最新美国发明专利第2010-05-25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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US07723084B2	Fibrous protein-immobilization systems The present invention provides a fibrous protein-immobilization system composition comprising a fiber comprising fiber-forming material, and a protein attached to the fiber-forming material.
US07723083B2	Production of peracids using an enzyme having perhydrolysis activity A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
US07723082B2	Polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives The invention concerns novel isolated natural or synthetic polynucleotides and polypeptides coded by said polynucleotides, involved in the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, vectors comprising said polynucleotides, micro-organisms transformed with said polynucleotides, uses of said polynucleotides and said polypeptides, as well as methods for the synthesis of diketopiperazine derivatives, including cyclodipeptides and diketopiperazine derivatives 3- and 6-substituted by α,β-unsaturated amino acid side chains.
US07723081B1	Bacteria containing aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, and transhydrogenase to produce L-lysine in escherichia, and methods of using same An Escherichia bacterium (1) which harbors dihydrodipicolinate synthase of which feedback inhibition by L-lysine is desensitized and aspartokinase of which feedback inhibition by L-lysine is desensitized, (2) in which intracellular activity of dihydrodipicolinate reductase is enhanced, and (3) in which a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase gene is introduced or intracellular activities of tetrahydrodipicolinate succinylase and succinyl diaminopimelate deacylase are enhanced, wherein intracellular activity of aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase is enhanced, is cultured in a suitable medium to produce and accumulate L-lysine in culture, and the L-lysine is collected from the culture.
US07723078B2	Method for the amplification and detection of HBV DNA using a transcription based amplification The present invention provides a method for the transcription based amplification of a target HBV nucleic acid sequence starting from HBV DNA optionally present in a sample, comprising the steps of, —incubating the sample, suspected to contain HBV, in an amplification buffer with one or more restriction enzymes capable of cleaving the HBV DNA at a selected restriction site, said restriction enzyme creating a defined 3′ end of said HBV DNA stand(s), a promoter-primer, said promoter-primer having a 5′ region comprising the sequence of a promoter recognized by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and a 3′ region complementary to the define 3′ end of the DNA strand, a second or reverse primer, having the opposite polarity of the promoter-primer and comprising the 5′ end of the said target sequence, and in case of HBV ssDNA as the target sequence, a restriction primer, maintaining the thus created reaction mixture under the appropriate conditions for a sufficient amount of time for a digestion by the restriction enzyme to take place, subjecting the sample thus obtained to a heat treatment at a temperature and time sufficient to inactivate the restriction enzyme and/or to render at least partially a double strand single stranded, adding the following reagents to the sample: an enzyme having RNA dependent DNA polymerase activity, and maintaining the thus created reaction mixture under the appropriate conditions to a sufficient amount of time for the amplification to take place.
US07723077B2	In vitro recombination method The present invention relates, e.g., to in vitro method, using isolated protein reagents, for joining two double stranded (ds) DNA molecules of interest, wherein the distal region of the first DNA molecule and the proximal region of the second DNA molecule share a region of sequence identity, comprising contacting the two DNA molecules in a reaction mixture with (a) a non-processive 5′ exonculease; (b) a single stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) which accelerates nucleic acid annealing; (c) a non strand-displacing DNA polymerase; and (d) a ligase, under conditions effective to join the two DNA molecules to form an intact double stranded DNA molecule, in which a single copy of the region of sequence identity is retained. The method allows the joining of a number of DNA fragments, in a predetermined order and orientation, without the use of restriction enzymes.
US07723076B2	Use of selective labeling to detect and characterize molecular interactions by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Methods of detecting interactions of a putative ligand with a selectively labeled target molecule, methods of screening for compounds which bind to a selectively labeled target molecule, methods for calculating the dissociation constant of a ligand that binds to a selectively labeled target molecule, and methods to determine the specific amino acids of a target molecule affected by the binding of a ligand, as well as compounds identified by these screening methods, are provided.
US07723073B2	Antibodies to VLA-1 Antibodies that specifically bind to VLA-1 integrin and methods of using these antibodies to treat immunological disorders in a subject. Also included are crystal structures of complexes formed by VLA-1 antibodies and their ligands, and VLA-1 antagonists and agonists identified by using the structure coordinates of these structures.
US07723069B2	Site specific incorporation of phosphoserine into polypeptides using phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase Nucleic acids encoding genes with SepRS and tRNASep activity for site specific incorporation of phosphoserine into a protein or polypeptide and methods of use thereof are described. Typically, SepRS preferentially aminoacylates tRNASep with O-phosphoserine and the tRNASep recognizes at least one codon such as a stop codon. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acids are on vectors. In one embodiment, the vectors are expressed in cells such as bacterial cells, archeaebacterial cells, and eukaryotic cells. In an alternative embodiment, the vectors are expressed in an in vitro transcription/translation system. Proteins or polypeptides containing phosphoserine produced by the methods described herein can be used for a variety of applications such as research, antibody production, protein array manufacture and development of cell-based screens for new drug discovery.
US07723067B2	Process for producing transglutaminase The present invention relates to a process for secretory production of a foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase by a coryneform bacterium. According to the present invention, a process is provided for the secretory production of a foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase, by making a coryneform bacterium to produce an industrially useful foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase and efficiently release the product extracellularly (i.e., secretory production). An intended foreign protein, in particular, transglutaminase, is produced by using an expression construct wherein the gene sequence of the intended foreign protein containing the pro-structure part, in particular, pro-transglutaminase gene sequence, is ligated to the downstream of a sequence encoding the signal peptide region from a coryneform bacterium, introducing this expressional genetic construct into a coryneform bacterium, culturing the thus transformed coryneform bacterium, and treating the extracellularly released protein with a protease, etc. to cleave and eliminate the pro-part.
US07723066B1	Processes for in vivo production of astaxanthin and phaffia rhodozyma yeast of enhanced astaxanthin content An economical process for in vivo production of the pigment astaxanthin, and particularly a process for enhancing astaxanthin content of cultures of microorganisms of genus Phaffia, the process comprising culturing a microorganism of genus Phaffia in a nutrient medium containing an antibiotic, a cytochrome B inhibitor, or a terpenoid synthetic pathway inhibitor, cultivating surviving pigment enhanced microorganisms, and harvesting the yeast.
US07723065B2	Conditions for reactions mediated by yeast Organic compounds, such as precursors for aryl ethylamines such as ephedrine, aryl propylamines such as fluoxetine and propionic acid derivatives such as ibuprofen, naproxen and fenoprofen, are subjected to a yeast mediated reduction conducted in the absence of a solvent. The yeast is moistened with water and contacted with the organic compound. The yeast may then be contacted with an organic solvent to dissolve the product of the reaction into the solvent, and a solid/liquid separation used to separate the product from the yeast.
US07723063B2	Methods for measuring levels of bioactive human hepcidin The present invention concerns a method for the oxidative refolding of a hepcidin polypeptide to a form that is mature, bioactive and folded as in the native configuration and molecular mass; a method for measuring the level of native, bioactive hepcidin in a vertebrate animal; a method for measuring the level of hepcidin gene expression in a vertebrate animal; and a method for regulating the production of native, bioactive hepcidin in a vertebrate animal in vivo. The present invention also concerns an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a continuous, discontinuous, and/or conformational epitope of a mature and bioactive hepcidin folded as in the native configuration; and a pharmaceutical composition that includes the antibody or a hepcidin polypeptide and that provides antimicrobial, agonistic, or antagonistic activities in vivo in a vertebrate animal.
US07723060B2	Method for diagnosing renal disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome and enterohemorrhagic infectious disease caused by Escherichia coli Methods for diagnosing renal disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome and enterohemorrhagic E. coli infectious disease at an early stage, and for diagnosing the severity of these diseases are provided. Detection of excretion of AQP2 and/or molecules derived therefrom into urine of a subject, or determination of the amount of excretion of the same is conducted to diagnose the morbidity or the severity of renal disorder, hemolytic uremic syndrome and enterohemorrhagic E. coli infectious disease of the subject. For the detection and determination of AQP2, an immunochemical process may be suitably employed in which an antibody that specifically recognizes AQP2.
US07723059B2	Methods for improving the recovery of troponin I and T in membranes, filters and vessels A method to facilitate recovery troponin I and/or troponin T from a sample comprising addition of troponin C to the sample or to a surface from which the troponin I and/or troponin T are recovered.
US07723053B2	High-throughput screen for identifying selective persistent sodium channels channel blockers A method for identifying a selective persistent Na+ channel blocker by measuring the ability of the blocker to reduce or inhibit a persistent Na+ current to a greater degree than a transient Na+ current. Aspects of the present method provide Na+ depletion/repletion methods for identifying a selective blocker of a persistent Na+ channel, hyperpolarization methods for identifying a blocker of a persistent Na+ channel, and Na/K ATPase pump inhibitor methods for identifying a selective blocker of a persistent Na+ channel.
US07723052B2	Screening systems utilizing RTP801 RTP801 represents a unique gene target for hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). Down-regulation of the mTOR pathway activity by hypoxia requires de novo mRNA synthesis and correlates with increased expression of RTP801.The present invention relates to screening systems utilizing RTP801 and/or RTP801 interactors and/or RTP801 biological activity, to drug candidates identified by such screening systems, and to the use of such drug candidates in the treatment of various disorders.
US07723050B2	Diabetes-related biomarkers and methods of use thereof The invention describes biomarkers which can be used to predict the likelihood that an individual will develop Diabetes. The biomarkers can also be used to screen large groups in order to identify individuals at risk of developing Diabetes.
US07723049B2	Marker for inflammatory conditions Use of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A as a marker for inflammatory conditions, and in particular, for acute coronary syndromes is described.
US07723048B2	Methods of predicting therapeutic response in atopic dermatitis to IL-31 antagonists The present invention relates to predicting therapeutic response of treating patients suffering from itching and puritis mediated by cutaneous lymphocyte antigen positive T cells in atopic dermatitis. The invention also includes methods of predicting a therapeutically responsive patient population.
US07723047B2	Method for the discrimination and isolation of mammary epithelial stem and colony-forming cells The present invention relates to an improved method that permits the differential isolation of mouse mammary stem cells and colony forming cells (CFCs). The method involves depletion of non-epithelial cells from freshly dissociated mouse mammary tissue by incubation with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a. After formation of conjugates between the non-epithelial mammary cells and the antibodies specific for CD45, Ter119, CD35 and optionally CD140a, the cell conjugates are removed and the remaining epithelial cells are then incubated with an antibody composition containing antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f or CD24 and CD14. After formation of conjugates between the epithelial cells and the antibodies specific for CD24 and CD49f or CD24 and CD14, the mouse mammary stem and the luminal-restricted CFC cells can be differentially isolated. The invention also relates to kits for carrying out this method and to the cell preparations prepared by this method.
US07723039B2	Gene expression profiling from FFPE samples Methods and compositions relating to the generation and use of gene expression data from tissue samples that have been fixed and embedded are provided. The data can electronically stored and implemented as well as used to augment diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
US07723038B2	Amplification methods Methods are provided for amplification and monitoring of oligonucleotide amplification in which a primer has an overlap with one or more bases of a detection probe.
US07723031B2	Methods for nucleic acid manipulation A method for replicating and amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence is described. A method of the invention involves the formation of a recombination intermediate without the prior denaturing of a nucleic acid duplex through the use of a recombination factor. The recombination intermediate is treated with a high fidelity polymerase to permit the replication and amplification of the target nucleic acid sequence. In preferred embodiments, the polymerase comprises a polymerase holoenzyme. In further preferred embodiments, the recombination factor is bacteriophage T4 UvsX protein or homologs from other species, and the polymerase holoenzyme comprises a polymerase enzyme, a clamp protein and a clamp loader protein, derived from viral, bacteriophage, prokaryotic, archaebacterial, or eukaryotic systems.
US07723030B2	Diagnosis and treatment of cancers with microRNA located in or near cancer associated chromosomal features MicroRNA genes are highly associated with chromosomal features involved in the etiology of different cancers. The perturbations in the genomic structure or chromosomal architecture of a cell caused by these cancer-associated chromosomal features can affect the expression of the miR gene(s) located in close proximity to that chromosomal feature. Evaluation of miR gene expression can therefore be used to indicate the presence of a cancer-causing chromosomal lesion in a subject. As the change in miR gene expression level caused by a cancer-associated chromosomal feature may also contribute to cancerigenesis, a given cancer can be treated by restoring the level of miR gene expression to normal. microRNA expression profiling can be used to diagnose cancer and predict whether a particular cancer is associated with an adverse prognosis. The identification of specific mutations associated with genomic regions that harbor miR genes in CLL patients provides a means for diagnosing CLL and possibly other cancers.
US07723029B2	Biochips including ion transport detecting structures and methods of use The present invention recognizes that the determination of an ion transport function or property using direct detection methods, such as patch-clamps, whole cell recording or single channel recording, are preferable to methods that utilize indirect detection methods, such as FRET based detection system. The present invention provides biochips and methods of use that allow for the direct analysis of ion transport functions or properties using microfabricated structures that can allow for automated detection of one or more ion transport functions or properties. These biochips and methods of use thereof are particularly appropriate for automating the detection of ion transport functions or properties, particularly for screening purposes.
US07723028B2	Diagnostics and therapeutics for osteoporosis Diagnostics and therapeutics for osteoporosis, which are bases upon the identification of a subjects IL-1 haplotype and genotype pattern are described.
US07723024B2	Method of monitoring a fermentation process This invention relates to a method of monitoring a fermentation process. In particular, the invention relates to a method of monitoring a fermentation process comprising the step of measuring the expression level of one or more zinc regulated nucleic acid molecules from a microorganism, preferably selected from the group consisting of Escherichia Bacillus, Cyanobacter, Streptomyces, Corynebacteria, Zymomonas, Saccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces, and Schizosaccharomyces cells, present in the fermentation and comparing the expression level to a reference level of expression for the nucleic acid molecules, wherein the expression level is indicative of sub-optimal fermentation. Preferably the fermentation process is a beer brewing process.
US07723018B2	Methods of assaying for cell cycle modulators using components of the ubiquitin ligation cascade The present invention relates to regulation of the cell cycle. More particularly, the present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding components of the ubiquitin ligation pathway, e.g., ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules, E1, E2, and E3 proteins and their substrates, which are involved in modulation of cell cycle arrest. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and using agents, including small molecule chemical compositions, antibodies, peptides, cyclic peptides, nucleic acids, RNAi, antisense nucleic acids, and ribozymes, that modulate cell cycle arrest via modulation of the ubiquitin ligation pathway; as well as to the use of expression profiles and compositions in diagnosis and therapy related to cell cycle regulation and modulation of cellular proliferation, e.g., for treatment of cancer and other diseases of cellular proliferation.
US07723016B2	Method for forming resist pattern and method for manufacturing a semiconductor device The resist material contains a photo-acid generator having an absorption peak to exposure light having a wavelength of less than 300 nm, and a second photo-acid generator having an absorption peak to exposure light having a wavelength of 300 nm or more. The method for forming a resist pattern comprises a step for selectively exposing which exposes a coating film of the resist material to an exposure light having a wavelength of less than 300 nm, and a step for selectively exposing by using an exposure light having a wavelength of 300 nm or more. The semiconductor device comprises a pattern formed by the resist pattern. The method for forming a semiconductor device comprises a step for forming a resist pattern on an underlying layer by the aforementioned manufacturing method, and a step for patterning the underlying layer by etching using the resist pattern as a mask.
US07723012B2	Radiation-sensitive compositions and elements with solvent resistant poly(vinyl acetal)s A radiation-sensitive composition can be used to prepare positive-working imageable elements having improved solvent resistance and is useful for making lithographic printing plates. The composition includes an alkaline soluble polymeric binder that is a specific poly(vinyl acetal) that exhibits improved resistance to press chemicals, and a radiation absorbing compound.
US07723011B2	Image recording material and novel compound This invention provides an image recording material, comprising: on a support, a protective layer that contains a crosslinked polymer formed of a polymer (a) having at least one kind of ionically crosslinkable functional group, and a low molecular weight compound (b) having at least one kind of ionically crosslinkable functional group, on an image recording layer, the image recording layer containing a compound (A), having at least one kind of ethylenically unsaturated bond, and a polymerization initiator (B).
US07723010B2	Reactive near infrared absorbing polymeric particles, methods of preparation and uses thereof There is provided polymeric particles having a particle size between about 60 nm and about 1000 nm and comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a hydrophobic backbone, a near infrared absorbing segment having attached thereto a near infrared absorbing chromophore having an absorption peak between about 700 nm and about 1100 nm; and a near infrared transparent segment. Method of manufacture these particles are also provided. A coating composition comprising the above-polymeric particles and a reactive iodonium oligomer is also provided. Finally, a negative-working lithographic offset printing plate comprising a substrate; a hydrophilic under layer; and a laser imageable upper layer, wherein the laser imageable upper layer comprises the above polymeric particle is also provided.
US07723009B2	Topography based patterning A mask having features formed by self-organizing material, such as diblock copolymers, is formed on a partially fabricated integrated circuit. Initially, a copolymer template, or seed layer, is formed on the surface of the partially fabricated integrated circuit. To form the seed layer, diblock copolymers, composed of two immiscible blocks, are deposited in the space between copolymer alignment guides. The copolymers are made to self-organize, with the guides guiding the self-organization and with each block aggregating with other blocks of the same type, thereby forming the seed layer. Next, additional, supplemental diblock copolymers are deposited over the seed layer. The copolymers in the seed layer guide self-organization of the supplemental copolymers, thereby vertically extending the pattern formed by the copolymers in the seed layer. Block species are subsequently selectively removed to form a pattern of voids defined by the remaining block species, which form a mask that can be used to pattern an underlying substrate. The supplemental copolymers augment the height of the copolymers in the seed layer, thereby facilitating the use of the copolymers for patterning the underlying substrate.
US07723007B2	Polymer compound, photoresist composition including the polymer compound, and resist pattern formation method The present invention provides a polymer compound which can constitute a photoresist composition which is capable of having an excellent resolution, forming a fine pattern with a good rectangularity, obtaining favorable resist characteristics even when acid strength of a acid generated from an acid generator is weak, and having favorable sensitivity; a photoresist composition including the polymer compound; and a resist pattern formation method using the photoresist composition. The photoresist composition and the resist pattern formation method use the polymer compound including an alkali soluble group (i), wherein the alkali soluble group (i) is at least one substituent group selected from an alcoholic hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, or a phenolic hydroxyl group, and the substituent group is protected by an acid dissociable, dissolution inhibiting group (ii) represented by a general formula (1): —CH2—OCH2nR1 (1) (wherein R1 represents a cycloaliphatic group which contains no more than 20 carbon atoms and may contain an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, a sulfur atom, or a halogen atom, and n represents 0 or an integer of 1 to 5).
US07723006B2	Toner for electrostatic development and its fabrication method by treatment of suspension with reverse-neutralization The present invention relates to a toner for electrostatic development produced by a suspension process accompanied with reverse-neutralization and the method of producing the toner. The method for producing the toner for use in electrostatic development according to an embodiment includes (a) reacting a linear low molecular weight polymer having carboxyl groups at the end of a polymer chain with a basic compound to convert the polymer into neutral salt form and adding distilled water to prepare a water-dispersible composition to function as a dispersant; (b) mixing the water-dispersible resin composition with a colorant, a charge control agent, a releasing agent and a cross-linked high molecular weight water-dispersible latex to form a colored resin dispersion using high shear force; (c) pouring the colored resin dispersion into an acidic solution while applying a high shear force to reverse neutralize the neutral salt and heating and stabilizing the solution to obtain toner particles; and (d) filtering and washing, two or three times, repeatedly, and vacuum drying the toner particles and mixing the dried toner particles with hydrophobic silica particles or hydrophobic titanium oxide particles in an amount of 1-5 wt %.
US07723005B2	Liquid developer A liquid developer contains an insulation liquid containing as its main component a glyceride of an unsaturated fatty acid, toner particles dispersed in the insulation liquid; and an oxidation polymerization accelerator for accelerating oxidation polymerization reaction of the glyceride during fixing process of the toner particles. The oxidation polymerization accelerator accelerates the oxidation polymerization reaction by supplying oxygen during the fixing process of the toner particles. The liquid developer may further contain an antioxidizing agent. Preferably, the oxidation polymerization accelerator is contained in the insulation liquid being encapsulated.
US07723004B2	Ultra low melt toners comprised of crystalline resins A toner having an amorphous resin, a crystalline resin, and a colorant, wherein the crystalline resin has a melting temperature of at least 70° C. and a recrystallization point of at least 47° C. exhibits improved document offset properties and improved heat cohesion. Annealing the toner further improves the heat cohesion and morphology of the toner.
US07723002B2	Toner for electrostatic image development A toner for electrostatic image development, comprising a resin binder comprising a crystalline polyester; a releasing agent comprising a wax having a melting point of from 60 to 85° C. and a penetration at 25° C. of from 4 to 10; and a colorant. The toner for electrostatic image development can be used, for instance, for the development of a latent image formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method or the like.
US07723001B2	Electrophotographic toner An electrophotographic toner includes toner parent particles containing a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control agent; and an external additive added to the surface of the toner parent particles. The toner further includes positively chargeable silica and polymer beads in addition to large particle diameter silica, small particle diameter silica and titanium oxides. Thus, the toner can maintain its charge quantity and distribution stably even during environmental changes and after long image printing times, thereby preventing the contamination of the non-image part and the filming.
US07722996B2	Polymer electrolyte fuel cell system and operation method thereof A polymer electrolyte fuel cell system is disclosed, comprising a fuel cell having a predetermined power generation portion configured to operate at a predetermined temperature to generate an electric power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas supplied to said fuel cell, and a humidifier configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, wherein the humidifier is configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to allow the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to have dew points higher than the predetermined temperature, the humidified fuel gas and oxidizing gas having the dew points higher than the operating temperature being supplied to the fuel cell.
US07722990B2	Electrochemical cell An electrochemical cell comprises as an anode, a lithium transition metal oxide or sulphide compound which as a [B2]X4n− spinel-type framework structure of an A[B2]S4 spinel wherein A and B are metal cations selected from Li, Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Co, X is oxygen or sulphur, and n− refers to the overall charge of the structural unit [B2]X4 of the framework structure. The transition metal cation in the fully discharged state has a mean oxidation state greater than +3 for Ti, +3 for V, +3.5 for Mn, +2 for Fe and +2 for Co. The cell includes as a cathode, a lithium metal oxide or sulphide compound. An electrically insulative lithium containing liquid or polymeric electronically conductive electrolyte is provided between the anode and the cathode.
US07722988B2	All-temperature LiFeS2 battery with ether and low concentration LiI electrolyte A lithium electrochemical cell design incorporating a low molality electrolyte including LiI is disclosed. The resulting cell delivers excellent performance under a wide range of temperatures, conditions and drain rates.
US07722986B2	Flexible, aqueous, controlled emission electrochemical cell The invention concerns an electrochromic cell in thin films and aqueous electrolyte, with an emissivity that varies as a function of an applied control voltage. It is formed of the following flexible elements, superimposed and respectively in intimate contact: a first current collector (11) in electrically conducting material and intended to be connected to a first potential of the control voltage, a porous counter electrode (12) formed of a mixture of PVDF-HFP, PEO and a powder of a compound comprising complementary ions of an insertion material, a porous separator (13) formed of a mixture of PVDF-HFP and PEO, a second current collector (14) in electrically conducting material, intended to be connected to a second potential of the control voltage and capable of being traversed by ions, a porous electronic conduction layer (15) formed of a mixture of PVDF-HFP, PEO and a powder of an electrically conducting material, a porous active layer (16) formed of a mixture of PVDF-HFP, PEO and a powder of an insertion material.
US07722985B2	Lithium battery operating at very low temperature A subject of the invention is a mixture of solvents for the electrolyte of a lithium battery, which mixture of solvents comprises with respect to the volume of said mixture, 50 to 95% by volume of a linear ester of a C2 to C8 saturated acid, and 5 to 50% by volume of a C3 to C6 saturated cyclic carbonate and a C3 to C6 saturated linear carbonate, only one of the two carbonates being substituted by at least one halogen atom. The invention is also aimed at a lithium battery comprising a liquid electrolyte having this composition. The battery according to the invention is able to operate at temperatures which can range up to approximately −60° C.A subject of the invention is also the use of a battery according to the invention at temperatures which can range up to −60° C.
US07722984B2	Reinforced pouch type secondary battery A pouch type secondary battery having enhanced reliability by protecting the battery from external impacts is described. A reinforcement structure may be installed on a pouch casing and an electrode assembly housed in the pouch casing. Short-circuits inside the pouch casing may be minimized. The pouch type secondary battery has an electrode assembly with positive and negative electrode plates with a separator interposed therebetween, and positive and negative terminal portions extending from the positive and negative electrode plates. A first reinforcement member is closely adhered to one or more planes of the electrode assembly. A second reinforcement member may be adhered to the pouch casing and used with or without the first reinforcement member.
US07722983B2	Lithium ion secondary battery Electrode assemblies easily impregnated with an electrolyte are provided. A sealing tape attached to the outer circumference of the electrode assembly comprises a material having an affinity for the electrolyte. Alternatively, the entire sealing tape or a portion of the tape is coated with the material. In another alternative, the surface of the sealing tape is rough, thereby improving wetting of the tape by the electrolyte and diffusion of the electrolyte into the tape. In another embodiment, first and second insulating plates comprise a material having an affinity for the electrolyte. In another alternative, the insulating plates comprise a mixture of a material having an affinity for the electrolyte and polypropylene or polyethylene. Alternatively, the surfaces of the insulating plates are coated with the material or with a surfactant that reduces the surface tension of the electrolyte.
US07722976B2	Power generation device, fuel package, and remaining fuel amount measuring device A fuel package comprises a vessel wherein the interior space is separated, and has a flow-out opening and a flow-in opening that lead to the interior space, a liquid fuel filled in the region at the side of the flow-out opening in the vessel, and a follower that separates the liquid fuel and the region at the side of the flow-in opening.
US07722975B2	Fuel cell and membrane-electrode assembly thereof A fuel cell having a membrane-electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is a sulfonated polysulfone polymer.
US07722971B2	Electric generator for motor vehicle An electric generator for a motor vehicle, including: a reformer for producing a reformate from a primary fuel, water and air; circuits supplying the reformer with primary fuel, air, and water; a fuel cell for production electric power from the reformate and air; a compressor for compressing the air for the fuel cell and/or the reformer; and circuits for supplying the fuel cell with reformate and air, connecting the fuel cell to the reformer and the compressor, respectively. The circuits supplying water to the reformer include a first heat exchanger for establishing heat exchange relationship between the water and the air compressed by the compressor.
US07722969B2	Magnetic tape A magnetic tape comprising a non-magnetic support, a primer layer formed on one surface of the support, a magnetic layer formed on the primer layer, and a back layer formed on the other surface of the support, in which the tape has a total thickness of 4.0 to 5.4 μm, at least one of the primer layer and the magnetic layer contains a fatty acid amide, and an amount of the fatty acid amide extracted from the side of the magnetic layer with n-hexane is from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/cm3.
US07722964B2	Fiber reinforced cement board and manufacturing process Provided is a fiber reinforced cement board having good installation properties such as nail performance, flexibility performance and handling performance, as well as other favorable physical properties.The board has an absolute dry specific gravity of not less than 1.20 and not more than 1.30 and comprises as raw materials not less than 28% by mass and not more than 32% by mass of a hydraulic inorganic material, not less than 54% by mass and not more than 58% by mass of a siliceous material, not less than 8% by mass and not more than 12% by mass of a woody reinforcement, not less than 2% by mass and not more than 5% by mass of mica, and not less than 0.5% by mass and not more than 1.25% by mass of a water-soluble resin.
US07722963B2	Resin product having a metallic coating The present invention provides a metallic coating having a sheen and having a discontinuous structure at high productivity and low cost by using sputtering. A resin product includes a resin base material, and a metallic coating having a sheen and a discontinuous structure that is deposited on the resin base material so as to include a portion in which a high-formation metal that relatively readily forms a discontinuous structure when using vacuum vapor deposition is sputtered, and thereafter, a low-formation metal that does not relatively readily form a discontinuous structure when using vacuum vapor deposition is sputtered. The high-formation metal and the low-formation metal are selected from at least two species of metals whose crystal structures are identical and whose lattice constant difference is within 10%.
US07722961B2	Resin composition and stretched film obtained by using the same A polyethylene-based stretched film with a thickness in the range of 10 to 100 μm, the film comprising components (A) and (B) (the total amount of components (A) and (B) being 100 parts by weight), and has a density in the range of 898 to 960 Kg/m3: (A) 50 to 95 parts by weight of a polyethylene composition which comprises the following components (I) and (II) (the total amount of (I) and (II) being 100 parts by weight), and has a density in the range of 890 to 940 Kg/m3: (I) 5 to 95 parts by weight of an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer obtained by copolymerization of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having 4 to 12 carbon atoms with the use of a metallocene catalyst, which has a melt flow rate in the range of 0.01 to 10 g/10 min and a density in the range of 900 to 925 Kg/m3, and, (II) 5 to 95 parts by weight of an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer obtained by copolymerization of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having 4 to 12 carbon atoms with the use of a metallocene catalyst, which has melt flow rate in the range of 1 to 100 g/10 min and a density in the range of 926 to 960 Kg/m3; and (B) 5 to 50 parts by weight of a high-pressure low density polyethylene which has a melt flow rate in the range of 0.1 to 10 g/10 min, and a density in the range of 910 to 930 Kg/m3.
US07722960B2	Polymeric films There is described a biaxially oriented polyolefin single or multi-layer film which comprises at least one core layer comprising a propylenic polymer component and either an ethylenic polymer component (preferably 0.2% to 8% by weight of core layer) or a styrenic polymer component (preferably 0.2% to 25% by weight of core layer). The films have a dynamic loss modulus (E″), at 3 Hz and 25° C., of 28 to 136 MPa (TD) and/or 73 to 135 MPa (MD) as well as a dynamic storage modulus (E′), at 3 Hz and 25° C., of 630 to 2800 MPa (TD) and/or 1300 to 3000 MPa (MD). These films are suitable for use as a label facestock with improved conformability for example to provide improved labels for squeezable containers.
US07722956B2	Glass panel A panel comprises two confronting glass sheets 12, 14 that are hermetically sealed together by a solder glass 10, with the hermetic seal 18 comprising remelted solder glass.
US07722950B2	Adhesive compositions for flexible circuit materials, circuits, multi-layer circuits, and methods of manufacture thereof An adhesive for a circuit material, comprises a blend of a cure system; and a solid epoxy resin and a nitrile rubber functionalized with epoxy-reactive groups, wherein the solid epoxy resin and the nitrile rubber are reacted to form an adduct prior to blending with the cure system. The adhesive has low dendritic growth and improved solder resistance.
US07722949B2	Adhesive composition and adhesive film therefrom An adhesive composition comprising: 100 parts by weight of (A) a phenoxy resin having, per molecule, at least one alkoxy silane residue represented by the following formula (I) wherein R1 may be the same with or different from each other and is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-4 alkyl group, and R2 is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-9 monovalent group comprising a moiety selected from the group consisting of amino, cyanato, glycidoxy and thiol groups; 5 to 200 parts by weight of (B) an epoxy resin; a catalytic amount of (C) catalyst for curing the epoxy resin; and (D) an inorganic filler in an amount of from 33 to 300 parts by weight per total 100 parts by weight of the components (A), (B) and (C).
US07722948B2	Laminated Glazing A laminated glazing comprising two panes of glazing material, a sheet of interlayer material extending therebetween, and an electrically conductive member formed (possibly etched) from a sheet of electrically conductive material also positioned between the panes. The electrically conductive member may function as one or more of: an antenna element, a capacitive sensor, an electromagnetic shield, part of alarm circuitry, a resistance thermometer, a busbar. Also a method of manufacturing such a glazing involving locating a pre-formed electrically conductive member and a sheet of interlayer material on a first pane of glazing material, placing a second pane of glazing material in register with the first so that the electrically conductive member and the interlayer material are between the two panes, and laminating in an autoclave.
US07722944B2	Piece made of composite material with areas of different thickness The invention relates to a piece made of composite material with areas of different thickness manufactured from a stack of composite material fabrics comprising at least two adjacent areas (11, 15) of different thickness and a transition area (13) between both configured with a single slope (17), in which the stack is structured by: a first and a fourth section formed by at least two continuous fabrics (21, 21′; 29, 29′) extending along the three mentioned areas (11, 13, 15); a second section formed by one or more symmetrical and balanced fabric packets (23) ending in the transition area (13) placed among one or more continuous fabrics (25); a third section formed by a symmetrical and balanced fabric packet (27) extending along the three mentioned areas (11, 13, 15) placed among one or more continuous fabrics (25).
US07722943B2	Fastener strips for diapers A fastener strip for diapers has a center part that is elastic in the longitudinal direction of the strip when the fastener strip is pulled, a non-elastic end part to which a hook element is attached, and a non-elastic connector part for attachment to a diaper. The end part and the connector part are attached to the center part. The center part has a layer of an elastic spun-bonded non-woven fabric, which possesses preferred stretching properties in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The spun-bonded non-woven fabric is made of filaments that have a filament core of a thermoplastic elastomer and a filament mantle of a non-elastic thermoplastic polymer, stretched by means of stretching the spun-bonded non-woven fabric.
