最新美国发明专利第2010-06-01期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US07727598B2	Partially roll coated workpiece and methods and systems for making the same The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for roll coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been roll coated in accord with the invention. Under these methods and processes of the invention, one of a roller and/or the workpiece may be moved longitudinally to apply coating to a target surface of a workpiece. In some embodiments, a plurality of rollers may be used and supported by arms. Still further, in accord with the embodiments of the present invention, a dispensing member may be provided to fluidly connect the roller with a reservoir. In still other embodiments, the workpiece may be an implantable medical device and the coating may include a therapeutic.
US07727590B2	Robust filament assembly for a hot-wire chemical vapor deposition system A hot wire chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber, a substrate support member located in the vacuum chamber, a filament assembly support member located in the vacuum chamber, a precursor gas inlet located in the vacuum chamber and a device for providing a clean portion of at least one filament inside the vacuum chamber without breaking vacuum.
US07727588B2	Apparatus for the efficient coating of substrates A process for the coating of substrates comprising insertion of a substrate into a process oven, dehydration of the substrate, withdrawal of a metered amount of one or more chemicals from one or more chemical reservoirs, vaporizing the withdrawn chemicals in one or more vapor chambers, and transfer of the vaporized chemicals into a process oven, thereby reacting with the substrate. An apparatus for the coating of substrates comprising a process oven, a metered chemical withdrawal subsystem, and a vaporization subsystem.
US07727586B2	Production of water-absorbing polymeric particles by dropletization polymerization in the gas phase A process for producing water-absorbing polymeric particles by dropletization polymerization in the gas phase, which comprises drying the polymeric particles after the polymerization in a fluidized bed, the water-absorbing polymeric particles themselves, hygiene articles comprising these water-absorbing polymeric particles and also apparatus for implementing the process.
US07727584B2	Dielectric device and its manufacturing method A manufacturing method of a dielectric device includes steps described below. (1) Mixing step: Powders serving as a matrix and additive powders for sintering the matrix are mixed. (2) Mixture heat-treating step: The mixture of the matrix and the additive that has been subject to the mixing step is heat-treated. (3) Deposition layer formation step: The material powders obtained through the mixture heat-treating step are injected toward a substrate so as to form a deposition layer on the substrate. (4) Deposition layer heat-treating step: The deposition layer formed on the substrate through the deposition layer formation step is heat-treated so as to form the dielectric layer on the substrate.
US07727583B2	Method for the production of structured surfaces Provided is a process for producing a structured surface possessing a high level of hydrophilicity, wherein the process involves: coating a surface with a mixture to produce the structured surface, wherein the mixture includes: particles (a) having a number average particle diameter of from 0.1 μm to 10 μm; and particles (b) having a number average particle diameter of from 5 nm to 0.5 μm and a 20° C. surface energy of greater than or equal to 80 mN/in, and wherein the mixture exhibits a bimodal particle diameter distribution of particles (a) and particles (b). The mixture may optionally include an aqueous liquor, an emulsifier, a binder, an adhesion promoter, a thickener, and/or a pigment. Also provided is a structured surface produced by the process. A non-limiting example of the structured surface produced by the process is a structured textile surface.
US07727577B2	Apparatus and method for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel An apparatus for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel includes a vessel for containing a spacer material, an ink-jet device for jetting the spacer material across a space onto a substrate; and a heater for heating the ink-jet device. A method for fabricating a liquid crystal display panel includes the steps of aligning an ink-jet device filled with a spacer material relative to a substrate of a liquid crystal display device, jetting the spacer material from the ink-jet device across a space onto the substrate and heating the spacer material before the spacer material is jetted from the ink-jet device.
US07727576B2	System and a method for producing layered oral dosage forms A method for producing an oral medication includes dispensing a structural material, the structural material including one of a polymer or a gelatin, curing the structural material, and dispensing a jettable pharmaceutical solution onto the cured structural material.
US07727575B2	Method for forming inorganic coatings The present invention is directed to a method for forming an inorganic coating on a protein template. The method comprises contacting the template with an anionic polymer interface followed by an inorganic material for a sufficient period of time to allow mineralization of the inorganic material thus forming an inorganic coating on the template. Preferably, the coating is aligned.
US07727573B2	Aerated frozen products An aerated frozen confection having reduced ice crystal growth after heat shock, and being prepared from a mixture of ingredients suitable for forming the confection and at least one emulsifier for reducing ice crystal growth after heat shock. Advantageously, the emulsifier facilitates formation and stabilization of fat alpha crystals, the confection having an overrun of about 20% to about 250%, uniformly distributed small air cells having an average size of less than about 50 microns, ice crystals having a size of 30 microns or less after heat shock, and a smooth texture.
US07727572B2	Recombinant hexose oxidase, a method of producing same and use of such enzyme A method of producing hexose oxidase by recombinant DNA technology, recombinant hexose oxidase and the use of such enzyme, in particular in the manufacturing of food products such as doughs and dairy products, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dental care products and in the manufacturing of lactones. Suitable sources of DNA coding for the enzyme are marine algal species including Chondrus crispus, Iridophycus flaccidum and Euthora cristata. In useful embodiments, the recombinant hexose oxidase is produced by Pichia pastoris, Saccharomyces cerevisiae or E. coli.
US07727570B2	Emulsion comprising a nut paste A process for the preparation of a bake stable nut butter emulsion which comprises the following steps (a) selecting a sugar syrup solution and diluting it with water until it contains an amount of sugar solids which is in the range 55-80 wt. %, (b) heating the solution to a temperature in the range 40-100° C., (c) dispersing a starch into the heated solution until it contains 1-5 wt. % of dissolved starch, (d) dispersing an emulsifier into the heated solution until it contains 0.5-3 wt. % of dissolved emulsifier, (e) dispersing a gelling agent into the heated solution until it contains 0.2-1 wt. % of dissolved gelling agent, (f) cooling the heated solution into which the starch, emulsifier and gelling agent have been dispersed to a temperature which is in the range of 20-50° C., (g) dispersing under vigorous stirring conditions a nut butter into the cooled solution, while controlling the rate of addition such that the resulting emulsion remains water continuous, (h) allowing the emulsion to cool and to obtain a plastic consistency. The process delivers an edible nut butter containing emulsion which comprises 10-25 wt. % of a dispersed fat phase and 75-90 wt. % of a continuous aqueous phase which comprises sugar solids, starch, gelling agent and emulsifier, which emulsion has a plastic consistency and which emulsion possesses bake stability. The invention also relates to a bake stable nut butter emulsion.
US07727569B2	Method of dry fractionation of fat or oil It is intended to provide a procedure for, in the fractionation of vegetable butter, transesterified fat or oil, isomerized hydrogenated fat or oil, etc. without the use of solvents, obtaining high-concentration component G2U (defined below) by concentrating operation through reduction of the amount of liquid component residue in crystal portion. There is provided a method of dry fractionation of fat or oil characterized in that fat or oil (A) containing components G2U and GU2 is fractionated through crystallization/solid-liquid separation into crystal fraction of concentrated G2U (AF) and liquid fraction of concentrated GU2 (AL), subsequently this crystal fraction (AF) is mixed with liquid G2U-containing fat or oil (B) whose GU2 concentration is lower than that of the liquid fraction (AL) and thereafter the mixture is separated into crystal fraction (BF) and liquid fraction (BL). Provided that G represents a saturated or trans acid form fatty acid residue; U a cis form unsaturated fatty acid residue; and G2U a triglyceride of G2-residue and U1-residue bonded together.
US07727564B2	Jucara and açai fruit-based dietary supplements The present invention relates to stable, palatable, freeze-dried, fruit-based dietary supplements. Specifically, the inventions relates to compositions of Açai fruit and Jucara fruit with high antioxidant capability and cyclooxygenase-inhibitory activity, and their uses. The invention further provides for methods of making stable, palatable, freeze-dried, fruit-based dietary supplements from Açai fruit and Jucara fruit.
US07727550B2	Biologically active native biomatrix composition The present disclosure relates to a biologically active biomatrix composition. In one embodiment, the biomatrix composition is derived from human amnions. The biomatrix is termed HuBiogel™. The composition of HuBiogel™ closely mimics naturally occurring basement membrane compositions and is capable of supporting a wide variety of cell types in vitro and in vivo. The HuBiogel™ biomatrix disclosed comprises, in one embodiment, laminin, collagen I, and collagen IV, and may further comprise any combination of the following: entactin, tenascin, fibronectin and proteoglycans. The biomatrix composition is essentially free of endogenous growth factors and proteolytic enzymes. Also described are two- and three-dimensional culture systems and physiological/pathological model systems utilizing the HuBiogel™ compositions. The HuBiogel™ compositions may be modified to contain desired growth stimulants, such as growth factors, polypeptides and organic mall molecules, and may also contain growth inhibitory agents and/or therapeutic agents.
US07727548B2	Rapidly disintegrable tablet containing polyvinyl alcohol The present invention provides a quickly disintegrating tablet which has quick disintegrability and solubility in an oral cavity, and does not have uncomfortable tastes such as bitterness, has a small variation of a tablet physical property even in storage under a humidifying condition, and has substantially no change in a medicine content in the tablet and tablet appearance and which is superior in stability; and a manufacturing method of the tablet. That is, it provides: a quickly disintegrating tablet which is prepared by blending a medicine with a saccharide and polyvinyl alcohol, which has small variations of tablet weight, tablet hardness, tablet diameter and tablet thickness, and which is superior in medicine stability in the tablet; and a manufacturing method of the tablet.
US07727547B2	Tissue-adhesive formulations A tissue-adhesive formulation consists of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material in particulate form, the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable material being in admixture with particulate material comprising tissue-reactive functional groups. The formulation may be used in the preparation of a tissue-adhesive sheet, by applying the formulation to at least one side of a core of a naturally occurring or synthetic polymeric material.
