canister based on the canister loading value.
US07717093B2	Canister arrangement in power generating apparatus A power generating apparatus includes an engine for driving a generator; a fuel tank for storing fuel to be supplied to the engine therein, and a canister containing an adsorbent for adsorbing thereonto fuel that evaporates from the fuel tank to inhibit release of the fuel vapor into the atmosphere. The canister includes a communicating tube, which places the canister in communication with the atmosphere. The canister is in communication with an intake system of the engine. The canister is positioned proximate an exhaust system of the engine to improve the purge characteristics of the adsorbent so that a usable life of the adsorbent is increased.
US07717092B2	Fuel system with air venting and fuel anti-drainback A fuel system of an engine is provided with a venting assembly to vent air that accumulates within a fuel filter of the fuel system and provides anti-drainback of clean fuel back toward the fuel filter when the engine is turned off. In one embodiment, the venting assembly includes a piston valve that provides both the vent and anti-drainback. The valve is actuatable by fluid pressure to a first position that restricts drainback, a second position that restricts venting, and intermediate positions between the first and second positions which permit venting.
US07717089B2	High pressure pump having solenoid actuator A pump includes a housing that has a compression chamber for pressurizing fluid and a fluid passage for guiding fluid into the compression chamber. A valve is located midway through the fluid passage for communicating and blocking the fluid passage. A solenoid actuator is located on a substantially opposite side of the compression chamber with respect to the valve for operating the valve. A regulating member is located between the valve and the solenoid actuator for regulating pressure of fluid in the compression chamber from being applied to the solenoid actuator.
US07717084B2	Controller of internal combustion engine A controller includes a first intermediate mode which, when the operation mode of an internal combustion engine is shifted from a compression ignition operation mode to a spark ignition operation mode, is interposed between both the operation modes, and a second intermediate mode which, when the operation mode of the internal combustion engine is shifted from the spark ignition operation mode to the compression ignition operation mode, is interposed between both the operation modes. An air supply amount and a fuel supply amount to a combustion chamber is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture becomes rich gradually in the first intermediate mode, and the air supply amount and the fuel supply amount to the combustion chamber is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture becomes lean gradually in the second intermediate mode. As a result, when the operation mode of the internal combustion engine is switched between the compression ignition operation mode and the spark ignition operation mode, it becomes possible to suppress fluctuations in the output torque of the internal combustion engine, etc. and smoothly perform the switching.
US07717082B2	Prime mover with integral oil reservoir A prime mover is shown which can be used in supplying power for a variety of roles in industrial applications, including oil and gas well operations, such as the prime mover which is used to operate a pump jack at a well site. It includes an internal combustion engine having an output shaft, the engine being cooled by engine oil supplied from an oil reservoir to the engine and circulated by an oil pump. A housing framework encloses the engine and supports an associated jack shaft bearing assembly, and includes a base, a hood and a plurality of upright supports which extend upwardly from the base in the direction of the hood. One or more of the uprights is a specially designed compartment having a plurality of opposing sides which define an initially open interior space, the interior space comprising an integral oil reservoir for storing and supplying oil to the engine during normal engine operation.
US07717079B2	Engine An engine includes: a cylinder block; and a piston ring, in which the cylinder block has a cylinder liner portion formed of an aluminum-based composite reinforced by a ceramic containing at least either of a silicon carbide and an alumina, and in which the piston ring is coated with a nitride film (20) including a vanadium nitride layer (21) exposed on an outer circumferential sliding surface (17).
US07717078B2	Intake manifold regulators for internal combustion engines The present invention provides an internal combustion engine including an engine housing, a crankshaft rotatably supported in the engine housing, a cylinder, a piston movable within the cylinder, a combustion chamber in fluid communication with the cylinder, a fuel system configured to provide fuel to the combustion chamber, an intake passageway configured to provide a fluid to the combustion chamber, and a first regulator at least partially positioned in the intake passageway. The first regulator is selectable from a plurality of regulators. The engine also includes a coupling device configured to maintain the first regulator in the intake passageway, and a slot in the interior wall of the intake passageway that receives an end of the first regulator. The first regulator is configured to be removed and replaced by a second regulator from the plurality of regulators without disassembly of the intake passageway.
US07717071B2	Electromechanical valve timing during a start A method for starting an internal combustion engine with electrically actuated valves, the method comprising during at least a run-up in engine speed of engine starting, adjusting intake valve timing of an electrically actuated valve of a cylinder to provide a desired air amount in said cylinder, based on at least an operating condition of said engine.