US07722942B2	Ag base alloy thin film and sputtering target for forming Ag base alloy thin film The present invention relates to an Ag alloy film. Particularly, it is preferably used as a reflective film or semi-transmissive reflective film for an optical information recording medium having high thermal conductivity/high reflectance/high durability in the field of optical information recording media, an electromagnetic-shielding film excellent in Ag aggregation resistance, and an optical reflective film on the back of a reflection type liquid crystal display device, or the like. The Ag alloy film of the present invention comprises an Ag base alloy containing Bi and/or Sb in a total amount of 0.005 to 10% (in terms of at %). Further, the present invention relates to a sputtering target used for the deposition of such an Ag alloy film.
US07722941B2	Optical data store and method for storage of data in an optical data store An optical data store is specified, having a data storage layer with a non-toxic and biodegradable polymer as light-sensitive storage medium which has photo-inducible anisotropy, for the induction of which a threshold value of the optical intensity has to be exceeded. The light-sensitive material is preferably bacteriorhodopsin which, by way of example, is immobilized in a manner embedded in a suitable matrix material or, if appropriate, in a crosslinked manner. The storage medium permits a high storage density and can be applied in a simple manner, for instance by printing onto a substrate.
US07722940B2	Adhesively securable stock packaging materials Stock packaging materials for manual and/or high speed industrial automated package formation and/or filing and closing applications having a curable pre-applied adhesive compositions applied to one or more seams or closure surfaces wherein the curative for the pre-applied adhesive composition is contained within a carrier which prevents its premature release.
US07722936B2	Heat-shrinkable multilayer films Heat-shrinkable multilayer films having a surface layer based on at least one olefinic polymer and/or copolymer, a layer based on a mixture of an ionomer having a maximum MFI of 4 dg/min and an ionomer having an MFI>4 dg/min, a barrier layer based on polyvinylidene chloride or a vinylidene chloride polymer, a layer based on the ionomer mixture or an olefinic copolymer, and a sealing layer of at least one polyolefin or olefinic copolymer.
US07722935B2	Retardation film, use of said retardation film, and novel modified polymer A modified polymer which can serve as a raw material of novel reverse dispersion retardation films is provided, the modified polymer having no need to select a plurality of monomers or polymers in order to realize a reverse dispersion and having no problems concerning glass transition temperature or the like in drawing treatment. A polymer having a polyol skeleton as its main chain is caused to react with a compound for modification such as an aromatic carboxylic acid hydride. Through this reaction, a modified polymer in which a chemical group such as an aromatic carbonyl group is bonded to an oxygen atom in a side chain of the polyol skeleton is prepared. For example, polyvinyl alcohols and benzoyl chloride can be used as the polymer and the compound for modification, respectively. The chemical group may be a benzoyl group. When this modified polymer is formed into a film and then subjected to drawing treatment, a retardation film which exhibits a reverse wavelength dispersion characteristic can be obtained.
US07722932B2	One solution-type thermosetting compositions for color filter protective films and color filters using the same Provided herein are one-solution type thermosetting resin compositions that may be useful to form protective films for color filters used in liquid crystal displays or image sensors. According to some embodiments, the resin compositions may include a self-curable copolymer and an epoxy compound. The protective films may exhibit desirable flatness, adhesiveness, transmittance, heat resistance and chemical resistance. Also provided are methods of forming a film on a substrate, and substrates having a film formed thereon. In addition, provided herein are color filters including a film formed from a composition according to an embodiment of the invention, and liquid crystal displays and image sensors including such color filters.
US07722931B2	Method of forming multi-layer coating films on automobile bodies without a primer bake This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating, comprising sequentially applying a primer surfacer, a basecoat, and a clear coat composition on an automotive substrate in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step, wherein the primer surfacer comprises: a film forming binder, a volatile organic liquid carrier, and pigment(s); and the binder contains about: (a) about 30 to 80% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a hydroxyl functional polyester resin; (b) about 10 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of a melamine resin, a blocked polyisocyanate resin, or a mixture thereof; (c) about 10 to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the binder, of a dispersed graft polymer comprising a non-crosslinked core of acrylic polymer which is substantially non-soluble in non-polar organic solvent and, grafted to the core, one end of an acrylic stabilizer in the form of a macromonomer, said acrylic stabilizer being soluble in a non-polar organic solvent; wherein the composition is, preferably, essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both, and the composition also contains at least one non-polar organic solvent at the time of application. The resulting multi-layered coating film has excellent aesthetic appearance, chipping resistance, sag resistance, and film build even when formed in a three wet layered application method.
US07722929B2	Sealing technique for decreasing the time it takes to hermetically seal a device and the resulting hermetically sealed device A sealing method for decreasing the time it takes to hermetically seal a device and the resulting hermetically sealed device (e.g., a hermetically sealed OLED device) are described herein. The sealing method includes the steps of: (1) cooling an un-encapsulated device; (2) depositing a sealing material over at least a portion of the cooled device to form an encapsulated device; and (3) heat treating the encapsulated device to form a hermetically sealed device. In one embodiment, the sealing material is a low liquidus temperature inorganic (LLT) material such as, for example, tin-fluorophosphate glass, tungsten-doped tin fluorophosphate glass, chalcogenide glass, tellurite glass, borate glass and phosphate glass. In another embodiment, the sealing material is a Sn2+-containing inorganic oxide material such as, for example, SnO, SnO+P2O5 and SnO+BPO4.
US07722924B2	Coated display pieces and method of producing same Coated display pieces. Display pieces for electronic and mechanical displays are coated with a coating material coating. The coating helps to reduce or prevent breakage or shattering and/or to improve light transmission. Methods of making the coated display pieces are also described.
US07722922B2	Coating apparatus for an aluminum alloy heat exchanger member, method of producing a heat exchanger member, and aluminum alloy heat exchanger member An coating apparatus, wherein the apparatus applies a coating, onto a surface of an aluminum alloy member for a heat exchanger to be assembled by brazing, with a top-feed-type roll transfer system having at least three rolls, the coating being obtained by mixing into an organic binder a metal powder, a flux powder, a powder mixture thereof, or a compound containing a metal component and a flux component, wherein rotation directions of transfer rolls of the apparatus arranged above a surface to be coated of an aluminum alloy extruded member that moves in a horizontal direction, satisfy a relationship in which a rotation direction of a coated-metal roll for coating, which rotates in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the extruded member, and a rotation direction of a metal roll for adjusting an adhesion amount of the coating by contacting with the above roll, are opposite to each other; and a method of producing an aluminum alloy heat exchanger member using the apparatus; and an aluminum alloy heat exchanger member.
US07722921B2	Anti-reflection film producing method and apparatus Anti-reflection film includes a transparent support, at least one optical functional layer overlaid on the support, and a low refractive index layer, overlaid on the optical functional layer, and having a lower refractive index than the optical functional layer. An anti-reflection film producing apparatus to produce this includes a coater for coating a surface of the optical functional layer with liquid for forming the low refractive index layer, to form a coating layer. A dryer promotes drying of the coating layer. A heater hardens the coating layer from the dryer at a first temperature level, and then hardens the coating layer at a second temperature level higher than the first temperature level, to form the low refractive index layer. Preferably, a difference between the first and second temperature levels is 1-50 deg. C. Also, ultraviolet rays are applied to the low refractive index layer after the hardening of the heater.
US07722917B2	Method of manufacturing ink jet head and apparatus using sealants An ink jet head has a head substrate including discharge elements for discharging ink, with an electric wiring board being electrically connected to the head substrate, in which the periphery of the head substrate is sealed with a first sealant, and an electric splice between the head substrate and the electric wiring board is sealed with a second sealant. The first and second sealants contain the same base resin and curing agent, and the second sealant shows higher hardness than the first sealant after curing. This ink jet head is free from problems such as cavities and fissures at the boundary of the two sealants caused by a difference in linear expansion coefficients.
US07722916B2	Methods for controlling plasma spray coating porosity on an article and articles manufactured therefrom Disclosed herein is a spray coating process for a robotic spray gun assembly comprising importing a discretized model of an object geometry to be coated; importing a numerically characterized spray pattern file; importing a robot motion file comprising a plurality of motion positions, dwell times and orientations defining a spray direction of the robotic spray gun; reading each motion position within the motion file; determining which portions of the object geometry are visible at each motion position; computing a void volume fraction at each visible portion of the object geometry based on the core compression, the incident angle of the robotic spray gun and the ricocheting of the spray for each motion position; and calculating total coating thickness on portions of the object geometry for the complete motion step.
US07722912B2	Method and apparatus for material handling for a food product using high pressure pasteurization A method and apparatus for high-pressure pasteurization utilizes a basket (40) for holding food packages (95). The basket (40) is transported on a cart (60) from a loading station (90), to the high-pressure pasteurization processing apparatus (10) and back to an unloading station (100). Two robots (17, 18) are utilized to reduce cycle time of the high-pressure pasteurization vessels (11).
US07722911B2	High amylose dog chew formulation The invention provide methods and materials for producing nutritious pet chews comprising an edible thermoplastic comprising from 45 to 80 wt. % starch selected from one or more potato and non-potato starches wherein said starch comprises at least 28% amylose as determined by size exclusion chromatography if less than 50% of said starch is potato starch or at least 20% amylose as determined by size exclusion chromatography if greater than or equal to 50% of said starch is potato starch; from 5 to 25 wt. % plasticizer; 2% to 15 wt % of a humectant and from 5 to 25 wt. % water.
US07722910B2	Pet food composition containing semi-refined gelling agent A pet food composition containing chunks and a clear gellified sauce or base, the composition being obtainable by: i) incorporating at least one semi-refined gelling agent and/or semi-refined gelling biopolymer blend, in a mixture comprising meat and meat by-products, the mixture being used for the manufacture of the chunks; ii) mixing the manufactured chunks with a sauce or base containing no gelling agent; and iii) treating the mixture under conditions to release the pure gelling agent molecules from the chunks into the sauce or base to gelify it and to achieve chunk structure.
US07722909B1	Terpene ester compounds as autoxidation inhibitors for frying oils The present invention relates to a method of preventing or reducing oxidation of a frying oil during frying. The method involves adding a terpene ester compound, including a terpenol esterified to a fatty acid, to a frying oil under conditions effective to prevent or reduce oxidation of the frying oil during frying. Also disclosed are frying oil compositions containing a frying oil and a terpene ester compound including a terpenol esterified to a fatty acid, as well as food products fried with such frying oil compositions.
US07722906B2	Polyunsaturated fatty acid fractions of Nigella sativa L. seeds The present invention provides novel compositions comprising a Nigella sativa L. polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction. The present invention also provides novel compositions, particularly topical compositions, comprising octadecadienoic acid and/or octadecenoic acid. The present invention provides novel methods for treating and preventing fungal infections, bacterial infections, skin conditions, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, inflammation, pain, allergic reactions, and septic wounds by administering, preferably topically administering, an effective amount of a composition comprising octadecadienoic acid and/or octadecenoic acid, or a composition comprising the Nigella sativa L. polyunsaturated fatty acid fraction.
US07722902B2	Solid dosage form for providing a dietary supplement Compositions and methods relating to partially hydrolyzed fucoidan for use in dietary supplements are described. Fucoidan from brown seaweeds is partially hydrolyzed and then mixed with other ingredients for use as a dietary supplement in beverage, capsule, or tablet form. The fucoidan is partially hydrolyzed with acid and heat. The partially hydrolyzed fucoidan can also be sulfonated. Other ingredients that can be included in the dietary supplement include high-ORAC-value antioxidants, minerals, pepper extract, flavoring agents, coloring agents, and preservatives. The compositions can be in the form of beverages, tablets, capsules, powders, and the like.
US07722899B2	Surface-treated powder and cosmetic preparation A surface-treated powder powder which is surface-treated with an acrylic/silicone copolymer having at least one hydrolyzable silyl group in the molecule, and a cosmetic material containing this powder.The surface-treated powder of this invention preferably contains 0.1-30 wt parts of the acrylic/silicone copolymer relative to 100 wt parts of the powder prior to surface treatment. The acrylic/silicone copolymer preferably comprises a trunk polymer comprising an acrylic polymer, and a branched polymer comprising an organic polysiloxane.The surface activity of the surface-treated powder of this invention is very well blocked, and it has excellent water resistance and sebum resistance. In addition, the cosmetic material of this invention containing this surface-treated powder has good cosmetic lasting properties, and is highly stable over time.
US07722897B2	Patch for screening and sensitization state of a subject with respect to an allergen and use thereof A patch comprises a support having electrostatic properties. The periphery of the support is coated with an adhesive material, and all or part of the non-adhesive surface of the support is directly covered with at least one biologically active substance in the form of particles. The particles remain in contact with the non-adhesive part of the support as a result of the electrostatic forces.
US07722891B2	Multiple emulsions Storage stable multiple emulsions of a polar phase A1, a nonpolar phase B and a polar phase A2, or of a nonpolar phase B1, a polar phase A and a nonpolar phase B2, employ particulate solids smaller than 1 μm to stabilize the resulting A1/B/A2 or B1/A/B2 multiple emulsions against coalescence, with the proviso that surface-active substances are present only up to a maximum concentration of less than 0.1 times the critical micelle concentration of the surface-active substances in phase A, A1, A2. The multiple emulsions have numerous uses including controlled release of active substances from a dispersed phase.
US07722883B2	Circovirus sequences associated with piglet weight loss disease (PWD) The genome sequences and the nucleotide sequences coding for the PWD circovirus polypeptides, such as the circovirus structural and non-structural polypeptides, vectors including the sequences, and cells and animals transformed by the vectors are provided. Methods for detecting the nucleic acids or polypeptides, and kits for diagnosing infection by a PWD circovirus, also are provided. Method for selecting compounds capable of modulating the viral infection are further provided. Pharmaceutical, including vaccine, compositions for preventing and/or treating viral infections caused by PWD circovirus and the use of vectors for preventing and/or treating diseases also are provided.
US07722882B2	Live attenuated vaccine against porcine pleuropneumonia The present invention provides a method for obtaining an immunogenic, non-haemolytic strain of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae which is modified, at least in a segment of the apxIA gene and optionally in a segment of the apxIIA gene that encodes a transmembrane domain of the Apx haemolytic and cytolytic exotoxins. It comprises also the strains, and the attenuated live vaccine porcine pleuorpneumonia obtained therewith.
US07722876B2	Toxin-related antibodies with antimicrobial and antiviral activity Anti-idiotypic antibodies which recognise the idiotope of an antibody specific for a yeast killer toxin possess microbicidal activity. Fragments (e.g. decapeptides) of these anti-idiotypic antibodies, particularly those comprising CDR residues, also show microbicidal activity, as do peptides having 5 the same sequence but composed of D-amino acids, or including amino acid substitutions. Peptidomimetics of these microbicidal polypeptides are also provided. Antiviral activity is also seen.
US07722875B2	Antibodies that bind canine pancreatic lipase Isolated nucleic acid molecules having a nucleotide sequence encoding canine pancreatic lipase polypeptides, allelic variants and fragments thereof. Vectors and host cells containing the polynucleotide sequences and methods for expressing the polypeptides. Monoclonal antibodies that specifically binds to the canine pancreatic lipase polypeptides. Cell lines secreting the monoclonal antibodies. Methods for determining the presence or amount of canine pancreatic lipase in a biological sample. The methods include using the monoclonal antibodies to specifically bind to canine pancreatic lipase polypeptides. The method includes using standards of recombinant canine pancreatic lipase. Devices and kits for performing methods for detecting canine pancreatic lipase in biological samples.
US07722874B2	Methods for reducing T cell responsiveness to an autoantigen with anti-gp39 antibodies and antigen presenting cells Methods for inducing antigen-specific T cell tolerance are disclosed. The methods involve contacting a T cell with: 1) a cell which presents antigen to the T cell, wherein a ligand on the cell interacts with a receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor on the surface of the T cell which inhibits interaction of the ligand on the antigen presenting cell with the receptor on the T cell. In a preferred embodiment, the cell which presents antigen to the T cell is a B cell and the receptor on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. Preferably, the antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody or a soluble gp39 ligand (e.g., soluble CD40). The methods of the invention can be used to induce T cell tolerance to a soluble antigen or to an allogeneic cell. The methods of the invention can also be used to induce tolerance in cases of bone marrow transplantation and other organ transplants and to inhibit graft-versus-host disease.
US07722869B2	Antibody molecules and nucleic acids An scFv peptide comprising a VH domain and a VL domain linked by an amino acid spacer is disclosed. The VH domain comprises a sequence with at least 80% sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 64. The VL domain comprises a sequence with at least 80% sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 66. The scFv peptide also comprises the substitution or deletion of an amino acid in the VH domain at the position corresponding to C28.
US07722867B2	Antigen binding molecules that bind EGFR, vectors encoding same, and uses thereof The present invention relates to antigen binding molecules (ABMs). In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, primatized or humanized antibodies specific for human EGFR. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such ABMs, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the ABMs of the invention, and to methods of using these ABMs in treatment of disease. In addition, the present invention relates to ABMs with modified glycosylation having improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased Fc receptor binding and increased effector function.
US07722866B2	Methods for regulating cancer The present invention provides methods for inhibiting cancerous growth of a cell using an antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof which binds to an epitope of EphB4 polypeptide. Purified antibodies of EphB4 are also provided. The invention also provides methods for preventing or treating cancer. The invention also relates to methods of identifying agents that can inhibit cancerous growth of a cell.
US07722864B2	Compositions and methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutants The present invention relates to protein and nucleic acid mutants of chondroitinase ABCI. Such chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes exhibit altered chondroitin lyase activity or increased resistance to inactivation from stressors including UV light or heat. Methods of using chondroitinase ABCI mutant enzymes are also provided.
US07722862B2	Regulatory T cells suppress autoimmunity The invention provides methods for producing an autoantigen-specific regulatory T cell enriched composition, and resultant compositions and methods of use.
US07722861B2	Attenuated Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccines Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex.
US07722859B2	Polymer comprising water-soluble units and LCST units, and aqueous composition comprising it The invention concerns a polymer comprising water soluble units and LCST units consisting of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide random copolymers, or one of its salts. The invention also concerns an aqueous composition in particular thickened, even gelled, comprising such a polymer or one of its salts and an aqueous phase.
US07722849B2	Pyrogenic silicon dioxide and a dispersion thereof Pyrogenic silicon dioxide powder with a BET surface area of 30 to 90 m2/g, a DBP index of 80 or less, a mean aggregate area of less than 25000 nm2 and a mean aggregate circumference of less than 1000 nm, wherein at least 70% of the aggregates have a circumference of less than 1300 nm. It is prepared by mixing at least one silicon compound in vapor form, a free-oxygen-containing gas and a combustible gas in a burner of known construction, igniting this gas mixture at the mouth of the burner and burning it in the flame tube of the burner, separating the solid obtained from the gas mixture and optionally purifying, wherein the oxygen content of the free-oxygen-containing gas is adjusted so that the lambda value is greater than or equal to 1, the gamma value is between 1.2 and 1.8, the throughput is between 0.1 and 0.3 kg SiO2/m3 of core gas mixture and the mean normalized rate of flow of gas in the flame tube at the level of the mouth of the burner is at least 5 m/s. The powder can be used as a filler. A dispersion containing the powder according to the invention. The powder can be used as a filler in rubber, silicone rubber and plastics. The dispersion can be used to prepare glass items.
US07722847B2	Aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions and method of making same An aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution containing i) less than 50 wppm alkali metals, alkaline earth metals or combinations thereof in total, irrespective whether the alkali or alkaline earth metals are present in cationic or complex form; ii) less than 50 wppm of amines having a pkB of less than 4.5 or the corresponding protonated compounds in total; and iii) at least 100 wppm anions or compounds that can dissociate to form anions in total, where the wppm are based on the weight of hydrogen peroxide and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is more than 50% by weight based on the total weight of the hydrogen peroxide solution. A process for preparation of said hydrogen peroxide solution and the use of said solution in a process for epoxidation of olefins is also disclosed.
US07722839B2	Apparatus and method for thawing biological materials An apparatus and method are provided to rapidly thaw and heat frozen bags of biological materials, such as plasma. The apparatus has a hollow bladder having a flexible wall that is placed in contact with the bag. A circulation system draws fluid from a reservoir and fills the bladder with the fluid. The circulation system also drains fluid from the bladder. A heater in the reservoir heats the fluid before the fluid enters the bladder. As heated fluid flows through the bladder, heat is transferred through the bladder wall to the plasma bag to thaw the biological material. The bladder wall expands against the plasma bag as the bladder fills with fluid, and contracts from the plasma bag as the bladder is drained. The expansion and contraction of the bladder wall agitates the plasma bag and biological material to accelerate the thawing process.
US07722835B2	Closed reaction vessel system A closed and yet flexible and easily adaptable reaction vessel system for performing liquid handling operations, such as sampling, incubating, homogenizing and/or metering fluids, can be constructed in a modular fashion, comprising a first container, to which at least two second containers are connected, wherein the contents of said second containers can be transferred from one of said second containers into said first container and back, or into another second container.
US07722834B2	Recombiner system The invention relates to a recombiner system (1) for catalytically recombining hydrogen that is produced in energy accumulators or energy converters. The aim of the invention is to provide a recombiner system (1) which can optionally be used for energy accumulator or energy converter systems having different operating conditions and that helps to counteract functional defects. For this purpose, the recombiner system (1) is formed by individual recombiner elements (2) that can be combined with each other in a modular fashion, said recombiner elements (2) comprising at least one respective catalyst (12).
US07722832B2	Separation method and assembly for process streams in component separation units A method and assembly for utilizing open-cell cellular solid material in a component separation unit to separate one or more process streams into component process streams having desired compositions. A method and assembly for using said open-cell cellular solid material to separate process streams into desired component process streams in a component separation unit, wherein the open-cell cellular solid material can include oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, ceramics, metals, polymers, and chemical vapor deposition materials.
US07722829B2	Pressure-balanced, catalyzed soot filter The invention provides a catalyzed soot filter formed on a wall flow substrate having internal walls coated with catalyst compositions. The soot filter maintains a homogeneous flow of the exhaust gases through the internal walls of the substrate along the length of the filter due to the coating design. Both the efficiency and the durability of the catalytic function are increased over conventionally designed catalyzed soot filters. The catalyzed soot filter provides an integrated function for simultaneously treating the gaseous components of the exhaust (e.g., CO and HC) and the particulate matter deposited in the filter.
US07722826B2	Disposal device for pollutants The invention relates to inlet elements at disposal devices for process exhaust gases containing pollutants, as are produced in particular in semiconductor component fabrication. The solution is intended to make it possible to avoid deposits in the inlet region for process exhaust gases at disposal devices. To achieve this object, the inlet elements according to the invention are designed in such a way that a porous, gas-permeable wall element, via which an inert gas can be fed into the interior of the inlet element routing process exhaust gas, is present at the inlet element.
US07722823B2	Systems and methods for air purification using supercritical water oxidation Systems and methods using the properties of supercritical water to allow raw air including a contaminant to be combined with water and to be purified in a supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) process. A supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) air purifier will generally take in a mixture of water and raw air which includes oxygen via a pumping and mixing apparatus, put the mixture into a supercritical water reactor (SCWR), and run the resultant effluent stream through a system for separating the water from the resultant clean air and the other relatively harmless outputs of the supercritical water reactor (SCWO).
US07722820B2	Method and device for sample preparation The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the column, often between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods characterized by the use of hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic membranes as frits, and/or by the inclusion of a wad of fibrous material to act as a wicking agent.
US07722818B2	Apparatus and method for preparing samples Apparatus and method capable of preparing samples adapted for observations by electron microscopy. Each sample is ion-etched. During this process, the sample stage is tilted reciprocably left and right about a tilting axis. The sample is ion-etched together with a shielding material. The sample may contain a substance that is not easily etched by the ion beam. In the present invention, such unetched portions are not produced in spite of the presence of the substance. The substance can be separated from the sample. The ion beam is directed at the sample with the boundary defined by an end surface of the shielding material. Portions of the sample at a processing position and its vicinities are etched by the beam.
US07722817B2	Lateral flow diagnostic devices with instrument controlled fluidics Devices with lateral flow elements and integral fluidics are disclosed. The integral fluidics consist of injector pumps comprised of fluidic elements under instrument control. The fluidic element of an injector pump is fluidically connected to lateral flow elements and can be used to control fluid entry into containment chambers referred to as micro-reactors. The lateral flow elements comprise conductor elements that can be used for sample application and transport of analyte contained in the sample to the micro-reactor. Fluidic transport through the fluidic element of the injector pump is under instrument-control. Both the lateral flow element and the fluidic element may contain chemical entities incorporated along their length. The chemical reactions that can be used for analyte detection using the devices are described. Also described are methods of manufacture of these devices.
US07722813B2	Urea concentration identification device for urea solution A urea concentration identification device comprising a concentration identification sensor unit (2) and a support unit (4) attached at the bottom end thereof with this sensor unit and provided at the top end thereof with a mounting unit (4a) to a urea solution tank opening. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) has an indirectly-heated concentration detector and liquid temperature detector provided with metal fins (21c),(22c), respectively, for heat-exchanging with urea solution. The concentration identification sensor unit (2) is provided with a cover member (2d) that forms an opposite-ends-opened urea solution induction passage so as to surround the metal fins (21c), (22c). A single-pulse voltage is applied to the heating element of the indirectly-heated concentration detector to heat it, and a urea concentration is identified at an identification operation unit based on an output from a concentration detection circuit including the temperature sensing element of the indirectly-heated concentration detector and the liquid temperature detector.
US07722810B2	Apparatus and methods for automated handling and embedding of tissue samples An automated machine for handling and embedding tissue samples contained on microtome sectionable supports. The machine includes an input member configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports prior to a tissue embedding operation. An output member is configured to hold a plurality of the microtome sectionable supports after the tissue embedding operation. A cooling unit is configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports during the tissue embedding operation. A motorized carrier assembly is mounted for movement and configured to hold at least one of the microtome sectionable supports. The carrier assembly moves the support from the input member to the cooling unit and, finally, to the output member. A dispensing device dispenses an embedding material onto the microtome sectionable support and at least one tissue sample carried by the microtome sectionable support during the embedding operation.
US07722808B2	Method and kits for sterilizing and storing soft contact lenses The present invention provides a method and a container for sterilizing a soft contact lens and for providing a sterilized storage package of the soft contact lens maintained in a packaging solution. By using the method and container of the invention, deformations of soft contact lenses during autoclave can be substantially reduced.
US07722807B2	Device and containers for emitting volatile compositions The invention is directed to devices and containers for emitting volatile compositions.In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a device that includes a holding mechanism for substantially concurrently and releasably retaining two containers.In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a first container having a first volatile composition and a second container having a second volatile composition where the first and the second containers are operably connected to each other to form a cartridge.In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of emitting a first and a second volatile composition.
US07722806B1	Palladium solder Gold solder compositions for assembling, repairing and sizing jewelry containing about 85% to 95% by weight palladium and an alloy mixture containing about 5% to 15% gallium and indium, in a weight ratio of approximately 7:3. The invention also provides a solder composition for assembling, repairing and sizing jewelry containing white gold and palladium, but not containing nickel. Such a solder contains gold, silver, copper, zinc, palladium, gallium and indium, whereby the gallium and indium is in a weight ratio of 6:4, 7:3 or 8:2, respectively.
US07722800B2	Apparatus for injecting solid particulate material into a vessel A smelting apparatus includes a vessel and a solids injection lance extending through an opening in the wall of a vessel barrel into the interior space of the vessel. The lance includes a central core tube through which to pass solid particulate material into the vessel and an annular cooling jacket surrounding the central core tube throughout a substantial part of its length. The lance has a mounting structure including a tubular part extended about the cooling jacket and about twice the diameter of the cooling jacket. The tubular part fits within a tubular lance mounting bracket welded to the shell of the vessel barrel to extend outwardly from the vessel. The lance is held within the mounting bracket by clamping bolts acting between flanges on the tubular part and the tubular bracket.
US07722796B1	Fabrication of small diameter continuous fibers Methods of fabricating continuous nanofibers include the steps providing a column, flowing an extrusion liquid through the column, and flowing a precursor liquid through the extrusion liquid, wherein the flowing precursor liquid has a viscosity less than the viscosity of the extrusion liquid. The method further includes reducing the diameter of the flowing precursor liquid by extruding the precursor liquid through the extrusion liquid, wherein the diameter of the precursor liquid is reduced by a factor of at least 5, and forming a continuous nanofiber by solidifying the extruded precursor liquid.
US07722795B2	Medical device including unitary, continuous portion of varying durometer A medical device (110) including a catheter shaft (111) and a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and optionally including an expandable balloon (18, 118). One or both of the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) and the balloon (18, 118) are made from an irradiation cross-linked or cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant. The polyamide elastomer can be a polyester amide, a polyether ester amide or a polyether amide, and is preferably a nylon block copolymer. The aromatic molecule can be 1,3,5 triethyl benzene; 1,2,4 triethyl benzene; and 1,3,5 triisopropyl benzene. The cross-linking reactant can be: (a) a difunctional material, (b) a trifunctional material, (c) a tetrafunctional material, or (d) an aromatic molecule containing at least two ring substituents, each of the ring substituents having labile hydrogens at a benzylic site therein. The cross-linking reactant can also be diallyl phthalate or meta-phenylene dimaleimide.
US07722794B2	Method for producing a sealable biaxially oriented polypropylene film for packaging A method for manufacturing a surface-treated laminated film is provided. The produced film should include at least a surface treated polyolefin-containing resin layer with a flame or corona treated surface and a heat sealable resin layer having a storage shear modulus of 400,000 Pa or less at 100 rad/s at 121° C., 100,000 Pa or less at 10 rad/s at 121° C., and 5000 Pa or less at 1 rad/s at 121° C. The method may involve coextruding a laminated film that includes at least a polyolefin-containing resin layer and a heat sealable resin layer. The laminated film may be simultaneously stretched in machine and traverse direction, and subsequently surface treated to produce a surface-treated laminated film.
US07722792B2	Injection mold and partial compression molding method In an injection mold, a compression pin is placed at a cavity surface by the pressing force of a biasing member, and is moved rearward by the pressure of filled resin so as to form a compression boss. After the completion of filling, the compression boss is compressed by the compression pin.
US07722788B2	Mold inserts The invention relates to a mold insert, the interior surface thereof having an average quadratic roughness of less than 10 nm. Said insert is covered with a protective layer exhibiting a Vickers hardness of more than 1000 HV, a thickness of between 0.2 and 5 μm, and an adhesive strength greater than 15 N. The invention also relates to a method for the production thereof. The invention is used for the production of ophthalmic lenses.
US07722787B2	Metal vanadium oxide particles Metal vanadium oxide particles have been produced with an average diameter less than about 500 nm. The particles are produced from nanocrystalline vanadium oxide particles. Silver vanadium oxide particles, for example, can be formed by the heat treatment of a mixture of nanoscale vanadium oxide and a silver compound. Other metal vanadium oxide particles can be produced by similar processes. The metal vanadium oxide particles have very uniform properties.
US07722786B2	Conductive materials A material for producing a conductive composition comprising polymer particles, conductive particles, and a liquid medium. The material is in a liquid/dispersion form until it is cured at which time it forms an electrically conductive composition. The composition contains larger sized polymer particles along with smaller metal conductive filler particles such as nanoparticle-sized filler particles. The larger polymer particles create excluded volume in the material matrix and reduce the percolation threshold of the conductive filler particles to provide a conductive material with a reduced volume fraction of electrically conductive filler. The electrical conductivity of the material is further increased after heat treatment which causes the conductive filler particles to sinter together to form a highly conductive network.
US07722784B2	Liquid crystal composition, liquid crystal device, reflection display material, light modulating material, and anthraquinone compound The liquid crystal composition of the present invention contains a compound represented by the following Formula (1) and a liquid crystal. In Formula (1), at least one among R1 to R7 is a liquid crystalline substituent, and those among R1 to R7 that are not a liquid crystalline substituent each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent. X and Y each independently represent an alkyl group, a halogen atom, an alkoxy group, or an alkylthio group. Z represents an alkyl group having 3 or more carbon atoms, an acyl group, or an aryl group. A represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a nitrogen atom. n represents 0 or 1. The liquid crystal device, reflection display material, and light modulating material of the invention contain the liquid crystal composition.
US07722783B2	Optically isotropic liquid crystal medium and optical device A liquid crystal medium is described, which has a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy and exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal medium is characterized in including a chiral dopant and a liquid crystal compound with a chlorophenyl ring and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase.
US07722782B2	Portable heating apparatus and metal fuel composite for use with same A particulate composite fuel of metal preferably of aluminum for a portable heater. The fuel reacts with oxygen in the air, producing heat. The composite fuel may also be flaked aluminum or iron nanopowder. A portable heater having a fuel mass, at least one thermal conductive member, and at least one insulating member. The heater transfers the heat of the oxidation of the metal particulate fuel to a desired mass to be heated, typically a food item. The multilayered heater also acts as a buffer absorbing released heat and releasing the heat to the desired mass at a rate slower than the absorbing.
US07722781B2	Tetrafluoropropene production processes A process is disclosed for the manufacture of CF3CF═CH2 and CF3CH═CHF. The process involves dehydrofluorinating CF3CHFCH2F in the presence of a dehydrofluorination catalyst to produce a product mixture comprising CF3CF═CH2 and CF3CH═CHF, and recovering said CF3CF═CH2 and CF3CH═CHF from the product mixture. The present invention also provides a composition comprising (a) the Z-isomer of CF3CH═CHF and (b) HF; wherein the HF is present in an effective amount to form an azeotropic combination with the Z—CF3CH═CHF.
US07722779B2	Method and etchant for removing glass-coating from metal wires An etchant for and method of removing a glass coating on a metallic wire is provided. The etchant comprises an acid solution having metal ions contained therein. The metal ions prevent the acid solution from pitting or damaging the metallic wire, while allowing the acid solution to effectively etch and remove the glass coating. In one embodiment, a fluorine-based acid solution can be used. In another embodiment, a glass coated, metal alloy microwire is etched and the metal ions added to the etchant are chosen to be the same as the majority constituent element in the metal alloy. The glass coating can be either removed in full or only partially removed.