US07727544B2	Treatment of myopia The present invention relates to altering the physical and/or chemical properties of at least part of at least one tissue in the eye. In a specific embodiment, it relates to the treatment and/or prevention of myopia. An activating energy source is utilized to photopolymerize or crosslink molecules in the sclera, thereby increasing the strength of the tissue. The individual is administered a crosslinking reagent or photopolymerizable molecule that becomes associated with the membrane, which is then precisely exposed to an energy source, such as light or ultrasound.
US07727543B2	Biodegradable carrier and method for preparation thereof A biodegradable carrier is produced for preservation and/or controlled delivery of biologically active agents where said biodegradable carrier is a silica xerogel which is made from water and silane by using acid or base as a catalyst, and biologically active agents in said biodegradable carrier are infecting and/or transfecting viruses. Silica xerogel material can be pharmaceutically acceptable and it can be used as a medicine.
US07727539B2	Polymeric bioresorbable composites containing an amorphous calcium phosphate polymer ceramic for bone repair and replacement A bioresorbable composite of a non-crystalline calcium phosphate ceramic synthesized within an encapsulating microspheres of bioresorbable polymeric material for use in bone repair and replacement is provided. Also provides are methods for producing these composites as well as porous, 3-dimensional scaffold produced by sintering together microspheres of this bioresorbable composite.
US07727537B2	Stabilized compositions for topical administration and methods of making same A stabilizing composition that also enhances permeation is provided for the topical or transdermal administration of an active ingredient. The composition preferably comprises collagen, elastin, sphingoside and cerebroside. Also provided are pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations comprising an effective amount of an active agent and the stabilizing composition as well as methods of administering active agents topically or transdermally.
US07727536B2	EG-VEGF nucleic acids and polypeptides and methods of use The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides designated herein as EG-VEGF and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Also provided herein are methods of screening for modulators of EG-VEGF. Furthermore, methods and related methods of treatment are described herein which pertain to regulating cellular proliferation and chemotaxis.
US07727530B2	Anti-cancer composition comprising proline or its derivatives and an anti-tumour antibody The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising of proline or proline derivatives or their salts, esters, isomers, racemates, enantiomeres or prodrugs together with an anti-cancer ligand, preferably an antibody directed to a tumour antigen. The invention is also directed to the use of proline or proline derivatives or their salts, esters, isomers or prodrugs for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer and to a method of cancer treatment by administering said composition.
US07727528B2	Methods for diagnosis using anti-cytokine receptor antibodies Labeled antibodies, antibody fragments or peptides binding to soluble cytokines or cytokine receptors are used to diagnose whether a patient has cancer or an autoimmune disease. In a preferred embodiment, a radiolabelled tag that is chemically bound to a peptide, antibody, or antibody fragment specific for sTNFR-1 and/or sTNFR2 is injected into a patient with a tumor, or suspected tumor, or with any disease associated with STNF-1/STNF-2. The patient is then imaged using standard nuclear imaging equipment to detect areas or sites of concentration of the radiolabel and/or receptor/inhibitor and/or antigen. By screening for cancer by the substances it produces, using an injected antibody to that substance with a tracer attached to it, one can detect cancer at a very early stage, potentially even microscopically.
US07727526B2	Use of PTHrP antagonists for treating renal cell carcinoma The present invention concerns the use of a PTHrP antagonist for preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a mammal and in particular in a human subject. Advantageously, the invention is of particular interest for inhibiting or reducing tumour growth and/or metastasis formation in kidney cancer and its metastatic developments, in particular in the lung and the liver.
US07727525B2	Engineered anti-CD20 antibody fragments for in vivo targeting and therapeutics The present invention provides anti-CD20 antibody fragments for use as in vivo imaging probes and as therapeutic moieties for the diagnosis and treatment of NHL.
US07727518B2	Method of using IL-29 cysteine mutant to treat hepatitis C and hepatitis B Homogeneous preparations of IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 have been produced by mutating one or more of the cysteine residues in the polynucleotide sequences encoding the mature proteins. The cysteine mutant proteins can be shown to either bind to their cognate receptor or exhibit biological activity. One type of biological activity that is shown is an antiviral activity.
US07727514B2	Compositions comprising a UV-absorbing chromophore A chemical composition comprising a linker agent and a compound comprising at least one UV-absorbing chromophore, wherein the linker agent is characterized by the general formula: wherein X1 and X2 are the same or different, and at least one of X1 or X2 is a functional group that bonds with the compound comprising at least one UV-absorbing chromophore, and b+f≧2, Y comprises an O, N, or S that is substituted or unsubstituted, each a, b, c, e and f is ≧0 and a+b+c+e+f≧2, d is 0 or 1, n1 and n2 represent the number of hydrogen atoms required to complete the undesignated valencies, and m ranges from 1 to about 100 and each individual m unit may be the same or different.
US07727509B2	Metal passivation in a heat exchange reformer A method for reducing the interaction between carbon monoxide present in a heat exchange medium and metals on the shell side of heat exchange reformer apparatus used for reforming of hydrocarbons by treatment of the shell-side of said apparatus with an effective amount of at least one passivation compound containing at least one element selected from phosphorus, tin, antimony, arsenic, lead, bismuth, copper, germanium, silver or gold is described. Where volatile compounds are formed by the passivation compound, the method further comprises compound recovery to prevent contamination and deactivation of subsequent process steps. The method reduces side reactions, provides improved reformer tube lifetime and allows tubes to be treated in-situ without the need for process shutdown.
US07727508B2	Process for preparing powder of niobium suboxides or niobium The present invention relates to a process for preparing powders of niobium suboxides or niobium, wherein the process comprising: mixing the niobium oxides as raw material with reducing agent, conducting a reaction at a temperature in the range of 600˜1300° C. in an atmosphere of vacuum or inert gas or hydrogen gas, leaching the reaction product to remove the residual reducing agent and the oxides of the reducing agent and other impurities, heat treating at a temperature of the range of 1000˜1600° C. in an atmosphere of vacuum or inert gas, and screening to obtain the powders of niobium suboxide or niobium of capacitor grade. According to the present invention, the niobium oxides were directly reduced into capacitor grade niobium suboxides or niobium with reducing agents which can be easily removed by mineral acids, wherein the speed of the reaction can be controlled and the reaction can directly reduce the niobium oxides into capacitor grade niobium suboxides or niobium powder. According to the present invention, the process is simple with high yield and high productivity. The products obtained have good flowability, low impurities, uniform distribution of oxygen, and have good electrical properties.
US07727503B2	Method for purifying silicon The present invention provides for methods of purifying silicon, methods for obtaining purified silicon, as well as methods for obtaining purified silicon crystals, purified granulized silicon and/or purified silicon ingots.
US07727495B2	Catalytic reactor with swirl A catalyst conduit for a catalytic reactor of a turbine combustor, the conduit comprising a tube including an inlet and an outlet, and a wall with an interior surface and an exterior surface. The tube contains a variation in its cross sectional area along at least a portion of its length to change a property of a fluid flowing adjacent the wall of the tube. An oxidation catalyst is deposited on at least a portion of the tube.
US07727494B2	Child care storage having steam sterilizing apparatus A child care storage having a steam sterilizing apparatus, wherein the steam sterilizing apparatus includes an outer tub defined by walls of a steam sterilizing compartment; a hollow upstanding coupling member installed on the center bottom of the outer tub and having an interlocking hole formed at its top; an inner tub inserted inside the outer tub for accommodating infant accessories therein, the inner tub having a reception hole formed at its bottom center and a latch part formed along the circumference of its bottom center; an evaporation vessel having a flange along its circumference, the flange being coupled to the latch part of the inner tub; a flat-type heater installed under a rear bottom surface of the evaporation vessel; and a supporting plate for placing the flat-type heater thereon.
US07727490B2	Aromatic production apparatus One exemplary embodiment can include an aromatic production apparatus. The aromatic production apparatus can include a first fractionation zone, a second fractionation zone, and a third fractionation zone. Generally, the first fractionation zone can provide a stream rich in an aromatic C8− and a stream rich in an aromatic C9, the second fractionation zone can separate at least one of benzene and optionally toluene from a transalkylation zone effluent and provide a feed to the first fractionation zone, and the third fractionation zone can receive the stream rich in the aromatic C8− from the first fractionation zone. An effluent from the third fractionation zone can be directly comprised in a para-xylene-separation zone feed to a para-xylene-separation zone.
US07727488B2	Plasma generating electrode and plasma reactor A plasma generating electrode 1 of the present invention includes two or more electrodes 2 disposed to face each other, and holding members 3 for holding electrodes 2 at a predetermined interval, and can generate plasma by applying voltage between electrodes 2. At least one of electrodes facing each other 2 has a plate-shaped ceramic body 6 serving as a dielectric body, and a conductive film 7 disposed inside the body 6, and the holding members 3 fix the opposite side end portions 5 (fixed end portions 5a) of electrodes facing each other 2 in the state of a cantilever in such a condition that electrodes 2 are held by holding members in the state of cantilevers of the different directions alternately at a predetermined interval as a whole. This relaxes the thermal stress and effectively prevents distortion and breakage of electrodes caused by to a temperature change.
US07727487B2	Plasma reaction vessel, and method of producing the same In the plasma reaction vessel (1) of the invention, two or more laminate-structures (6) having ceramic formed bodies (3, 4) in which a plasma generating electrode (2) capable of generating plasma is formed in two-tape-form, and an electrically continuous film-like electrically conductive electrode (5) held between the two ceramic formed bodies (3, 4) are formed in such a manner as to form a plasma generating space (7) containing mutual laminate planes therein. Of the electrically conductive electrodes (5), adjacent ones are capable of having electric discharge produced therebetween so as to generate the plasma in the plasma generating space (7) and of generating uniform stabilized plasma at low electric power, it being possible to reduce a passage resistance to a gas passing therein.