US07717069B2	Engine cooling system having two cooling circuits The present disclosure provides an engine cooling system comprising a first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit, each of which includes a cooling unit for cooling a compressed or charge air from one or more turbochargers of the engine.
US07717068B2	Apparatus for enabling a trained dog to open a door A paw-supporting element, mountable to a hinged door at a suitable location, enables a dog easily to either pull or push the door open depending on which way the door is operable. A pivotable plate mounted above the paw-supporting element, linked to a liftable latch of the door if one is provided, enables the dog to also unlatch the door to open the same.
US07717067B2	Pet grooming tool and method of manufacturing pet grooming tools A pet grooming tool comprises a pet engageable portion formed of polymeric material and having a plurality of teeth. A method of forming a pet grooming tool comprises molding a pet engageable portion out of a first polymeric material and thereafter over-molding a handle portion to the pet engageable portion.
US07717066B2	Device for use in detecting dangerous materials or illegal substances in shipping containers A portable device for use in detecting dangerous materials and illegal substances in shipping containers with the aid of a trained dog. The device is used by a dog handler and constructed to be able to withdraw air from within a shipping container, through a high air vent in it's sidewall, and present the withdrawn air to the dog to smell. The dog is beside the handler on the ground beside the container when smelling the withdrawn air.
US07717059B2	Liquid adhesive dispensing system A liquid adhesive dispensing system operable for more uniformly applying liquid adhesive foam onto moving substrates, notwithstanding changes in line speed, adhesive liquid flow rates, or foaming/atomizing air pressures. The illustrated liquid adhesive system includes a header having a plurality of air atomizing spray guns; the spray guns each having a respective variable speed positive displacement pump for directing a metered quantity of liquid adhesive from a liquid adhesive supply to the respective spray gun; and a control for controlling the operating speed of the positive displacement pumps in relation to the speed of the moving substrate and the foaming/atomizing air pressure to the spray guns in relation to the operating speed of the positive displacement pumps. The control further is operable for monitoring pressures across the positive displacement pumps for insuring the accurate direction of metered quantities of liquid to the spray guns. The spray guns are adapted for enhanced liquid adhesive foaming and atomization, and the header is convertible into a closed housing structure effective for containing cleaning and purge liquids during an automatically operable cleaning cycle of operation.
US07717057B2	Dip, spray, and flow coating process for forming coated articles This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making coated articles with one or more layers by dip, spray or flow coating. In one aspect, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for making coated containers, preferably comprising polyethylene terephthalate, from coated preforms. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and method permit the coated container or preform to be made in an energy-efficient manner that reduces the danger of coating damage and thus increases the efficacy of the final container.
US07717055B2	Flagpole assemblies A flagpole assembly comprising a flagpole body having an aperture disposed in the side thereof, one or two internal fastening plates, disposed within the flagpole body, an external fastening plate and door assembly and a set of threaded fasteners securing the flagpole assembly together. A cleat or winch mount may be secured to the internal fastening plate, having a winch secured thereto for securement of a flag halyard inside the flagpole body.
US07717054B2	Moving mechanism for cruiser arch A cruiser arch moving and control mechanism includes a pair of carriage guides (32, 150, 188) fixed to opposite sides of a cruiser hull, and a pair of carriages (30, 170), each mounted to one of the opposing legs of the cruiser arch. Each of the carriage guides includes a slot (40, 156, 190) with an elongate linear track section and an adjacent arcuate track section. Each carriage includes a pair of spaced apart bearings (76/78, 164/176, 198/200) that are confined for reciprocal travel along one of the slots to support the carriage moveably relative to the associated carriage guide. Two linear actuators (34), one coupled between each carriage and its associated guide, are extendable and retractable in concert to move the arch between working and clearance positions. The carriage guides are configured to prevent any substantial rotation of the carriages until the arch is extended linearly at least a predetermined distance from the working position.
US07717051B1	System and method for control of the backing feed for a tufting machine A method of controlling the feeding of the backing material moving through a tufting machine in order to produce tufted articles such as carpets having a woven look or appearance. The backing material is indexed forwardly along its path of travel through the tufting machine by at least the stitch length for each stitch in a stitch cycle of the programmed pattern. At a desired point in the stitch cycle, the backing material can be indexed forwardly by a greater distance approximately equal to the program stitch length and a calculated jump distance to achieve a desired pattern effect.