US07722776B2	Gravitational separation device for water treatment A gravitational separation device for purifying water includes a basin for receiving and holding the water. The basin includes an internal wall. At least one supply channel is provided to the periphery of the basin for providing water to the basin. A plurality of openings is provided in a bottom or floor portion of the supply channel. Disposed under the openings is a plurality of deflector plates. A skirt spaced from the internal wall of the basin is inclined towards the interior of the basin at an angle of approximately 5° to 80°. A discharge channel is provided for discharging liquid from the basin, and there is also provided a device for discharging suspended particles.
US07722772B2	Ion exchange apparatus and method of controlling the same The present invention realizes an ion exchange apparatus capable of enhancing the reliability of regeneration operation. Further, the present invention realizes an ion exchange apparatus capable of simplifying the construction of a salt water supply device. The ion exchange apparatus includes a resin bed housing part (2) in which an ion exchange resin bed (5) is housed; a flow passage control valve (3) for switching between a water service operation and a regeneration operation; and a salt water tank (40) for reserving salt water to be used in regeneration, the flow passage control valve (3) being connected to the salt water tank (40) through a salt water supply line (31), in which the salt water supply line (31) is provided with a flow detecting unit (48) for detecting a flow rate in a direction of supplying salt water and a flow rate in a direction of supplying refill water.
US07722763B2	Purification and separation system for a fluid flow stream The present invention relates generally to purification and separation of a fluid flow stream, and more particularly, to a separation system including a device for dispersing the fluid flow and separating pollutants there from. The device includes a vertical screen and baffle wall positioned in a fluid flow stream between the inlet and outlet openings of a chamber. The chamber can include a sump for collecting and storing sediment that is separated from the fluid. The present invention also relates to a method of purifying and separating a fluid flow stream.
US07722762B2	Horizontally traveling water screen A horizontally traveling water screen for filtering debris from a wide flowing stream. The water screen, which may be realized by a foraminous modular plastic conveyor belt, is formed in an endless loop trained between drive and idle sprockets rotatable on generally vertical shafts. The upstream face of the water screen is oriented transverse to the flow and advances horizontally across the stream to drag debris to a cleaning and discharge station. Horizontally spaced hold down tabs extending outward of the inner surface of the loop hook onto and ride along a horizontal guide attached to a support frame for the water screen to prevent the screen from sagging.
US07722752B2	Variable charge films for controlling microfluidic flow A microfluidic device for carrying a liquid, the device comprising a microfluidic channel having an interior wall and a polyelectrolyte film on the interior wall whereby liquid carried by the channel contacts the polyelectrolyte film, the polyelectrolyte film having a thickness of about 1 to about 1000 nanometers and comprising an interpenetrating network of a predominantly positively charged polymer and a predominantly negatively charged polymer, the predominantly positively charged polymer, the predominantly negatively charged polymer or both containing (i) a pH insensitive positively or negatively charged repeat unit having a pKa greater than 9 or less than 3, and (ii) a pH sensitive repeat unit, the pH sensitive repeat unit having a pKa of 3 to 9, whereby the pH of liquid in the microfluidic channel may be used to control the velocity or direction of electroosmotic flow of the liquid within said microfluidic channel.
US07722749B2	Gas sensor and method for forming same A sensor including a species selective electrode and a reference electrode having an electrolyte layer disposed therebetween; a reference gas channel in fluid communication with the reference electrode; a heater and a temperature sensor; wherein the species selective electrode is disposed on a first side of an insulating layer separating the species selective electrode from the electrolyte layer, the insulating layer having a first substantially solid area and a second area having an opening pattern extending through the insulating layer; the species selective electrode comprising a species sensing electrode portion disposed on the opening pattern of the insulating layer so as to contact the electrolyte layer through the opening pattern and a non-active electrode lead portion disposed over the first substantially solid area so that the non-active electrode lead portion is in electrical communication with the species sensing electrode portion and is free from contact with the electrolyte layer.
US07722748B2	Apparatus for measuring electrochemical corrosion Disclosed herein is an electrochemical corrosion sensor. The sensor may include an array of electrodes wherein each electrode may include a diamond like carbon coating disposed on at least a portion of the electrodes. The coating thickness may be at least about 1 micron. The electrodes may therefore provide relatively more accurate determination of electrode corrosion rates that may be more consistent with coupon type gravimetric testing.
US07722746B1	Self-cleaning chlorine generator with pH control A water treatment system includes a circulation pump and an electrolytic chamber in fluid communication with a main body of water. Electrolytic plates within the electrolytic chamber generate chlorine. When mineral deposits foul the electrolytic plates, water is isolated within the electrolytic chamber and a minimal amount of a pH-reducing agent is added to the electrolytic chamber to remove the mineral deposits. In a first embodiment, the pH-reducing agent is admitted on a periodic timed basis. In a second embodiment, the pH-reducing agent is added when the pH of the main body of water falls below a predetermined threshold. In both embodiments, cleaning is accomplished by adding the pH-reducing agent when the circulation pump is not operating so that the acid dwells within the electrolytic chamber for a sufficient amount of time. Activation of the circulation pump causes the pH-reducing agent to enter the main body of water.
US07722741B2	Transfer belt This invention relates to a machine for the production of a paper web, paperboard web or tissue web, having a roller with a circumferential surface and having an endless belt, in particular a transfer belt, which is wrapped around the circumferential surface of the roller in sections and has a bottom side which in the wrap zone can be brought into contact with the circumferential surface, as the result of which the endless belt and/or the roller provide a storage capacity suitable for accommodating at least in part the fluid which gets into the wrap zone between the bottom side and the circumferential surface.
US07722737B2	Gas distribution system for improved transient phase deposition Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gas distribution system which distributes the gas more uniformly into a process chamber. In one embodiment, a gas distribution system comprises a gas ring including an outer surface and an inner surface, and a gas inlet disposed at the outer surface of the gas ring. The gas inlet is fluidicly coupled with a first channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of gas outlets are distributed over the inner surface of the gas ring, and are fluidicly coupled with a second channel which is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the gas ring. A plurality of orifices are fluidicly coupled between the first channel and the second channel. The plurality of orifices are spaced from the gas inlet by a plurality of distances, and have sizes which vary with the distances from the gas inlet as measured along the first channel, such that the size of the orifice increases with an increase in the distance between the orifice and the gas inlet as measured along the first channel.
US07722731B2	Joining of advanced materials by plastic deformation A method for utilizing plastic deformation resulting from grain boundary sliding with or without a novel joint compound that leads to the joining of advanced ceramic materials, intermetallics, and cermets. A joint formed by this approach is as strong as or stronger than the materials joined. The method does not require elaborate surface preparation or application techniques. The method also allows for the formation of transparent joints between two subunits of a construct joined via plastic deformation. The method can be used to tailor residual stresses and maintain native porosity.
US07722727B2	Steel and mould tool for plastic materials made of the steel The invention concerns a steel, particularly a steel for mould tools for plastic moulding, having the following chemical composition in weight-%:0.43-0.60 C from traces to 1.5 Si from traces to 1.5 (Si+Al) 0.1-2.0 Mn 3.0-7.0 Cr 1.5-4.0 (Mo+), however max. 1.0 W 0.30-0.70 V max. 0.1 of each of Nb, Ti and Zr max. 2.0 Co max. 2.0 Ni balance essentially only iron and unavoidable impurities. After hardening and high temperature tempering at 520-560° C., the steel has a hardness of 56-68 HRC.
US07722725B2	Dishwasher and sump assembly thereof The present invention provides a sump assembly of a dishwasher, by which water can be purified. The present invention includes a sump housing storing water therein, a pump coupled with the sump housing to pump the water, a guide assembly provided within the sump housing to guide the pumped water to a sprayer, and a drain chamber configured to filter contaminant from the water drained from the guide assembly.
US07722720B2	Delivery device Delivery devices for delivering solid precursor compounds in the vapor phase to reactors are provided. Such devices include a precursor composition of a solid precursor compound with a layer of packing material disposed thereon. Also provided are methods for transporting a carrier gas saturated with the precursor compound for delivery into such CVD reactors.
US07722719B2	Gas baffle and distributor for semiconductor processing chamber Techniques of the present invention are directed to distribution of deposition gases onto a substrate. In one embodiment, a gas distributor for use in a processing chamber is provided. The gas distributor includes a body having a gas deflecting surface and a gas distributor face. The gas deflecting surface defines a cleaning gas pathway. The gas distributor face is disposed on an opposite side of the body from the gas deflecting surface and faces toward a substrate support member. The gas distributor face includes a raised step and at least one set of apertures through the raised step. The at least one set of apertures are adapted to distribute a deposition gas over a substrate positioned on the substrate support member.
US07722718B2	Methods for crystallizing ERK2 polypeptides The present invention relates to crystals of the ERK2 polypeptide and complexes thereof which are useful, inter alia, for structure assisted drug design.
US07722717B2	Hydraulic composition A hydraulic composition including: a ground burned product A having a hydraulic modulus (H.M.) of 1.8 to 2.3, a silica modulus (S.M.) of 1.3 to 2.3 and an iron modulus (I.M.) of 1.3 to 2.8; and a gypsum. The hydraulic composition is capable of reducing heat of hydration and producing a mortar or a concrete excellent in flowability and strength development.
US07722712B2	Formaldehyde-free adhesives and lignocellulosic composites made from the adhesives A first variant of an adhesive composition for making a lignocellulosic composite includes soy protein and/or lignin; at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent that includes at least one amine, amide, imine, imide, or nitrogen-containing heterocyclic functional group that can react with at least one functional group of the soy protein; and at least one compound selected from a boron compound, a group IA oxide or hydroxide, or a group IIA oxide or hydroxide. A second variant of an adhesive composition includes a first component selected from soy protein and/or lignin; and at least one substantially formaldehyde-free curing agent selected from a reaction product of epichlorohydrin with ethylenediamine, a reaction product of epichlorohydrin with bis-hexamethylenetriamine, or a reaction product of epichlorohydrin with hexamethylenediamine.
US07722708B2	Air purification apparatus and method An indoor air purification apparatus and method includes a watertight chamber including a top portion having a water inlet, a first air portal, a second air portal, a bottom portion, and a plurality of shelves mounted between the top portion and the bottom portion. Water continuously flows from the water inlet at the top of the chamber, typically falling over the shelves to a reservoir. Typically, a water pump returns the water to the water inlet at the top portion of the chamber through at least one conduit leading from the reservoir. An air pump typically drives the room air through the chamber from one air portal to the other and back into the room. The room air is purified as it mixes with the water cascading over the shelves.
US07722707B2	Air conditioner A discharge unit (30) and a heat exchanger (20) are disposed in an air passageway (15). In the discharge unit (30), a rod-like discharge electrode (31) and a plate-like counter electrode (32) are disposed perpendicular to the flow of air, and lie along the heat exchanger (20). Upon application of voltage to both the electrodes (31, 32), streamer discharge is performed between the electrodes (31, 32), whereby an active species capable of decomposition of a component to be processed is produced.
US07722704B2	Equipment and method for removing nitrogen oxide The present invention provides a nitrogen oxide removal equipment, a nitrogen oxide removal method, a container used for the removal of nitrogen oxide, and a method for filling the container. A nitrogen oxide removal equipment 94 according to the present invention supplies gas with the unevenness of flowing amounts eased to an absorption unit 94a via a gas rectification means 108 for supplying gas to a large-area side of solid absorbent layers, the absorption unit 94a being provided with solid absorbent layers including a plurality of low-profile solid absorbents 95 constituting the nitrogen oxide absorption means. Nitrogen oxide contained in gas effectively passes through the solid absorbent layers and removed.
US07722703B2	Gas adsorption concentration device, seal therefor and method of concentrating high boiling point VOCS using device The device has a honeycomb rotor which is rotated and which supports an adsorbant. A seal divides the honeycomb rotor into a desorption zone and at least one other zone including an adsorption zone. The seal has a heat resistant/non flammable portion and an elastic seal portion. The heat resistant portion has a slot cut in a surface which contacts the honeycomb rotor. The elastic seal portion is formed outside of the desorption zone with respect to the heat resistant portion. Desorption air is substantially completely sealed within the desorption zone. The seal may allow for hot (perhaps 300° C.) desorption gas to be used with a rotation type gas adsorption concentration device.
US07722702B2	Adsorbent and catalyst mixtures The present invention relates to the use of expensive and highly selective adsorbents and catalysts for trace contaminant gas removal to generate products of high and ultra-high purity. Mixing such highly selective materials with other less expensive, less selective materials results in the ability to achieve higher purity, higher capacity and/or lower cost without adding additional expensive selective material.
US07722701B2	Method and system for handling gas diffusion through the envelopes of airships and balloons The subject of the invention is method and envelope structure for handling gas diffusion of airships and other balloons to significantly decrease, respectively fully eliminate envelope diffusion of gases through envelopes of airships and other balloons. During the method according to the invention the gases diffused through the envelope (8, 9) of airships and other balloons are collected into a separator space (2). These gases are separated from the mixture of this separator space by physical and/or chemical action and forwarded back to their sources. The invention is further an envelope structure for handling gas diffusion of airships and other balloons for applying methods according to the invention.
US07722698B2	Method of determining the purity of oxygen present in an oxygen-enriched gas produced from an oxygen delivery system A method of determining the purity of oxygen present in an oxygen-enriched gas produced from an oxygen delivery system is disclosed. The oxygen delivery system includes at least one sieve bed having a nitrogen-adsorbing material disposed therein and configured to adsorb nitrogen from a feed gas introduced into the at least two sieve beds via a pressure-swing adsorption cycle. The method includes determining a quantity of nitrogen adsorbed by the nitrogen-adsorbing material by inferring an effective volume of the at least one sieve bed based on a pressure change of the at least one sieve bed.
US07722697B2	Sreading knives, doctor blades and crepe scrapers and powder metallurgical method for producing the same The present invention relates to a steel band 1 for the manufacturing of doctor blades, coater blades or creping blades comprising a steel composition comprising in percent per weight 1-3% C, 4-10% Cr, 1-8% Mo, 2.5-10% V and the remainder essentially iron and contaminants in normal amounts, wherein the steel band 1 is produced by using a powder metallurgical process. Further, this invention relates to doctor blades, coater blades or creping blades of this steel band, as well as a method for its manufacture.
US07722693B2	Cyclone dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner A cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone, a second cyclone disposed inside the first cyclone, and an air guiding member to form an entrance of the second cyclone through which semi-clean air discharged from the first cyclone enters. The air guiding member includes a grill member to have a plurality of holes, and a plurality of guiding blades disposed inside the grill member.
US07722692B2	Cerium oxide-based abrasive, and production method and use thereof The present invention provides a cerium oxide-based abrasive ensuring high removal rate, less generation of scratches, high-precision polished surface with small surface roughness, and a safe, simple and low-cost production process. Further, the present invention provides a method for producing such an abrasive. The method of the present invention comprises (a) adding a precipitant to an aqueous cerium-containing light rare-earth salt solution to precipitate a light rare-earth salt, thereby obtaining a first slurry containing a light rare-earth salt particle; (b) adding a fluorinating agent to a slurry containing a light rare-earth salt particle to react the light rare-earth salt with the fluorinating agent, thereby obtaining a second slurry containing a light rare-earth fluoride particle; (c) mixing the first slurry and the second slurry to obtain a mixed slurry; and (d) drying and firing the mixed slurry, and a cerium oxide-based abrasive obtained by this method. The abrasive of the present invention is produced by the method of the present invention.
US07722691B2	Abrasive tools having a permeable structure A bonded abrasive tool comprises a blend of abrasive grains and a bond component. The blend of abrasive grains comprises a filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain and agglomerated abrasive grain granules. A bonded abrasive tool comprising an agglomerate of filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive and non-filamentary abrasive grains, and a bond component is also disclosed. The filamentary sol-gel alumina abrasive grain has a length-to-cross-sectional-width aspect ratio of greater than 1.0. The agglomerated abrasive grain granules comprise a plurality of abrasive grains held in a three-dimensional shape by a binding material. A method of making such a bonded abrasive tool as described above is also disclosed.
US07722689B2	Device for supplying fuel to a burner in a fuel cell system comprising a reformer A device is used for supplying fuel to a burner in a fuel cell system with a reformer. The fuel comprises a materials flow of a reformate gas, which materials flow is depleted of hydrogen, and a materials flow of a compound which comprises carbon and hydrogen. According to the invention, the device comprises at least one nozzle means in which the two materials flows can be mixed together. At least one of the materials flows is controllable as far as its through-flow is concerned.
US07722679B2	Flexible prong laminating adaptor for use in creating a laminated stump socket for attaching a prosthetic limb A socket adaptor, for use in creating a laminated stump socket for use with a patient having a stump, in attaching a prosthetic limb to the patient. The socket adaptor has a main body and a plurality of prongs. The prongs are made of sheet titanium so that they are flexible and bendable to closely accommodate the stump. The socket adaptor is subsequently encapsulated with the laminated stump socket. The main body allows a prosthetic connector to be attached thereto to allow the laminated stump socket to secure directly to the prosthetic limb.
US07722677B2	Ureteral stent with conforming retention structure A ureteral stent includes an elongate member defining an axis and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A first extension member and a second extension member extend from the proximal end portion and each include a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and an end portion. In an unconstrained configuration, the first portion is arcuate and extends away from the axis, the second portion extends from the first portion in a distal direction, and the third portion extends from the second portion in a direction away from the axis. In the unconstrained configuration, the end portions of the first and second extension members are spaced apart from each other sufficiently, and the first extension member and the second extension member are sufficiently rigid, to collectively help retain at least a portion of the ureteral stent within a bladder of a patient.
US07722668B2	Cardiac valve implant with energy absorbing material Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a body member including a shape memory material, and an energy absorption enhancement material configured to absorb energy in response to an activation energy. The energy absorption enhancement material is in thermal communication with said shape memory material. The body member has a first size of a dimension in a first configuration and a second size of the dimension in a second configuration, and is configured to be implanted in the first configuration into a heart. The body member is configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to the activation energy. The second configuration is configured to reduce a dimension of a cardiac valve annulus in the heart.
US07722663B1	Anatomically correct endoluminal prostheses An anatomically correct endoluminal prosthesis is provided for placement in a lumen or vessel of a body. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis is a stent having at least one segment of curvature located along the body of the stent. The stent may have segments of curvature, apertures, tapers, flares, beveling, non-circular cross-sections, coverings or branching. Preferably, the stent has orientation markers and lines to allow for in vivo identification and orientation by conventional imaging formats. The stent may have multiple segments of curvature in succession or overlapping and may have segments of curvature lying in different planes of curvature. A method of forming the prosthesis is provided.
US07722650B2	Variable angle spinal implant connection assembly A variable angle connector for engaging a bone fastener to a spinal rod includes a body defining a channel for receiving the spinal rod and a set screw arrangement for clamping the rod within the channel. The body defines an engagement face configured for interdigitating engagement with the head of the bone fastener. The fastener is mounted on a post projecting from the engagement face of the body, with means for engaging the fastener to the post. The body of the connector includes a deformable portion at one portion of the engagement face that deforms when the set screw is tightened to clamp the rod within the rod channel. As the connector body deforms, the portion of the engagement face is brought into engagement with the head of the bone fastener.
US07722647B1	Apparatus and method for posterior vertebral stabilization A facet joint replacement implant may have a posterior stabilization surface designed to restrict posterior motion of a vertebra with respect to an adjacent, inferior vertebra. The facet joint replacement implant replaces the natural articular surface of one of the vertebrae, and articulates with a natural articular surface or with an articular surface of a second implant on the other vertebra. The posterior stabilization surface may be on a posterior flange of a superior facet joint implant, which extends posteriorly of a corresponding inferior facet joint implant. The inferior facet joint implant has an abutment surface that abuts the posterior stabilization surface as the superior vertebra begins to move posteriorly with respect to the inferior vertebra, thereby limiting the posterior motion.
US07722644B2	Compact line locks and methods A line lock includes a body at least partially bounding two passageways that cooperate to receive a locking portion of a line such as a suture in such a manner that the locking portion can only be drawn through the passageways along one direction. A second suture locking portion may also received by the passageways, or by one of the two passageways in combination with a third passageway. The body may have an elongated, compact shape that is easily implantable in the body.
US07722641B2	Filter mesh for preventing passage of embolic material form an atrial appendage A device and method for obliterating or occluding a body cavity or passageway, in particular, the left atrial appendage of a patient's heart. The procedure can be carried out intraoperatively, but is preferably carried out percutaneously by use of a delivery catheter to position an occluding device adjacent a patient's left atrial appendage. The occluding device may prevent the passage of embolic or other material to or from the left atrial appendage by volumetrically filling the appendage, closing the opening of the appendage with an occluding member, or pulling the tissue around the opening of the appendage together and fixing it in a closed state.
US07722640B2	Surgical grasping instrument A surgical grasping instrument for grasping an elongated implement, which comprises a frame; an elongated member connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom, the elongated member defining a longitudinal axis; and a pair of jaw members operatively connected to the elongated member, the jaw members being adapted for movement between an open position and a closed position, at least one of the jaw members having a recess defined therein and arranged about a central recess axis extending at an angle of about 35° or less relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated member, wherein upon movement of the jaw members to the closed position, the jaw members form a holding groove that can engage and firmly secure the elongated implement.
US07722638B2	Delivery and retrieval manifold for a distal protection filter Devices and methods for delivery or retrieval of a distal protection device. A distal protection assembly may comprise an outer sheath, an inner shaft disposed within a lumen of the outer sheath, a distal protection device disposed at a distal end of the inner shaft; and a manifold coupled to a proximal end of the outer sheath that is adapted for moving the outer sheath relative to the inner shaft.
US07722633B2	Tissue reconfiguration A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.
US07722630B1	Method and apparatus for passing a suture through tissue An apparatus and method for passing a suture through tissue includes a first jaw member having a retaining structure to support a portion of the suture proximate a first surface of the tissue. A second jaw member is associated with the first jaw member. The second jaw member is selectively configurable in a first configuration to perform a first stitch or in a second configuration to perform a second stitch.
US07722629B2	System and method for catheter-based septal defect repair The contents include occlusion and/or repair of congenital heart defects including methods, apparatuses, and systems utilizing catheter delivery in order to repair congenital heart defects. In particular, a method of repair includes suturing a septal tissue proximate defect in order to repair the defect with a device introduced through a bodily lumen of a patient. A repair device can include an expansion assembly, a suture delivering portion, and a suture receiving portion.
US07722628B2	Device for plicating and fastening gastric tissue A device for maintaining a plication within a hollow organ. The device includes an elongated member having distal and proximal ends. The distal end is for insertion into a body cavity. The elongated member has an end effector at its distal end. The end effector has an outer cylinder having at least one opening, and an inner cylinder having at least one opening. The inner cylinder is at least partially disposed within the outer cylinder and the cylinders are rotatable with respect to each other. The end effector is detachable from the elongated member such that it can remain within the body cavity.
US07722616B2	Use of a biological material containing three-dimensional scaffolds of hyaluronic acid derivatives for the preparation of implants in arthroscopy and kit for instruments for implanting said biological material by arthroscopy The invention relates to use of a biological material containing cells supported on three-dimensional scaffolds containing at least one hyaluronic acid derivative for the preparation of grafts suitable for application by arthroscopy, and a kit of surgical instruments for implanting said biological material by arthroscopy.
US07722615B2	Expandable surgical reaming tool An expanding reamer prepares an acetabulum for a prosthetic component during hip arthroplasty. One or more blades expand in directions non-parallel to the plane of the respective blades and form an effective cutting sphere preferably greater-than-180-degrees for greater flexibility in placement of the reamer shaft relative to the center of axis of the acetabulum. Two parallel blades may move out away from each other and from the reamer rotational axis, staying parallel to each other to become more distanced, but still parallel, segments of a larger cuffing sphere. Or, two blades may start generally parallel to each other and to the rotational axis of the device, but pivot out from each other in directions generally perpendicular to their respective blade planes, again becoming more distanced, but not parallel, segments of a larger cuffing sphere.
US07722613B2	Systems and methods for removing body tissue Devices and methods for removing body tissue involving the use of a brush member (12) having a plurality of bristle members defining a capacity for carrying body tissue. The brush member (12) is capable of being manipulated within said body to thereby receive body tissue within said brush member (12) such that said body tissue may be carried and thereafter removed from said body. Also provided are protective devices (90) dimensioned to be positioned near an entrance into the target site, the protective devices (90) for establishing a barrier between the brush member (12) and at least a portion of the body tissue adjacent to the entrance. The protective devices (16) may comprise one of a cannula assembly (14) and a retractor assembly.
US07722612B2	Devices, kit and method for kyphoplasty An intravertebral widening device (4) extends from a proximal end (8) to a distal end (10) along an extension axis (X), said distal end (10) having an elastically deformable element (56) suitable to pass from a relaxed configuration for placing the distal end (10) within a vertebral body (6) to a deformed configuration for forming a cavity within said vertebral body (6). The elastically deformable element (56) comprises at least one tab (60) having, along the longitudinal extension thereof, a varying thickness relative to a radial direction incident with said extension axis (X) and contained in a perpendicular plane to said extension axis (X), such as to vary the stiffness of at least one tab (60) along the extension thereof.
US07722605B2	Ablation catheter A radiofrequency electric current ablation catheter comprising a tip electrode, a means for detecting temperature of the tip electrode, a catheter shaft and a portion for operation at proximal end, wherein the tip electrode has a shape formed by connecting three or more spherical or approximately spherical surfaces having centers on the same straight line to each other with a curved surface. The catheter has the tip electrode which has a small diameter, is brought into excellent contact with organisms, can provide a great output power and is easily cooled with the circulating blood stream.
US07722600B2	System and method for heating skin using light to provide tissue treatment A system and method for using a light source to treat tissue with NIR light. The operation provides for generating higher temperatures in deeper layers of tissue relative to shallower layers of tissue. The increased temperature in dermal layers can operate to induce collagen shrinkage, or remodeling. One of the light sources for providing a broad spectrum of NIR light is a filament light. The light from the filament lamp can be selectively filtered, and after filtering this light is applied to the skin, where the selective filtering can enhance the ability to elevate the temperature of deeper layers of tissue, relative to layers of tissue which are closer to the surface of the skin.
US07722596B2	Regional cardiac tissue treatment A method for treating an occlusion in a coronary artery of a patient includes percutaneously advancing an occlusion treatment tool (such as an angioplasty balloon or stent delivery device) through the vasculature of the patient and into a coronary artery to a site of the occlusion. Following the treatment of the occlusion, a therapeutic agent is admitted into the first coronary artery. The therapeutic agent is selected to treat microvasculature obstructions at a target cardiac tissue site distal to the site of the occlusion.
US07722593B2	Disposable thong underwear A thong underpant which may be combined with a full sanitary napkin, and a method of making the same; the pad may be formed integrally with the disposable thong underpant, or the back end of the sanitary napkin affixed, as by sewing, to the stretched thong, or the front panel of the thong may be continued into the crotch region to form a partial crotch panel, just big enough to receive the adhesive on the underside of a generally rectangular sanitary napkin.
US07722587B2	Disposable diaper A disposable diaper has a chassis and a body fluid absorbent structure. The body fluid absorbent structure comprises a panel of body fluid absorbent material and a liquid-pervious sheet covering a surface of the panel facing the wearer's skin. The diaper is provided with a plurality of crossover members extending across the body fluid absorbent structure and facing the liquid-pervious sheet. The crossover member has its transversely opposite end portions bonded to the diaper in the vicinity of the side edge portions of the body fluid absorbent structure and its intermediate portion defined between the side end portions not bonded to the liquid-pervious sheet.
US07722572B2	Safety needle assembly A safety needle assembly includes a needle holder assembly, a cannula fixed to the needle holder assembly, a protector positioned over the cannula and removable to expose the cannula, and a sheath. The sheath is pivotally mounted on the needle holder assembly to permit the sheath to be pivoted relative to the needle holder assembly in a direction toward the cannula from a non-covering position in which the cannula is exposed after removal of the protector to a covering position in which the cannula is covered by the sheath. The sheath can also be provided with flat surfaces adapted to successively engage a portion of the needle holder assembly as the sheath is pivoted relative to the needle holder assembly. The needle holder assembly can include a tubular syringe barrel or a tubular needle holder adapted to receive an evacuated tube.
US07722571B2	Medical article anchoring system An anchoring system provides secure attachment between a portion of a medical article and a body of a patient. The anchoring system comprises a securement device and a first fitting attached to the medical article, the first fitting having a first configuration. Embodiments of the anchoring system also comprise a second fitting attached to the medical article. The second fitting has a second configuration that differs from the first. The securement device includes a mounting surface for attaching the securement device to the patient's body and a receiving area. The receiving area is oriented so as to face away from the patient's body, and includes retainer mechanisms that are capable of engaging one or both of the first and second fittings, which have different configurations.
US07722570B2	Surgical seal A seal for laparoscopic port comprising: a base adapted to engage a cannula, the base including an axial aperture for a surgical instrument; a multiplicity of jaws mounted on the base, the jaws being moveable radially with respect to the aperture between an open position wherein the shaft of the surgical instrument may pass freely and the closed position wherein the jaws engage said shaft and provide a restraining force restraining radial movement of the shaft; and an actuator rotatable to urge the jaws to move between said open position and said closed position.
US07722568B2	Expandable intra-aortic balloon pump sheath Disclosed is an expandable transluminal sheath, for introduction into the body while in a first, low cross-sectional area configuration, and subsequent expansion of at least a part of the distal end of the sheath to a second, enlarged cross-sectional configuration. The sheath is configured for use in the vascular system and has utility in the introduction and removal of balloon counterpulsation catheters. The access route is through the femoral arteries and the iliac arteries into the aorta, where an intra-aortic balloon pump catheter is positioned to provide cardiac support. The distal end of the sheath is maintained in the first, low cross-sectional configuration during advancement to the arteries into the aorta. The distal end of the sheath is subsequently expanded using a radial dilatation device.
US07722564B2	Needle guard The needle guard is attached to the needle hub by a polyester film strip and the needle passes through longitudinally spaced apart apertures in the strip. The film strip is housed in the needle guard in corrugated manner. When the needle guard is pulled over the needle, the needle moves into the housing of the needle guard and into abutment with the housing while the strip is stretched between the hub and the housing to retain the housing connected to the hub under a biasing force.
US07722560B2	Mechanical extension implants for short bowel syndrome A bowel extension device implantable into a body for treatment of short bowel syndrome. The bowel extension device comprises a housing and a displaceable member coupled to the housing. The bowel extension device is configured to apply a tensile force sufficient to promote bowel growth without causing damage to the bowel. In some embodiments, the bowel extension device can be completely contained with the body.
US07722555B2	Lockable hinge A lockable hinge for use in orthopedic braces is provided. When used in a knee brace, the present hinge provides a knee-immobilizing brace that assists persons with standing and/or walking. The hinge is easily converted from a locked mode to a free range of motion mode and vice versa. When the hinge is in the locked mode, patients are better able to stand and walk. With the push of a button, the patient can bend his or her knee to sit or lie down more comfortably. When the hinge is in the free range of motion mode, patients are better able to participate in physical therapy activities without the hinge locking.
US07722550B2	Biopsy needle with different cross-sectional shapes and associated trap doors A biopsy needle has a forward needle opening that can be closed off with a trap door. The trap door is pivotally mounted to a flat top surface inside the needle opening. As the needle is extracted, a forward blade of the trap door cuts into the biopsy tissue and the trap door pivots about a pivot axis extending transversely to a longitudinal direction of the needle. The trap door is configured to match a contour of the top surface and an adjacent curve of the needle opening to maintain the needle substantially open when the trap door is in the open position and to close the forward needle opening when the trap door is in the closed position and the biopsy tissue specimen is entrapped inside the needle.
US07722548B2	Biopsy device A soft tissue biopsy device is provided which allows for the recovery of a biopsy of tissue flat in shape, particularly suitable for lymph node biopsy. The device includes twin opposing primary blades preferably aligned in parallel planes, to cut the upper and lower surfaces of the biopsy. A detachment blade is provided to cut the side walls and distal ends of the biopsy. In a preferred embodiment, each primary blade has a sharpened tip set at an angle with a sharpened point to assist tissue penetration. The detachment blade, preferably has inwardly curving flexible sharpened tips at its distal end, and is attached to the handle at its proximal end by a slider such that when in a retracted position, the detachment blade is retracted from the tip of the twixt blades; and when in an advanced position, the tip of the detachment blade abuts the tip of the twin blades.
US07722546B2	Method and device for carrying out a signal-processing viewing of a measurement signal that is correlated to the respiratory activity of an individual The invention relates to a method and device for carrying out a signal-processing viewing of a measurement signal that is correlated with the respiratory activity of an individual, for example, of a measurement signal that is correlated with the respiratory gas. The aim of the invention is to provide solutions with which an improved electronic analysis of the signals that are representative with regard to respiratory activity can be achieved. To this end, the invention provides that viewing results are obtained within the scope of a signal-processing viewing of said measurement signal and make a differentiation between obstructive and central respiratory disorders possible. The viewing results are determined, in particular, while taking into account changes of selected breathing characteristics such as, for example, the change in the ratio of inhalation time to exhalation time.
US07722545B2	Surface structure for a catheter sliding surface The invention consists of a surface structure for a friction or sliding surface of a catheter (10) or guide wire (12) characterized by a plurality of recesses (18) distributed on the surface for accommodating a friction-reducing fluid and by sliding surfaces (20) between the recesses (18).