US07727481B2	Specimen holder having an insert for atomic force microscopy A specimen holder (10) is proposed in order to create a capability for preparing, in a cutting device, in particular a microtome or ultramicrotome, a specimen that is to examined in an AFM. The specimen holder (10) is embodied in several parts. It comprises an insert (12) in which the specimen is secured. Also provided is a receiving ring (14) in which the insert (12) can be received. The insert together with the receiving ring (14) is mounted, in particular thread-joined, on a base element (16). As a result of the mounting of the receiving ring (14) on the base element (16), the insert together with the specimen is fixed in its position.
US07727480B2	Reaction vessel, reaction vessel liquid introducing device, liquid introducing and reaction measuring device, and liquid introducing device The invention relates to a reaction vessel, a reaction vessel liquid introducing device, a liquid introducing and reaction measuring device, and a liquid introducing device, and is directed to being able to perform temperature control of a liquid stored within the reaction vessel with a high accuracy and faithful responsiveness. The reaction vessel comprises: a storage chamber in which a liquid is storable, that has an opening part; a reaction chamber that is formed thinner or narrower than the storage chamber; and at least one flow passage that communicates between the storage chamber or the exterior and the reaction chamber. The reaction vessel is formed such that it is connectable to a liquid introducing section provided externally, and the liquid can be introduced into the reaction chamber by connecting to the liquid introducing section.
US07727478B2	Micro total analysis system A system including an inspection chip equipped with at least a pump connection having a flow path opening for interconnecting to a micro-pump, a flow path through which a fluid flows, and a fluid mixing section for joining and mixing two or more fluids, and including a system body equipped with at least a base body, a chip connection having a flow path opening for interconnecting to the inspection chip, a micro-pump unit in the base body including micro-pumps in substantially the same shape, a detection processor and a controller for controlling at least the functions of the micro-pump unit and the detection processor, and the joining amount ratio is adjusted to set the mixing ratio of two fluids to be joined in the fluid mixing section to be approximately m:n (not 1:1) by making the drive voltages of the micro-pumps substantially equal to each other.
US07727477B2	Apparatus for priming microfluidics devices with feedback control A priming unit for a microfluidics device contains a pressurization unit and pressure and temperature detectors as part of a feedback loop that controls the pressure applied by the pressurization unit and the time during which the pressure is applied. This control feature is particularly useful in controlling the exposure time of the microchannels to dyes in the priming liquids since certain dyes tend to adhere to the walls of the channels and produce non-uniform results.
US07727475B2	Micro chemical apparatus In a micro chemical apparatus, guide walls as physical barriers are provided at a region where fluid A and fluid B as unmixed raw materials and a product are discharged so that, when the fluid A and the fluid B as raw materials are charged, only the portion in which the fluid A and the fluid B are mixed and allowed to react with each other by molecular diffusion of the raw materials is discharged. As a result, only the product is in the range between the two guide walls, and the product can be selectively taken out of the outlet.
US07727473B2	Cassette for sample preparation A cassette for preparing a sample is disclosed herein. The cassette includes a housing, which encloses the structures and the processes used to prepare the sample.
US07727468B2	System for evaluating the pH and buffering capacity of moisture containing cleansing articles A system comprising a moisture containing cleansing article and a visual pH indicator changing color at a pH above 4.0. The system can comprise a buffer, having preferably a pKa above 5.5. The system can comprise a set of instructions for evaluating moisture containing cleansing articles. The pH buffer of the system can have a pKa value equal to or greater than the pH of the color change of the visual pH indicator. The pH of color change of the visual pH indicator can be equal to or greater than the pH of the lotion. The system can be used to evaluate the pH of moisture containing cleansing article lotions and to quantify the ability to neutralize alkalinity such as the alkalinity provided by residues of feces and urine over time on the skin of a baby.
US07727467B2	Reagent stripe for test strip A test strip having a small sample-receiving chamber on the order of less than 1 microliter. The inventive test strip includes a reagent layer that extends across the width of the test strip and also extends to the sample-receiving end, such that the edges of the reagent layer are aligned with the side and dose receiving edges of the test strip. The hydrophilic reagent extending to the dosing edge of the strip promotes wicking of the sample into the test strip. The end and side edges of the reagent layer are preferably formed as part of a cutting process that forms individual test strips from a larger web, which results in a smooth and thin reagent layer with a uniform thickness, substantially covering the entire floor of the sample-receiving chamber. The inventive mass production process helps improve the reproducibility of the quantity, location, thickness and other properties of the reagent layer, which in turn improves the accuracy of the test result.
US07727462B2	Method for meltless manufacturing of rod, and its use as a welding rod An article made of a metallic material having its constituent elements is made by furnishing at least one nonmetallic precursor compound, wherein all of the nonmetallic precursor compounds collectively include the constituent elements of the metallic material in their respective constituent-element proportions. The precursor compounds are chemically reduced to produce particles comprising the metallic material, without melting the precursor compounds and without melting the metallic material. The particles may be consolidated into a rod, which may be used as a welding rod in a welding operation. Alternatively, the nonmetallic precursor compounds may be consolidated prior to the chemical reduction.
US07727458B2	Method of forming a chalcogenide compound target In a method of forming a chalcogenide compound target, a first powder including germanium carbide or germanium is prepared, and a second powder including antimony carbide or antimony is prepared. A third powder including tellurium carbide or tellurium is prepared. A powder mixture is formed by mixing the first to the third powders. After a shaped is formed body by molding the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target is obtained by sintering the powder mixture. The chalcogenide compound target may include a chalcogenide compound that contains carbon and metal, or carbon, metal and nitrogen considering contents of carbon, metal and nitrogen, so that a phase-change material layer formed using the chalcogenide compound target may stable phase transition, enhanced crystallized temperature and increased resistance. A phase-change memory device including the phase-change material layer may have reduced set resistance and driving current while improving durability and sensing margin.
US07727456B2	Method of manufacturing composite molded article and manufacturing apparatus of composite molded article A method of manufacturing a composite molded member, which includes the steps of: setting the main body inside an injection mold; closing the injection mold to fix the main body inside the injection mold; and forming the cushion members on the edges of the main body through heat and pressure of the injected elastic polymer material. The elastic polymer material is injected from an injection gate into one of the first and second edges at the back surface side of the main body of the molding cavities to flow the elastic polymer material into one of the molding cavities. The elastic polymer material flows into the other of the molding cavities through the connecting flow path, and fills the molding cavities with the elastic polymer material.
US07727454B2	Device for transferring items by means of a group modules having variable spacing The invention proposes a device (10) for transferring items (3) from an items (3) loading station (13) to an items (3) unloading station (14), which comprises: a group (18) of modules (19a-d) mounted such that they can move in a longitudinally direction, able to adopt a contracted configuration in which the modules (19a-d) are separated by a first spacing (pl), and a deployed configuration in which the modules (19a-d) are separated by a second spacing (F), means (34) of linking one module (19a) to another (19b), comprising a lever (38) mounted such that it is articulated on a first module (19b) and connected to a second module (19a), this lever (3) furthermore cooperating with a groove (46) having an intermediate section (46c) forming an angle with the direction of movement of the group (18) of modules (19a-d), and means (35, 36) of controlling the movement of the group (18). Application to the transfer of blanks from a heating station to a station for molding receptacles from blanks.
US07727453B2	Step and repeat imprint lithography processes The present invention is directed to a method of forming a layer on a region of a substrate, the method including, inter alia, positioning a liquid on the substrate; and contacting the liquid with the mold, defining a gap between the mold and the substrate, with the gap enabling positioning of the liquid by capillary forces to generate the layer over the region.
US07727450B1	Method of using shape memory polymers A method includes providing a shape memory polymer in a permanent shape, where the permanent shape is at least part of a predetermined part shape, converting the shape memory polymer from the permanent shape into a temporary shape, where the temporary shape is more open than the permanent shape. The method further includes spraying a material onto at least one surface of the shape memory polymer in its temporary shape and reverting the shape memory polymer, having the material on the at least one surface, back to the permanent shape.
US07727448B2	Densification of fibrous structures by resin transfer moulding for making thick parts of composite material A fiber structure for forming the reinforcement of a part to be made is placed in a mold (22) having at least one wall formed by a flexible membrane, and then a resin composition is injected into the mold, the composition having a volatile material content of less than 25% by weight and being at a temperature of a value such that its viscosity lies in the range 0.1 Pa·s to 0.3 Pa·s. The resin is polymerized in the mold placed in an enclosure (20) with temperature being raised progressively and with polymerization including at least a final stage of polymerization under pressure in order to obtain a composite material part presenting residual porosity of less than 11% by volume.
US07727443B2	Process using cold-water soluble extruded starch Disclosed is a cold-water soluble starch and a process for preparing same. Generally, the process comprises providing a hydroxyalkyl starch and applying a shearing force to the starch in an extruder in the presence of moisture, the force and the moisture each being sufficient to gelatinize at least substantially all of the granules of the starch to thereby form a sheared starch. The starch is heated to its gelatinization temperature after the starch has passed partially through the barrel of the extruder, with the moisture being maintained at a level sufficiently high to allow gelatinization but sufficiency low to protect the starch from becoming too sticky to extrude. The extruded starch product thus formed may be used in connection with a number of film-forming, coating, and other applications.
US07727440B2	Methods of making fastener products A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.
US07727439B2	Method for making a printing blanket comprising a back layer made of a polymer material and resulting blanket A method for making a printing blanket having an outer lithographic layer and at the back, on the side opposite to the lithographic layer, a layer made of polymer material, entails providing polymer material that can be rectified, and then rectifying the polymer material to help control a thickness of the blanket. The invention is useful in the field of printing machines.