US07717041B2	Device for generating pyrotechnic effects A simple device for generating pyrotechnic effects, in which an enveloping body (11) is formed from a plurality of interconnected plate-like layers between which the pyrotechnic charges (10) as well as the igniter means (12) are embedded. A configuration of the igniter means (12) as heating resistors, in particular as heating resistors whose conductors run in a meandering path. Such igniter means (12) are particularly suitable for use in the formation of a plate-like enveloping body consisting of a plurality of layers. By virtue of this enveloping body, the device assumes a shape comparable to that of a credit card or bank card.
US07717037B2	Humid media transfer device and/or printing media transfer device of printing machines The invention relates to the use of a roller or a rubber blanket with a covering made of elastomeric material with an outer surface for indirect or direct transfer of a damping solution and/or a printing agent to a print carrier of a printing press. In order to enable a virtually optimum printing result, even in the presence of changing process conditions, and to display improved back-transfer properties with unchanging properties over the service life, it is proposed that a roller/rubber blanket be used which has an outer surface that constitutes an elastomeric surface coating of the covering and contains, or completely consists of, a fluoroelastomer, particularly an elastomeric fluorinated rubber. The fluorinated rubber can, in particular, be a tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidene fluoride copolymer.
US07717030B2	Single mold form fryer with product centering elements A mold form fryer utilizing a top conveyor that transports snack pieces through a constant velocity oil stream without the need for a bottom mating mold or conveyor. Herein, the form fryer is provided with a top conveyor disposed above a fryer oil pan positioned longitudinally through the fryer. Uncooked snack pieces are provided to the fryer oil pan by a bottom entrance conveyor. Snack pieces, once in oil within the fryer, meet with a top conveyor having convex molding surfaces with product-centering elements. At the exit portion of the fryer, a bottom exit conveyor receives the cooked snack pieces from the top conveyor. As no continuous bottom conveyor is utilized, the fryer oil pan may be provided with a reduced volume segment situated between the bottom entrance and exit conveyors.
US07717029B2	Grill assembly A grill assembly for cooking food items over a heat source includes a grill body capable of holding the food items and at least one grill body handle having a grip end and a grill body engagement end. The grill body is provided with a handle engagement structure which is adapted to rotatably hold the grill body engagement end of the grill body handle so as to allow the grill body to be turned over on the handle while holding the grip end of the handle. The handle engagement structure of the grill is preferably provided in the form of handle insertion structure such as one or more insertion sleeves on the periphery of the grill body. Suitably two spaced apart handles are provided which rotatably engage the grill body whereby the grill body can be turned over on the two handles without the user altering his or her grip on the handles. Preferably the handle or handles are removably engaged in the grill body such that they can be removed when they are not being used to maneuver the grill body over the heat source.
US07717027B2	Beverage extractor The invention provides a beverage extractor permitting extraction of a beverage of high quality irrespective of its type. The extractor is provided with a first extraction channel for letting the beverage extracted in a cylinder flow into the extraction pipe via beverage outlet holes of a second piston having a prescribed first bore and a second extraction channel via a communication hole having a prescribed second bore, which is smaller in bore than the outlet holes, for letting the beverage extracted in the cylinder flow into the extraction pipe, and the first and second extraction channels are switched over between each other by the movement of the second piston. This makes it possible to select an extraction channel suitable for the type of beverage, whether regular coffee or espresso coffee, and accordingly to extract a beverage of high quality irrespective of the type of beverage.
US07717026B1	Multicontrolled brewer for optimum flavor extraction A multicontrolled, fresh beverage brewer (20) with a dispense manifold heater (104) for selectively instantaneously heating pre-heated hot water from a hot water tank (29) immediately before the preheated hot water is dispensed into the brew basket (49) in sensed temperature of the beverage within the brew basket the preheated water immediately prior to being added to the brew basket, a photosensor (106) for sensing a level of light conductance of the beverage for controlling at least one of a brew dispense valve (37), a bypass valve (38) and a brew basket drain hole closure (94) in response to photosensor sensing a level of light conductance level of the beverage, and brew basket pressurization system (50, 69, 51) for selectively pressurizing the brew basket (49) to selectively accelerate the flow rate of hot water though an ingredient within the brew basket. A rotary spray head drive (110) rotates a rotating spray assembly to provide an even distribution of hot water over the surface of the ingredient, and a spray distribution plate employs open channels of differing length (156) to channel the water to different desired location are open for easy cleaning and elimination of clogging from lime residue. A brew basket filter holder (72) insert for insertion into the filter holder has a cylindrical, water impervious wall to prevent side passage of the hot water through the layer of beverage ingredient.