US07722544B2	Calibration of in vivo blood pressure sensors A method for performing an in-vivo calibration of a blood pressure sensor that is associated with an in-vivo balloon system. The method involves monitoring a patient's blood pressure by observing the system gas pressure while at the same time monitoring the patient's blood pressure through the sensor. The blood pressure measurements obtained by monitoring the system gas pressure are used as reference, or “true,” blood pressure measurements, and an “offset” is determined between the reference blood pressure measurements and the blood pressure measurements obtained through the sensor. The offset can be stored in a memory, which may also store sensor sensitivity data. The offset and/or sensitivity data may be used to adjust future measurements obtained from the sensor, thereby generating calibrated sensor measurements.
US07722543B2	Blood pressure measuring device A blood pressure monitor includes a cuff having an air bag, a main-unit casing in which an inflation/deflation mechanism for inflating/deflating the air bag is provided, a flexible air tube connecting the air bag and the inflation/deflation mechanism, and a retractor unit capable of drawing in the air tube that is drawn out from the main-unit casing into an air tube housing provided in the main-unit casing. With this structure, the blood pressure monitor can be made superior in housing of the air tube connecting the cuff and the main-unit casing.
US07722542B2	Blood pressure measuring apparatus A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable sleeve socket that is capable of receiving an engagement portion of a compact gage housing having either a contained mechanical or an electronic pressure gauge. This coupling permits direct attachment to the sleeve and permitting fluid interconnection between the interior of the sleeve and the contained pressure gauge without requiring any hoses or tubing therebetween. The electronic pressure gauge is responsive to changes in pressure within the inflatable sleeve. The pressure changes can be processed and output to an integral display or can be wirelessly transmitted.
US07722541B2	Multiple receive beams for rapid acquisition Multiple receive beams are formed for each transmission for rapid acquisition. The receive aperture is shifted as a function of the position of each receive beam. Multiple receive beams with differently positioned apertures are formed in response to a single transmit beam. Alternatively or additionally, the apodization varies as a function of the position of the receive beam relative to the transmit beam. Multiple receive beams with different apodization profiles are formed in response to a single transmission. The apodization and/or aperture variations in different receive beams may reduce geometric distortion and/or clutter levels for receiving multiple beams in response to a single transmission.
US07722539B2	Treatment of unwanted tissue by the selective destruction of vasculature providing nutrients to the tissue A noninvasive technique that can be used to deny blood flow to a particular region of tissue, without the inherent risks associated with invasive procedures such as surgery and minimally-invasive procedures such as embolization. Blood flow in selected portions of the vasculature can be occluded by selectively treating specific portions of the vasculature with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The occlusion denies undesired tissue the nutrients and oxygen provided by blood flow, causing necrosis in the undesired tissue. An imaging technology (such as magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, ultrasound imaging, Doppler based ultrasound imaging, or computed tomographic angiography) is used to identify the undesired tissue, and the vascular structures associated with the undesired tissue. A portion of the vasculature providing blood flow to the undesired tissue is selected, and HIFU is administered to the selected portion of the vasculature to occlude blood flow through that portion of the vasculature.
US07722531B1	Medical instrument with a non-contact readable data carrier The present invention relates to a medical instrument comprising an instrument body. The instrument body comprises at least one outer surface, and a recess is disposed in said instrument body. A non-contact readable data carrier is embedded in said recess, wherein means are arranged between said data carrier and said recess by which the data carrier is floatingly embedded in said recess.
US07722530B2	Method of securing vertebrae A method of fixing vertebrae of a patient together at a surgical site includes the following steps: inserting a first cannula (10) into the body (130) of the patient; moving a first fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the first fastener (624) to a first vertebrae (601); moving a second fastener (624) through the cannula (10) and securing the second fastener (624) to a second vertebrae (602); moving a first fixation element (650) through the cannula (10); and fixing the first fixation element (650) to the first and second fasteners (624).
US07722528B2	Surgical implants and related methods and systems Described are surgical implants, tools, systems, and related methods, useful for implantation of surgical implants, such as those used to treat pelvic conditions including but not limited to incontinence; an implant may features such as a stiffened non-flat form; a suture running; a system may include a surgical implant as described and an installation tool; methods may include a method of preparing a surgical implant and a method of implanting a urethral sling.
US07722527B2	Surgical implants and related methods The invention relates to implantable surgical articles, particularly those useful for pelvic health, and related methods of making and using the articles, wherein the implantable articles include a rivet to attach materials together.
US07722521B2	Method and apparatus for automatic tracking and identification of device components Embodiments of an apparatus and method to track and identify radioactive sources are described. In one embodiment, a device includes first housing for a radioactive source having a first electronic tag, a second housing for the radioactive source having a second electronic tag, and a guide tube that couples the first housing with the second housing. The guide tube includes a third electronic tag. The first, second, and third electronic tags communicate with each other to confirm automatically a delivery path for the radioactive source. In one embodiment, the electronic tags may be a radio frequency identification device (RFID).
US07722519B2	Dunnage conversion machine and method A dunnage conversion machine (10) and corresponding method for converting a supply of sheet stock material into a relatively less dense dunnage product includes a conversion assembly (20) that converts sheet stock material into a dunnage product, and a tension-adjusting assembly (26) having a sequence of transversely extending members (28) disposed upstream of the conversion assembly (20). The transversely extending members (28) engage the stock material and help to prevent or to minimize excessive edge tension and/or the tearing associated therewith, while maintaining sufficient tension for proper tracking, especially for the conversion of single ply, lesser quality and/or short fiber paper, and/or otherwise improves or enhances the conversion process. The transversely extending members (28) are generally aligned end-to-end, and define a path for the stock material from a supply thereof, via a stock supply assembly (15) to the conversion assembly (20).
US07722518B2	Process for production of a bobbin tube for yarn, device for embodiment of such process, bobbin tube obtained and mode of utilisation of said bobbin tube A cardboard tube, with respect to a narrow marginal end area of the same provided with a hollow interior roll, is applied against a rotatory die which has a concave surface suitable for forming an entrant perimetric step by means of constriction of the narrow marginal area. The diameter of the riser thereof is equal to the interior diameter of the cardboard tube. At the same time, against the interior hollow roll is applied a force of enough intensity to flatten the cavity of the interior hollow roll and apply the wall thereof against the interior face of the wall of the cantilevered end of the cardboard tube formed by the action of its rotatory die.
US07722513B2	Dual back pad tilting mechanism An adjustment mechanism for a back support cushion of an exercise machine has two separate pivotal adjustments. One pivot is located above and behind the back support cushion and a second is located below and behind the back support cushion. A two-arm linkage system connects the back support cushion to the exercise machine at the two pivot locations.
US07722511B2	Selectorized dumbbell using commodity weights This invention relates to a selectorized dumbbell having a handle that can be dropped down between nested left and right stacks of weight plates. The weight plates can comprise individual weights or a pair of weight plates, one from each stack, can be connected together to form a single weight. A selector is provided to allow the user to select a desired number of weight plates from each stack and couple such weight plates to the handle to provide an adjustable weight dumbbell. Each weight includes a weight frame having at least one carrier to which a commodity weight can be fastened. The dumbbell can be shipped by the manufacturer with empty weight frames to reduce shipping costs. When the dumbbell with empty weight frames reaches a destination, the dumbbell can be completed by securing commodity weights to the carriers on the respective weight frames.
US07722506B2	Exercise device An exercise for step aerobics, games, and proprioceptive input training. The device features a rigid platform supported by a resilient inflated tubular sidewall. The sidewall may be of a single tube or a plurality of tubular members engaged on top of each other. Inflation pressure of said sidewall provides an adjustment of the resilience thereby adjusting instability of the platform in the horizontal and vertical directions. Instability in the vertical direction provides a cushioning to users in a step aerobics exercise while instability in both direction provides a manner for a user moving or exercising on the platform to obtain proprioceptive input training.
US07722505B2	Stationary exercise apparatus A stationary exercise device having variable footpaths is disclosed. The exercise device includes a frame, a pair of supporting members that have a first end to rotate about an axis and a second end to move along a reciprocating path, a pair of pedals joined to the supporting members, and a guider assembly for adjusting an incline angle of the reciprocating path.
US07722501B2	Interactive step-type gymnastics practice device The invention relates to an interactive gymnastics practice device which is used together with an image and sound system forming the gymnastics program to be followed by a user, comprising a first level of generally-pressure-sensitive surfaces, the surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one second level of surfaces which are pressure sensitive or which can control an action in response to a pressure, the second level surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane.
US07722500B2	Control device and control method for automatic transmission When an N position sensor is ON, even though the N position is selected, the oil pressure supplied to a clutch C1 which is engaged during the transition from the non-running state to the running state is raised in advance to a predetermined oil pressure; and, if a running request is detected when a D position decision has not been made, irrespective of whether or not a shift lever has been shifted from its N position to its D position, first speed starting off from rest control is performed, in which the oil pressure supplied to the clutch C1 is raised to an oil pressure at which the clutch C1 is capable of power transmission.
US07722498B2	Control device and method for hybrid electric vehicle In hybrid electric vehicle control, when an engine is cranked by the torque of a first motor-generator to start the engine, the torque of the first motor-generator is corrected according to the crankshaft angle of the engine to prevent the amount of increase in engine rotation speed from fluctuating. Fluctuation in inertia torque is reduced through this control of the torque of the first motor-generator to reduce fluctuation in the cranking reaction force torque exerted on a drive axle. Further, the torque of a second motor-generator is so controlled to cancel out this cranking reaction force torque. Thus, the cranking reaction force torque exerted on the drive axle is accurately canceled out through control of the torque of the second motor-generator to suppress fluctuation in the torque of the drive axle.
US07722491B2	Power shaft including a belt retaining geometry A power shaft including a belt retaining geometry is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The power shaft includes a shaft including a normal belt position portion adapted for receiving a belt and a reduced diameter portion formed on the shaft and located adjacent to the normal belt position portion. The belt can move into the reduced diameter portion of the power shaft during operation and the reduced diameter portion creates an alignment tension force on the belt that operates to return the belt to the normal belt position portion.
US07722488B2	Bicycle rear derailleur A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a chain cage, a first pulley, a second pulley and a chain guard member. The base member is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The movable member is movably coupled to the base member. The chain cage is coupled to the movable member to move between at least a first orientation and a second orientation. The first pulley is rotatably mounted relative to the movable member. The second pulley is rotatably mounted to the chain cage to move with the chain cage relative. The chain guard member is movably coupled relative to the movable member. The chain cage includes an engagement portion arranged to move the chain guard member from a first position to a second position when the chain cage is moved from the first orientation to the second orientation.
US07722487B2	Front derailleur with mounting fixture A bicycle front derailleur is provided with a mounting fixture that is configured to maintain an angular orientation of the front derailleur about a mounting axis parallel to a center axis of a frame tube in a stable manner. The mounting fixture has a bicycle frame fastening part, a front derailleur mounting part and a front derailleur contact part. The bicycle frame fastening part is configured to be fastened to the seat tube. The front derailleur mounting part is disposed on the bicycle frame fastening part and configured to be fastened to the front derailleur so that fine adjustment is possible about the mounting axis disposed at a distance from the seat tube. The front derailleur contact part selectively contacts a side surface of the front derailleur on the side facing the seat tube in a position that is different from that of the front derailleur mounting part.
US07722486B2	Top/bottom pull bicycle front derailleur A top/bottom pull front derailleur includes a base member, inner and outer links, a chain guide and a top/low adjustment mechanism coupled to the base member. The links are pivotally coupled between the base member and the chain guide. The inner link has a wire fixing part that can be used in top and bottom pull arrangements. The chain guide is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the base member. The adjustment mechanism includes top and low adjusting bolts with longitudinal bolt axes angled more than zero degrees relative to a plane of the bicycle frame. The adjustment mechanism is mounted rearwardly of single attachment portion of the outer link or between a pair of attachment portions of the outer link. The bolt axes are preferably angled about 45 degrees or about 90 degrees relative to the plane of the frame.
US07722484B2	Golf ball with spherical polygonal dimples A golf ball includes an outer spherical surface and a plurality of dimples formed thereon. In accordance to one aspect of the invention, the dimples in accordance to the invention have a polygonal perimeter and a substantially spherical, concave depression. The substantially spherical depression comprises a spherical depression and a transitional portion bridging the area between the polygonal perimeter and the spherical depression. In accordance to another aspect of the invention, one or more sides of the polygonal perimeter may be non-linear or curved. The dimples of the present invention may fill the ball's entire outer surface, or the dimples may occupy a predetermined pattern on the ball. The predetermined pattern may also include one or more channels or raised beads on the surface of the ball.
US07722483B2	Multi-layer golf ball with translucent cover A golf ball comprising a core, a cover and at least on intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer includes pigment which contributes to the color or appearance of the ball and the cover is at least partially transparent such that the intermediate layer is at least partially visible. The cover is also comprised of an optical enhancer.
US07722480B2	Golf ball The present invention relates to a golf ball having a ball component made of a material molded under heat from a rubber composition which includes: (A) at least 1 part by weight but less than 30 parts by weight of a modified polybutadiene which is obtained by a modification reaction wherein a polybutadiene having a vinyl content of from 0 to 2%, a cis-1,4 bond content of at least 80% and an active end is modified at the active end with at least one type of alkoxysilane compound, and which has a Mooney viscosity of less than 40, and (B) at least 70 parts by weight of a diene rubber other than ingredient A. The rubber composition additionally includes the following per 100 parts by weight of ingredients A and B combined: (C) from 10 to 50 parts by weight of an unsaturated carboxylic acid and/or a metal salt thereof, (D) from 5 to 80 parts by weight of an inorganic filler, and (E) from 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an organic peroxide. Golf balls in which such a rubber composition having an excellent workability and improved resilience is used as a ball component exhibit an improved rebound and distance.
US07722477B2	Impact force dampening system for use with a golf driver or fairway club head A force dampening and redirection system for use with a golf driver or fairway club head including an elongated handle terminating in a three-dimensional shaped driver or fairway head exhibiting a substantially smooth ball striking face. A vibration dampening and absorbing component, such as an elongated spring, extends within a hollow three dimensional interior associated with the club head. Upon impacting a golf ball offset from a center line associated with the striking face, an off-center striking force is more readily transferred to the spring, both to counteract twisting of the putter head and to reduce vibration of the club face at the ball contact zone, thereby increasing an effective surface area of the striking face creating a perpendicular travel direction of the ball relative to the golf club striking face.
US07722476B2	Golf club A golf club with a shaft and an asymmetrical head, wherein said head has a gravitational center which is further from a trailing edge than said striking face and is disposed on a vertical plane which includes said grip axis.
US07722469B2	Amusement apparatus Amusement apparatus which permits unusual compactness and easy transportation comprises a vehicle for accommodating users, the vehicle being suitable for following a path in space which comprises a component due to oscillation about a center of instantaneous rotation and a component due to rotation about an axis oriented variously in space. The vehicle is supported on a support structure comprising two rails the shape of which defines the shape of the component due to oscillation of the vehicle.
US07722467B2	Video game control system and a video game control server When usage command information is received from any one of player terminals, an integrated attack determiner determines whether or not an attack action by an attack command is to be an integrated attack action, in which the attack actions by the attack commands included in a usage history are integrated, on the basis of a current position of the user terminal. The integrated attack determiner also determines attack power specification information capable of specifying the attack power in the case where it is determined that the attack action is to be the integrated attack action. An attack instruction information transmitter transmits attack instruction information indicating a determination result of the integrated attack determiner to the player terminal. A usage history information updater updates the usage history information by adding the received usage command information to the usage history of the attack commands.
US07722466B2	Integration of casino gaming and non-casino interactive gaming A web-based system for integrating casino gaming with non-casino interactive gaming comprises a central server system, a plurality of player-operated gaming machines, and a player-operating computing device. The central server system offers a plurality of wagering games. The gaming machines are located in a land-based casino and linked to the central server system by a reconfigurable, multi-site computer network such as an intranet. The computing device is remote from any land-based casino and linked to the central server system by the Internet. The wagering games may be conducted via either the gaming machines or the computing device. In one embodiment, each wagering game is offered in two distinct versions: basic and enhanced. The basic version is played over the network using JavaScript or other language. The enhanced version includes upgraded audiovisual content that is downloaded to and stored locally on the machine or computing device used to conduct the wagering game.
US07722458B2	Gaming device method and apparatus employing alternate payout features In accordance with one or more embodiments, a gaming device includes a novel payout structure wherein, upon placing a wager, an initial value of a prize is established at the gaming device. During the duration of a game play (which may last, in one or more embodiments, for a predetermined number of rounds or a predetermined amount of time) the value of the prize is adjusted based on outcomes or symbols obtained by the player. For example, the value of the prize may be decreased from a substantially high initial value over the course of a game play. At the end of the game play, a player is provided with a prize based on the final value of the prize.
US07722455B2	Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of occurrences Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.
US07722454B2	Revenue generating system and associated methods A system for generating revenue includes a fee collection station. The fee collection station may include a controller and a fee receiver in communication with the controller for receiving a predetermined fee from a plurality of users. The fee receiver may also receive a predetermined participation fee from the plurality of users that selectively participate in a game. The fee collection station may also comprise an indicator in communication with the controller and adjacent to the fee receiver for indicating to participating users one of a winning indication or a losing indication. The participating users that receive the winning indication may receive a predetermined reward.
US07722453B2	Interactive game playing preferences A disclosed gaming machine may be customized for game play according to one or more preferences using preference information that is not correlated to an identity of a player. Therefore, the gaming machine may be configured to one or more player preferences without requiring the player to reveal their identity. The gaming machine may receive the preference information from at least one of a configuration instrument designed to store preference information, such as a cashless ticket voucher, ii) a display interface on the gaming machine, iii) a remote server, iv) a speech recognition interface on the gaming machine and v) combinations thereof. The preference information used to configure the gaming machine may be selected by the player, selected by a gaming establishment, generated by the gaming machine and combinations thereof.
US07722446B2	System and device for thinning wafers that have contact bumps In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a fabrication device that may be used during the grinding operation of the fabrication process. The fabrication device comprises a socket plate that includes a plurality of cavities formed therein that correspond in position and number to the solder (or other conductive material) bumps formed on the front surface of a product wafer.
US07722444B2	Angle grinder An angle grinder is provided including a trigger assembly for selectively actuating the angle grinder. A particle separation assembly is provided for the removal of any dust, particle, or artifacts that may have entered into the housing of the angle grinder. A brush biasing system is also provided to ensure proper and efficient operation of the motor of the angle grinder. An overload monitoring system is included to monitor the loading on the motor. A clutch mechanism is also included to prevent overloading on the motor of the angle grinder. A gear wheel lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the wheel spindle from rotating during installation or removal of a grinding wheel on the wheel spindle. An anti-locking flange system is also included to prevent the over-tightening of the flanges and the grinder wheel during the operation of the angle grinder. A gear case labyrinth feature is also provided.
US07722441B2	Semiconductor processing Semiconductor processing and equipment are disclosed. The semiconductor equipment and processing provide semiconductor wafers with reduced defects.
US07722435B2	Sander A sander can include a housing, an indicator disposed on the housing, and a motor assembly in the housing. The motor assembly can include an output member. A platen can be driven by the output member. A sensor assembly can be configured to sense a condition in which a pressing force in excess of a predetermined force is applied to the sander in a direction normal to the platen and generate a sensor signal in response thereto. A controller can receive the sensor signal from the sensor assembly and control operation of the indicator in response thereto. The sensor assembly can include a force sensing resistor. The force sensing resistor can be disposed adjacent to a gripping portion of the power sanding tool. The indicator can include at least one light source. The controller can illuminate the light source according to a schedule.
US07722434B2	Apparatus for measurement of parameters in process equipment Some problems related to processing workpieces are presented along with solutions to one or more of the problems. One embodiment of the invention comprises a sensor apparatus for collecting data representing one or more process conditions used for processing a workpiece. Another embodiment of the present invention is a combination comprising a sensor apparatus and a process tool for applications such as chemical mechanical planarization of workpieces and chemical mechanical polishing of workpieces.
US07722432B2	Method for molding lofted material with decorative support panel and garment made A method for making a garment having a lofted assembly having an outer support layer and garment so produced are provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a support fabric on a lofted material; sewing the support fabric to the lofted material to form a lofted assembly; positioning the lofted assembly in a molding apparatus having at least a first mold and a second mold, closing together the first mold and the second mold thereby sandwiching the lofted assembly therebetween and while maintaining a uniform preset gap between said first mold and the second mold so that the inherent loft characteristics of the lofted assembly are substantially preserved after pressure and/or heat are applied.
US07722430B2	Toy vehicle with improved animated function A toy vehicle having a plurality of play configurations, comprising a frame; a vehicle body moveably coupled to the frame with at least two degrees of freedom of movement, said two degrees of freedom of movement including a longitudinal translation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a first play configuration of the plurality of play configurations; and a rotation of the body relative to the frame for selecting at least a second of the plurality of play configurations.
US07722429B2	Transformation toy and related products A product, comprising of a reconfigurable toy assembly, said assembly being reversibly reconfigurable between at least a first configuration and a second configuration; where said toy assembly operates as a toy vehicle in said first configuration and operates as a wearable power-suit toy in said second configuration, wherein said wearable power-suit toy may be coupled to a figure.
US07722425B2	Electron source manufacturing method An electron source excellent in the uniformity in current emission distribution is provided certainly and at a low cost.A process for producing an electron source having an electron emitting portion at one end of a rod, which comprises a step of forming the electron emitting portion by machining, and a step of removing a damaged layer at the surface of the formed electron emitting portion by chemical polishing or electrolytic polishing.
US07722423B2	Method of manufacturing plasma display panel with concave barrier wall portion A plasma display panel (PDP) and a method of manufacturing the same suppresses variation in the height of the intersecting barrier walls with a simple method and that prevents cross talk from occurring between the discharge cells. A concave part is formed at a position contacting an intersecting part of a first barrier wall before baking and a second barrier wall before baking orthogonal to the first barrier wall before baking. When such concave part is formed, the values of the surface area per volume of the intersecting part and the surface area per volume of the first barrier wall before baking and the second barrier wall before baking between the intersecting part and the intersecting part adjacent to the intersecting part become substantially equal. As a result, the height of the intersecting part does not become high after baking, a barrier wall of aligned height is obtained, and cross talk does not occur between the discharge cells.
US07722422B2	Device and method for improved power distribution for a transparent electrode A method for improving power distribution of a transparent electrode that includes forming an LED over a substrate; the LED including a first electrode, a transparent electrode, and one or more light-emissive layers formed there-between. A patterned protective layer is formed on the transparent electrode; the patterned protective layer having open areas wherein the protective layer is not present, and covered areas wherein the protective layer is present. A solution having curable conductive precursor components is deposited over the open areas onto the transparent electrode. The precursor components of the solution are pattern-wise cured to form patterned electrically conductive areas on the transparent electrode in the open areas, and any uncured precursor components of the solution are removed.
US07722417B2	Trolling motor mount with mono main arm A mount for securing a trolling motor to a watercraft has a base, a main arm, a motor coupling, and a linkage. The motor coupling is configured to rotatably retain the trolling motor. The main arm is pivotally coupled to the base. The linkage is pivotally coupled with the base and the main arm and extends within the main arm to contact the motor coupling for actuating rotation of the motor coupling between a first position when the main arm is in a stowed position, and a second position when the main arm is in a deployed position.
US07722411B2	Voice and data patch panel having a bracket for structured wire enclosures The present disclosure is directed to a patch panel. The patch panel has a bracket having a panel interface having a front surface and a back surface substantially parallel to each other, at least one opening in the panel interface extends from the front surface to the back surface, at least one mounting member on the front surface of the bracket, at least one mounting member on the back surface of the bracket, a first pair of opposing edges and a second pair of opposing edges, the first pair and second pair of opposing edges are formed perpendicular to the panel interface. The patch panel also has a patching module having a number of connection elements, such as jacks, on a front side of the patching module and a number of connectors, such as insulation displacement connectors, on a back side of the patching module, wherein each connector is associated with one of the connection elements on the front side of the patching module.
US07722408B2	Connector and connector connecting body A socket includes a socket housing of an insulator to which plural socket contacts to be soldered to a conductive pattern of a circuit substrate, and a fitting metal for fixture to the circuit substrate are attached, in which the fitting metal includes plate-like side plates that are exposed along end surfaces of the socket housing, anchors that are formed by folding the side plates to bite into the housing, and an attachment piece that protrudes from a bottom plate to outside of the socket housing to be fixed to the circuit substrate.
US07722407B2	Composite connector and electronic apparatus thereof An electronic apparatus includes a composite connector including a plurality of digital signal terminals and a plurality of analog signal terminals, the plurality of digital signal terminals including at least a pair of differential signal terminals; and a wiring board on which the plurality of digital signal terminals and the plurality of analog signal terminals are arranged. The plurality of analog signal terminals and the plurality of digital signal terminals are arranged and disposed in line on the wiring board. The plurality of analog signal terminals are not disposed between the pair of differential signal terminals. The plurality of analog signal terminals are disposed between the plurality of digital signal terminals other than the pair of differential signal terminals.
US07722398B2	Electrical connector assembly with a protecting section over a flexible printed circuit board connected thereto A shielded connector assembly for interconnecting a camera module (50) to a printed circuit board (not shown) via a flexible printed circuit board (70) comprises a shielded shell (10) having a receiving space (100), a spring plate (30) assembled in the shielded shell, a flexible printed circuit board secured in the receiving space and abutting against the top surface of the spring plate. The flexible printed circuit board includes a first section (701) received in the receiving space and second section (700) extending beyond the receiving space. The fist section at least defines a plurality of conductive pads (708) to contact with pads (not shown) formed on the bottom face of the camera module. A protecting element (702) is disposed on top surface of the first section and encloses the conductive pads and disconnects therewith so as to prevent the flexible printed circuit board from being scraped during production and assemble and the like.
US07722392B2	Expendable electrical connector An expendable electrical connector uses a plurality of modular housings sequentially assembled for receiving receptacle assemblies. The expendable electrical connector does not use dedicated moulds for different numbers of the receptacle assemblies and cost is decreased. Two neighboring modular housings share a side plate so that total length of the expendable electrical connector will be shortened and cost will also be decreased. Each of the modular housings may be made from a metallic sheet by punching process, and used to cover each of the receptacle assemblies and the modular housings can be connected with each other. The modular housings provide a good performance of grounding and shielding electromagnetic interference without dedicated grounding steps for individual receptacle assemblies.
US07722389B2	Shock-proof electrical wiring system A shock-proof electrical wiring system includes a connector device having a connector housing. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed substantially inaccessible to a user within the connector housing. The plurality of connector electrical contacts are connected to a termination arrangement. The termination arrangement is configured to be connected to the portion of the plurality of AC electric power transmitting wires. An electrical wiring device includes a housing assembly that has at least one set of user-accessible receptacle openings disposed in a front major surface thereof in operative alignment with at least one shutter assembly configured to move from a closed position to an open position only in response to engaging a set of plug blades.
US07722381B2	Connector A male housing (60) includes a receptacle (61) in which male tabs project. A female housing (10) includes a tower (11) with cavities (14) for accommodating terminal fittings. A front holder (13) is mountable on the tower (11) and has a front wall (31). A surrounding wall (32) projects from a peripheral edge of the front wall (31) for covering the outer peripheral surface of the tower (11). A receptacle (61) is fit on the tower (11) with the front holder (13) thereon. Inner projections (43) are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the surrounding wall (32) and project towards the outer peripheral surface of the tower (11) and outer projections (45) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the surrounding wall (32) and project towards the inner peripheral surface of the receptacle (61).
US07722380B1	Plug retention device Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for retaining a plug in an outlet. The apparatus includes a body and a pair of arms slidably connected to the body. The arms are secured to the outlet. The body slides along the arms in a first direction to retain the plug in the outlet.
US07722379B2	Quick release connector device A connector device includes a ferrule, a receptacle having a housing on one end and fitted in the ferrule for receiving an insulating member, a sealing ring fitted in the housing and engaged with the housing, a sleeve fitted in the ferrule and engaged with the housing and having a peripheral lip to engage with the sealing ring, a locking ring attached to the sleeve and having a number of blades, and an actuating member attached to the ferrule and having an actuator for moving the blades radially and for allowing a swelling of a tubular member to be moved over the blades and for allowing two connector element to be quickly coupled together and to be quickly disengaged from each other when required.
US07722377B2	Power connection system The power connection system for a power tool includes a housing defining a recess, a plurality of electrical connector guide grooves, an electric motor connected to a tool member, an electric circuit connected to the motor, and arcuate electrical contact prongs disposed in the recess. The power cord has complementary arcuate receptacles removably engageable with the prongs, the cord being connectable to a power source to connect the power tool to the power source, and a lock pin that locks the power cord to the housing. The power cord may be universally connected to any power tool having a similar recess with arcuate prongs.
US07722375B2	Plug connection device designed to connect two function elements for signal and power transmission A plug connection device that connects two function elements for signal and power transmission between the function elements, in particular for medical applications, has connection components fashioned for capacitive connection of the function elements.
US07722373B2	Electrical connector with a slidable locking member A connector which makes it possible to positively maintain a locked state of an actuator, even if a flat cable is pulled. The actuator is mounted on a housing in a manner pivotally movable between an open position for accommodating a front end of an FPC in an accommodating space and a closed position for pressing the front end of the FPC against contact portions of contacts. Locking members are mounted on the housing in a manner slidable between a locked position for inhibiting the actuator in the closed position from opening and an unlocked position for allowing the actuator to open, along a direction of arrangement of the contacts.
US07722370B2	Socket with detection functions A socket with a detection function includes a housing; a plurality of metal spring pins installed side by side in the housing; a first detection pin formed on a side of the plurality of metal spring pins and coupled to a system ground; and a second detection pin formed on another side of the plurality of metal spring pins and coupled to a pull up resistor for providing a high voltage level for the second detection pin. The second detection pin includes an elastic metal arm extending toward the first detection pin and formed on the top of the first detection pin. A first metal spring pin is deflected to press down the elastic metal arm of the second detection pin for contacting the first detection pin when a phone cable plug is inserted into the socket.
US07722369B2	Lock for serial bus connector plugs Lock devices for installation on a serial bus male connector plug that prevent access to, and connection of the plug to other devices, such as memory storage devices, have a housing with a receptacle which is installed onto the serial bus male connector plug to cover at least a portion of the male connector plug, and contain a locking mechanism and retaining member moveable between an unlocked position allowing disengagement and removal of the plug from the receptacle, and a locked position with plug securely engaged in the receptacle to prevent connection of the connector plug to a female serial bus connector of another device and unauthorized access to data stored in the memory of memory storage devices. The lock device may have a shackle and a cap-holding tether attachment and may be utilized with conventional security cables and locking devices to also prevent theft of the memory storage device.
US07722365B2	Connector and electronic control apparatus having the same In a connector, a connector terminal has a first portion partially supported by a connector housing to be parallel to a wiring board, a second portion exposed outside the housing to be parallel to the board and located closer to the board than the first portion, a joint portion having a first end joined to the first portion and a second end exposed outside the housing and joined to the second portion, and a contact portion soldered to a corresponding land of the board. The first portion of a first terminal is located farther from the board than the first portion of a second terminal. The joint portions of the first and second terminals are located at different distances from the housing. The joint portion of the first terminal is supported by the housing between the first portions of the first and second terminals.
US07722364B2	Holder for a flexible circuit board A holder with a device for holding a flexible circuit board is provided. The holder comprises at least one further device for holding at least one component such that the component may be electrically connected to or disconnected from the circuit board.
US07722361B2	Test socket An improved test socket for use in testing integrated circuits. The test socket includes a housing having one or more slots formed therein. Contacts can be received within respective slots and maintained therein with rear ends of the contacts in engagement with traces on a load board. Mounting is accomplished by means of a pair of elastomers, and the elastomers maintain each contact such that, when the front end of a contact is engaged by the lead or pad of the device to be tested and urged into its corresponding slot, an arcuate surface at a rear end of each contact rolls across its corresponding trace with virtually no translational or rotational sliding.
US07722360B2	Electrical connector with reduced noise An electrical connector includes a carrier having opposite first and second sides. A plurality of contacts are held in the carrier. Each contact includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element defines a conductive path configured to electrically connect an electrical component on the first side of the carrier to an electrical component on the second side of the carrier. The second conductive element provides an electrostatic shield for the first conductive element.
US07722356B2	Method and apparatus for the manipulation of fractions using transparencies The invention provides a method and apparatus for operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions, decimals, percents, proportions and equations. It allows the students to find the transparent area models on their sheets with the correct parts shaded, (2) students can count the total number of parts and the total number of shaded parts in each model, (3) the relationship of the shaded parts to the total number in each model can be named, (4) by intersecting the vertical transparent area model for one whole with horizontal transparent area models for one whole to show examples of one whole being renamed several different ways.
US07722355B2	Braille cell cap An electromechanical Braille cell assembly includes a plurality of parallel bimorph reeds. A first plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a first side of a printed circuit board by a first plurality of clips and a second plurality of bimorph reeds is mounted to a second side of the printed circuit board by a second plurality of clips. A frame has a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall in the form of an angle wall and a second side wall in the form of a flat wall. Pinholes are formed in the angle wall to accommodate Braille pins and the flat wall is slotted to accommodate a plurality of printed circuit boards. A monolithic cap covers all of the Braille pins. Pinholes formed in the cap receive the respective tips of the Braille cells when actuated bimorph reeds cause displacement of the Braille pins.
US07722353B2	Orthodontic interproximal locking pliers This invention pertains to pliers for increasing the interproximal retention of thermoplastic appliances by denting the appliances in the interproximal areas between the teeth, especially denting the thermoplastic material at the interproximal gingival area.