US07727437B2	Golf ball manufacturing method The invention provides a method of manufacturing golf balls composed of a core and one or more cover layer which encloses the core, at least one cover layer being a thin layer having a thickness of 1.0 mm or less. The thin layer is formed to a desired thickness on a surface of a core or spherical body by holding within a mold cavity the core or a spherical body composed of the core enclosed by a cover layer and injecting a synthetic resin material into a space defined by a surface of the core or spherical body and an inner face of the mold cavity so as to form a cover layer on the surface of the core or spherical body, then grinding the resulting cover layer to a thickness of at least 0.1 mm with a specific type of grinder. Golf balls obtained in this way can be provided with a good sphericity even when the cover is formed to a very small thickness.
US07727432B2	Process and apparatus for quality control of a process for producing concrete articles Methods and apparatus are presented for quality control of a process to produce concrete goods products. The quality control is effected on the basis of measurements that are carried out on the concrete goods products in an intermediate step of the process after shaping and compacting in the fresh concrete phase. Measurement values are determined on a test fresh concrete product from the intermediate step of the process, which measurement values comprise a measure of the bulk density and the gas permeability of the test fresh concrete product. Subsequently, an estimated value for a quality measure of the hardened concrete product is determined on the basis of a predetermined predictive model. The predictive model relates the measurement values of fresh concrete products from the intermediate step of the process to the quality measure of the corresponding hardened concrete products.
US07727427B2	Method of fabricating a light duct of thermoplastic material A method of fabricating a light duct includes making the light duct as a single piece by injection molding a thermoplastic material in a mold (1) presenting a cavity of shape identical to that of the duct, the injection taking place through a feed orifice disposed on one side of said cavity over a face that is substantially parallel to the plane defined by axes (A-A′, B-B′), the feed orifice presenting a height h lying in the range 0.2 Hmax and Hmax, and a length l lying in the range 0.2 Lmoy and 0.8 Lmoy, the thermoplastic material being injected at a rate lying in the range 400 mm3/s to 1500 mm3/s.
US07727426B2	Epoxy resin composition Disclosed is an epoxy resin composition which is solid at ordinary room temperature, cures with excellent light resistance and heat resistance and minimal shrinkage, and is useful for encapsulating LEDs. The epoxy resin composition is characterized by comprising as an essential component an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of 300-1000 g/eq and a softening point of 65-110° C. obtained by reacting a nonaromatic polycarboxylic acid (A) having an acid value of 100-250 mgKOH/g with a nonaromatic epoxy resin (B) having an epoxy equivalent of 100-400 g/eq. The nonaromatic polycarboxylic acid (A) may be obtained by reacting 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane, or 3,9-bis(1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane with methylhexahydrophthalic acid or hexahydrophthalic acid.
US07727420B2	Corrosion inhibiting compositions Corrosion inhibiting composition for use in aqueous or semi-aqueous stripping, cleaning, abrasive lapping and abrasive slurry compositions that form 5, 6, 7, or 8-membered chelating rings with a base metal together with a film forming polymeric chelation agent. Optionally there is included an oxygen scavenger.
US07727418B2	Infrared transmissive thermoplastic composition, and articles formed therefrom A thermoplastic composition is disclosed herein, comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and a dye combination comprising a black dye, and a fluorescent dye, wherein a molded article having a thickness of 2.0 millimeters and consisting of the thermoplastic polymer, the black dye, and the fluorescent dye, has a percent transmission of infrared light according to ASTM D1003-00 of greater than or equal to 50%, when measured at a wavelength of 800 to 1,100 nm, and a percent transmission of visible light, according to ASTM D1003-00 of less than or equal to 15%, when measured at a wavelength of 400 to 650 nm. An article comprising the thermoplastic composition is also disclosed.
US07727417B2	Optically isotropic liquid crystal medium and optical device A liquid crystal medium is described, having a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase, a large optical anisotropy and a large dielectric anisotropy, and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. The liquid crystal medium features including a chiral dopant and a liquid crystal compound with chloronaphthalene ring and exhibiting an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase.
US07727414B2	Heat transfer fluids with carbon nanocapsules A heat transfer fluid with carbon nanocapsules. The heat transfer fluid comprises a fluid and a plurality of carbon nanocapsules, uniformly dispersed in the fluid, in an amount of 0.05 to 10 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the heat transfer fluid. Particularly, the carbon nanocapsules are modified to bond with at least one kind of functional group, improving dispersiblity in the fluid. Thus, since the carbon nanocapsules are apt to disperse in fluid and have superior thermal conductivity, the heat conduction capability of the heat transfer fluid therewith is enhanced.
US07727406B2	Ultraviolet water sterilizer There is provided a water sterilizer. The water sterilizer includes an ultraviolet light source electrically connected to an electrical power source, a light-protective housing encasing the lamp and having an inlet and an outlet, and a pump to draw the water into the housing to expose the water to ultraviolet light. Electric power supplied to the ultraviolet light source has an operating potential of not greater than 24 Volts. There is also provided a method for water sterilization.
US07727400B2	Low water recovery rate desalination system and method A low water recovery rate desalination system and method. This system and method enables the purification of water in a more environmentally sustainable manner than conventional systems. The environmental benefit of this invention is derived from its ability to desalinate water and produce a brine byproduct that is less concentrated than that of conventional desalination systems. The system is composed of three elements. They are a water makeup element, a concentration element and a desalination system. The water makeup element and the concentration element can integrated with a conventional desalination technology to form a complete desalination system.
US07727399B2	Systems and methods of microfluidic membraneless exchange using filtration of extraction outlet streams A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration.
US07727396B1	Anaerobic reactor with auger in the effluent line An upflow anaerobic reactor includes an effluent outlet configured to direct effluent out of the reactor and a fluid-filled gas trap configured to prevent loss of biogas from the vessel. An auger assembly is operably coupled to the effluent outlet to prevent clogging of the effluent outlet by solid matter that tends to collect in the effluent outlet. The auger assembly includes at least one helical screw conveyor that rotates so as to remove solid material that collects in the effluent outlet. auger assembly can be operated on a continuous or semi-continuous basis so as to allow for continuous operation of the reactor. The auger assembly can be operated on a continuous or semi-continuous basis so as to allow for continuous operation of the reactor.
US07727393B2	Submerged hollow fiber membrane module Disclosed is a submerged hollow fiber membrane module which is easy to expand, has a small installation area, and exhibits excellent contamination prevention and durability. The submerged hollow fiber membrane module comprises: (I) a module body divided into two portions which has a permeated water collection space (5) and a permeated water outlet (3); (II) module support tubes (17) which are vertically connected to the upper and lower ends of the module body; (III) a plate type module header insertion layer which is provided with hollow fiber membrane spaces (10), and is inserted into the module body; (IV) a plate type diffusion layer which is provided with a diffusion port (4) and diffusion tubes (11) and is inserted into the module body subsequent to the module header insertion layer; and (V) module headers which are inserted into the module header insertion layer.
US07727392B2	System for converting kinetic energy from Brownian motion of gases or liquids to useful energy, force and work A system for producing energy includes a solvent chamber, a pressure chamber and a semi-permeable barrier separating the solvent chamber from the pressure chamber. The solvent chamber for holds a solvent, and the pressure chamber hold a solute solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The semi-permeable barrier is permeable to solvent molecules and impermeable to solute molecules. Solvent molecules effuse across the semi-permeable barrier into the solute solution of the closed pressure chamber to increase the pressure of the pressure chamber, thereby generating energy in the form of hydrostatic pressure. A conversion device may convert the increased pressure in the pressure chamber to energy. The solute solution may be expelled and recycled after use.
US07727391B2	Extracorporeal blood treatment machine The invention relates to an extracorporeal blood treatment machine in which a blood circuit (3) is equipped with an inlet line leading to a filtration unit (2) and with an outlet line (3b) from the filtration unit; a fluid circuit comprises an inlet line (4a) leading to the filtration unit and an outlet line (4b) from the filtration unit so as to allow a fluid taken from a primary container (5) to circulate within the filtration unit, thus enabling the treatment of the patient's blood. There is further an infusion line (6) acting on the outlet line of the blood circuit, which is supplied by an auxiliary fluid container (7). The inlet line of the fluid circuit is equipped with at least an infusion branch (8) acting on the outlet line of the blood circuit so as to enable the intensive therapy machine to manage therapies with large exchange of fluids.
US07727390B2	Oil filter device for an internal combustion engine The invention relates to an oil filter device (1) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a support element (2) and a substantially cylindrical filter cartridge (3) which can be connected, especially screwed, to the support element (2). The invention is characterized in that the filter cartridge is arranged essentially in an upright position while an annular duct (4) which surrounds the filter cartridge (3) in the screwed-on state is embodied inside the support element (2). The duct (4) is fluidically separated from the interior of the filter cartridge (3) when the filter cartridge is screwed on while said separation is eliminated when the filter cartridge (3) is removed. Furthermore, the duct (4) is configured as a drainage duct and is fluidically connected to an oil reservoir when the filter cartridge (3) is removed such that the filter cartridge is easy to replace while no oil is spilled, preventing pollution of the environment.
US07727386B2	Voraxial filtration system with self-cleaning auxiliary filtration apparatus A voraxial separation system having an auxiliary filter is disclosed for separating flowable composite media into components. The voraxial separation system receives a flowing stream of composite media and utilizes centrifugal force to separate the stream into component radial layers according to specific gravity whereafter one or more radial layers may be extracted from the stream. An auxiliary filtration apparatus includes a conduit having a flowable media input, a generally cylindrical filter disposed within the conduit, and filtered and unfiltered media outlets. An elongate spray tube is disposed within the tubular filter substantially adjacent to the radially inner surface of the filter. The spray tube is fluidly connected to a pressurized fluid source and defines a plurality of spray outlets disposed in a direction radially outward so as to direct pressurized fluid onto the cylindrical filter from the filter interior thereof to clean the filter of accumulated substances. A rotational drive system provides powered rotation of the spray tube, and a spectrophotometer assembly monitors the accumulation of component medium on the filter and adjusts rotation speed of the spray tube in response to filter loading.