US07717025B2	Fluid actuator with limit sensors and fluid limit valves A fluid actuator with fluid limit valves (550, 551) and adjustable mechanical limits enables the construction of fluid linkages which are able to completely replace mechanical linkages. In a fluid circuit comprising of two or more fluid actuators, the pistons (102) of the fluid actuators can become uncorrelated when fluid leakage occurs. At the piston (102) extension and retraction limits, fluid limit valves (550, 551) open. The open fluid limit valves (550, 551) allow fluid to bypass pistons (102) and/or allow fluid from an external source to compensate the fluid leakage. The fluid bypassing pistons (102) at their extension or retraction limit and/or externally supplied fluid forces the uncorrelated pistons (102) to reach their extension or retraction limit as well. The fluid actuator with adjustable mechanical limits have one or more additional pistons (686, 688), which have an adjustable separation from the main piston (102) or end of cylinder. The fluid actuator with fluid limit valves (550, 551) and adjustable mechanical limits enables mechanical linkages to be replaced by fluid circuits composed of the fluid actuators.
US07717024B2	Over riding chamber impulse average weapon A recoil-operated, impulse averaging, air-cooled, magazine-fed, automatic weapon. An operating group of the weapon includes a chamber, a bolt, a barrel extension and one or more toggles. The recoil action of the weapon from firing a first round drives the toggles in a motion constrained by a cam way. The toggles then drive the chamber in a linear reciprocating motion ejecting a first round and over-riding the next round. An impulse averaging system controls the speed of the recoil.
US07717022B2	Guillotine shears for sheet metal A guillotine shears for sheet metal is provided with two knife carriers movable relative to one another along a working stroke. The knife carriers are connected with one another through at least two leaf spring arrangements. The elastic deformation region of the leaf spring arrangements determines the maximum range of the relative movement.
US07717021B2	Punch tool lift spindle In one embodiment, a punching machine having a tool bearing, a drive spindle coupled to the tool bearing, and a drive system configured to move the tool bearing axially along a lifting axis and to rotate the tool bearing about the lifting axis, the drive system having a motor system having a stator and a rotor internally coupled to the stator and a spindle nut coupled to the rotor and cooperating with the drive spindle, wherein the spindle nut is at least partially disposed within the stator.
US07717020B2	Bottle trimmer and method A method of removing flash extending in a plane from a plastic bottle forming a portion of a plastic one-bottle or multi-bottle blow molded log includes continuously moving a log holder and a punch assembly along a path. The untrimmed log is placed on the log holder. The punch assembly carries a punch that moves in a direction perpendicular to the flash to impact and remove the flash.
US07717017B2	Hand tool and method of using same A hand tool generally includes a tool mount that removably receives thereon a tool. The tool mount and tool cooperate to provide the hand tool with a variable angle of attack with an enhanced power ratio for accommodating aged, arthritic and otherwise handicapped people.
US07717015B2	Brick tie anchor and drive tool A brick tie anchor secures a brick veneer to an underlying structure. The anchor includes a head portion having a shaped body defining a longitudinal axis. The head includes a key portion extending from an end of the body having generally flat sides and an open central area. A shank has an upper shank portion and a lower shank portion. The lower shank portion is threaded for penetration into the underlying structure. The upper shank portion and the lower shank portion are separated from one another by a shoulder. The upper shank portion includes a knurled region extending from the shoulder. A washer is disposed at the juncture of the head portion and the shank. The washer has a diameter greater than a largest measurement across the head portion. The washer includes a resilient sealing element on the side of the washer adjacent to the shank. A driving tool for the anchor is also disclosed.
US07717013B2	Rotating machine active balancer and method of dynamically balancing a rotating machine shaft with torsional vibrations An active balancer for dynamically balancing a rotating machine is provided. The active balancer has a balancer body which rotates with the rotating machine and at least one controllable position counter weight having a real-time adjustable position relative to the balancer body and the rotating machine inorder to produce an actively adjustable controllable counter weight balance force for dynamically balancing the rotating machine. The active balancer includes a spring with the balancer body mounted to the rotating machine through the spring wherein the balancer body mass resonates on the spring with a torsional vibration canceling frequency which cancels a torsional vibration of the rotating machine.
US07717008B2	Transmission module The invention relates to a transmission module, especially a transmission module in countershaft design, having at least one input and one output which are connected with each other by way of at least one speed-torque converter device, with a reverse gear which is arranged between a countershaft and the transmission output, with a hydrodynamic retarder. The hydrodynamic retarder having at least one rotor blade wheel and a stator. The rotor blade wheel is connected via a high gear with the transmission output. The high gear is a component of the reverse gear.

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