US07722344B2	Impeller-drive shaft construction for a fuel pump A fuel pump (10) supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine includes an electric motor (14), a shaft (16) driven by the motor, and a pump assembly (18) including a pumping element (20) mounted on the shaft. A fuel pump improvement includes the shaft being a multi-sided shaft with the pumping element having a central opening (22) through which the shaft extends. This opening is a contoured opening having a plurality of sides each of which is in contact with a side (22a-22c) of the shaft to distribute wear which occurs between the shaft and the pumping element. This construction prolongs the operating life of the pump. In a roller vane type pump having N vanes, the motor shaft has a number of sides S determined by the formula S=N±1, and N>3.
US07722340B2	Rotary type fluid machine A blade moves backward/forward to enter four different states, namely a first state in which the tip thereof is in sliding contact with the internal peripheral surface of an external side cylinder part, a second state in which the tip is positioned in the cutaway portion of a ring-shaped piston to thereby place only an external side cylinder chamber at rest, a third state in which the tip is positioned in the cutaway portion of an internal side cylinder part to thereby place only the external side cylinder chamber and an intermediate cylinder chamber at rest, and a whole rest state in which the tip is positioned in a blade groove to thereby place all of the cylinder chambers at rest.
US07722334B2	Compressor and overload protecting apparatus A compressor includes a suction unit for sucking fluid, a compression unit for compressing the fluid sucked through the suction unit, a discharge unit for discharging the fluid compressed in the compression unit, an electric mechanism unit connected to the compression unit and driving the compression unit, and an overload protecting apparatus installed at the discharge unit and stopping operation of the electric mechanism unit if a temperature of the fluid discharged through the discharge unit is higher than a pre-set temperature.
US07722332B2	Composite dry vacuum pump having roots rotor and screw rotor Disclosed is a dry vacuum pump for evacuating a processing chamber in a semiconductor or display manufacturing device, or for evacuating gaseous substance and/or byproducts generated in the process chamber. The dry vacuum pump does not need a partition wall between the roots rotor and the screw rotor. A space is formed at the under sides of the roots rotor and the screw rotor to contain the object substance therein.
US07722331B2	Control system for air-compressing apparatus An air-compressing apparatus has four compressors individually supplying compressed air to a tank having a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is connected to control circuits of the compressors. The control circuits compute times needed for the tank pressure to reach minimum and maximum pressures, respectively, of the tank by using the detected tank pressure and also using a tank pressure change value. The computed time values correspond to the consumption of compressed air. Thus, the control circuits can control the number of compressors to be operated according to the consumption of compressed air.
US07722328B2	Rotor blade connection A rotor blade for a wind power installation comprises a plurality of holes which are arranged in the region of the rotor blade root and which are in the form of through holes which extend substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotor blade. Transverse pins are fitted into the holes. The tension elements are connected to the transverse pins. In that arrangement the tension elements in the state of the art extend within the rotor blade root and thus weaken the material in that region. In order to eliminate those disadvantages by means of a structural simplification, the rotor blade according to the invention is characterized by tension elements extending outside the rotor blade root. In that respect the invention is based on the realization that in that way the region of the rotor blade root at the hub is admittedly altered in an aerodynamically disadvantageous fashion, but that does not have any detrimental influence on the acoustic characteristics and the other properties of the installation because that region of the rotor blade is either covered by the spinner or is disposed at least in the part of the rotor, which rotates most slowly.
US07722327B1	Multiple vortex cooling circuit for a thin airfoil A turbine airfoil having a thin wall construction in at least a portion of the airfoil spanwise direction, the airfoil including a leading edge cooling supply channel and a plurality of individual vortex cooling channels connected to the cooling air supply channel and extending substantially in the airfoil chordwise direction, ending at the trailing edge region and discharging the cooling air through exit holes or ducts positioned along the trailing edge region. The vortex cooling channels each include a series of metering holes leading into a vortex chamber such that the cooling air flows into the vortex chamber and around the surfaces before passing through the next metering hole and vortex chamber. The vortex cooling channels extend from the pressure side to the suction side of the airfoil walls, and are cast into the airfoil during the airfoil casting process. the hot gas side pressure distribution of the vortex cooling channels can be regulated by varying the size of the individual metering holes in the cooling circuit.
US07722325B2	Refractory metal core main body trench An article, such as a gas turbine engine turbine blade, includes a film cooling system having a trench recessed within a wall of the component, a passage that opens into the trench for discharging a coolant flow into the trench, and a guide member within the trench for influencing the coolant flow discharge from the passage.
US07722322B2	Computer system and program product for controlling vibrations The computer programmable system and program product include first program instructions for actively driving a first imbalance mass concentration rotor and a second imbalance mass concentration rotor at a vibration canceling rotation frequency while controlling the rotational position of the first imbalance mass concentration and the second imbalance mass concentration to produce a rotating net force vector to inhibit periodic vibrations. The program product includes second program instructions to opposingly orient the first imbalance mass concentration relative to the second imbalance mass concentration during a starting stopping rotation speed less than the vibration canceling rotation frequency. The system includes a fault mode control protocol for controlling a rotation of the rotors during a sensed failure of the rotating assembly vibration control system.
US07722321B2	Turbo-engine stator blading, turbo-engine comprising the blading and turbo-engine blade A turbo-engine stator blading is disclosed. The turbo-engine stator blading includes a crown of fixed blades mounted on a ring. Each blade includes a platform and each blade is fastened to the ring. The ring includes a plurality of individual receptacles for the each of the platforms, the receptacles being machined in the thickness of the ring, the form of each receptacle being complementary to that of the corresponding platform. By means of the receptacles, the mounting of the blades within the blading is both simple and accurate.
US07722319B2	Locking and fixing device for a heat shield element for a rotor unit of a turbomachine A locking and fixing device for a heat shield element, which heat shield element can be arranged along a heat shield row axially directly next to at least one blade provided in a blade row and has, axially facing the blade, at least two projections of rib-like design which are spaced apart in the circular circumferential direction, are raised above a side wall section facing the blade and define a clear intermediate space which extends in the circular circumferential direction and into which a locking lug provided on the blade can be fitted. Further disclosed is at least one rib-like projection, on its side facing away from the clear intermediate space, providing an extension which extends in the circular circumferential direction, is connected to the projection and the side wall section and rises above the side wall section at most up to the rib height of the projection.
US07722318B2	Hole liners for repair of vane counterbore holes A variable vane shroud for a gas turbine engine comprises a cylindrically shaped body, a hole arranged at a circumference of the body, and a counterbore arranged concentrically around the hole on a radially inward facing surface of the body. The hole is for receiving a trunnion from a variable vane and the counterbore is for receiving a hub from the variable vane. A liner is inserted into the hole and counterbore such that the trunnion and hub are provided with a contact surface. The invention also provides a method for repairing a damaged counterbore in a variable vane shroud. A liner having a shape corresponding to a layer of material removed from the shroud is inserted into the void left by removing damaged material such that the counterbore is restored to pre-damaged dimensions.
US07722316B2	Acoustic viscous damper for centrifugal gas compressor An acoustic viscous damper for a compressor including a porous liner located within the discharge duct, the porous liner having a plurality of holes for passage of a purge working fluid therethrough into the discharge duct.
US07722313B1	Device for converting kinetic energy contained in a fluid, into mechanical energy Device for converting kinetic energy contained in a fluid, into mechanical energy, coupled to an either gaseous or liquid fluid mass outlet secondary conduit, constituted by a fixed main conduit receptor of said fluid mass and a movable conduit coaxially attached to an axial flow rotor and associated to an outer supporting frame, including this assembly a flange abutting with said fixed conduit; both conduits are assembled by a fitting device comprising a lid, sealing washers, bearings and retaining ring acting on spacing sleeves and a locking nut; the movable conduit attached to the rotor rotates along its axis and coaxial to said fixed conduit without a major axial displacement; within said rotor it is lodged a hub and a deflector capable of directing the fluid's flow toward passages within the hollow blades and their corresponding exits at the end of each blade, constituting each one of said exit outlets an ejector means for the fluid, thereby achieving the rotational movement of the rotor on its axis; attached to said rotor there is a driven shaft with coupling means to the shaft of the driven means, such as an electrical generator.
US07722312B2	Fuel cell compressor system The invention provides a fuel cell compressor system that comprises a motor, including a motor shaft driven by the motor; a drive housing at least partially surrounding the motor shaft; a first gear set driven by the motor shaft; a carrier torque tube driven by the first gear set; and an impeller. The impeller includes an impeller shaft driven by the second gear set, so that the impeller shaft is configured to rotate at a speed greater than motor speed. Embodiments of the invention may also be used with a multi-stage compressor that allows, for example, first and second impellers to rotate at different speeds. Embodiments of the invention may also include removal of a gear set driving the carrier torque tube or the impeller shaft, so that the impeller shaft speed is divided between one or more bearings supporting the carrier torque tube and one or more bearings supporting the impeller shaft.
US07722311B2	Pressure and current reducing impeller A pump having a housing with a torus and a stripper region. The stripper region has a housing groove formed on the surface of the stripper region. The housing groove has a surface forming a length, width and depth of the groove. The pump also has a cover connectable to the housing. The cover extends over the housing groove formed on the surface of the stripper region. An impeller has a plurality of vanes that extend radially outward from an impeller frame, wherein the impeller is rotatably positioned between the housing. The cover and the plurality of vanes are positioned in operable relation to said housing groove.
US07722309B2	Apparatus for picking and placing workpiece An exemplary apparatus capable of picking and placing a workpiece into a container includes a suction device and a hollow body. The suction device is configured for providing a suction force for picking up the workpiece. The hollow body has a picking portion configured for picking and placing the workpiece into the container under the suction force, wherein a plurality of air slots are defined in an outer wall of the hollow body, the air slots are configured for providing an air passage between an interior of the container and an exterior thereof so as to facilitate movement of the hollow body into and out of the container, whereby the workpiece can be steadily placed in the container.
US07722308B2	Construction machine On the laterally opposite side of an upper frame constructing an upper rotating body to a cabin, are installed devices in a state that a pin insertion and removal space sufficient for inserting and removing a boom foot pin in the axial direction is ensured, and in a bracket provided in the pin insertion and removal space, is provided a pin guide in a square tube shape for guiding the boom foot pin in the insertion and removal direction.
US07722303B2	Frangible blind rivet A blind rivet is provided that is operable for insertion into a workpiece. The blind rivet can include a body portion having a first end and second end. The body portion can include a radial flange formed at the first end and can define a bore extending through the body portion. The rivet can include a mandrel with a mandrel head operable to engage the second end of the body portion. The mandrel head can be larger than the bore and can be coupled to a stem. The stem can be configured to pass through the bore and the flange to enable the body portion to engage the workpiece. The radial flange can also include a plurality of bearing surfaces adapted to be coupled to at least one tool for receipt of a predetermined torsional load at the radial flange to cause failure of the body portion.
US07722300B1	Chuck with internal geared tightening mechanism An internally geared chuck that can generate sufficient torque to ensure adequate jaw gripping or jaw releasing force regardless of whether it is used in a keyless or key enabled chuck version. The key enabled version encompasses an internally housed, spring retracted chuck key that may be enabled to add additional torque to tighten or loosen the jaws when so required. The key enabled version may be operated with simple hand tightening in a keyless mode. The second embodiment has two levels of keyless operation. By drawing together elements of the chuck, a mechanical gearing advantage may be realized to add additional torque. In both embodiments all of the various sized and configured gears are housed within the chuck body.
US07722298B2	Hot tap machine The present invention provides a hot tap machine having independent speed drives for the center drill and the holesaw that can be remotely operated. The hot tap machine of the present invention also has improved vibratory damping and coupon stability and retention. During operation, the machine cartridge holding the machine internal assemblies of the hot tap machine of the present invention is, except for its controls and external support systems, entirely contained within its pressure containment housing which is sealingly attached to the hot tap fitting on the pipe. An advantage in the operation of the present invention is the independence of the center drilling operation and the pipe coupon cutting operation.
US07722297B2	Antirotation tool holder and cutting insert The present invention relates to embodiments of a cutting tool holder having at least one insert pocket, wherein at least one insert pocket comprises a side surface and at least one antirotation stop protruding from the side surface. The antirotation stop may comprise at least two substantially planar surfaces. In certain embodiments, the cutting tool holder may have a pocket which comprises a bottom surface and an antirotation stop having three substantially planar surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface.
US07722296B1	Retaining wall soil reinforcing connector and method A connection apparatus for securing a facing to a soil reinforcing element wherein the soil reinforcing element has a pair of adjacent longitudinal wires with horizontally extended converging portions, a stud having a first end attached to the horizontally extended converging portions, and a second end bent upwards and terminating at a head, a facing anchor having a pair of vertically disposed loops adjacently extending from the facing and having an opening for receiving a vertical portion of the stud, and a device configured to secure the vertical portion of the stud against separation from the opening between the vertically disposed loops, wherein the stud and the attached soil reinforcing element are capable of swiveling in the horizontal and vertical directions.
US07722294B2	Crane assisted pipe lay The present invention relates to a method for laying a pipeline using a vessel (1) comprising a crane (2) comprising the following steps lifting a new pipe section (8) using the crane, placing a new pipe section on an existing pipeline (9), lining up the new pipe section with respect to the existing pipeline, welding the new section to the existing section, lowering the joined new section and the existing pipe, supporting the joined new section so that the crane is free to lift another new section. The invention further relates to a pipe-laying vessel for carrying out such method.
US07722285B2	Bollard assembly A bollard assembly having a post and a sleeve. The post has a cylindrical post wall forming a cavity and a passage in the post wall. The passage has a first section that extends longitudinally along the post wall and a second section that intersects the first section and extends crosswise to the first section. The sleeve has a cylindrical sleeve wall forming a cavity and a latch pin that is attached to the sleeve wall and extends into the cavity. The sleeve is adapted to receive the post such that the latch pin travels through the passage in the post wall.
US07722283B2	Bollard with connecting mechanisms for connecting railings A bollard with connecting mechanism for connecting railings, comprising: a bollard body which is provided with at least two receiving parts concave inwardly on each of opposite surfaces thereof; at least two connectors, each of which includes a base and an ear extending from the base and having a connecting hole thereon for connecting the railing; wherein the base is accommodated in the receiving part, and the ear is selectively accommodated in the receiving part or exposed out of the receiving part according to whether railings need to be connected.
US07722280B2	Hollow body component A hollow-bodied component, which includes at least two die-cast shell elements (1, 2), is suitable in particular for use as a steering component in motor vehicle running-gear assemblies. The hollow-bodied component has a connection zone (5, 6, 18, 19) configured on the shell elements (1, 2) to be interconnected. One connection zone (5) has one first contact area (7) with an essentially U-shaped cross-section that is located on the respective shell element (1) and the other connection zone has at least one strut-type second contact area (8) that engages in the space in the U-shaped first contact area (7) and that is located on the respective other shell element (2). The connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) are joined in a force fit in a cold welding process that uses a contact pressure (F1, F2), whose value is a multiple of the separating force components (Fr) that act on the connection zones (5, 6, 18, 19) during operation. A method is provided for producing the component.
US07722279B2	Universal insert A molded plastic insert having a socket and groove formed on an outer surface to cooperate with spring loaded plungers on one of a pair of mating parts to couple the mating parts. A pair of indentations formed on the outer edge of the insert to accommodate any electrical leads between the mating parts.
US07722277B2	Cosmetics case A tube type liquid cosmetics case has a tube shaped case having an opening located at an upper portion, the opening being surrounded by a plurality of moving insert grooves; an upper body coupled to the tube shaped case adjacent the opening; a solution transfer tube; a brush surrounding the solution transfer tube; an insert part provided at a lower portion of the upper body; an eject hole member having a divided opening and a sealing jaw ring located within the insert part; and a plurality of moving insert pieces provided at the lower portion of the upper body and engaging with the plurality of moving insert grooves. A check valve is located in an insert hole provided in the tube shaped case, and a cap is threadably coupled to the upper body.
US07722269B2	Printing apparatus A printing apparatus comprises a print head, disposed to a horizontally movable carriage, for printing a recording medium, a print cartridge disposed in a detachably attachable manner to said print head, and a member disposed in a range including an operating range for attaching and detaching said print cartridge, wherein said member has at least a portion positioned in said operating range for attaching and detaching said print cartridge, and wherein the portion is escapable from said operating range for attaching and detaching said print cartridge.
US07722267B2	Substrate processing apparatus A substrate processing apparatus comprises an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. The interface block comprises first and second cleaning/drying processing units. A substrate W is subjected to cleaning and drying processing before exposure processing in the first cleaning/drying processing unit, while being subjected to cleaning and drying processing after the exposure processing in the second cleaning/drying processing unit.
US07722264B2	Camera integrated with deformable supporting structure A camera includes a body having a front plate and a rear plate, a lens module mounted on the front plate, a slot defined in the rear plate, and an elongated deformable wire. The deformable wire is received in the slot, and the deformable wire is deformable between a first configuration where the deformable wire is received in the slot, and a second configuration where the deformable wire is released from the slot and reshaped to support the body on an object.
US07722251B2	Device for inspecting contraband in aviation cargo container A device for inspecting contraband in an aviation cargo container includes: a turntable and a scanning system, the scanning system including a radiation source; a detector; a radiation source mounting structure; and a detector mounting structure for mounting the detector. Each of said radiation source mounting structure and said detector mounting structure includes at least one column assembly. The radiation source and the detector are mounted on the column assembly and allowed to synchronously ascend and descend along said column assembly. By combining different movement modes of the turntable and the scanning system, the device of the present invention can scan the object in various scanning modes. The device is stable in structure, convenient in installation, and occupies a small space. The device can inspect aviation containers over two meters long and/or over two meters wide and achieve a relatively high passing rate of the objects.
US07722250B2	Probe cover for ear thermometer The present invention discloses a probe cover for an ear thermometer, which comprises: a film cover and a base. The film cover has a cover window able to contact the probe window at the front end of the ear thermometer, a hollow cone able to contact the sidewall of the probe and a strengthened element able to contact the cover window and the hollow cone. The thickness of the cover window is same as the thickness of the strengthened element and greater than the thickness of the hollow cone. Thereby, the present invention can prevent the variation of infrared transmittance caused by the misarrangement and non-uniform thickness of the probe cover film disposed at the front of the probe window.
US07722245B2	Display device A display device has a frame having a substantially cylindrically shaped cylindrical part, a display panel that is band shaped and flexible, and a spacer that is substantially cylindrically shaped and is fit to the cylindrical part. The display panel is disposed to the outside surface of the spacer.
US07722241B2	Optical plate and backlight module using the same An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate section. The transparent plate section includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of spherical protrusions, a plurality of microstructures, and a lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The spherical protrusions are formed on the light output surface. The microstructures are formed on the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07722236B2	Vehicle headlamp A vehicle headlamp is provided with an upper stage light source unit, a middle stage light source unit, and a lower stage light source unit. The upper stage light source unit, the middle stage light source unit, and the lower stage light source unit are provided at a lamp body constituting a lamp member by way of a support member. A low beam light distribution pattern is formed on a front side of a vehicle by overlapping light from the respective light source units. The lower stage light source unit includes two subunits, the two subunits commonly share a single cylindrical lens.
US07722234B2	Vehicle headlight A light shielding member shields a part of a light radiated from a light source and passes a remaining part of the light. A reflection surface reflects the light that passes through the light shielding member forward of a vehicle as a light distribution pattern including a cutoff line on a driving lane side and a cutoff line on an oncoming lane side.
US07722227B2	Lighting fixture with recessed baffle trim unit A recessed lighting fixture providing illumination from a light source comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) placed within a cavity of a planar surface, such as a ceiling, wall, or shower. The fixture comprises a baffle integrated with a low profile heat sink that is used to draw heat out of the fixture and communicate that heat to a trim ring of the fixture for dissipation of the heat in the room so that higher intensity light sources can be used. Improved grounding of the recessed trim unit to the recessed housing is provided with combination support and grounding springs. One embodiment of the light source is fixed in position while a second embodiment is gimbal mounted for aiming the light produced by the fixture.
US07722221B2	Light emitting diode light source Provided is an LED light source including a frame having a V-shaped groove formed in the upper portion thereof and a heat sink formed to extend from the lower portion thereof, the V-shaped groove having a planar bottom surface on which a circuit pattern is formed; a plurality of LEDs disposed on the bottom surface of the V-shaped groove; a diffuser plate coupled to the upper end of the frame so as to diffuse light emitted from the plurality of LEDs; a pair of plugs coupled to both side ends of the frame and receiving alternating-current (AC) power from outside; and a power converter fixed and coupled to the lower portion of the frame and electrically connected to the plugs and the plurality of LEDs, the power converter converting the AC power applied from the plugs into direct-current (DC) power and supplying the DC power to the LEDs.
US07722219B2	Combination cord-stop and light device The present invention consists of an improvement to a traditional cord-lock device. The combination cord-lock and light device of the present invention consists of a housing having a plunger and locking device including a biasing member and further adapted to encapsulate a light-emitting diode circuit assembly. The circuit assembly includes a switch mechanism coupling to an activator button located on the exterior of the cord-lock housing. The switch mechanism enables the LED to operate in a steady state, off, or in a pulsating mode. The housing is further adapted to direct the LED light exterior to the device.
US07722218B2	Method of and device for attracting aquatic life forms using an electromagnetic field generation A device for simulating and/or attracting aquatic life forms is disclosed. The device includes an electromagnetic module for simultaneously generating alternating or pulsed electromagnetic fields and a pulsed light output from a light emitting diode. The electromagnetic module includes a dry battery that is activated when exposed electrodes of the dry battery are placed in contact with a common electrolyte, such as sea water. The electromagnetic module includes a control circuit with one or more application specific integrated circuits for converting an input voltage from the dry battery to an operating voltage sufficient to power the light emitting diode. In further embodiments of the invention, the device includes one or more removable jackets that resemble aquatic life-forms.
US07722214B2	Substrate structure and side-entrance lighting structure A substrate structure includes a substrate, a plurality of point light sources, a first wall and a plurality of convex members. The point light sources are disposed on the substrate. The first wall is on a long side of the substrate and substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The convex members extend from the first wall along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The convex members keep away the point light sources from optical sheets when installing the substrate structure into a frame. Moreover, a side-entrance lighting structure is disclosed.
US07722213B2	Lighting apparatus A lighting apparatus comprises a housing and a first reflector. The first reflector is mounted beneath the light source and includes a plurality of segmented reflectors, each having at its top, a installation hole and at its bottom, an opening wider than the installation hole. A second reflector is positioned beneath the first reflector. The height of the second reflector causes a first light shielding angle defined by a straight line passing through the installation hole and the bottom edge of the corresponding segmented reflector to be larger than a second light shielding angle defined by a straight line passing through the bottom edge of the segmented reflector and the bottom edge of the second reflector.
US07722211B2	Light engine The invention describes a Light engine (1,2,3,4,5) comprising a chamber (6) with at least one aperture (7) and a number of LED elements (13) positioned inside this chamber, where effectively all inner surfaces of the chamber (6) are realized as high-reflective surfaces (20) which are essentially non-absorbing towards light within a desired wavelength region
US07722204B1	Cooler A cooler is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the cooler includes a thermally-insulated cooler receptacle having a receptacle interior and a thermally-insulated cooler lid carried by the cooler receptacle and positional between open and closed positions. A pressure switch is carried by the cooler receptacle. The pressure switch is closed when the cooler lid is in the open position and open when the cooler lid is in the closed position. A plurality of LEDs is provided in the receptacle interior and connected to the pressure switch. A power source is connected to the pressure switch.
US07722202B2	Meter having LCD panel and pointer A meter has a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel is adapted to display a dial picture image thereon. A backlight illuminates the liquid crystal display panel. A movement is located in front of a front surface of the liquid crystal display panel. A semi-translucent panel covers the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel. A pointer is pivotably supported by the movement in such a manner that the semi-translucent panel is located between a pivotal trajectory plane of the pointer and the liquid crystal display panel. The semi-translucent panel enhances a contrast between the dial picture image and a background image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel.
US07722201B2	Flexible, reversible and adjustable flash snoot A device for controlling projected light beam from an electronic flash, this invention consists of a tube of elastic material such as neoprene or polyurethane (4), with a light side (6) and a dark side (5). The shape and elasticity of this device allow its configuration to change by rolling the snoot over on itself. Rolling the snoot partially upon itself, changing its length, will thereby change the size of the projected light beam. Rolling the snoot inside out will select a different interior reflectivity, thus a different quality of projected light.
US07722200B2	Electric mirror control device An electric mirror control device is provided which can prevent generation of a clutch noise by stopping slipping of a clutch provided at an actuator as quickly as possible while preventing narrowing of an allowable range of a tilting angle of a mirror surface. In controlling an electric mirror, a control device clamps a voltage value of a voltage applied to a motor detected by a mirror surface angle detection circuit to a predetermined upper limit value and a predetermined lower limit value at a clamp circuit. Stop control of the motor is performed based on the voltage value clamped to the upper limit value and the lower limit value in this way.
US07722196B2	Plastic injection of lenses with optical elements and/or retroreflecting prisms that are separated from each other A moulding process to manufacture a moulded piece having multiple individual optical elements with the same or different dimensions. This is achieved by using a multicolour injection process as well as a multidrop injection manifold. In the first step, the optical elements are moulded without any junction between them. In the second step, a layer of plastic is moulded in order to join together all the optical elements to create a single piece. The moulded piece thus consists of two plastic injections with optical elements which is more easily adaptable to a variety of different designs for lights having two or more colors. New styles of optical elements, along with varied and original geometric arrangements can thus be imagined. Furthermore, signaling functions having by their regulations different colors can heretofore be placed within a same zone of glass.
US07722195B2	Projector with a detachably attaching lamp cover A projector includes a light source device and an exterior casing, wherein an engagement moving portion slant surface is formed at an engagement moving portion, the engagement moving portion slant surface abutting on an engaging protrusion in a sliding manner when the engagement moving portion is moved to a not-engaging position to press the engaging protrusion toward a top portion.
US07722194B2	Optical element having a reflected light diffusing function and a polarization separation function and a projection display device An optical element, includes: a diffractive functional layer which diffracts at least part of incident light; and a grid formed on a first surface of the diffractive functional layer, the grid including a plurality of fine wires and having a polarization separation function; wherein the optical element reflects a part of the incident light while transmitting another part of the incident light, the first surface of the diffractive functional layer including: a plurality of first regions; a plurality of second regions, a height thereof relative to a second surface of the diffractive functional layer being different from that of the first regions, the second surface being an opposite surface to the first surface; and a step provided at a border between the first regions and the second regions.
US07722191B2	Projector with an equalizing temperature module A projector comprises a case, an illuminant heat source, a thermal module, and an equalizing temperature module. The equalizing temperature module is disposed between the illuminant heat source and the thermal module. When the fluid flows from the illuminant heat source to the equalizing temperature module, the fluid flows through a relative high temperature region more than that of flowing through a relative low temperature region. The equalizing temperature module at least comprises a heat pipe and a plurality of heat sinks. The heat pipe has a first end located in the relative low temperature region and a second end located in the relative high temperature region. The heat pipe transfers heat from the relative high temperature region to the relative low temperature region by a cold fluid in the heat pipe. The plurality of heat sinks are disposed on the heat pipe to increase the area of heat conduction.
US07722190B2	Projecting a luminance image A color image is displayed on a screen and a luminance image is projected onto the screen. The luminance image has a greater resolution than the color image.
US07722189B2	Multiple-view display for non-stereoscopic viewing In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method comprises projecting multiple scenes simultaneously on a display screen in interlaced-fashion; and directing light for each scene to a distinct viewing zone defined spatially in relation to the display screen. A system comprising a display; and a lenticular mechanism coupled to the display and having a plurality of lens elements to direct light from the display into distinct viewing zones defined spatially in relation to the display is also provided.
US07722185B2	Cradle for printhead cartridge having power storage interface A cradle unit for a printhead cartridge, the cradle unit comprising: an interface at which the cradle unit is removably engageable with a printhead cartridge, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface; and a power storage circuit incorporated in the interface for storing at least some of the power being supplied to the printhead cartridge from the power supply.
US07722184B2	Indicator mounting structure and image forming apparatus including the same An indicator structure for mounting an indicator representative of desired information to the body of an apparatus, wherein the indicator is made up of a sheet marked with the information in such a manner as to be visible from the outside of the indicator and a single transparent cover covering at least the information such that the information is visible from the outside. The sheet and cover are removably mounted to the body of the apparatus.
US07722182B2	Inkjet recording device and driving unit provided therein An inkjet-recording device includes a recording head, a platen, a conveying member, and a movable supporting member. The recording head ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium. The platen is disposed in confrontation with the recording head to support the recording medium while keeping a predetermined distance from the recording head. The conveying member conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction. The movable supporting member is linked to the conveying member to slide in the conveying direction while supporting the recording medium.
US07722181B2	Power feed bag print system A custom designed drive mechanism to be utilized in conjunction with an ink jet printer having a motor, transmission, and gripping apparatus to transmit articles of manufacture to be printed upon through an enclosure having a linear bearing and spring system, an optical sensor, digital encoder and print mechanism such that the articles of manufacture travel in a single direction.
US07722179B2	Slow-penetrating inkjet fixer composition and methods and systems for making and using same An inkjet fixer composition and a printing method and system used with the composition are disclosed herein. The composition includes: a) from 1 to 8 weight percent cationic polymer; and b) from 0 to 2 weight percent of at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactant and combinations thereof; and c) an aqueous liquid vehicle. Upon overprinting the fixer composition with an ink-jet ink on a substrate, the fixer composition vehicle and the ink-jet ink vehicle form a vehicle mixture on the substrate after which the vehicle mixture penetrates into the substrate, and an ink image is formed on the substrate.
US07722176B2	Ink tank and ink jet printer An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is disposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter. Air bubbles are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces, and are crushed and pressed against the reflecting surfaces. This configuration prevents the one or more reflecting surfaces from being covered with ink retained in spaces among the air bubbles. Therefore, the ink end can be detected surely and exactly.
US07722174B2	Liquid container, component for forming liquid container, and method for producing liquid container The present invention provides a liquid container which has a check valve for preventing a flow of outside air into its inside and which is capable of maintaining the performance of the check valve constant. An ink pack (25) includes a bag portion (36), which holds an outlet portion by heat-welding. An internal space (S) is formed in the bag portion (36), and ink is contained therein. The outlet portion has a first flow path forming component (41). A first recess portion (47) is recessed from the one side surface (41a) of the first flow path forming component (41). First and second ink flow paths (46, 51), which communicate with the internal space (S), extend from a bottom surface (47a) of this first recess portion (47). A valve seat (53) is formed in a projecting shape so as to surround the second ink flow path (51). A laminate film (36a) sealingly closes the first recess portion (47). Thus, a valve body accommodating chamber (55) is formed. The valve body accommodating chamber (55) accommodates a first valve body (58). The valve body (58) and the valve seat (53) form a first valve device (59).
US07722172B2	Printing cartridge with radio frequency identification A printing cartridge (1230) includes a housing (1234). A radio frequency tag (1232) is positioned on the housing (1234). The radio frequency tag (1232) carries data relating to at least one of: a serial number of the cartridge, a media and a media colorant.
US07722168B2	Inkjet printhead incorporating coincident groups of ink apertures The present invention relates to a printhead for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a chassis assembly defining a plurality of spaced apart first groups of apertures and a channel. An ink distribution unit defines a plurality of ink distribution passages and a plurality of spaced apart second groups of apertures. The apertures of each second group are in fluid communication with respective ink distribution passages. The ink distribution unit is received in the channel so that the first and second groups coincide. A plurality of printhead modules is serially engaged along the chassis assembly and in fluid communication with respective first groups. The printhead modules are configured to eject ink provided from the ink distribution passages via the first and second groups.
US07722166B2	Inkjet printhead having piezoelectric actuator and method of driving the piezoelectric actuator An inkjet printhead and a method of driving the inkjet printhead include a flow channel substrate having a pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric actuator formed on the flow channel substrate to apply a driving force to the pressure chamber to eject ink. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric layer formed on the flow channel substrate to correspond to the pressure chamber, and a plurality of common electrodes and a plurality of driving electrodes alternately arranged in a length direction of the piezoelectric layer.
US07722162B2	Ink jet printing assembly with printhead modules and ink delivery member An ink-jet printing assembly includes an elongate U-channel member assembly. An elongate ink delivery member is positioned on a floor of the U-channel member assembly and defines longitudinally extending ink delivery channels and a series of holes in fluid communication with each respective ink delivery channel. A plurality of micro-electromechanical inkjet printing modules with ink inlets and printhead integrated circuits are mounted in the U-channel member assembly such that the ink inlets are in fluid communication with respective holes.
US07722156B2	Ink supply system with separate purging reservoir An ink supply system for purging an inkjet printhead is provided. The ink supply system comprises: (a) a first ink reservoir for supplying printing ink to the printhead; (b) a second ink reservoir for supplying purging ink to the printhead; and (c) a valve having a plurality of configurations, wherein: in a first configuration the valve provides fluid communication between the printhead and the first ink reservoir via a first ink conduit, and in a second configuration the valve provides fluid communication between the printhead and the second ink reservoir via a second ink conduit.
US07722149B2	Printer and print control apparatus and method thereof, and printer driver A mounting status of an ink-jet cartridge mounted on a printer is obtained and test data according to the mounting status of the ink-jet cartridge is generated. The test data is used to execute at least either confirmation of printing status using the ink of the ink-jet cartridge or an adjusting operation of printing position. The test data is transmitted to the printer to be printed out.