US07727384B2	Bitumen recovery process for oil sand A bitumen recovery process is provided which includes the step of providing a bitumen froth or a component derived from the bitumen froth as a feed material, wherein the bitumen froth is produced in a primary separation process from a slurry comprising oil sand and water. Further, the process includes the step of subjecting the feed material to froth flotation in a column flotation cell in order to recover a bitumen product from the feed material. Preferably, the froth flotation cell includes an underwash zone, wherein a bitumen-rich fraction of the feed material is passed through the underwash zone as the bitumen-rich fraction rises within the column flotation cell.
US07727382B2	Production and removal of free-flowing coke from delayed coker drum A method for producing and removing coke which has bulk morphology such that at least about 30 volume percent is free-flowing under the force of gravity or hydrostatic forces from a delayed coker drum. At the completion of the fill cycle, the coker drum, filled with hot coke, is cooled by steaming and then flooding it with water, thereby producing a coke/water mixture. The coke/water mixture is released from the coke drum through one or more drum closure/discharge throttling systems near the bottom of the coker drum.
US07727379B2	Process to continuously prepare two or more base oil grades and middle distillates Process to prepare simultaneously two or more base oil grades and middle distillates from a mineral crude derived feed, in particular a de-asphalted oil or a vacuum distillate feed or their mixtures, by performing the following steps: (a) hydrocracking the mineral crude derived feed, thereby obtaining an effluent; (b) distillation of the effluent as obtained in step (a) into one or more middle distillates and a full range residue boiling substantially above 340° C., (c) catalytically dewaxing the full range residue by contacting the residue with a dewaxing catalyst comprising a zeolite of the MTW type and a Group VIII metal, thereby obtaining a dewaxed oil; (d) isolating by means of distillation two or more base oil grades from the dewaxed oil obtained in step (c); and (e) isolating a dewaxed gas oil from the dewaxed-oil obtained in step (c); wherein the dewaxed oil as obtained in step (c) comprises between 10 and 40 wt % of a dewaxed heavy gas oil boiling for more than 70 wt % between 370 and 400° C.
US07727376B2	Process to prepare base oil from a Fisher-Tropsch synthesis product A process to prepare base oils from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product by (a) separating the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis product into a fraction (i) boiling in the middle distillate range and below, a heavy ends fraction (iii) and an intermediate base oil precursor fraction (ii) boiling between fraction (i) and fraction (iii), (b) subjecting the base oil precursor fraction (ii) to a catalytic hydroisomerisation and catalytic dewaxing process to yield one or more base oil grades, (c) subjecting the heavy ends fraction (iii) to a conversion step to yield a fraction (iv) boiling below the heavy ends fraction (iii) and (d) subjecting the high boiling fraction (v) of fraction (iv) to a catalytic hydroisomerisation and catalytic dewaxing process to yield one or more base oil grades.
US07727373B2	Hydrogen absorption rod An apparatus and a method for producing, capturing and storing hydrogen in a hydrogen absorption rod. The hydrogen absorption rod comprises a zeolite core material surrounding a conductive rod, wherein the zeolite core material is suitable for releasing captured hydrogen to a hydrogen fuel cell. More specifically, the apparatus and method utilize solar-generated electric current to separate hydrogen from water, whereupon the released hydrogen is captured in the hydrogen absorption rod. The hydrogen absorption rod is configured to allow for ease and safety of transportation, storage, and use of hydrogen gas in hydrogen fuel cells.
US07727372B2	Anodizing valve metals by self-adjusted current and power A method for anodizing valve metal structures to a target formation voltage is described. The valve metal structures are placed in an anodizing electrolyte and connected to a power supply that generates a source voltage to at least one current limiting device. If at least two current limiting devices are used, they are in series with the valve metal structures with the one current limiting device connected to at least one structure. The valve metal structures are then subjected to a current that decreases over time, a formation voltage that increases over time to a level below the voltage from the power supply and a power level that is self-adjusted to a level that decreases excessive heating in the structure. The invention also includes the components for the method.
US07727371B2	Electrode apparatus for use with a microfluidic device An electrode alignment apparatus may be used with a microfluidic device for accurate and repeatable alignment of electrode pins with reservoirs on the microfluidic device. The apparatus includes a base unit and an electrode block assembly that are moveable with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position. The electrode block assembly includes an interface array that is coupled to an interface array platform such that the interface array is moveable with respect to the interface array platform in three dimensions.
US07727370B2	Reference pH sensor, preparation and application thereof A reference pH sensor, the preparation and application thereof. The reference pH sensor is an extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET) structure and comprises a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) on a semiconductor substrate, a sensing unit comprising a substrate, a solid-state conductive sensing layer on the substrate, and a polypyrrole layer on the solid-state conductive sensing layer, and a metal wire connecting the MOSFET and the sensing unit.
US07727369B2	Gas sensor A gas sensor is provided that has the diffusion of the measuring gas toward the working electrode adapted in such a way as to obtain a good signal-to-basic current ratio. Provisions are made for the measuring gas to be transported via a capillary arrangement (11), wherein the capillary arrangement (11) is designed as an arrangement extending in parallel to the working electrode (4).
US07727368B2	Lead free galvanic oxygen sensor A lead free, galvanic sensor. The sensor having a housing, a cathode, an anode, a diffusion barrier, contact wires and an electrolyte, the anode being made of a tin containing alloy. The sensor electrolyte is an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid or an aqueous solution of a cesium salt.
US07727367B2	Biosensor and method for manufacturing same The present invention provides a biosensor that can be used for easy and quick quantitative analysis of a specific component in a sample with high precision and a method for manufacturing such a biosensor. The present invention also provides a biosensor that can be used for a highly precise quantitative analysis after an extended period of storage, specifically, a biosensor with excellent storage stability, and a method for manufacturing such a biosensor. The present invention relates to a biosensor comprising an electrically insulating substrate (1); an electrode (2) having a working electrode (21) and a counter electrode (22) formed on the substrate; and a reaction part (4) that is adhered to one end of the electrode (2); the reaction part (4) being mainly composed of a hydrophilic polymer comprising an oxidoreductase, an electron acceptor, fine crystalline cellulose powder, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments.
US07727366B2	Balancing pressure to improve a fluid seal A method and apparatus for fluid sealing a workpiece retained by a workpiece holder are described. A pressure differential can be formed across a fluid seal to counteract fluid attempting to penetrate the fluid seal, which can contaminate the underside of the workpiece. The apparatus can include a ring forming a barrier to fluid entry with the workpiece and a source providing pressure to form the pressure differential. The pressure or the pressure differential can counteract hydroscopic fluid pressure or hydrostatic fluid pressure that is acting to force fluid through the barrier between the ring and the workpiece.
US07727365B2	Suction pad and substrate treatment apparatus A suction pad used for use in a substrate treatment apparatus which treats a substrate by immersing the substrate in a solution while the pad attaches to the substrate, including: a main face for attaching to the substrate; an outer face disposed along the outer periphery of the substrate; and a suction opening formed in the main face. In a cross-sectional shape including the main face and the outer face, the angle formed between a line corresponding to the main face and a line corresponding to the outer face is an acute angle.
US07727364B2	Auxiliary electrode encased in cation exchange membrane tube for electroplating cell A method and apparatus for plating a metal onto a substrate. One embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for electrochemically plating a substrate. The apparatus comprises a fluid basin configured to retain a plating solution therein, an anode assembly disposed in the fluid basin, a substrate support member configured to support the substrate and contact the substrate electrically, and an encased auxiliary electrode assembly disposed in the fluid basin. The encased auxiliary electrode assembly generally comprises an auxiliary electrode disposed in a protective tube.
US07727363B2	Microfluidic device and methods for focusing fluid streams using electroosmotically induced pressures A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either electric current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to electrokinetically inducing fluid flow to confine a selected material in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field. Other structures for inducing fluid flow in accordance with this invention include nanochannel bridging membranes and alternating current fluid pumping devices. Applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.
US07727362B2	Sacrificial anode for cathodic corrosion protection The invention pertains to a sacrificial anode for cathodic corrosion protection that comprises an anode body (1), a mounting component (8) for mounting the sacrificial anode on the device to be protected, an insulating component (4) that in certain areas surrounds the anode body (1) and electrically insulates the anode body (1) from the mounting component (8), and a resistive element (9) that is inserted between the anode body (1) and the mounting component (8), where the insulating component (4) is fixed on the mounting component (8). According to the disclosure, a securing component (6) is fixed on the anode body (1) and prevents the anode body (1) from moving out of the insulating component (4). This results in a sacrificial anode of this type that can be reliably operated over its entire service life.
US07727360B2	Forming sieve for the wet end section of a paper machine A sieve for the wet-end section of a paper machine is described, in which the sieve has been compressed by at least one of increased temperature, pressure and/or moisture. Such a treatment leads to a sieve which has at least one side wherein the thread floats and knuckles are reshaped and the sieve presents at least one substantially flatter surface for the production of paper. This process does not cause any physical damage to the surface of the sieve, as current techniques of abrasively polishing the surface do, and therefore leads to cloths with improved properties and lifetimes.
US07727356B2	Polyareneazole/wood pulp and methods of making same The present invention relates to wood pulp and polyareneazole pulp for use as reinforcement material in products including for example friction materials, fluid sealing materials, and papers. The pulp comprises (a) irregularly shaped, wood pulp fibrous structures, (b) irregularly shaped, polyareneazole fibrous structures, and (c) water, whereby wood pulp fibrils and/or stalks are substantially entangled with polyareneazole fibrils and/or stalks. The invention further relates to processes for making such wood pulp and polyareneazole pulp.
US07727353B2	Diaper including ink-printed substrate web A disposable diaper including an ink-printed substrate web exhibiting ink rub-off resistance. The substrate web is printed with an ink composition to form an ink film on the substrate web. The ink film is coated with a coating composition to form a coating film on the ink film. At least one of the ink composition and the coating composition forms a cross-linked structure within the film thereof and forms a cross-linked structure with the other composition between the ink film and the coating film. A method for making the diaper includes the steps of printing and coating the ink film.
US07727350B2	Apparatus and method for making articles having filamentary material Articles (12) made by winding of filamentary material (11), such as yarn and thread, are especially suitable for providing brushes and pile weatherstripping. In order to enable the yarn (11) to be unwound and payed out of spools (24) disposed in a stationary or static array, the yarn is fed from the spools (24) through a rotating spindle (30). A frame (14) located at the beginning of the path and may be provided by laterally spaced pairs of wire (52) which travel around posts (36) provided by rollers on a stationary bracket (38). In order to support the bracket (38) and the frame (14), a shaft (28) reciprocates a pair of support rods (100, 102) in synchronism with the rotation of the spindle (30). Bindings (60, 62) are applied to the ends of the loops (54) as they leave the winding station (14). Slitters (20) divide the loops (54).
US07727347B1	Thermobaric explosives and compositions, and articles of manufacture and methods regarding the same A pressable explosive composition is provided. The composition includes at least 40 weight percent of substantially uncoated fuel particles, a nitramine mechanically blended with the substantially uncoated fuel particles, and a binder coating the nitramine. The binder constitutes about 1 to about 6 weight percent of the pressable explosive composition. Also provided are a pressed thermobaric explosive, weapons containing the pressed thermobaric explosive, and methods for making the composition and thermobaric explosive.
US07727346B2	Wrought aluminium-magnesium alloy product A method of making a wrought aluminium-magnesium alloy rolled product, having a composition (in wt. %) of: 3.1
US07727341B2	Cylinder head gasket A gasket system is described and depicting having a gasket located between and sealing a cylinder head and a cylinder block. The gasket has a first metal layer and a second metal layer adjacent said first metal layer. The second metal layer has a bead region and a stopper region. At least a portion of the bead region has a predetermined tensile strength and a predetermined range of yield strength.
US07727338B2	Dishwasher machine with door and handle element A hinged door for a dishwashing machine comprising a handle element for unlocking and actuating the door, the handle element being arranged on an upper side of the door.
US07727336B2	Glass washing machine with broken glass removal system A glass sheet washing machine with a broken glass removal system includes a support, a liquid container or reservoir, a pump, a liquid applicator, and a liquid permeable member. The support supports a glass sheet being washed. The liquid reservoir is positioned below the support. The pump is coupled to the liquid reservoir. The liquid applicator is coupled to the pump. The liquid applicator applies the liquid from the liquid reservoir to wash the glass sheet. Excess liquid falls into the reservoir. The liquid permeable member is positioned between the support and the liquid reservoir to catch pieces of glass to inhibit the pieces of broken glass from falling into the liquid reservoir and is moved to remove the pieces from the glass washing machine.
US07727333B1	HVPE apparatus and methods for growth of indium containing materials and materials and structures grown thereby Hydride phase vapor epitaxy (HVPE) growth apparatus, methods and materials and structures grown thereby. A HVPE growth apparatus includes generation, accumulation and growth zones. A first reactive gas reacts with an indium source inside the generation zone to produce a first gas product having an indium-containing compound. The first gas product is transported to the accumulation zone where it cools and condenses into a source material having an indium-containing compound. The source material is collected in the accumulation zone and evaporated. Vapor or gas resulting from evaporation of the source material forms reacts with a second reactive gas in the growth zone for growth of ternary and quaternary materials including indium gallium nitride, indium aluminum nitride, and indium gallium aluminum nitride.
US07727332B2	Process for selective masking of III-N layers and for the preparation of free-standing III-N layers or of devices, and products obtained thereby In a process for forming a mask material on a III-N layer, wherein III denotes an element of the group III of the Periodic Table of Elements, selected from Al, Ga and In, a III-N layer having a surface is provided which comprises more than one facet. Mask material is selectively deposited only on one or multiple, but not on all facets. The deposition of mask material may be particularly carried out during epitaxial growth of a III-N layer under growth conditions, by which (i) growth of at least a further III-N layer selectively on a first type or a first group of facet(s) and (ii) a deposition of mask material selectively on a second type or a second group of facet(s) proceed simultaneously. By the process according to the invention, it is possible to produce free-standing thick III-N layers. Further, semiconductor devices or components having special structures and layers can be produced.
US07727331B2	Crystal firm, crystal substrate, and semiconductor device A crystal foundation having dislocations is used to obtain a crystal film of low dislocation density, a crystal substrate, and a semiconductor device. One side of a growth substrate (11) is provided with a crystal layer (13) with a buffer layer (12) in between. The crystal layer (13) has spaces (13a), (13b) in an end of each threading dislocation D1 elongating from below. The threading dislocation D1 is separated from the upper layer by the spaces (13a), (13b), so that each threading dislocation D1 is blocked from propagating to the upper layer. When the displacement of the threading dislocation D1 expressed by Burgers vector is preserved to develop another dislocation, the spaces (13a), (13b) vary the direction of its displacement. As a result, the upper layer above the spaces (13a), (13b) turns crystalline with a low dislocation density.
US07727330B2	Universal hydraulic binder based on fly ash type F The present invention concerns the development of a simple, multipurpose, low cost, environmental friendly and safe binder formulation and related process, based on high volumes of alkaline activated class F fly ash residue (>760%) without ordinary Portland cement and related products, offering a wide scope of applications. More specifically, the universal binder is based on a very limited number of components (fly ash type F, Blast Furnace Slag and a mixture of alkali silicates and carbonates). The binder allows developing considerable strength at the early stage (at room temperature) and very high resistances at 28 days. The binder applies to pastes, mortars concretes and pre-cast with the same flexibility of an Ordinary Portland Cement.
US07727328B2	Regenerated calcium aluminate product and process of manufacture The disclosed invention provides an improved method that utilizes a liquid ladle slag in combination with a crushed material, such as a refractory brick, an alumina ladle brick or an aluminum dross, to manufacture a calcium aluminate product that can be used in the steel refining process.
US07727323B2	Pigment spacing An improved pigment spacing composition and method of manufacture. A coating composition wherein the pigment particles are spaced more uniformly resulting in improved coating properties. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition having nanoparticles interacting with pigmentary titanium dioxide to provide for more uniform spacing of the titanium dioxide.
US07727322B2	Precursor solution, method for manufacturing precursor solution, PZTN compound oxide, method for manufacturing PZTN compound oxide, piezoelectric element, ink jet printer, ferroelectric capacitor, and ferroelectric memory A method for manufacturing a precursor solution for forming a PZTN compound oxide with Pb, Zr, Ti and Nb as constituent elements by a sol-gel method includes: a step of dissolving at least lead carboxylate with an organic solvent having an alkoxy group, to thereby form a first solution; a step of heat treating the first solution to remove crystallization water of the lead carboxylate and to form lead alkoxide by a ligand replacement reaction between the lead carboxylate and the organic solvent having the alkoxy group, to thereby form a second solution including the lead alkoxide; a step of mixing an alkoxide of a metal selected from at least one of Zr, Ti and Nb excluding Pb with the second solution, to thereby form a third solution including metal alkoxides of Pb, Zr, Ti and Nb, respectively; and a step of adding water to the third solution to cause hydrolysis-condensation of the metal alkoxides, to thereby form a fourth solution including a precursor of PZTN compound oxide.
US07727320B2	Anthrapyridone compound, magenta ink composition and colored matter The present invention relates to an anthrapyridone compound represented by the following Formula (1) wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a mono- or dialkylaminoalkyl group or a cyano lower alkyl group, X represents a cross linking group, Y represents a phenoxy group having 1 or 2 carboxyl groups in free acid form and a magenta ink composition comprising the same, and provides magenta coloring matter and a magenta ink composition which have hue with high vividness suitable for inkjet recording, gives good fastness to a recorded article and are excellent in storage stability.
US07727317B2	Scrubber and exhaust gas treatment apparatus A scrubber removes dust from an exhaust gas. The scrubber includes a casing having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, an impeller housed in the casing and supported by a shaft, and a cleaning liquid supply tube for ejecting a cleaning liquid by which the dust contained in the exhaust gas is captured. The scrubber further includes a plurality of protrusions provided around the impeller such that the exhaust gas and the cleaning liquid which are discharged from the impeller impinge upon the protrusions.
US07727311B2	Installation and method for mixing and distributing a liquid phase and a gaseous phase Installation for gas treatment by a liquid phase comprising a) a column (C) that comprises means (1) for introducing gas at one end of said column, means (9) for drawing off gas from the other end of column (C) and, from upstream to downstream in the direction of circulation of the liquid phase: a first internal (2) that comprises means for distribution of a liquid phase, a first bed (6) that comprises a packing or catalytic particles, a second internal (3) that comprises means for separating liquid/gas mixture (19, 20) that is obtained from first bed (6), first means (32, 4) for collecting and evacuating the separated liquid phase, means (100) for passing through internal (3) of the treated gas, and distribution means (31, 101) of a liquid phase with said gas, a second bed (8), second means (10) for collecting and evacuating the liquid phase at the lower outlet of column (C), b) Means for recycling the collected liquid phase.