US07722148B2	Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus using liquid discharge head A compact and highly reliable recording head enabling precise detection of temperature information for each nozzle and rapid as well as highly accurate detection of nozzles with a discharge defect can be achieved. A plurality of electrothermal transducing members is provided on a substrate to generate heat energy for discharging liquid from discharge ports. A temperature detecting element formed immediately under each electrothermal transducing member to sandwich an insulating film and a temperature detecting circuit for detecting temperature information from each temperature detecting element are also provided.
US07722143B2	Ink jet printing apparatus and method of performing a maintenance process A content (an amount of ink to be suctioned, or the number of times ink is preliminarily ejected) of the maintenance process to be performed after the ink tank replacement is made different depending on the amount of ink so far consumed from a tank which is replaced. This makes it possible to check the color mixture which would otherwise occur after the new ink tank is attached to the printing apparatus, and to concurrently manage an amount of waste ink in order that ink should not be consumed more than necessary in a case where the color mixture is less likely to occur.
US07722140B2	Slide rail A slide rail includes a first slide and a second slide. The first slide provides a first arced surface. The second slide provides a second arced surface for being engaged with the first arced surface, so that the second slide is slidable relative to the first slide. The second arced surface has a same curvature as that of the first arced surface.
US07722139B1	Mechanism for quickly assembling or disassembling drawer slide A slide assembly includes an outer slide member on either side of a cabinet; two inner slide members each adapted to move relative to the outer slide member and comprising front and rear tabs each having an adjacent opening; a front locking unit on either side of a drawer and comprising a first projection having a flat side surface, and a downward bent first snapping member disposed rearward of the first projection; and a rear locking unit formed on either side of the drawer and comprising a second projection having a flat side surface, and a downward bent first snapping member disposed forwardly of the second projection. The first snapping member can be locked between the front opening and the front tab and the second snapping member can be locked between the rear opening and the rear tab without using tools.
US07722130B2	Brake system for straddle-type vehicle An improved brake system is provided for a vehicle including at least front and rear wheels. The brake system comprises a braking force generating mechanism, a brake lever assembly and a foot-operated brake pedal. The brake force generating mechanism applies a braking force to at least a front wheel or a rear wheel of the vehicle. The brake lever assembly includes a hand-operated lever and a force actuator. The force actuator moves between at least first and second positions so as to selectively actuate the brake force generating mechanism to produce a braking force. The force actuator interacts with the hand-operated lever such that movement of the hand-operated lever moves the force actuator from the first position to at least the second position. The force actuator also interacts with the brake pedal, which are coupled together by a cable. Movement the brake pedal also moves the force actuator from the first position to the second position.
US07722126B2	Mini sized side dump trailer A mini-sized side dump trailer comprising a wheeled frame having a pair of wheels supporting the rearward end thereof and a steerable front wheel assembly of the forward end thereof with a forwardly extending tongue extending from the front wheel assembly for connection to a small vehicle such as a utility terrain vehicle, an all terrain vehicle or a small tractor. The small side dump body may be pivoted to either the first side of the trailer or to the second side of the trailer.
US07722125B1	Displacement actuated side dumping haul body A displacement actuated side dumping haul body and related methods are disclosed. The side dumping haul body may, for example, be mounted to a trailer or truck frame. The side dumping haul body includes a floor with fore and aft end walls rigidly attached to the floor, at least one actuator and first and second sidewalls. When the at least one actuator is employed to pivot the floor to dump material from the haul body, the corresponding sidewall pivots at least generally away from the floor to create a side discharge opening. Various opening parameters and dumping characteristics can be achieved by varying locations of pivot and linkage points.
US07722117B2	Bleacher seat attachment bracket A seat cushion for selective attachment to a bleacher seat includes a bracket with a front jaw and a rear jaw. The front jaw includes multiple laterally spaced attachment locations for the rear jaw. A cushioned seat including a cushioned bottom and a flexible connected backrest attaches to the bracket to be held in place on a bleacher. The backrest may include a pocket formed from a transparent material for displaying a card within the pocket.
US07722114B2	Zero gravity wall hugger recliner A zero gravity wall hugger recliner having a motor drive, seat and backrest assembly that move back and forth on a trolley mounted on the chair base when the seat and backrest assembly move forward with the trolley on the chair base. A bracket attached between the base and seat moves the assembly from an upright to a reclined position. The recliner has a leg rest driven by a control bar attached between the leg rest and bracket for elevation the leg rest when the trolley moves forward and retracts the leg rest when the trolley moves to the rear.
US07722110B2	Wheel-less pick-up truck camper with internal jacks The wheel-less camper comprises at least one jack mounted to the camper, the first jack being disposed inside the first sidewall. The camper may include a second jack, the second jack being disposed inside the second sidewall. Each wall of the camper may have an inner wall and an outer wall, the first jack being disposed between the inner and outer wall of the first sidewall and the second jack being disposed between the inner wall and outer wall of the second sidewall. The camper may also include third jack and a fourth jack. In one embodiment, the inner walls are omitted. In another embodiment, the inner wall includes a bulged area or an unevenness to accommodate one or more of the jacks. In another embodiment, the first jack may be a pull-out jack that is movable between a first position in which it is disposed inside the first sidewall and a second position in which it extends out from the first sidewall. The camper may include a second pull-out jack.
US07722109B1	Multidirectional auxiliary sun visor and method of use thereof A multidirectional auxiliary sun visor having a main panel and a folding panel, wherein the folding panel may pivot in three directions. The auxiliary sun visor may be removably secured to an existing vehicular sun visor by utilizing hook-and-loop fasteners, or alternatively, elastic straps. An auxiliary sun visor may have pivot clips on the peripheral edges of a main panel dimensioned to receive a U-shaped frame that extends around a portion of the periphery of a folding panel. A set of pivot clips may be selected and unclipped allowing the folding panel to pivot in a direction determined by the remaining pivot clip. This provides the user with the ability to easily select an area in which to position an auxiliary sun visor to prevent sun glare in compliment to an existing vehicular sun visor.
US07722106B2	Tailgate for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle having such a tailgate In a tailgate for a motor vehicle, which comprises a lower tailgate body (18), on which a rear window (22) is mounted, on whose upper area a supplemental brake light (24) is provided, the rear window (22) is lowerable into the tailgate body (18), wherein the rear window, at least when the vehicle is driven, is lowerable only so far that its upper area provided with the supplemental brake light (24) upwardly projects from the tailgate body.
US07722105B2	Anchor cap for child safety seat An article includes a cover member, which can reversibly slide between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The article includes at least one track member disposed on one or opposing sides of the cover member. The article includes at least one support structure adapted to be received by the at least one track member in a sliding relation. The article includes at least one vertical support structure disposed in a fixed position relative to the cover member and adapted to mate with a bottom surface of the cover member in a vertically supporting relation. The article includes at least one mechanical stop limiting the range of motion of the cover member in an opening direction.
US07722095B2	Lid unit for thin-plate holding container, thin-plate holding container, and simplified attaching/detaching mechanism The present invention provides a lid unit for closing the container body 2 that is transported with thin-plates such as semiconductor wafers or the like accommodated therein. Simplified attaching/detaching mechanisms 32 for the production line are provided at the centers of the respective sides opposing with respect to each other. The simplified attaching/detaching mechanism 32 for the production line includes a locking plate 34 for locking the second fitted portion 21 and a drive-out member 35 for allowing the drive-out member 35 to rise and set by being engaged with the locking plate 34. A locking arm 57 for fixing the drive-out member 35 is provided on the drive-out member 35 at the end in the direction of rotation. A supporting rail 56 for controlling the rising and setting movement of the locking plate 34 is provided on the drive-out member 35. The locking plate 34 is supported pivotally and slidably, and is provided with a holding claw 51 for engaging the second fitted portion 21 at the distal end thereof. The thin-plate holding container 1 is used for transportation when the lid unit 4 for transportation is attached on the container body 2, and is used for the production line when the lid body 5 for the production line is attached thereon.
US07722094B2	Locking device for door A door locking device including: a door being mounted to an object to be capable of opening and closing a storage space of the object; a door handle being provided on a external surface of the door; a rotating bracket being mounted inside of the door to combine with a shaft of the door handle and thereby rotate together with the shaft; a rotating latch being provided between the door and the rotating bracket to rotate with the door handle, and detachably coupled with the rotating bracket along an axial direction of the shaft; a lock assembly being provided inside of the door to selectively restrain a rotation of the rotating latch; and a locking pin member being provided inside of the door to interoperate with the rotating latch, and selectively bind the door to the object according to a rotation manipulation of the door handle is provided.
US07722092B2	Pipe joint device by flange A pipe joint device using flanges is provided. The pipe joint device includes: flanges mounted to ends of pipes to be coupled together or ends of both a pipe and a pipe joint to be coupled together, the flange having at least one ring groove around an outer circumferential surface thereof; a packing mounted to the flanges and having inner rings around an inner circumferential surface thereof to closely engage with the ring grooves of the flanges; and a clamp having a packing seat to seat the packing therein, with a support sidewall formed by a radial inward extension of each side of the clamp, the clamp being divided into a plurality of clamp parts so that the clamp parts are placed around the packing and are fastened together by a locking member.
US07722091B1	RV waste discharge sewer line two-part adapter assembly with flexible seal and locking mechanism An adapter assembly for connecting a sewage drain pipe to a sewage disposal site inlet in fluid communication includes a hollow tubular member, a hollow adaptive member and flexible seal. The hollow tubular member having an open inlet adapted to engage threadable or otherwise to the end of a sewage drain pipe. A hollow adapter member having an open discharge end with adaptive features to be inserted into disposal site inlet. The tubular and adapter member interfacing via a rotational positive mechanical lock compressing an annular flexible seal radially or axially to ensure a dependable, long lasting low pressure fluid tight seal.
US07722087B2	Coupling having angularly oriented cavity A coupling for joining pipe elements in end to end relation is disclosed. The coupling includes interconnectable coupling segments having connection members at opposite ends. The connection members are tightenable for drawing the segments toward one another and into engagement with the pipe elements. Each segment has a concavity positioned between inwardly projecting arcuate surfaces that engage grooves in the pipe elements. The concavities house a sealing member that extends circumferentially around the pipe elements. Angularly oriented surfaces are positioned adjacent to the connection members. The surfaces on facing segments engage one another and cause the segments to rotate in opposite directions about an axis perpendicular to the pipe elements. The concavities are angularly oriented with respect to the axis so that when the segments rotate, the cavities receive the sealing member without distorting it. A method of joining pipe elements end to end is also disclosed.
US07722086B2	Falling-off prevention structure for connector A falling-off preventing holder is provided to reliably connect a fuel pipe and a connector. First and second flanges project outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of the fuel pipe. The connector includes a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion connected to the larger diameter portion via a step portion. A box-shaped falling-off preventing holder with an open surface is fitted to straddle the fuel pipe and the connector. First cutout of first end wall is fitted on the smaller diameter portion of the connector and abuts the step portion. Second end wall is fitted on the fuel pipe to abut the second flange. A pressure rib provided at the first end wall of the falling-off preventing holder is compressed by the step portion of the connector to be plastically deformed. A load in the connecting direction acting on the fuel pipe and the connector enables reliable connection.
US07722076B2	Knee airbag device A knee airbag device includes a knee airbag that is disposed in a folded state inside a steering column cover inside which a projection body that projects downward toward one side in a vehicle-width direction is disposed in a rear area, and a cylindrical inflator that supplies the gas to the knee airbag to deploy the knee airbag. The inflator is disposed inside the steering column cover such that at least a portion of the inflator is positioned in the rear area inside the steering column cover. The inflator is disposed in substantially parallel with an axis of a column tube such that the inflator is positioned below the column tube. The end portion of the inflator, in which a gas injection port is formed, faces toward a rear of the vehicle.
US07722073B2	Trailer coupler A new and improved trailer coupler which is spring loaded, and connected to the hitch ball of a towing vehicle is provided. Moreover, the new and improved trailer coupler has a latch activated from the top of the trailer coupler that is connected to a means for grasping and securing the hitch ball on a tow vehicle such that the trailer coupler does not unhitch from the ball of the tow vehicle. Further, the present invention provides a new and improved trailer coupler having a latch apparatus that facilitates engagement and disengagement of the trailer coupler to the hitch ball of the tow vehicle wherein the latch apparatus has a secondary locking mechanism in the form of a locking pin wherein the locking pin is placed in a position within the latch apparatus wherein the locking pin penetrates an opening within the latch such that the latch apparatus may not be manually or accidentally unlatched without prior removal of the locking pin.
US07722068B2	Adjustable seat for a children's ride-on vehicle An adjustable seat for a children's ride-on vehicle includes a seat having a pair of tubular brackets mounted thereto. A pair of rails are positioned on the frame of the vehicle and are received within the tubular brackets so that the seat slides on the rails. A series of seat adjustment holes are formed in each rail. Locking rods have distal ends that engage the seat adjustment holes in a removable fashion so that the seat may be selectively locked in position. A locking mechanism is mounted on the seat bottom and features a housing that encloses a compression spring and a pair of squeeze buttons that engage the locking rods and urge them into the seat adjustment holes of the rails.
US07722067B2	Vehicle running step A vehicle running step formed of an elongate tube, the tube having an opening therethrough with a plurality of spaced apart tread plates mounted within the opening. The spaced apart tread plates form a non-slip self-cleaning step area along the tube. Dirt, debris, snow and ice can pass between the spaced apart tread plates to increase overall safety of the device. Furthermore, the spaced apart tread plates are aesthetically pleasing and relatively simple to manufacture.
US07722065B2	Composite spring with resilient attachment interface A leaf spring for a vehicle suspension is formed from a composite material and includes first and second ends that are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. A resilient element is attached to at least one of the first and second ends. The resilient element includes at least one hole that receives a connecting element. The resilient element and the connecting element cooperate to attach the leaf spring to a vehicle structure. In one example, the resilient element comprises a rubber block that is bonded to the leaf spring. In another example, the resilient element comprises a longitudinally orientated bushing that is inserted through a thickness of the leaf spring.
US07722064B2	Tapered joint for vehicle suspension components A non-torque reactive air suspension exhibiting excellent roll stability characteristics is shown to include frame hangers mounted to frame rails extending longitudinally on opposite sides of a vehicle. Longitudinally extending beams are connected to the frame hangers at one end and extend parallel to the frame rails. At their other ends, the beams are joined by a crossbrace extending laterally across the vehicle centerline. In a central portion thereof, the beams have an axle pivot bore to which an axle clamp assembly is connected, the axle clamp assembly clamping a drive axle housing for the vehicle. The axle pivot bore is generally aligned with the drive axle. A control rod assembly is connected to suspension or frame components. Together with the beams, the control rod assembly forms a parallelogram configuration wherein the beams form the lower linkages of that configuration and the control rods included within the control rod assembly form the upper linkages of that configuration.
US07722063B2	Vehicle suspension system A suspension system for a tilting vehicular chassis based on more than three wheels separates a tilting component of the chassis from a non-tilting component. The non-tilting component provides a means for powering the vehicle with automotive-type engine and drive train options, while the tilting component provides the turning stability necessary for a narrower wheel base. The narrower wheel base benefits fuel economy. The multiplicity of wheels, and the breadth of platform thus enabled, permits shelter and comfort features for the occupant not otherwise available on a typical two-wheel chassis.
US07722058B2	Child support carrier attachable to a shopping cart A child support carrier for detachable connection to a shopping cart, the child support carrier comprising a body having a space thereon for supporting a child; a plurality of wheels on the body for stably supporting the body for rolling movement on the ground; the body having an attachment mechanism for detachably coupling to a frame of a shopping cart to allow movement of the child support carrier and shopping cart as a unit, the child support carrier being capable of use independently of the shopping cart when not attached to the shopping cart.
US07722057B2	Truck dolly saving method and apparatus An apparatus and method for lessening wear on a dolly on a trailer. The apparatus and method also saves the dolly on the trailer.
US07722056B2	Damping force generation system and vehicle suspension system constructed by including the same It is an object of the invention to improve the utility of an electromagnetic absorber system which is disposed in a suspension system of a vehicle and which generates a damping force by a generation force of a motor. The electromagnetic absorber system 18 is equipped with high-speed-motion responding means, thereby obviating an insufficiency of the damping force and a deterioration of the controllability in a high-speed stroke motion. More specifically, a hydraulic absorber 64 is provided in combination with the electromagnetic absorber system such that the hydraulic absorber 64 operates in the high-speed motion in which an electromotive force of the motor 68 exceeds a power source voltage Further, two motors having mutually different T-N characteristics are provided, and the two motors are selectively operated depending upon a stroke speed. Further, a variable resistor is interposed between the motor and the power source, and a resistance value of the variable resistor is increased in the high-speed motion to realize a decrease in a time constant of the motor, etc. Moreover, to cope with a large extent of unevenness of a road surface, an active stroke motion is performed by a drive force of the motor, thereby preventing the high-speed motion from being performed.
US07722049B2	Multipurpose bowl A multipurpose bowl assembly including a bowl, a target having a coupler configured to attach the target to the bowl and a launching device coupled to the bowl and configured to propel at least one item in a direction generally toward the target.
US07722048B2	Mini-hold 'em games A playing card wagering game has a player hand compete against another player hand according to three-card poker rank or a player hand compete against a dealer hand. At least one or two players place a first wager on the card wagering game and an optional second side bet wager. The player hand begins with two respective hole cards and all player hands are completed with community playing cards dealt in sets of cards. Relative rank of the players' hands is determined. The first wager is resolved based upon the determined relative rank by determining which player hand(s) wins. The second wager is resolved according to rules that comprise comparing rank of each player's hand to a paytable.
US07722047B2	System and method for playing a game including a mortgaging option A method and apparatus of playing a game provides a player with at least one option for playing at least one round of the game in accordance with at least one advantage and/or disadvantage. For example, a player may agree to play a current round of play and/or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule.
US07722046B2	Casino roulette game A game apparatus having a roulette wheel with a plurality of wheel sections, a pointer for randomly selecting one of the wheel sections, and a playing surface adapted for placing wagers concerning the randomly selected wheel section. Each of the wheel sections has two separate number representations, such as the faces of a pair of dice, which are summed to represent a summation for the wheel section. The playing surface has a plurality of wager sections corresponding to the summations of the wheel sections on the roulette wheel. The roulette wheel can further include a second plurality of wheel sections having representations of the suits of a deck of playing cards thereon and the playing surface can further include one or more wager sections corresponding to the second plurality of wheel sections.
US07722042B2	Game comprising a playing surface formed from a resilient material This invention relates a playing surface (1) for a game that may be played by opposing players or teams of players. The playing surface is formed from a resilient material and may be of polygonal or regular shape. The playing surface is provided with at least one scoring means, for example formed as an opening with a suspended pocket. The playing surface may be formed from a woven textile material into which is incorporated a resilient material such as lycra so that the playing surface as a whole can be stretched and physically deformed in two directions or combinations thereof.
US07722038B1	Retractable image camera mechanism for a document processing system A document processing system includes a feeder stage, a transport stage, and a retractable mechanism cooperating with a portion of the document track. An assertable member is arranged with respect to the document track such that assertion of the member causes retraction of the opposed track walls in the cooperating portion of the document track by retracting a first base member from a second base member. An imaging assembly is composed of an imaging device and an image glass. The image glass is positioned as one side of the document track at the retractable mechanism. In the retracted state, the imaging assembly is retracted to provide access to the imaging device and the document track.
US07722033B2	Sheet feeding apparatus, and recording apparatus and reading apparatus comprising same A sheet feeding apparatus is provided that includes a sheet feeding tray 21 that can rotate to open and close; a sheet positioning portion 25a disposed in a sheet feeding portion such that it can contact against a side end of stacked sheets S; an edge limiting member 211 disposed in the sheet feeding tray such that it can contact against a side end of the sheets on a side that is further upstream than the sheet positioning portion; and a control unit that controls an inverted posture of the edge limiting member in response to an operation to open or close the sheet feeding tray; wherein the edge limiting member rises accompanying an operation to open the sheet feeding tray and the edge limiting member collapses accompanying an operation to close the sheet feeding tray.
US07722032B2	Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding device, includes a sheet loading table; a sheet feeding member that feeds a sheet from an uppermost portion of sheets stacked on the sheet loading table; a regulating member that regulates a side of sheets, in a transverse direction orthogonal to a sheet feeding direction; an opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes a sheet feeding section; a lowering mechanism that lowers the sheet loading table that holds sheets at a sheet feeding position, to a lower position by opening the opening and closing mechanism; an adjusting mechanism that adjusts a position of the regulating member in the transverse direction; and a holding mechanism that holds a position of the sheet loading table so as to hold the sheets at the sheet feeding position even when the opening and closing mechanism is opened.
US07722030B2	Sheet feeder A sheet feeder is provided. The sheet feeder includes a sheet tray which retains a sheet; a first rotating body for applying a first conveying force to the sheet retained in the sheet tray; a second rotating body for applying a second conveying force to the sheet retained in the sheet tray; and a conveying force transfer unit which controls the second rotating body based on whether the first rotating body slips on the sheet.
US07722029B2	Sheet feed method, a sheet feeder, and an image forming apparatus incorporating the sheet feeder A method for use in a sheet feeder having a sheet stacking unit with a bottom plate to support a sheet bundle in which air is blown against a side edge of the sheet bundle near the topmost sheets of the bundle, thereby lifting these sheets from the bundle, and separating the uppermost sheet from the bundle, and conveying this sheet away from the bundle, wherein the lifting of the sheets when the bundle is nearly depleted is assisted by forcing an element situated underneath the bundle to push against the bundle solely when air is blown against the side edge of the bundle. A sheet feeder suitable for applying the present method and an imaging apparatus for incorporating the sheet feeder is also provided.
US07722027B2	Vacuum belt conveyor The invention concerns a vacuum belt conveyor for transferring veneer sheets under a vacuum effect. The conveyor consists of a vacuum box under a vacuum effect, having at least one perforation extending lane-like in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor. Conveying belts are running on both sides of the perforation. The belts are brought into contact with a veneer sheet to be transferred, whereby the veneer sheet and the belts line an underpessurized space, and the sheet is retained in contact with the belts. A lug movable in the direction of the vacuum lane is arranged at the perforation for keeping any jamming debris away.
US07722024B2	Apparatus and method for detecting positions of stack guide and stack roller An object of the present invention is to stably perform money deposit and withdrawal operations in a recyclebox by detecting positions of a stack guide and a stack roller.An apparatus for detecting the positions of a stack guide and a stack roller includes a stack roller positioned below a feed roller to come in contact with the outer periphery of the feed roller so that a plurality of wings thereof pushes the end of paper money to be deposited when money is deposited in order to align and stack the paper money, and the wings recede from a conveyance path of paper money when money is withdrawn; a stack guide fixed to a rotating shaft of the feed roller; and a position detecting unit detecting positions of the stack roller and the stack guide when money is deposited/withdrawn.
US07722023B2	Bookbinding apparatus and bookbinding system The problem of unevenness that an outer shape is different for each booklet is solved by correcting coating thickness control depending on a thickness of a sheet bundle, based on booklet information which includes information on at least the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle, keeping adjustment of a coating thickness for adhesive depending on a thickness of a sheet bundle as a basic method.
US07722022B2	Machine for trimming the fore-edge of books provided with a flapped cover A machine is provided for trimming the fore-edge of books including at least one conveyor device having two superposed belts mounted about relative pulleys, the distance between the adjacent branches of the two belts being equal to the thickness of the books, which are fed to one end of the conveyor device with their spine parallel to its direction of movement and their fore-edge to be trimmed projecting from the belts, a trimming blade movable in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of movement of the books, and a presser and counter-presser to make contact with opposing parts of a book block which are adjacent to the cutting plane of the trimming blade. The machine further comprises two furrowers, one for each of the two faces of the books to open openable book parts before the trimming operation.
US07722021B2	Sheet processing apparatus A sheet processing apparatus of the invention includes a folding mechanism that includes paired folding rollers, presses a sheet to a nip portion of the paired folding rollers from a direction orthogonal to a transport direction, and folds the sheet by rotating the paired folding rollers. Further, there are provided a drive motor capable of making positive rotation and reverse rotation, a variable speed mechanism to convert a rotation force of the drive motor into a rotation output in a single direction and with a low speed or a high speed by changing a rotation direction of the drive motor, a transmission mechanism to transmit the rotation output in the single direction to the paired folding rollers, and a control unit to control the rotation direction of the drive motor and to change the rotation speed of the paired folding rollers.
US07722020B2	Arrangement and a method for clamping thin rods An arrangement for clamping a thin rod of glass or quartz having a diameter below 1 mm in two mutually-spaced clamping locations for holding the rod extended between the two clamping locations. The arrangement also comprises first clamping device arranged to clamp the rod in a first clamping location. The first clamping device has a first clamping member (22) with a clamp face (23) of substantially V-groove type for receiving the rod in the groove (24). The first clamping member is movably arranged with respect to a framework (45) of the apparatus for clamping a rod.
US07722017B2	System and method for determining appropriate conditions for leveling a vehicle having an air suspension system A method of determining appropriate conditions for leveling a vehicle having a height adjustable air suspension system. The method includes the steps of providing an acceleration-determining device adapted to output a signal associated with an acceleration of the vehicle. Another step includes measuring an acceleration value of the vehicle and comparing the acceleration value to a pre-determined signal. Yet another step includes determining whether appropriate conditions exist for leveling the vehicle based on the comparison. A system for performing the steps of the method is also included.
US07722015B2	Internal shape of rotor for two-bore rotary carburetor used in stratified scavenging engine The present invention provides an internal shape of a rotor for a two-bore rotary carburetor used in a stratified scavenging engine whereby an engine for a power saw, lawn mower, or the like can be stabilized in the course of a complete change in orientation during idling. A groove pocket (10) in communication with a fuel supply-side bore (8) is formed at the aperture edge of each of the upstream end and the downstream end of a carburetor rotor valve (6) toward an accelerated rotation direction in the fuel supply-side bore (8) of the rotor valve (6). The groove pocket (10) is shaped so as to gradually rise and decrease in cross-sectional surface area toward the accelerated rotation direction along a peripheral surface of the rotor valve (6). The resulting structure is one in which the groove pocket (10) is initially superposed with the mixing channel during horizontal rotation of the rotor valve (6), the fuel supply-side bore (8) and the mixing channel are in communication with each other, and the fuel supply-side bore (8) opens before the air supply-side bore (7) does.
US07722011B1	Jack extension system A jack extension system includes a mechanical jack that has a vertical support and a foot mounted on the vertical support. The foot is moved upwardly or downwardly on the vertical support. The vertical support has an upper end. A bracket is removably attached to the upper end of the jack. The bracket has an opening extending therethrough. A post has a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end comprises a coupler that is removably attached to the foot. The top end comprises a plate. The post extends through the bracket and the plate is abuttable against an object to be lifted.
US07722003B2	Display elevation adjusting apparatus Spiral springs (20) pressing a lift member (30) in an upward direction is arranged so that wound-up portions (20b) thereof move up and down along lift paths (13a, 13b) according as the lift member (30) moves up and down. In each lift path (13a, 13b) is provided a push-fit portion (40) of which a width is narrower than an outer diameter of the wound-up portion (20b) of the spiral spring (20), and in which according as the lift member (30) is lowered, the wound-up portion (20b) is fitted in such a manner that the wound-up portion becomes radially compressed. Accordingly, a cost-efficient and universally applicable display elevation adjusting apparatus can be provided which can make the operation feeling at the time of raising adjustment constant and can attain adjustment to suit the preference.
US07722001B2	Bar clamp assembly A bar clamp assembly configured to be secured to a structure through a fastener includes a bar clamp, a securing base, and a fastener retention member. The securing base may be integrally formed with the bar clamp, and is configured to receive and retain the fastener. The fastener retention member is within or on the securing base, and is configured to secure the fastener in the securing base. The bar clamp assembly may also include a plurality of braces, clips and other support structures between the bar clamp and the securing base in order to provide a more robust assembly.
US07721999B2	Aerospace vehicle fairing systems and associated methods Aerospace vehicle fairing systems and associated methods, including fairings that house flap surface drive mechanisms on aircraft, are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one embodiment, for example, can include adjusting lift distribution across an airfoil. The airfoil includes a first inboard portion and a second outboard portion. The method can include locating a point of maximum curvature of a first fairing at least approximately forward of a trailing edge of the airfoil proximate to the first inboard portion. The method can also include locating a point of maximum curvature of a second fairing at least approximately aft of a trailing edge of the airfoil proximate to the second outboard portion. The locations of the points of maximum curvature for the first and second fairings are based, at least in part, on a target lift distribution.
US07721997B1	Method and system for providing cruciform steered, bent biconic and plasma suppression for maximum accuracy A system for reducing plasma induced communication disruption utilizes an electrophilic gas injectant, bent reentry vehicle nose shaping and a number of flaps configured to provide 3-axis steering capability. Injecting electrophilic gas injectant into plasma accomplishes reduction of plasma induced communication disruption by removing free electrons in the plasma which causes the communication disruption. For reentry vehicles, a bent biconic nose also reduces plasma effect during reentry. By combining electrophilic gas injection and bent nose shaping, the system reduces and/or eliminates plasma induced communication disruption, such as, GPS communication blackout, for a reentry vehicle during reentry. Furthermore, the 3-axis steering capability renders the reentry vehicle more maneuverable. Performance of the reentry vehicle during reentry, such as, target accuracy, is thus improved.
US07721995B2	Rib support for wing panels An innovative wing structure provides fibs to support skin panels without an attachment between the rib and the stringer free flange or the web. The support is provided by rib shear ties installed directly to the stringer skin flange. The rib incorporates a cut away to allow the stringer to pass through the rib. The composite stringer is an ‘I’ section and is stable under compression, not requiring mechanical methods to prevent rolling over.
US07721994B2	Holder for interior installations in airplanes Nowadays, sliding bearings are usually used which apply the so-called plug-shoe principle to level-out dynamic movements of the surrounding. In this application, there is proposed a sliding bearing for airplanes comprising a frame, a carrier plate and a fast-locking element. The fast-locking element may allow for a mounting of interior installations at the sliding bearing perpendicular to the ceiling surface. Further, by means of the sliding bearing according to the invention, an unintended gliding-out of the carrier plate out of the frame may be prevented. In this way, a light and cost-effective sliding bearing may be provided, by means of which the mounting effort of interior installations is facilitated.
US07721991B2	Translatable and rotatable passenger seat A passenger seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back operably coupled to the seat bottom. The passenger seat is translatable fore-and-aft and side-to-side in a horizontal direction, and is rotatable about a vertical axis so as to be oriented in any desired horizontal direction. The passenger seat is movable between an upright seating position and a reclined sleeping position. A passenger seating arrangement consists of a plurality of passenger seats arranged in a column with adjacent passenger seats separated by a privacy divider. A tray table carried by the privacy divider is mounted so as to be selectively raised and lowered and to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. Each passenger seat may include a leg rest operably coupled to the seat bottom and movable between a lowered position and a raised position for use in the upright seating position and the reclined sleeping position, respectively.
US07721990B2	Passenger compartment The field relates to a compartment of an aircraft. The compartment is delimited by a section of the outer wall of the cabin, as well as by two identical foldable partition segments that delimit the compartment from adjacent compartments. So that a compartment passenger's compliance with the requirement to fasten the seat belt may nonetheless be verified during the flight, the partition segments are arranged such that between them access openings to the compartment are created.
US07721986B2	Fishing spinning reel A fishing spinning reel of the invention includes a spool wound with a fish line, a rotor rotatable through a pinion gear brought in mesh with a drive gear rotated by a winding operation of a handle, a switch mechanism including a switch lever capable of operating to switch a restricting state of restricting rotation of the spool and a free state of making the spool free, and a return mechanism for returning the switch mechanism brought into the spool free state to the restricting state by the winding operation of the handle. The return mechanism includes a connecting gear brought in mesh with a gear driven by the drive gear, and a kick member rotatably supported centering on the connecting gear, and a center of a mesh portion of the gear and the connecting gear is arranged on a side of the drive gear relative to an axis center of the pinion gear.
US07721985B2	Welding wire guide ring A wire guiding device includes a base and a guide portion for streamlining the flow of coiled wire from a storage container. Side walls may be included to bridge the distance between the device and the storage container to prevent wire from rising upward around the outside of the wire guiding device. As the amount of wire in the bin decreases, the wire guiding device will float downward maintaining constant downward pressure on the coil of wire. Wire in the storage container will therefore be drawn out in a smooth manner limiting or substantially preventing tangles. Protrusions may also be formed around the peripheral edge of the wire guiding device for preventing the wire from rising up and over the wire guiding device.
US07721983B2	Crusher A crusher comprises a crushing rotor being rotatable and having a crushing bit to crush target materials to be crushed, a feed conveyor for conveying the target materials toward the crushing rotor, and a pressing feeder unit including a pressing roller disposed above the feed conveyor and introducing the target materials on the feed conveyor toward the crushing rotor while pressing the target materials from above, and an anvil disposed at a position which is closer to the crushing rotor than a point where the pressing roller presses the target materials and which is outward of the crushing rotor in the radial direction. The fixed bit has a bumping surface, against which the target materials bump, disposed in an opposed relation to the rotating direction of the crushing bit, thereby crushing the target materials introduced toward the crushing rotor.
US07721981B2	Mechanical brush chipper feed control bar A mechanical control mechanism for the feed of a brush chipper is disclosed. The feed control bar has four positions: (1) forward or feed, (2) neutral, (3) reverse, and (4) stop. The hydraulic control valve has the three usual positions: (1) forward or feed, (2) neutral, (3) reverse. A function of the feed control bar is to provide the three function of the hydraulic control valve, plus the fourth in a fashion amenable to emergency situations. To these ends, the control bar has an extreme rearward position wherein the feed mechanism is stopped. The only permissible change to the stopped condition of the feed mechanism is to reverse the feed. Until a reset lever is manipulated, the hydraulic control valve cannot be put into a forward feed position.