US07727308B2	Non-evaporable getter alloys for hydrogen sorption Non-evaporable getter alloys are provided which can be activated at relatively low temperatures and are capable of efficiently sorbing hydrogen.
US07727301B2	Microwave treatment of minerals A method and an assembly for treating minerals using microwave energy are disclosed. The method includes exposing a moving bed, preferably a mixed moving bed, of mineral particles to pulsed high energy microwave energy so that at least substantially all particles receive at least some exposure to microwave energy.
US07727298B2	Adjustable dual-blade dust filter using granular bed flow A dust filter has adjustable sub-blades between blades. By adjusting the blades distanced and the sub-blades' positions and angles, stagnation area of filtration material on the blades are removed. Furthermore, space in the dust filter is fully used. Thus, a filtering efficiency is improved.
US07727295B2	Decentralized oil mist collection system An oil mist collection system for a plurality of machine tools each having a coolant system directing coolant at the cutting tools and collecting coolant and returning the same to a filtration system includes an oil mist collector at each station collecting oil from mist present at each station and draining the oil back to the associated machine tool coolant return, and return air ducts from each of the oil mist collectors extending to a central air filtration apparatus. Each oil mist collector preferably includes a vertical spiral coil wall defining a spiral flow path into which the mist is directed, the oil droplets collecting onto the spiral coil wall and draining into a collection chamber below the spiral coil wall for return to the associated machine tool via a drain line. Each mist collector is comprised of an inlet housing, a spiral coil housing and a collection housing forming a unitary housing assembly. A drain valve prevents drawing air back through the drain line by only opening periodically just sufficiently to partially discharge accumulated oil and any solid debris with only minimal return air entering through the drain. A cyclonic air flow is induced in the collection chamber to prevent setting and accumulation of solids and drains out through a tangentially facing drain fitting in the bottom outer region of the collection chamber.
US07727292B2	Method for operating an internal combustion engine utilizing a carbohydrate-based fuel mixture A method for operating an internal combustion engine utilizing a fuel mixture containing a suspension in air at a concentration of about 200 mg of fuel per liter of air, of a solid fuel including at least one of a cereal flour, a cotton flour, a soybean flour, a potato flour, a cassava flour, a dehydrated chocolate powder and a dehydrated milk powder, the solid fuel being in the form of a powder having an average particle diameter and median particle diameter at least 150 μm.
US07727291B2	Low molecular weight fuel additive The invention includes a method of improving the combustion efficiency of a fuel-burning device. The method includes the steps of adding a low molecular weight polymer to the fuel of the fuel-burning device and burning the fuel with the polymer in the fuel-burning device. The invention also includes fuel compositions containing such polymers.
US07727290B2	Flexible thin printed battery and device and method of manufacturing same A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.
US07727288B2	Process for styling dyed hair and inhibiting its color loss during shampooing A process for styling dyed hair fibers in a manner which inhibits subsequent color loss during shampooing involving contacting the dyed hair fibers with a composition containing: (a) at least one polyamine compound having at least two amino groups; (b) at least one anionic silicone; (c) at least one film-forming polymer; and (d) optionally, at least one surfactant, and wherein (a) is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to inhibit color loss during shampooing.
US07727285B2	Prosthetic foot with variable medial/lateral stiffness A prosthetic foot includes an elongated foot member, extending between a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot and a heel section positioned at a heel location of a natural foot. The elongated foot member also extends through an elevated arch section positioned between the toe section and heel section at an approximate arch location of a natural foot. An arch block is disposed below the elongated foot member under the elevated arch section. The arch block is sized and shaped to substantially fill a space or volume under the arch section. The arch block has geometric and physical properties that facilitate medial to lateral rotation to the prosthetic foot.
US07727284B2	Prosthetic suspension device A prosthetic suspension device having a positioning element, a coupling element, and a friction-reducing element to facilitate movement of the positioning element towards the coupling element. The positioning element is adapted to maneuver an inner socket of a prosthesis into an outer socket of a prosthesis. The coupling element is configured to receive the positioning element and restrict movement thereof.
US07727282B2	Method and apparatus for implanting a prosthesis A method and apparatus for implanting various portions of a prosthesis into an anatomy. The instruments can include portions that allow for positive and rigid engagement with a selected prosthesis member to allow for positioning it relative to the anatomy. Further, various instruments can include portions that allow it to engage or match with marking portions or alignment portions on a first prosthesis member to align a second prosthesis member with the first one. Further, methods of using the various instruments are taught and providing for a less or minimally invasive procedure.
US07727279B2	Minimally invasive apparatus to manipulate and revitalize spinal column disc A method and apparatus are provided to manipulate and revitalize a spinal column disc while minimizing or preventing the removal of material comprising the disc. The method allows a device to be inserted in the disc either through a pre-existing rupture or through an opening formed in the front, back, or sides of the disc. Increasing the space between the vertebra bounding the disc or removing disc material often is not necessary to insert the device in the disc. The device generates internal traction or other forces acting on the disc to alter the shape of the disc. The shape of the disc is altered to relieve pressure on nerves adjacent the disc. The shape of the disc is also altered to draw nuclear hernias back into the interior of the disc and to produce a disc shape that improves functioning of the disc.
US07727278B2	Self fixing assembled bone-tendon-bone graft The present invention has multiple aspects relating to assembled self fixing bone-tendon-bone (BTB) grafts and BTB implants. A preferred application in which self fixing assembled bone-tendon-bone (BTB) grafts and implants of the present technology can be used is for ACL repairs in a human patient. In one embodiment, a self fixing BTB graft is characterized by the presence of threads along at least a portion of the exterior surface of one or both bone blocks. In another embodiment, a self fixing assembled bone-tendon-bone implant comprises a removable tendon tensioner which imparts a predetermined tension on the tendon of the BTB graft.
US07727277B2	Intraocular implants An artificial vision system including a sealed capsule adapted for intraocular placement upstream of a retina, an electronic display located within the sealed capsule and focusing optics located within the sealed capsule and arranged for focusing an image on the electronic display onto the retina.
US07727271B2	Implantable prosthesis having reinforced attachment sites The present invention provides an implantable graft that includes an elongate graft tube having opposing ends defining an attachment site for attaching the graft to a stent. The graft further includes a reinforcement member attached adjacent to at least one of the ends of the graft for establishing a reinforced attachment site for the graft, thereby preventing elongation of a suture hole in the material. Furthermore, the present invention provides a graft wherein at least one end of the graft is folded over itself and glued or sutured to itself and/or the stent, thereby forming a reinforcement thereto.
US07727270B2	Expandable and retrievable stent An expandable and retrievable stent is disclosed herein. The stent includes an inner strut, a first traveling anchor movably attached to the inner strut and a second anchor secured to the inner strut. The stent further includes frame connected to the first traveling anchor and the second anchor wherein the frame has at least a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. The stent may also include a generally cylindrical sleeve.
US07727269B2	Device for introducing a stent into a hollow organ A device is for introducing a stent into a hollow organ, in particular into the gastrointestinal tract of the body of a patient. The device includes a magnet system which covers the area of treatment of the patient and generates a 3D gradient field for remote-controlled movement and orientation of an endorobot. The endorobot is provided with a linear magnet and is freely movable in the hollow organ. Further, the stent, which can be uncoupled from the outside, is secured to the endorobot in a folded-down state so that it can be brought to the site of use and can there be opened out so as to bear firmly on the wall of the hollow organ.
US07727268B2	Methods and devices for placing a fistula device in fluid communication with a target vessel According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for deploying a fistula device. The apparatus comprises an elongate cover member having a proximal end and a distal end, and an elongate support member within the cover member for supporting the fistula device and configured for relative movement with respect to the cover member so as to release the fistula device at a desired location.
US07727266B2	Method and apparatus for retaining screws in a plate A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.
US07727263B2	Articulating spinal implant Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing and treating the spine, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue. A device is introduced through tissue, to an access point on the spine. The device is thereafter advanced axially within the spine, from the access point across a treatment zone. In one embodiment, the device comprises an articulating spinal implant comprising a first elongate segment, a second elongate segment, and an articulating joint between the first and second segments.
US07727262B2	Formed in place fixation system with thermal acceleration A subcutaneously formed in place orthopedic fixation device is provided, such as for fixation of the spine or other bone or bones. The device comprises an inflatable member, such as a tubular balloon. A heat source is provided in thermal communication with the interior of the balloon. The balloon is positioned at a treatment site while in a flexible, low crossing profile configuration. The balloon is thereafter inflated with a hardenable media, and heated to accelerate hardening of the media. Methods and delivery structures are also disclosed.
US07727258B2	Intervertebral stabilizing device The present invention is related to an intervertebral stabilizing device structured to connect two adjacent vertebrae. The device includes an upper stop element engageable with an upper vertebra and a lower stop element engageable with a lower vertebra. The stop elements include mutual support surfaces adapted to allow a mutual rotation of the upper and lower vertebrae about the patient's transverse and sagittal axes and to prevent a mutual rotation of the two vertebrae about a vertical axis. The support surfaces are further adapted to allow mutual translation of the vertebrae in a single direction along the sagittal axis and to allow translation between the two vertebrae in both directions along a vertical axis. Additionally, the support surfaces are also adapted to prevent translation between the two vertebrae in both directions along the transverse axis.
US07727255B2	Access sealing apparatus and method A surgical access device includes a seal housing and a roller disposed in the housing and defining a working channel. The roller may be stationary or moveable within the seal housing to form both a zero seal in the absence of an instrument, and an instrument seal in the presence of an instrument. Rotation of the roller is contemplated and low-friction surfaces are discussed to reduce instrument insertion forces. Multiple rollers, wiper elements, low-friction braid, pivoting elements and idler rollers are contemplated. The rollers will typically be formed of a gel material in order to facilitate the desired compliance, stretchability and elongation desired.