US07721977B2	Vibration reduction pad for hand-held paint spray guns A pad for handle grips of hand held paint spray guns. Frequent prolonged use of paint spray guns can result in the fatiguing and stressing of operator hands. Fatigue and stress can be aggravated by requiring the operator to hold his or her hand in essentially one position on the handle grip. The pad reduces such fatigue and stress. The pad fits within a recessed region that is molded into the paint spray gun handle where the operator's palm meets the grip. Alternatively, the pad could be attached to existing paint spray gun handle grips that are lacking the recessed region. The pad is made of a material that is less dense than the synthetic resinous material of the spray gun handle grip. Preferably, the material is plastic foam or gel and is attached to the spray gun handle using an acrylic glue. The pad is designed to absorb some of the vibrational energy that is transmitted to the operator's hand in current spray gun handles. This reduction in vibrational energy transmission decreases operator fatigue and stress. The pad is deformable which provides the operator with added comfort by improving the fit between the operator's palm and the spray gun handle grip, thus reducing fatigue and stress. The material of the pad allows for a better grip by the operator on the spray gun handle. In addition, the material of the pad combined with its positioning against the operator's palm acts to distribute heat away from the hand of the operator. The pad is designed to accommodate different hand sizes and shapes without the need to remove and replace hand grip covers or sleeves. The deformability of the pad also allows the operator to modify his or her hand positions during operation which reduces operator fatigue and stress.
US07721974B2	Thermostat device A thermostat device includes a valve housing with a cooling water passage of an internal combustion engine, a built-in thermally expansive body thermally expanded or contracted by temperature change of cooling water, a piston rod slid by thermal expansion/contraction of the expansive body, and a valve body subjected to opening/closing operation by the piston rod in accordance with volume change of the expansive body. A valve seat shape on downstream side than the valve seat, which is an internal wall face forming the passage is formed in a shape that in valve open condition the cross-sectional area of the passage between an inlet seal of the valve seat and the top face of the valve body gradually decreases with reference to the maximum passage cross-sectional area on upstream side and that the cross-sectional area of the passage at the face perpendicular to the top face gradually increases.
US07721970B2	Mounting apparatus for card reader A mounting apparatus for mounting a card reader that defines a fixing hole in a sidewall thereof, and forms a first connector in a rear wall thereof, includes a chassis, a bracket slidably mounted to the chassis, a pair of first resilient members, and a locking member. The chassis includes a front wall defining a first opening for the card reader passing therethrough. A second connector is mounted to the bracket, corresponding to the first connector of the card reader. The first resilient members are connected between the chassis and the bracket. The first resilient members are stretched when mounting the card reader. The locking member includes a retaining member mounted to the chassis, and a securing member mounted to the retaining member via a second resilient member. The securing member includes a securing portion protruding therefrom for engaging with the fixing hole of the card reader.
US07721957B2	Method of processing a ticket order A method of processing a ticket order requesting the production of an identification tag for an article of commerce can be accomplished in the following manner. In the first step, a ticketing services provider receives the ticket order placed by the client, the ticket order including, inter alia, order information (e.g., purchase order information) with respect to the article to which the tag is to be affixed. Having received the order, the ticketing services provider associates a unique identification code, such as an automatically-retrievable electronic product code (EPC), with the identification tag (e.g., by programming the IC chip of an RFID tag with the unique identification code). In turn, a file is stored in an electronically-accessible database which links the unique identification code for the ID tag with the order information for the article to which the tag is to be affixed. In this manner, the client can retrieve the order information relating to each individual article of commerce that it produces. The ability to track order information for individual articles of commerce is useful in, among other things, anti-counterfeit, anti-diversion, inventory management and article return applications.
US07721953B1	Cash dispensing automated banking machine diagnostic system An automated banking machine (10) operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. A controller (72) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices (118, 126) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices (128) adjacent a card reader slot (28) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of unauthorized card reading devices. Servicing the machine is facilitated through use of a portable diagnostic article (98) which enables the controller to access diagnostic data stored in memory and which provides data indicative of the significance of the diagnostic data.
US07721951B1	Card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine component authentication system and method A card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine is provided which includes a safe and at least a portion of a cash dispenser positioned within the safe. The cash dispenser includes an input device which when manually operated from within the safe causes the cash dispenser to accept data usable to authenticate communicates received from a computer located outside the safe in the automated banking machine. The cash dispenser is operative responsive to authenticated communication to dispense cash.
US07721947B2	Biological sample processing apparatus that selects the personality type of the apparatus A biological sample processing apparatus having a central processing unit, a display in communication with the central processing unit and a selector for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the selector being in communication with the central processing apparatus. The selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.
US07721944B2	Whip A whip comprising a shaft having a first and second end, the shaft being arranged to provide a handle at the first end and a flapper located at the second end. The shaft comprises at least one planar fin located at the second end of the shaft, the fin being at least partially sheathed with the flapper.
US07721941B2	Packing case A packing case is provided preferably manufactured from a material on which weakening lines can be formed, such as cardboard or plastic. The packaging case includes a straight side weakening line in a center of each of two opposite folding walls of the case. The side weakening lines are vertically arranged along an entire extension of the opposite folding walls. A straight bottom weakening line is formed in a center of the bottom of the packing case, the straight bottom weakening line joining the side weakening lines together. Symmetrical sets of angled bottom weakening lines are provided, each set being arranged at each end region of the bottom of the packing case adjacent to each opposite folding wall. The weakening lines from each set are arranged parallel to one another with their vertex at the central bottom weakening line and the legs of each set ending at the base of a respective one of the opposite folding walls.
US07721938B2	Friction stirring-joining method and method of manufacturing hollow body A friction stir welding method in which a base having a recess, and a cover for fitting into and closing the opening of the recess are prepared. A stepped portion on the inner circumferential surface of the recess at an intermediate depth allows a peripheral portion of the cover to rest thereon. A cylindrical holder portion having a cooling-medium accommodation recess is formed integrally with the outer surface of the cover. The cover is fitted into the recess and placed on the stepped portion. A cooling medium is placed in the cooling-medium accommodation recess. A friction-stir-welding tool probe is plunged into a peripheral portion of the base around an opening of the recess and into a peripheral portion of the cover. During rotation of the probe, the base, and the cover, and the probe undergo relative movement, friction-stir-welding the base and the cover together.
US07721937B2	Weld metal material apparatus and method A solid weld-metal-producing material is formed by agglomerating weld metal material powder. An igniter may be integrally formed in or on the agglomerated weld metal material. In addition to typical components of a weld metal material mixture, such as a reductant metal and a transition metal oxide, the agglomerated weld metal mixture may include a binder material, such as sodium silicate. In addition to functioning as a binder to help hold the agglomerated weld metal material together, the binder material may aid in the exothermic reaction that occurs when the weld metal material is ignited. The agglomerated weld metal material may be made by mixing together a reductant metal powder, a transition metal oxide powder, and possibly a binder solution. A slurry of the components may be pressed together, for example, using a die and a ram, and then may be dried.
US07721934B2	Articulatable drive shaft arrangements for surgical cutting and fastening instruments A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument. The instrument also includes a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector. The instrument also includes a handle comprising a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, a closure trigger for causing the end effector to clamp an object positioned in the end effector when the closure trigger is retracted, and a firing trigger separate from the closure trigger for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. The instrument further comprises means for articulating the end effector.
US07721933B2	Surgical fastener applying apparatus A surgical fastener applying apparatus is provided including a cartridge half-section and an anvil half-section, the cartridge half-section and anvil half-section being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position; and a loading unit receivable in the cartridge half-section and having a plurality of staples and a plurality of staple pusher members. The cartridge half-section includes a frame; a member being longitudinally movable through the loading unit to interact with the plurality of staple pusher members to fire the staples; and a lockout mechanism arranged to block advancement of the member in a locked-out position of the lockout mechanism. In use, after loading of the loading unit in the surgical fastener applying apparatus and subsequent clamping of the cartridge and anvil half-sections, the lockout mechanism is moved to an unlocked position to allow advancement of the member.
US07721921B2	Tap unit for a beverage dispenser The present invention relates to a cartridge unit for a beverage dispensing system with an inner channel for the dispensation of a beverage, characterized in that the cartridge unit comprises a first part, which is made of an inflexible material and a second part, which is made of a flexible material.
US07721920B2	Ergonomic cap for plastic aerosol container A cap is provided for coupling with a pressure-resistant container to form an aerosol spray bottle. The cap includes a spray trigger for controlling a valve. The cap can have an outward slant from the cap bottom where the cap couples with the container. The top profile of the cap from a side view can have a convex shape. The cap can have a front side where the substance is expelled that is higher than the back side where the base of a user's finger would be when the user actuates the trigger with a fingertip.
US07721917B2	Integrated washing agent dispenser, in particular for a dishwasher The device (1) can be used in particular for the pivotable door of a dishwasher and comprises, in a structure or body (2) a first dispenser device (5, 6) for a washing agent, and a second dispenser device (4) for rinse agent, an electrically controlled actuator device (20, 21) connected to the first dispenser device (5, 6) in such a way that when the door is closed, a first excitation of the actuator device (20, 21) causes substantially only washing agent to be dispensed, and connected to the second dispenser device (4) by means of a transmission mechanism (22, 23) which includes a pivotable interconnecting element (23). The interconnecting element (23) is able to make the mechanism (22, 23) inoperative when the door of the dishwasher is opened, and to make it operative after a first excitation of the actuator device (20, 21) after the door has been closed. One end (23a) of this interconnecting element (23) is pivoted directly onto a movable control member (18) of the second dispenser device (4).
US07721916B2	Pour spout A container has a body with a body opening. A spout fitment base is positioned within the body opening. A spout has a threaded engagement with the spout fitment base for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A cap has a removed condition disengaged from the body, spout fitment base, and spout. The cap has an installed condition having a threaded engagement with at least one of the body and spout base fitment. An unscrewing of the cap from its installed condition rotates the spout so that the threaded engagement with the spout with the spout base fitment drive the spout from the retracted condition toward the extended condition.
US07721915B2	Hybrid inflator with temporary gas generator throttle A dual stage hybrid inflation device includes a first stage gas source including a liquefied gas stored in a first stage pressure vessel and a second stage gas source including a gas generator having a gas output directed into the first stage pressure vessel. The gas generator is isolated from the first stage pressure vessel by a frangible diaphragm that ruptures when the pressure in the gas generator exceeds the pressure in the first stage pressure vessel by a predetermined amount. The gas generator is also isolated from the first stage pressure vessel by an eroding nozzle that temporarily restricts the flow of gas from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel after the frangible diaphragm ruptures. The eroding nozzle initially restricts the flow of gas from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel to prevent a sudden pressure drop in the gas generator that would cause the pyrotechnic gas generating material to self extinguish. The nozzle then erodes away to allow an unrestricted flow of combustion products from the gas generator to the first stage pressure vessel.
US07721909B2	Tank A tank for an agricultural field sprayer having a fill region and a first closure. To avoid costly connections for lines at the tank and to reduce the cost of manufacture of the tank, the first closure can be rigidly connected to the tank and provided with an opening uncovered by a second closure. The connections of the first closure are arranged on a region configured as a connecting region, so that an access to the fill region is made possible by the second closure, even if the sprayer is in operation, particularly in a washing-in operation or in a circulating operation.
US07721907B2	Child-resistant flip-top dispensing closure and package A child-resistant closure includes a base, and a lid integrally molded and coupled to the base by a hinge. The lid has a latch arm resiliently extending from a periphery opposite the hinge and having oppositely extending tabs adjacent to a free end of the latch arm. The base has an external recess for receiving the latch arm and spaced ledges in the recess for engagement by the tabs to lock the lid in a closed position. The latch arm is engageable by a user to pivot the latch arm radially inwardly within the passage and release the tabs from the ledges so the lid can be pivoted toward an open position. The tabs and the ledges are recessed radially inwardly from the outer surface of the latch arm in the closed position of the lid with the tabs engaged beneath the ledges.
US07721905B2	Receptacle lid with integral work surface A lid device for use with a container includes a lid, a frame, and a two-axis pivot coupling connecting the lid to the frame. The frame is mounted to or otherwise connected to the container rim. The lid has a substantially flat and rigid work surface on which a workpiece can be placed. A user can pivot the lid about a first axis to laterally offset the lid from the central opening by a desired amount. With the lid in such an offset position, the user can access the container to, for example, discard waste materials, without having to remove a workpiece resting on the work surface. The greater the amount by which the user offsets the lid, the greater the amount of the container opening that is accessible. A user can also pivot the lid about a second axis to swing the lid open and closed if, for example, the user desires greater access to the container and no workpiece is resting on the work surface.
US07721904B2	Hydraulic tank access cover with self-centering and anti-rotation device A hydraulic access cover assembly for a hydraulic reservoir tank that provides a self-centering and anti-rotation feature for quick and positive sealing of the tank. Tabs located on the inner cover interlock with tabs incorporated into the tank access hole to provide the self-centering and anti-rotation features. This system eliminates the need to weld anything to the tank, which eliminates a potential contamination source of the hydraulics.
US07721901B1	Thin-walled plastics bottle, closure and bottling process A sealing arrangement for a plastic bottle includes a blow-molded bottle having a body and a mouth that includes an opening, an injection molded neck that includes a continuous wall that defines a top wall-opening and a bottom wall-opening. The top wall-opening provides a pour spout for liquid contained within the body of the bottle. The bottom wall-opening is fused to the mouth of the bottle so as to surround the bottle's opening. A removable flange is located generally within the bottom wall-opening and a frangible region connects the flange to the wall. A foil is secured to a side of the flange that is generally adjacent to the bottom wall-opening, and the foil is adapted to close the bottom wall-opening. A plurality of foil-cutting teeth are carried by the wall generally adjacent to the bottom wall-opening, generally adjacent to the side of the flange and generally adjacent to the foil. A pull member is secured to the flange. Manual operation of the pull member separates the flange from the wall, as at least a portion of the foil is cut by the teeth. An injection-molded cap removably closes the top wall-opening. The wall includes a weakened portion that will break upon an attempt to physically remove the wall from the bottle. The cap includes a cover plate that covers the top wall-opening and a skirt that extends from the cover plate to cover the weakened portion of the wall.
US07721900B2	Sportboard storage rack system A sportboard storage rack system, for holding one or more sportboards that have a narrow region and a wider region. The rack system has a first member that defines a blind recess into which a sportboard is placed, the recess having an open face with a width that is greater than the width of the narrow region of the sportboard and less than the width of the wider region of the sportboard, the recess also having an inner area in communication with the open face, the inner area having a width that is greater than the width of the open face, and less than the width of the wider region of the sportboard.
US07721899B2	Toothbrush holder A toothbrush holder supports one or more toothbrushes in an equilibrium position between a retention cavity in an inclined base wall and a corresponding recess in an edge of a top wall. The retention cavity is preferably a hole in the inclined base wall and the recess in the top wall is preferably arcuate. The top wall is supported by a rear wall between the inclined base wall and the top wall. Support legs extending from the back of the rear wall allow the holder to be freestanding. Attachment means on a vertical upper portion of the rear wall allow the holder to be secured to a wall. The walls of the holder can be made from a single sheet of material, such as acrylic sheet or metal sheet.
US07721897B2	Automated sample collection apparatus An apparatus and method for collecting, sorting and storing samples from multiple batches of copper cathode is disclosed. Samples are collected at a sampling station and transferred to a collection container. The samples are then transferred to a sorting container by way of chutes forming a continuous path from the collection container to the sorting container. The sorting container is affixed on the top surface of an automated carousel having a plurality of sorting containers for sorting samples from multiple batches. Samples in the sorting containers are recovered into storage containers through an access door panel and a funnel placed beneath the access door.
US07721892B2	Adaptable tote for beverage cups and plates The invention is a beverage cup tote to be carried on the forearm or with the hand. The construct has an enlarged first end attached with bridge section to an enlarged second end. There is a first hole in the first enlarged end, and a second hole in a second enlarged end. The holes may be rectangular or round to receive typical food containers or beverage cups. The bridge section has either symmetrical or asymmetrical quarter circle trimmings. A pair of constructs maybe affixed with each other with a pin clip, glue, or staples to produce a generally X shaped combination construct. The beverage cup totes may be manufactured as a combination construct by the manufacturer to produce a strengthened unit, or manufactured as a generally X shaped combination construct unit with cup openings on each branch. The process of using the invention is described.
US07721888B2	Floral stand, frame kit and container and method of use A product packaging container including end caps with reciprocating pins moved by rotating cams that secure a sidewall sheet fabricated of a flexible material capable of receiving ink or laser printing on one surface, and an end cap may include a sound-playing circuit that plays when the pins are actuated to release the sidewall sheet. Embodiments of a frusto-conical floral stand with a nutrient-filled bladder are provided. A frame kit is provided that, when assembled, holds the sidewall sheet of the container therewithin. A method for processing orders and shipping parcels such as horticultural articles in such containers is also provided, and the orders may specify a personalized sound and a personalized message on the sidewall sheet for framing.
US07721886B2	Sharps container for “no-touch,” sequential safe storage of used pen needles A sharps container for safe storage of used pen needles comprises a housing within which is rotatably mounted a used pen needle receiving and ejecting means. Used pen needles are inserted into the receiving means. The receiving and ejecting means is rotated; during the rotation, cam follower means connected to the ejecting means engages cam means within the housing to cause the ejection of the used pen needle into the housing.
US07721885B2	Portable dispensers for articles Portable dispensers for coiled roofing nails, nail strips, roof staples, sheathing staples, welding rods, welding tools, framing nails and the like. The dispenser has an open top container which may be fastened to the belt of the user.
US07721884B2	Golf club protection system The present invention relates to systems and methods for protecting a golf club head region. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a golf club protection system that protects the head region of a golf club from incidental damage. The system includes a first and second member. The first and second members are shaped to include a combined internal region corresponding to the shape of a golf club head. The first and second members are also moveably coupled to one another to enable the insertion and removal of a golf club from the system. The first member may further include a releasable shaft coupling system that releasably engages the shaft in response to a coupling force between the shaft and the first member. The nature of the moveable coupling between the first and second member may enable the second member to internally move within or overlap the first member.
US07721879B2	Bar code blocking package A method and apparatus for blocking a bar code in a package includes a carrier with a plurality of apertures. The carrier is formed with a plastic material containing an absorbing dye and a fluorescing dye so that a bar code on each container is not readable by a bar code scanner.
US07721874B2	Roller chain for a linear guideway A roller chain for a linear guideway comprises: a plurality of spacers each having two retaining portions and two links, each retaining portion is a hollow structure for holding the rollers. The retaining portions are formed at both sides of the rollers, one side of each of the retaining portions is opposite to the rollers, and another side doesn't contact any component, so that each two neighboring rollers are separated from each other completely. Each link is an elongated structure located at both ends of the rollers and employed to connect the spacers together. Hence, the impact energy caused when the spacer is impacted by the rollers will be converted into elastic energy, which prevents the indirect impact of two neighboring rollers caused by the spacer therebetween, thus effectively absorbing the impact force while substantially reducing the impact-caused noise.
US07721871B2	Travelling carrier delivery equipment Travelling carrier delivery equipment includes a delivery unit for transferring a travelling carrier that has no self-running means between a movable rail and a main rail by means of external friction-driven, and the travelling carrier is provided with a friction driving surface across its entire length, the delivery unit has a friction drive wheel and friction drive wheel moving means, the friction drive wheel is provided on the movable rail and is switchable between a driving state, in that it propels the travelling carrier via the friction driving surface and a driving release state, and the friction drive wheel moving means reciprocates the friction drive wheel between a retreating position (R), at which the friction drive wheel can be made to contact with the friction driving surface of the travelling carrier supported on the movable rail and a forwarding position (F), at which the friction drive wheel can be made to contact with the friction driving surface of the travelling carrier supported on the main rail.
US07721870B2	Discharge apparatus for a production facility The invention relates to an apparatus by which finished products or semifinished products, after being processed in a production facility (11), are dischargeable from a processing station of the relevant production facility for removal or other kind of transfer.The discharge apparatus is essentially composed of a work platform (1) and a run-off surface (2) formed on this platform, wherein the work platform (1) is held in an elevated frame (4) of the discharge apparatus, or outer frame enclosing at least parts of a pit. Discharge of the finished products or semifinished products is effected by their movement over the run-off surface (2), the movement being assisted by conveying means (5) disposed on the work platform (1). According to the invention, the work platform (1) is rotatable without changing its position within the outer frame (4) relative to a horizontal axis (1) by 180° between two operating positions, and is lockable in these positions. In the first operating position, the run-off surface (2) faces upward, while in the second position a surface of the work platform opposite the run-off surface (2) faces upward, the surface forming a secure standing surface (3) for a person.
US07721869B2	Apparatus and method for moving a mine conveyor segment The invention provides an apparatus for moving a mine conveyor segment (2, 3) between a first position in line with a train of conveyor segments and a second storage position out of line with the train of conveyor segments, comprising: a segment holder (9), and a guide (8) for guiding the movement of the segment (2, 3) between the first and the second position, wherein the apparatus is connectable to a device (102) for manipulating the train of conveyor segments such that the segment holder (9) is at least partially movable independent from the train manipulating device (102). The handling of the conveyor segments (2, 3) in the first position is not decisive for the status of the apparatus according the present invention, and therefore the handling of the segments outside the first position can coincide (overlap) with the operating of the launch platform.
US07721863B2	Electromagnetic clutch for compressor When an armature plate is attracted to a rotor so that the turning force of the rotor is transmitted to the armature plate, the turning force of the armature plate is transmitted to a main shaft via a plate spring. An angle (hereinafter referred to as a slope angle) formed between the plate spring and the armature plate is set so as to be not smaller than 10° and not larger than 63°. Therefore, since the slope angle is larger than the slope angle (about 3°) of the general electromagnetic clutch, the torque increase effect increases about 5 percent as compared with the general electromagnetic clutch, and also an excessive pressing force of the plate spring does not develop.
US07721857B2	Arrangement related to a swing damper The present invention relates to an arrangement and to a method relating to a swing damper (1) for carrying a tool (5) that hands from a crane arm (2) or the like. The swing damper (1) includes an upper part (11) that is connected to the crane arm (2), and a lower part (12) that carries a working implement (5) or the like either directly or via a rotator (4), for instance. The upper part (11) and the lower part (12) are pivotally connected to one another via a pivot joint (13). The swing damper (1) also includes a brake arrangement (50). The brake arrangement (50) includes a brake unit (60) that has discs (70, 80) which are pivotal about the pivot shaft (14) of the swing joint (13), wherein at least one (70) of said discs is secured against rotation relative to the upper part (11), and wherein at least (80) of said discs is secured against rotation relative to said lower part (12). The arrangement also includes a tensioning element (90; 110; 130) which functions to press the discs (70, 80) together in a braking operation. The brake unit (60) is situated in a space (200) between two pivot hearings (46) between the upper part (11) and the lower part (12).
US07721853B2	Combined service and parking brake apparatus and method for executing an emergency braking action A combined service and parking brake apparatus, having a brake unit equipped with a brake disc and at least one brake pad in which a fluid pressure actuatable brake piston is able to place the brake pad against the brake disc and having a parking brake unit which includes an electric drive unit, a transmission, and a spindle unit equipped with a nut and spindle in order to mechanically lock the brake unit in a parking brake position, and in which the electric drive unit, the transmission, and the spindle unit are situated in series on a common axis.
US07721841B2	Vehicular steering control apparatus and vehicular steering control method The ratio of the angular speed of a pinion shaft to the angular speed of a steering wheel is computed. The steering torque Tst transferred to the steering wheel is computed as a multiplication product of the ratio of angular speed and the steering torque Tm of the pinion shaft. The steering torque ΔTst transferred to the steering wheel due to actuation of a steered wheel turning angle variable device is computed as a value obtained by subtracting the steering torque Tm from the steering torque Tst. An electric power steering control device is controlled so as to generate a steering torque fluctuation-reducing assist torque corresponding to the steering torque ΔTst.
US07721840B2	Creep steering control system operable from rearward-facing position A creep steering control system for a utility vehicle is operable from a rearward-facing position. The creep steering control system includes a pivotable actuator alongside a rearward-facing seat that provides electronic output based on the position of the actuator. A linkage is provided between the pivotable actuator and steering wheel behind the seat.
US07721839B2	Operator's seat for heavy equipment having optimized switch arrangements for controlling the equipment An operator's seat for heavy equipment having optimized switch arrangements for controlling the equipment is provided, in which arrangements of various kinds of switches and components of operating devices that are frequently used by an operator in the seat due to the characteristic of the equipment are integrated within a radius that an operator's hand reaches (i.e. in a hand arm operation zone), and thus physical inconvenience and fatigue that the operator who repeatedly operates working devices for a long time suffers can be reduced. The operator's seat for heavy equipment includes a switch instrument installed within a radius that a hand of an operator sitting in the operator's seat reaches, a control lever mounted on a specified position of the switch instrument to control operations of working devices, and switches arranged on the switch instrument in closest proximity to the control lever so that the operator in the operator's seat can operate the switches in the closest position in which the operator does not invade a control stroke zone of the control lever.
US07721836B1	Four-wheel vehicle with motorcycle body A four-wheeled vehicle with a motorcycle body that allows the motorcycle body to be fixedly attached to metallic frame that includes a quartet of tires. The vehicle includes a metallic frame that has four “off-road” type tires attached to it. The vehicle also includes a motorcycle body which is essentially a motorcycle with the two tires stripped off of the body. The motorcycle body can be fixedly attached to the frame of the vehicle and can be connected to the drive train of the vehicle, allowing the engine on the motorcycle body to manipulate the drive train of the vehicle into turning the rear axle of the vehicle, thereby propelling the vehicle.
US07721835B2	Self-propelled wheel for bicycles and similar vehicles A wheel with a self-contained drive mechanism is provided to propel (or assist in propulsion of) bicycles, tricycles, and similar vehicles. The wheel preferably takes the form of a shock absorbing detachable wheel, which is readily received within the dropouts of a bicycle frame or fork to be attached therein by a standard quick-release mechanism. Thus, the wheel may be added to (or removed from) preexisting standard bicycles and the like.
US07721830B2	Tractor with automatic steering arrangement A tractor has hydraulically driven wheels at a cab end and castor wheels at an engine end. It can be driven cab forward in a working mode with a header on the forward end. It is rotated to engine forward in the transport position for more stable higher speed travel. The driven wheels are driven by hydraulic motors each having their own drive pump the output of which is controlled by a cam plate. There is provided an automatic steering system having a guidance controller arranged to receive GPS position information and feed back signals and to generate output for controlling a hydraulic control valve for controlling flow in hydraulic fluid for a double acting hydraulic control cylinder arranged to actuate pivotal movement of the steering link member independently of the steering shaft.
US07721825B2	Portable concrete boring machine A portable boring machine for cutting holes in a cutting surface is provided. The portable boring machine includes a vacuum system to secure a front end of the portable boring machine to a cutting surface, a hydraulic boring sub-assembly, which includes a hole saw to cut holes in the cutting surface, a water cooling/lubrication system to provide cooling and/or lubrication to the hole saw during the cutting process, and a control system to control the operation of the portable boring machine. The portable boring machine also includes multiple power-driven wheels. The wheels are attached to a bottom portion of a frame and are powered by an engine, which is mounted within the frame.
US07721818B2	Power tool having a vibration isolating handle A power tool includes: a power tool main body; a handle holder protruding from the power tool main body; a handle extending in a protruding direction of the handle holder and having an arm portion engaging the handle holder; and an elastic body carried between the power tool main body and the handle. The handle holder has a spherical convex outer circumferential face. The arm portion surrounds the handle holder and has a spherical concave inner circumferential face. The convex outer circumferential face of the handle holder is inserted and fitted into the concave inner circumferential face. The elastic body is carried between the power tool main body and the handle around the outer circumference of the handle holder in a radial direction vertical to a protruding-direction central axis of the handle holder.
US07721815B2	Cushion standard shield system A cushion standard shield system to remove and deflect residue, dirt, debris, and soil from a cushion bearing hanger, or cushion standard, portion of a disk gang type agricultural implement is provided. The cushion standard shield system includes a mounting bracket supported by a common axle which carries multiple disk blades of the disk gang. A blade assembly is mounted to an upright portion of the mounting bracket, and is positioned generally behind and above the axle, behind the cushion standard. The blade assembly includes one or more plate member with arcuate lateral edges. The radii of the arcuate lateral edges correspond closely in magnitude to the radii of the concave and convex surfaces of the disk blades. The plate members are laterally adjustable with respect to each other, whereby the width dimension of blade assembly is variable to accommodate different axial spacing widths of adjacent disk blades.
US07721812B2	Fire suppression system and method for an interior area of an aircraft lavatory waste container fire protection A fire suppression system adapted for use in a lavatory of an aircraft. The system includes a supply coupled to one or more fluid discharge nozzles via one or more fluid flow lines. A pressure source in communication with the fluid flow lines provides pressure to assist in supplying a pressurized flow of fluid through the flow line(s) to the nozzles(s). Furthermore, the system is capable of using the potable water supply of the aircraft or it can be self-contained with its own water supply reservoir. If self-contained, the system includes a pressurized fluid source to assist in supplying water to the discharge nozzle(s).
US07721810B2	Large inside diameter completion with position indication A completion assembly has a packer for isolation and indicating shoulders incorporated into a sleeve mounted uphole of the packer. Locating the indicating shoulders above the packer allows them to be larger than placement below the packer where the assembly generally has to neck down to permit operations such as gravel packing. Placement above the packer makes the indicating shoulders less restrictive to subsequent production flow or for passage of tools further down the wellbore.
US07721809B2	Wellbore instrument module having magnetic clamp for use in cased wellbores A magnetically clamped wellbore instrument module includes a substantially non-magnetic housing configured to traverse an interior of the wellbore. At least one electromagnet is disposed at a longitudinally spaced apart position along the housing. The at least one electromagnet has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart contact points that define a diameter greater than a diameter of the housing. The contact points have circumferential spaces therebetween defining a diameter smaller than the diameter defined by the contact points.
US07721806B2	Automatic chemical treatment system with integral flush fluid dispenser and method for using the same A wellbore chemical treating system includes a pressure vessel for containing a treating chemical. The pressure vessel is closed to atmospheric pressure. A first controllably operated valve is disposed in fluid communication between an outlet of the pressure vessel and a well for selectively controlling the flow of the chemical from the pressure vessel to the well. A pressurized gas is disposed in the pressure vessel wherein the pressure exerted by the pressurized gas causes the chemical to flow from the pressure vessel to the well through the first valve when the first valve is opened. A second controllably operated valve is disposed in fluid communication between the well and an outlet of a fluid tank for selectively controlling flow of fluid in the tank to the well. The fluid tank is replenished by fluid produced from the well. The system includes a controller for selectively operating the first valve and the second valve.
US07721804B2	Proppants for gel clean-up Methods of incorporating a chemical breaker onto a proppant that will permit release of the breaker after the proppant has been placed in a hydraulic fracture are provided. The methods utilize a chemical breaker coated on the surface of a non-porous proppant grain or placed in the pore space of a porous proppant grain and secondarily coated with an outer layer which can be tailored to delay the release of the breaker.
US07721801B2	Conveyance device and method of use in gravel pack operation The present invention provides for a conveyance device to bypass regions within a wellbore that may disrupt the desired distribution of gravel in a gravel pack.
US07721800B2	Flow control mechanism for a downhole tool There is disclosed a flow control mechanism for a downhole tool and a downhole tool incorporating the flow control mechanism. In one embodiment, a flow control mechanism (202) is disclosed for controlling a centralizer (200). The flow control mechanism (202) comprises a body (212) defining a fluid chamber (234); an inlet flow path (292) for fluid flow into the chamber (234); at least one tool flow path (294) for fluid flow between the chamber (234) and at least part of the downhole tool (200); an exhaust flow path (297) for fluid flow from the chamber (234) to a fluid exhaust (240); and control means including a control member (218) mounted for movement within the chamber (234) for controlling flow into and out of the chamber (234) along the inlet flow path (292), the at least one tool flow path (294), and the exhaust flow path (297). The mechanism (202) controls flow to a piston (214) of the centralizer (200) for centralizing the centralizer (200) within, for example, a tubular (211) in the bore hole.
US07721796B2	Heat exchanger for multiple cooling loops A heat exchanger, including first and second collecting tanks with an inlet, an outlet, and an opening through a wall of the first tank. At least one row of tubes extends between the collecting tanks, and the tubes and tanks carry a first medium and a second medium flows through the spaces between the tubes. A first partition divides the first collecting tank and defines an opening therethrough, and a second partition divides the second collecting tank, with the first and second partitions defining separate loops for the first medium when the first partition opening is closed. A discharge device selectively either simultaneously opens both the first collecting tank opening and the first partition opening for emptying or simultaneously closes both the first collecting tank opening and the first partition opening for operation.
US07721795B2	Heat exchanger, especially charge-air/coolant cooler The invention relates to a heat exchanger, especially a charge-air/coolant cooler (1), consisting of a plurality of disks (2), two adjacent disks (2) defining an intermediate region through which a heat exchanging medium flows. Said heat exchanger also comprises a heat exchanging medium inlet (9) and a heat exchanging medium outlet (11), that are common to the disks (2). At least two heat exchanging medium channels (5, 6) are respectively provided for the heat exchanging medium inlet and the heat exchanging medium outlet (9 and 11).
US07721791B2	Heat exchanger with side plate having pipe near bridge portion A heat exchanger that can prevent damage to joints of tubes and side plates at core plates and is easy to produce which has side plates enabling stable brazing of the tubes and fins with the side plates, that is, a heat exchanger provided with a plurality of tubes through a heat exchange medium passes, a plurality of fins alternately stacked with the tubes and increasing the heat transfer of the heat exchange medium, core plates to which the two ends of the tubes are connected, and side plates arranged at the outsides in the stacking direction from the end fins arranged at the outermost sides in the stacking direction of the fins and connected to the core plates, wherein at least one of the side plates has a plurality of bridge portions at intermediate locations in the longitudinal direction, and at least one location of the bridge portions has a slit provided by cutting after the brazing of the tubes and the fins.
US07721790B2	Heat sink A heat sink (100) includes a plurality of metal fins (10) interlocked with each other by interlocking units (11) formed between them. The interlocking units each include a protruding finger (122), a hole (114) and a controlling member (116, 117). The protruding finger, the hole and the controlling member are aligned with each other. The protruding finger includes a connecting tab (112a) which extends from a flange (14) of the metal fin and a locking tab (112b) which is curved inwardly from the connecting tab towards a main plate (12) of the metal fin. The locking tab of a rear metal fin extends into the hole of a front metal fin and fittingly abuts with the controlling member of the front metal fin so as to firmly interlock the rear and front metal fins together.
US07721785B2	Continuously casting steel strip Thin cast strip is produced in a twin roll caster by delivering molten steel between the rolls to form a casting pool confined between the rolls by a pair of side dams adjacent the ends of the casting rolls. Steel strip is delivered downwardly to the nip through a metal delivery system having a tundish and core nozzles. One or more of the refractory components, including the tundish, core nozzles and side dams, or portions thereof, are replaced by first preheating the refractory component(s) being replaced at a removed location, and then rapidly transferring the preheated component(s) from the preheating position and installing the same in the operating position by a transfer device. The desired refractory component is rapidly removed and the preheated replacement refractory component rapidly transferred and installed in the operating position in an amount of time that avoids thermal shock to the refractories that are not replaced.
US07721781B2	Apparatus and method for forming inflated chambers An inflatable web, and method and apparatus for inflating the web, which generally includes two sheets having inner surfaces sealed to each other in a pattern defining a series of inflatable chambers of predetermined length, each of the chambers having at least one change in width over their length; an inflation port located at a proximal end of each chamber, the inflation ports being formed by intermittent seals between the sheets; and longitudinal flanges formed by a portion of each of the sheets that extend beyond the inflation ports and intermittent seals.
US07721780B2	Monoply pneumatic run-flat tire with composite ply cord A pneumatic tire has a single carcass ply, at least one belt ply disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown portion of the tire, and at least one insert located adjacent the carcass ply in a sidewall portion, the insert providing support for the tire load to enable the tire to operate in underinflated conditions. The carcass ply is comprised of at least one composite cord. The composite cord is formed of at least two first yarns twisted helically about at least one second yarn. The first yarns and the second yarn having different modulus of elasticity, the first yarns having a modulus greater than the modulus of the second yarn.
US07721779B2	Tubeless bicycle tire A tubeless tire includes a tread portion, two sidewalls, an interfacing material integrally formed between the two sidewalls of a pliable, flexible yet reliable material, two beads extending outwardly from the tire, delimiting a section formed by the interfacing material, and an air valve stem provided on the interfacing material. The thickness of the interfacing material is substantially the same as the thickness of the two sidewalls, and the beads project outwardly of an outer surface of the interfacing material. The beads are disposed in a position such that when the tire is mounted on a rim, the beads will fit within the rim, when the tire is inflated on the rim using the air valve stem, the interfacing material will expand, causing the beads to fit tightly within the rim, thus fixing the tire on the rim, and there is no sealing layer within the tire.
US07721763B2	Adjustable pressure relief valve A one-way flow valve is provided wherein the one-way flow valve may comprise a first section and a second section of a housing. A valve member may be disposed between the first and second sections of the housing that permit fluid flow through one direction of the one-way flow valve but prevents fluid from flowing in the reverse direction. The opening pressure (i.e., the pressure differential across the valve member) to permit flow through the one-way flow valve may be increased or decreased by inserting (e.g., threadably engaging) the second section of the housing deeper into the first section of the housing or withdrawing (e.g., threadably disengaging) the second section of the housing from the first section of the housing.
US07721757B2	Discharge check valve assembly for use with hermetic scroll compressor A discharge check valve assembly for use with a hermetic scroll compressor having a compressor shell is provided. The discharge check valve assembly includes a valve housing and a valve seat located within the valve housing. The valve housing is configured to mount the discharge check valve assembly to the compressor shell. The discharge check valve assembly also includes a discharge fitting and a valve subassembly. The discharge fitting is configured to mount to the compressor shell and configured to connect to a connecting tube in fluid communication with a high-pressure system. The valve subassembly has a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. Additionally, the valve subassembly is configured to be inserted through the discharge fitting into the valve housing.
US07721753B2	Apparatus to connect a valve stem to a valve plug Apparatus to connect a valve stem to a valve plug and, more particularly, apparatus to connect a threaded valve stem to a valve plug of a control valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a threaded valve stem received in a threaded opening of a valve plug and a securement member received in an adjacent opening extending from at least one of the threaded opening or an exterior surface of the valve stem to secure non-rotatably the threaded valve stem to the valve plug.
US07721750B2	Modified heat pipe for activation of a pressure relief device A heat pipe is disclosed, the heat pipe capable of transferring heat to actuate a pressure relief device by heat transfer through either capillary action involving a wicking material and a working fluid, or by a consumable fuse in the case of leakage of the working fluid from the heat pipe.
US07721749B2	Prefabricated shelter A prefabricated shell for forming a shelter (14) has a groundsheet (30) and a cover (32) having a gas impermeable inner layer (24) and at least one outer layer. The outer layers are each formed by a layer of cloth that has been impregnated with a water-settable material, e.g. cement. The shell is steeped in water to wet the cement and then the cover is pneumatically inflated to form a space between the cover and the groundsheet. The shelter is then left until the cement has set and is able to support the cover. The shelter can easily be constructed to provide a durable shelter, especially in emergency areas.
US07721745B2	Method and cleaning device for cleaning a spraying device To clean an atomizer used for automatic series-production coating of work pieces in a cleaning device provided for this purpose, the outer housing of the atomizer is sprayed by nozzles of the cleaning device, while simultaneously painting and rinsing agents sprayed by the spray head of the atomizer in a short rinsing process are captured and discharged through a pipe section in the interior of the cleaning device. In electrostatic atomizers, voltage equalization between the atomizer and the cleaning device is performed beforehand. Through additional measures, the atomizer can be moved by the handling machine provided for this purpose only from one proper direction towards the cleaning device.
US07721744B2	Machine for conditioning paper printed by means of digital printing systems The process comprises the creation of a surface moistened on one of the faces of the paper by natural condensation droplets created by refrigerating said laminar support on the opposite face, adapting the continuous web of printed paper on said surface in a zone of variable tangency to achieve regular and uniform remoistening of the web of paper.
US07721740B2	Devices, systems, and methods using magnetic force systems in or on tissue Systems and methods include magnetic structures for placement in or on tissues in an airway. The magnetic structures carry sources of magnetism, which generate magnetic fields having directions. The magnetic fields interact to provide magnetic forces that provide a desired therapeutic effect, e.g., maintaining separation between the soft palate and/or tongue and the posterior pharyngeal wall. The systems and methods size and configure the directions of the magnetic fields to provide stability, which makes possible the achievement of the desired therapeutic effect in a straightforward and elegant manner.
US07721739B2	Apparatus and method for preventing fluid transfer between an oviduct and a uterine cavity Apparatus for preventing fluid transfer through an opening connecting an oviduct to a uterine cavity includes a body having a base with a periphery and a seal carried by the body for overlying and engaging uterine tissue leading to the opening. The seal receives fibroblast in-growth to create a hermetic seal between the oviduct and the uterine cavity. A peripheral anchor portion extends from the base for securing the body to the uterine tissue leading to the opening, the base overlying the opening.
US07721734B2	Inhalation apparatus A respiratory circuit inhalation apparatus is adapted to communicate a fluid stream between at least one air source and a patient and is formed with at least one central body portion defining an interior fluid stream communication passageway. An integrally formed dual function mouthpiece and effluent port projects from an end of the central body to communicate the fluid stream between the air source and a portion of the respiratory circuit that can lead to the patient or other components of the respiratory circuit. An integrally formed ambient fluid port is also formed as part of the inhalation apparatus that projects from the central body portion opposite to the dual function port. As with the other ports, the ambient fluid port also communicates the fluid stream between the interior fluid passageway and the at least one air source. The preferred inhalation apparatus also further includes a medication port that is formed about the central body portion and which includes a baffle or baffle portion that projects into and terminates within the interior fluid passageway. The terminus orifice and exit plane of the baffle preferably projects and terminates within the interior fluid passageway beyond the surface thereof so that liquids pooled within the passageway can be retained therein without draining into the medication port. Any or all of the various ports can be configured to be compatible for use with industry preferred respiratory circuit components and rigid and deformable 22 millimeter tubes.
US07721733B2	Portable liquid oxygen delivery system A portable liquid oxygen medical delivery system including a portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus and a portable liquid oxygen recharger. The portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus contains an initial quantity of liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen delivery apparatus is sufficiently lightweight for portability by an ambulatory patient and has a fill port for receiving liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen recharger stores a supplemental quantity of liquid oxygen and is also sufficiently lightweight for portability by an ambulatory individual. The liquid oxygen recharger has an interface for interfacing the liquid oxygen recharger with the portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus for delivering the supplemental quantity of liquid oxygen to the portable liquid oxygen delivery apparatus.
US07721730B2	Liquid ejection apparatus An ejection apparatus for ejecting droplets of liquid includes a loading portion, a reader, and a judging unit. The loading portion detachably loads therein a liquid cartridge container for containing liquid, and a liquid ejection cartridge having an ejecting portion for ejecting liquid separately, or as a combined kit. The reader reads information attached to at least one of the liquid cartridge container and the liquid ejection cartridge. The judging unit judges, based on the information read by the reader, whether each of the liquid cartridge container and the liquid ejection cartridge loaded in the loading portion is appropriate, or whether a combination of the liquid cartridge container and the liquid ejection cartridge is a predetermined combination. The ejection apparatus allows a user to relatively readily and accurately carry out ejection of appropriate liquid by an appropriate ejection unit.
US07721728B2	Oven An oven, effectively and rapidly cooling a door by passing a sufficient quantity of cooling air through the door, is disclosed. The oven includes an outer case, an inner case, a door opening and closing the inner case, and a blower chamber having a cooling fan and provided at the upper side of the inner case. The door includes an inner plate and a frame to form an opened lower end. The frame has holes formed in the upper side to flowing air discharged by the cooling fan between the inner plate and an outer plate. A vent hole communicating with the blower chamber is provided in the upper end of the cooking chamber to pass hot air of the cooking chamber through the vent hole. Around the vent hole, a partition member is provided for preventing the hot air from being mixed with air discharged by cooling fan.
US07721727B2	Cooking stove According to a gas table 1, combustion gas (including the flame) is jetted from a flame port 17 of a burner 14 diagonally upward entirely twisted in the burner circumferential direction. The combustion gas flows into plural combustion gas routes sectioned into spiral shape, and hits trivet claws 22, and goes through. That is, the combustion gas is guided in spiral shape by the trivet claws 22, and exhausted along a cooking container P bottom surface toward the outer circumferential direction. As a result, in the combustion gas route, the combustion gas is always subject to direction changing force and the flow thereof is disturbed, and accordingly, a heat transmission border film is unlikely to be formed on the cooking container P bottom surface, and the heat of the combustion gas is transmitted to the bottom surface of the cooking container P preferably.
US07721724B2	Shock suppressor for a bow The present invention relates to a suppressor having: a rod having a first end and a second end; a mounting block having at least two bore holes, wherein the rod passes through one of the bore holes, wherein a fastener passes through the other bore hole; a cushion located at the first end of the rod, the cushion having a first face and a second face; and wherein the cushion includes at least one slot at the first face and a treaded portion at the second face. The shock suppressor is mounted to the riser of an archery bow.
US07721723B2	Valve assembly for paintball guns and the like, and improved guns incorporating the assembly A gun preferably designed to rapidly fire paint balls includes a single valve assembly that is inserted into and removed from the gun body. The valve assembly includes a low pressure ram passing through a longitudinal center or core of the assembly, and is capable of being driven in opposite reciprocal directions. A volumizer stores a charge of high pressure gas sufficient to adequately propel a paint ball, and a high pressure poppet valve is driven by movement of the low pressure ram for releasing the charge rapidly. A bolt carried upon the low pressure ram moves a paint ball into firing position just prior to the high pressure discharge. All of the aforementioned components of the cartridge are carried upon a single axis defined by the ram. Means are provided to both align and couple the various components together to ensure proper operation at high firing rates.
US07721716B1	High pressure piezoelectric fuel injector A combined injector and fuel pump suitable for high pressure direct injection of heavy fuels into Diesel engines, in particular small light weight Diesel engines as may be used in small aircraft. The injector utilizes a piezoelectric actuator driving a piston assembly comprising an inlet reed check valve disposed thereon. Fuel enters an inlet port coupled to an inlet chamber on a first side of the piston. Piezoelectric actuator contraction transfers fuel from the inlet chamber through the reed valve to the pressurization chamber on a second side of the piston. Piezoelectric actuator expansion drives the piston to pressurize the fuel in the pressurization chamber, which forces open a conical annular valve and nozzle assembly injecting a finely atomized mist of fuel into the cylinder.
US07721714B2	Fuel delivery pipe A fuel delivery pipe capable of reducing a pressure pulsation at the time of a fuel injection due to injection nozzles, preventing vibrations and noises at an underfloor pipe arrangement, and turning down a radiate sound from the fuel delivery pipe, wherein a flexible absorbing wall surface 10 formed on a wall surface of a fuel delivery body 1 is loosened due to internal pressure changes to render internal volume of the fuel delivery body 1 increasable, αL/√{square root over ( )}V determined by sonic speed αL of fuel flowing through the fuel delivery body 1 and the internal volume V of the fuel delivery body 1 is set as 20×103(m−0.5·sec−1)≦αL/√{square root over ( )}V≦85×103(m−0.5·sec−1) while a ratio αL/αH of equivalent sonic speed αH in a high frequency area to the sonic speed αL of the fuel is set as αL/αH≦0.7, and the cross section shape in a perpendicular direction to an axis of the fuel delivery body 1 is formed in a substantially double side concaved shape, a substantially flask shape, a substantially trapezoid shape, a substantially key shape, and a substantially goggles shape.
US07721711B2	Engine control system including means for learning characteristics of individual fuel injectors An engine control system includes an fuel injector for each cylinder of the engine, an air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in an exhaust manifold and an electronic control unit to which signals from various sensors are fed. Operation of the engine is controlled by the electronic control unit. An air-fuel ratio deviation among cylinders is calculated based on output signals of the air-fuel ratio sensor, and injection amount errors of each injector are calculated from the deviation of air-fuel ratio among cylinders. An injection characteristic of each injector is learned from the injection amount errors, and a right amount of fuel is supplied to each cylinder based on the learned injection characteristic. In this manner, the injection amount errors are effectively adjusted, and the air-fuel ratio deviation among cylinders due to external disturbances is surely adjusted.
US07721707B2	Abnormality determination apparatus and abnormality determination method for valve An engine ECU executes a program including the step of controlling a driver motor which operates a TCV (tumble control valve) such that the TCV in the full-open state closes to a predetermined opening position (S106), the step of detecting the electric current value of the driver motor (S108), and the step of determining that the TCV is abnormal (S112) in a case where the electric current value of the driver motor is smaller than a determination value S (I) (YES in S110).
US07721705B2	Throttle management apparatus for an internal combustion engine, and engine incorporating same A throttle management apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which allows the response of the engine to an operator's request to be improved while allowing the output characteristic of the engine to be controlled arbitrarily. The throttle management apparatus controls plural throttle valves provided for plural cylinders respectively. The throttle management apparatus includes an electric throttle management apparatus which electrically drives the throttle valves for some of the cylinders based on an electric signal generated according to selected operating conditions of the vehicle, and a mechanical throttle management apparatus which, through throttle activation member operation, mechanically drives the throttle valves for the rest of the cylinders. In an engine having a V type cylinder head configuration, the electric throttle management apparatus controls the throttle valves of one cylinder bank of the cylinder bank pair, while the mechanical throttle management apparatus controls the throttle valves of the other cylinder bank.
US07721697B2	Plasma generating ignition system and associated method An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a coaxial cavity resonator. This system and method uses a coaxial cavity resonator in a body adapted to mate with a combustion chamber of a combustion engine. The coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the coaxial cavity resonator. A connection means on the apparatus allows for the apparatus to accept an electrical ignition stimulus from an electronic ignition control system. The coaxial cavity resonator develops corona discharge plasma at a discharge electrode when a sustained radio frequency oscillation results in a standing wave in the coaxial cavity resonator. The corona discharge plasma developed near the discharge electrode ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.
US07721694B2	Lock pin retention plug for a two-step rocker arm assembly A lock pin bore in a two-step rocker arm assembly contains a hydraulically-actuable lock pin. A return spring urges the lock pin toward an unlatched mode. The bore has one or more annular grooves formed near the outer end of the bore. A plug, formed preferably of a soft metal, is pressed as a hydraulic seal into the bore. During assembly, the final position of the lock pin within the bore is set by positioning a stopping assembly fixture into the locking end of the bore. The plug is pressed into the bore until contact is made with the lock pin and the lock pin engages the fixture. The plug is radially deformed into the annular groove(s) to anchor the plug and fix the outer limit of travel of the locking pin and the compressive load on the return spring.
US07721691B2	Variable valve mechanism for internal combustion engine A worm gear is connected to an actuator and a worm wheel is connected to a control shaft. The worm wheel has teeth formed only on a predetermined angular range thereof. The above-referenced angular range includes a required rotational range of the control shaft. The worm wheel is formed to be brought out of mesh with the worm gear outside the predetermined angular range.
US07721677B1	Gourd nesting place for purple martins A plastic artificial gourd for use as a nesting place for purple martins. An outer shell has a neck and an inspection hole and is formed in halves. The front half has an entrance hole for the martins. An inner core is provided with an inspection hole and entrance hole in registry with those in the outer shell. Drainage holes are provided in the bottom of the outer shell and the inner core and the neck is provided with ribs forming an air space when a cap is attached to the neck. The gourd is ventilated though the drainage holes and out the air space under the cap. The inside of the outer shell and inner core may be textured to provide the martins a good footing.
US07721674B2	Egg vaccination apparatus An automatic vaccinator of eggs, consisting of a system for applying vaccine with a vaccine chamber in which vaccine bags are hung and with an air bag that, when expanded, forces the vaccine from the bags and through tubing to a distribution manifold and the injectors, so that the vaccine is delivered to the eggs, is disclosed. A pressure sensor is installed in the distribution manifold and connected to a regulator, measuring the pressure in the distribution manifold at the point farthest from the vaccine chamber and controlling the pressure in the air bag to maintain a uniform quantity of vaccine being injected into the eggs and turning off the vaccinator if the pressure falls below a critical level, signaling that the vaccine bags are empty. The mechanical unit includes a system to support, align and secure the injectors over the egg tray, composed of two plates that work independently, a support plate and an alignment plate.
US07721671B2	Bracing for collapsible boat A collapsible boat hull comprises a pair of bottom panels and a pair of side panels, connected by continuous hinges. Erection of the boat causes a fore portion of the bottom panels to curve upwards, and fore portions of the side panels to curve inwards. The boat also includes a V-shaped rear seat, which acts to transfer force and vibration from a rearwardly mounted outboard motor to the side walls of the boat. The boat is braced between its seats and the hull.
US07721669B1	Common payload rail for unmanned vehicles A common payload rail externally supports a submerged payload from an unmanned marine vehicle. A vehicle interface module has a conforming surface rigidly secured to the unmanned vehicle and feed-through conduits. A functionality module is secured to the vehicle interface module and contains internal interfacing components to minimize or eliminate any modifications to the payload and vehicle. A payload interface module having feed-through conduits is secured to the functionality module and has longitudinally extending rail structures sized to engage correspondingly shaped longitudinally extending receiving means on the payload. The longitudinally extending rail structures are shaped to extend into longitudinally extending receiving means on the payload to arrest lateral displacement between the payload interface module and the payload and at least one securing mechanism on the payload interface module is disposed to engage the payload to arrest longitudinal displacement between the payload interface module and the payload.
US07721668B2	Flexible fluid containment vessel A seamless, woven, flexible fluid containment vessel or vessels for transporting and containing a large volume of fluid, particularly fresh water, having beam stabilizers, beam separators, reinforcing, and the method of making the same.
US07721667B2	Watercraft fender A portable fender for protecting a watercraft hull from damage. The fender(s) length corresponds to the length of the watercraft likely to make contact with a dock, pier and/or pilings. An inflatable, waterproof bladder resides in a protective cover. The bladder's valve permits rapid inflation and deflation. The cover has diametrically opposed straps running its length. These straps are anchored to the cover in such a manner that loops are created at regular intervals. Mooring straps are passed through the loops and around the fender. The fender is secured between the watercraft and the dock/pier/pilings by attaching mooring straps to any convenient point on the watercraft, dock, pier, pilings or other suitable mooring point. Lengthening or shortening each individual mooring strap allows the fender to be placed in a position that will provide optimum protection. The fender is easily deflated for stowage. The watercraft does not have to be modified in any manner to use the fender.
US07721665B2	Hull and steering mechanism for a marine vessel A combined hull and steering mechanism for a marine vessel has a substantially rectangularly-shaped upper hull joined to a lower hull that is dual-tapered from its sidewalls to both its forward and aft portions. A directional thrust steering mechanism having a pair of vertical rudder blades positioned on either side of a conventional propeller extending from the centerline of the lower hull directs the water from the propeller, thus enabling the vessel to move more efficiently and with greater maneuverability in both forward and reverse directions. The dual-tapered hull permits a significantly better flow of water to and from the propeller and steering mechanism of the vessel, particularly when operating in reverse, thereby allowing the vessel to turn 360° in its own length.
US07721663B2	Seeding apparatus A seed drill or seeder of a kind to deposit serial streams of seed each into a disc made trough, trench or the like, characterised by each disc having its bearing mounted to the disc from the inside (i.e. the concave side) and a chute providing member or assembly down which the stream of seeds is to passes, is attached to the bearing from the outside (i.e. the convex side) of the disc.
US07721662B2	Applicator system and method for the agricultural distribution of biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials The applicator system is designed to distribute agriculturally beneficial matter across a field. The system includes a supply reservoir and an agitator assembly that grates and abrades matter in the supply reservoir until the abraded matter precipitates out of the supply reservoir and onto a supply conveyor. The supply conveyor conveys the matter to a distribution device. The distribution device meters the matter onto at least two lateral distribution conveyors. At the end of each of the distribution conveyors the matter is funneled downwardly into an open trench created by a trenching device associated with each distribution conveyor. After the matter is deposited into the trench, a trench closing assembly directs soil back into the trench and compresses the soil surface.
US07721661B2	Apparatus for combustion of biofuels A heating apparatus for the combustion of highly variable biofuel feed stocks is generally provided. The apparatus generally includes a combustion chamber or burn box adapted to receive a regulated feed of biomass. The burn box includes a grate for receipt of a distributed mass of the regulated feed, and further includes an oscillating blade adjacent to the grate for agitation of the distributed mass of the regulated feed received thereby. The combustion apparatus for the production of thermal energy from a biofuel of the subject invention is preferably and further characterized by means for producing the distributed mass of the regulated feed of biofuel, and/or a burn box incorporating an oxygen manifold assembly adjacent to the grate.
US07721660B1	Deal drawer A deal drawer apparatus includes a mechanism coordinating movement of the drawer between retracted and extended positions with movement of a panel that controls access to a holding area of the drawer, between open and closed positions. The mechanism includes a clutch assembly that may be disengaged to allow independent movement of either the drawer or the access panel. Subsequent movement of the drawer or the access panel may re-engage the clutch assembly. The clutch assembly includes a housing, a detent plate rotatably mounted to the housing, and a detent mechanism. When the housing and the detent plate are in an aligned position, the clutch assembly is in an engaged configuration. When the housing and the detent plate are offset from the aligned position, the clutch assembly is disengaged.
US07721654B2	Stacker crane The invention provides a stacker crane, configured to move on a single rail provided along one or more racks, includes: a first wheel that moves on the rail; a second wheel that moves on the rail, and that is disposed spaced apart from the first wheel in a fore-and-aft direction; a vehicle frame supported by the first wheel and the second wheel; first drive supported by the vehicle frame for driving the first wheel. The vehicle frame includes: a first support frame for supporting the first wheel and the first drive means; a second support frame for supporting the second wheel; and a connection frame that connects the first support frame and the second support frame. The stacker crane also includes a first support post that extends vertically and whose lower end portion is connected to the first support frame; a second support post that extends vertically and whose lower end portion is connected to the second support frame; and a vertically movable platform that is guided by the first support post and the second support post, and that can move vertically with respect to the vehicle frame.
US07721648B1	External telemetry method A method of assembling an external telemetry unit for a projectile comprising the steps of providing a shell whose inside is formed to match the contour of the projectile body, encircling the front of the shell with a flexible battery and flexible electronic circuitry, and covering the flexible battery and flexible electronic circuitry with a plurality of contoured antennas. Also disclosed is a method of using an external telemetry unit comprising the steps of removing the fuze from a projectile having a projectile body and a fuze, sliding the unit over the front of the projectile body; reinstalling the fuze, firing the projectile, and observing the projectile data transmitted by the unit.
US07721643B2	Automatic popcorn vending machine An apparatus, method, and system of popping popcorn. In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises a popcorn popper, a popped popcorn hopper and a dispensing mechanism in communication with the hopper. By actuation, the dispensing mechanism dispenses one or more servings from the hopper. In another aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises a dosing mechanism to provide sequential doses of unpopped corn to the popper to make a plurality of batches of popped popcorn. In another aspect of the invention, a sensor sensing when popped popcorn in the hopper exceeds a pre-determined level or amount and instigates a signal to actuate the dosing mechanism to fill the hopper. In a system according to the invention, a self-contained cabinet includes the popper, hopper, dispensing mechanism and dosing mechanism, as well as a control circuit and actuators to operate the dosing mechanism and dispensing mechanisms. A method according to the invention comprises sensing amount of popped corn in the hopper, if determined needed, adding a single dose of unpopped corn to a popper and filling the hopper, and rechecking amount of popped corn in the hopper periodically.
US07721642B2	Sliding member To provide a sliding member that exhibits excellent durability and is free of lead. A swash plate for a compressor as the sliding member of the invention contains a base material having on the surface thereof a sliding layer constituting at least a sliding surface, on which shoes slide. The sliding layer contains a first layer that contains an amorphous hard carbon (diamond-like carbon) film containing Si (DLC-Si film) and is formed on the base material, and a second layer that is formed on the first layer and contains polyamideimide (PAI) containing a solid lubricant such as MoS2.
US07721641B2	Air compression apparatus and method of use An air compression apparatus has a frame, a tank, and a motor. A drive mechanism is operably connected to the motor and at least one piston assembly is operably connected to the drive mechanism and configured to move within a respective cylinder mounted to the frame. The piston assembly includes: (1) a piston body; (2) a piston rod having a hollow bore connected at one end to the drive mechanism and at an opposite end to the piston body; and (3) a piston valve installed on the piston body. In use, upward travel of the piston body as caused by the drive mechanism acting through the piston rod opens the piston valve and allows ambient air to be drawn through the hollow bore into the cylinder, and downward travel of the piston body closes the piston valve so as to compress the air within the cylinder.
US07721637B2	Knife and cutting wheel for a food product slicing apparatus A cutting wheel using knives with slice thickness gauging surfaces defining, with the knife cutting edges, a thickness dimension of sliced food products and a throat dimension measured perpendicular to the wheel cutting plane between each knife cutting edge and the terminal edge of the adjacent gauging surface, wherein the knives each have a single primary bevel extending practically tangent to the cutting plane on the side of the knife facing towards the cutting plane and a smooth transition area on the opposite side of the knife, and the ratio of throat dimension to slice thickness dimension is 1 to 1.7.
US07721633B2	Dual bevel table and slide miter saw A portable, double bevel, combination table saw and slide miter saw comprising a horizontally disposed working platform with an elongated slot, is supported by a frame. A saw assembly is pivotably mounted beneath the working platform, with a saw blade that protrudes through the slot to cut a workpiece on the platform whereby stationary workpiece operations as well as moving workpiece operations may be executed. The stationary workpiece operations are executed from one side of the platform, and moving workpiece operations are executed from the opposite side of the platform, with separate appropriate controls on each side. The possibility of interference between saw assembly parts and the underside of the work platform inherent in double bevel configurations is avoided by the self-adjustment of the maximum depth for the workpiece bevel cuts.
US07721627B2	Attachments for power tools An attachment for a power tool to facilitate the insertion and removal of fasteners in otherwise inaccessible locations including an adapter having a bolting insert, the bolting insert including a drive gear configured to engage a rotating drive mechanism of the power tool such that rotation of the drive mechanism rotates the drive gear, which in turn rotates a bolting gear engaged with a fastener.
US07721626B2	Fuse puller A fuse puller is provided with a base component, and extracts a first fuse that is fitted in a first housing portion of a fuse box. The base component includes a first holding portion that is provided on one side of the base component and holds the first fuse inside the first housing portion, a gripping portion that is provided on the other side of the base component, and a second holding portion that holds a second fuse.
US07721623B2	Handlebar for cycles and motorcycles The handlebar for motorcycles (11; 111; 211) according to the invention comprises a light alloy bent tube (2110) to an end of which a twist grip (M) of the motorcycle accelerator can be set. Said end is externally covered by a layer of sliding material substantially harder and more abrasion resistant than the light alloy of said bent tube. Preferably said layer of sliding material comprises a tubular fixed sleeve (263) fitted on said end of the bent tube. The layer of harder material allows better sliding of the twist grip on the light alloy tube end and avoids seizing up thereof.
US07721622B2	Vehicle used handle A handle device comprises a handle unit having a holding end at one end thereof; another end of the handle unit being an adjusting end; a center of the adjusting end having a penetrating hole; a frame having a pivotal seat; a pivotal groove being formed in the pivotal seat; a center of the pivotal groove being formed with a through hole; a twisting unit being assembled in the pivotal groove; a supporting block being installed between the adjusting end of the handle unit and the pivotal seat of the frame; the supporting block being a disk like structure. In assembly, the twisting unit is installed in the pivotal seat; the supporting block is installed upon the twisting unit. The supporting block is pivotally rotatable by the twisting rotation of the twisting unit; and the supporting block is engaged to the adjusting end.
US07721621B2	Bicycle shift control mechanism A bicycle shift control mechanism that has an operating member, a wire take up member, a positioning ratchet and a position maintaining pawl. The operating member is movable between a rest position, a shift wind position and a shift releasing position. The positioning ratchet includes a plurality of winding teeth, a plurality of positioning teeth and a plurality of movement restricting teeth. The positioning teeth and the movement restricting teeth are non-concentrically arranged to form stair shaped arrangements. The position maintaining pawl selectively holds and releases the positioning ratchet upon movement of the operating member from the rest position.
US07721618B2	Range detector for vehicular automatic transmission A slider of a moving portion slides on a sliding surface of a guide portion according to a selected range of an automatic transmission. A plurality of through holes are provided on the sliding surface. A detecting portion detects the range of the transmission based on the position of the moving portion. Particles on the sliding surface are scraped by a slider of the moving portion. The scraped particles drop into the holes to prevent a slider from being stuck.
US07721616B2	Sprung gear set and method Disclosed herein is an apparatus that relates to a gear set. The apparatus includes, a housing, a first gear movable in the housing such that a first axis defined by the first gear is repositionable relative to the housing, a second gear in mesh with the first gear, and a second axis defined by the second gear. The apparatus constrains movement of the first axis to a plane containing both the first axis and a line commonly perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, and a biasing member that urges the first gear toward the second gear.
US07721615B2	Motor vehicle transmission actuator for operating a motor vehicle transmission A motor vehicle transmission actuator for operation of a motor vehicle transmission, including gearsets which form different ratios, whereby the transmission actuator has a threaded shaft with at least one first threaded section, embodied as a right-handed thread and at least one second threaded section, embodied as a left-hand thread with just one electric motor for driving in the selection direction and the switching direction.
US07721614B2	Gear transmission including improved shifter engaging structure, and vehicle including same A gear transmission permits an increased flexibility in the layout of shift gears and reduces the axial size of the transmission by providing an engaging portion on a specific one of the shift gears. The gear transmission includes a main shaft having drive gears, a countershaft having driven gears adapted to be respectively driven by the drive gears to set predetermined shift positions, and shifters engageable with specific gears of the drive gears and the driven gears. The specific gears respectively have engaging portions for engaging the shifters, whereby the main shaft rotationally drives the countershaft through any one of the shifters and any one of the specific gears at any one of the predetermined shift positions. Of the engaging portions, the outer diameter of the engaging portion is larger than the outer diameter of a toothed portion of the drive gear as one of the specific gears.
US07721613B2	Method of mounting a retaining ring on an electric starter shaft comprising a starter drive assembly and corresponding starter The invention relates to a method of mounting a retaining ring (21) on a rotating electric armature shaft. The inventive method consists in first mounting the retaining ring (21) on an axial shaft segment (27) which is located in an accessible mounting area between the groove (23) and the splines (15) of the starter drive assembly (10) and, subsequently, moving the starter drive assembly (10) axially towards the rest position such as to move the retaining ring (21) along the aforementioned shaft segment (27) as far as the positioning groove (23) comprising a service area with no radial access.

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