US07727254B2	Method of removing heart valve stenosis The invention relates to a device and a method for the removal of a heart valve stenosis, in which a filter catheter is arranged in a vessel section located downstream of the heart valve, and a valvuplasty catheter is arranged in the area of the heart valve. The filter catheter has in one embodiment of the invention at its distal end a radial filter which is unfolded radially until it fits up against the vessel wall. The catheter lumen is closed in such a way that blood must flow through the filter. After the filter has been unfolded, the valvuplasty catheter is inflated in the area of the heart valve to remove the heart valve stenosis, while debris and plaque which are released are collected in the filter. In an alternative membrane, the filter catheter may be sealed relative to the vessel wall by means of a sealing element, while an external filter is connected to the filter catheter to filter debris and plaque from the blood.
US07727253B2	Medical grasping device having embolic protection A medical grasping device (10) for vascular use, having an outer sheath (12), an elongate control member (50) extending within an outer sheath (12) to a distal tip section (54), and a proximal control assembly (22) including an actuation section (24) joined to the elongate control member (50). Adjacent to the distal tip section (54) is a grasping portion (70, 70′) that is extendable from the outer sheath (12) to create loops (74, 74′) for grasping a target object (T) for repositioning within the vascular system, or for removal from the patient, with loops being retractable into the outer sheath to hold the target object against the device (10) during movement of the device. Elongate control member (50) is preferably a cannula or tube having a lumen (58) extending completely therethrough for placement over a guide wire (28) already in the patient. One or more porous materials (120) are also provided to substantially cover at least one side of the grasping portion (74, 74′) in order to protect against distal embolization of particles which may be dislodged during a procedure using the device (10).
US07727251B2	Low profile dilator for arteriotomy closure system A low profile, two lumen dilator is provided for an arteriotomy closure system. The dilator includes a first lumen adapted to receive a guidewire and a second lumen having a proximal segment that defines a blood marking lumen and a distal segment that receives the distal ends of stabilizers in a common pocket. The blood marking lumen and pocket are arranged in tandem. The guidewire lumen may extend the full length of the dilator or may be shortened to provide rapid exchange capability.
US07727250B2	Vascular incision method A vascular incision apparatus is composed in part of a needle for puncturing a blood vessel and a cutter for making an incision in the blood vessel. The apparatus easily, rapidly and reliably creates a vascular incision of the desired length by employing an incision length controlling means to control the length of penetration by the needle into the blood vessel, or by controlling the distance between the respective needle points on first and second needles which face each other across a given distance, one of which needles is movable relative to the other.
US07727245B2	Method for closing an opening in tissue with a splayable staple One method for closing an opening in tissue may include providing a substantially continuous solid staple having a plurality of tines and a longitudinal centerline, plastically deforming the staple to a splayed configuration; penetrating at least one tine into tissue in proximity to the opening; and plastically deforming the staple to a closed configuration. Another method for closing an opening in tissue may include providing a staple having a plurality of tines; plastically deforming the staple to a splayed configuration by applying force in the distal direction against a proximal surface of the staple; penetrating at least one tine into tissue in proximity to the opening; and plastically deforming the staple from the splayed configuration to a closed configuration by applying force in the distal direction against a proximal surface of the staple.
US07727243B2	Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.
US07727242B2	Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction.
US07727241B2	Device for delivering an implant through an annular defect in an intervertebral disc The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for delivering medical devices, such as implants, to desired tissue sites, such as the intervertebral disc. In one aspect, an intervertebral disc repair and diagnostic device that is minimally invasive and that provides precise access to the desired site is provided. In some aspects, the device and method are adapted to deliver, position and expand implants that are initially oriented and compressed for minimally invasive, yet precise and effective implantation.
US07727238B2	Determination device for size of cutting block using connection device Disclosed is a determination device for the size of a cutting block. The determination device includes the connection device mounted to a tibia to be placed at a top surface thereof along an upper line of a predetermined flexion gap; a body including a slide groove on a central portion of a front surface thereof, a bent part on an upper portion thereof to be placed at a precut anterior cortex of a femur, and a plurality of graduations provided on the body to determine the size of the cutting block; a slider to be slidably engaged with the slide groove of the body and including an indicating line on an upper portion thereof, and a guide to be assembled with the slider and come into surface contact with the top surface of the connection device at a lower portion thereof. The conventional devices are problematic in terms of being incapable of determining a cutting block suitable for the damaged state of a knee joint of a patient because the size of the cutting block is determined by measuring only the height of the femur with no consideration of a flexion gap. The problem encountered in the prior art can be overcome by using the determination device for the size of the cutting block according to the present invention.
US07727237B2	Bone clamp A bone clamp for securing a surgical instrument to a bone including a body on which the instrument can be mounted, a first and second contacting arms, each of which has a first end that is pivotally connected to the body, and a second end for gripping the bone, whenever the first and second contacting arms are connected to the body at or towards opposite ends thereof so that, when the body is positioned adjacent to the bone, the arms can grip the bone on opposite surfaces thereof, and an actuator which can be moved between engaged and disengaged positions. When the actuator is in its disengaged position, the contacting arms can pivot independently with respect to each other, and when the actuator is in its engaged position, the pivoting movement of one contact arm is accompanied by approximately equal pivoting movement of the other contact arm in the opposite direction.
US07727228B2	Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter is provided. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console having a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system comprises a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controller or other pressure-sensing device that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.
US07727225B2	Coaxial catheter systems for transference of medium A method, technique and system is disclosed for the delivery of therapeutic agents and/or into the bulk brain tissues and other parts, tissues and organs of the body, including vasculature. A novel form of coaxial catheter provides a means for implanting an outer tube into the brain, then inserting an inner tube into the outer tube and aligning them such that port holes on both of the tubes will overlap and permit a flux of the therapeutic agent to flow into the brain in such a way as to minimize the effects of trapped air, virtually eliminate backflow of the agent, and avoid the potential for additional damage to the brain since only one surgical placement of the outer tube is needed. Similarly, the method, technique system may be utilized to remove fluids or other medium from the brain, tissues, and organs to minimize the effects of escaped air or negative pressure.
US07727223B2	Drug delivery technology The invention relates to a novel drug delivery technology. More particularly the invention relates to a method of delivering at least one therapeutic compound or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound to a patient: to a throwaway or reusable device for delivering at least one therapeutic compound or a formulation comprising the at least one therapeutic compound to a patient in a manner as set out by the method; to a pioneer projectile form use in said method; to formulations for use in said method and to an injectate comprising a pioneer projectile and formulation. It also relates to a disposable component containing either a pioneer projectile or an injectate.
US07727221B2	Method and device for electrochemical formation of therapeutic species in vivo A device and method are provided for spontaneous electrochemical production of therapeutic species, in vivo. An active metal is implanted in the tissue. The metal undergoes corrosion, thus acting as a reducing agent to constituents in the tissue, so as to cause these constituents to form the therapeutic agents.
US07727219B2	Sterile system and methods for collecting, transporting, storing and cyropreserving body fluids The present invention provides a method for expanding a pre-assembled closed, sterile container system used for the collection, transportation, storage and cryopreservation of biological fluids, such as, blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. The closed sterile bag system comprises a plurality of parts including inlet and or outlet elements and regions for mixing and storing body fluids and cryopreservation liquids, wherein connecting lines provide sterile connection of each component, and wherein the parts are hermetically sealable and separable to maintain sterility system. The methods herein further provide a means for introducing fluids into and/or extracting fluids from a pre-assembled, closed, sterile container system, while maintaining a closed, sterile system without the need to operate under ultra-clean room conditions.
US07727218B2	Disposable absorbent articles having multiple absorbent core components including replaceable components A disposable absorbent article adapted to be worn about a lower torso of a human body and having a chassis, a non-removable absorbent core component disposed in a crotch region of the chassis, and a replaceable absorbent core component disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. The replaceable absorbent core component may be removed and a like component may be substituted in place of the removed component without the removal of the absorbent article from the wearer. The replaceable absorbent core component may be disposed inside an openable chassis pocket, with access for its removal and replacement provided by an aperture in a backsheet, an openable end of an external pocket, or an openable end of an internal pocket formed at an area of a waist end edge where the backsheet and a topsheet may be separated. Additional replaceable absorbent core components may also be incorporated.
US07727215B2	Wearing article A wearing article includes a chassis and a fastening system. The chassis includes front and rear waist regions each having a waist hole defining edge and a waist hole elastic zone. The fastening system includes a first fastening component attached along side edge portions of one of the front and rear waist regions and having first and second ends in a longitudinal direction and a second fastening component attached along side edge portions of the other of the front and rear waist regions and detachably engageable with the first fastening component and first and second ends in the longitudinal direction. The first end of said second fastening component is beyond the first end of the first fastening component and an edge of the second waist hole elastic zone to a side of the second waist hole defining edge, with the first and second fastening components normally engaged with each other.
US07727208B2	Ergonomic tampon applicator The present invention is directed to an ergonomically improved tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel. The barrel has four distinct sections, namely a finger grip section, a reverse taper section, a main body section, and an insertion tip section. The reverse taper section is tapered towards the fingergrip section and the main body section is tapered in an opposite direction towards the insertion tip section. A maximum diameter is formed where the reverse taper section and main body section meet on the barrel. The maximum diameter provides a sensory means to the user to alert the user when the applicator has been inserted at the proper depth in the vagina.
US07727206B2	Device for monitoring a patient for a urinary tract infection The invention provides for a urinary monitoring device to monitor for the presence or absence of markers indicative of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The invention also provides for methods of using such a device.
US07727204B2	Device for dosing a product that is intended to be applied to the skin The present invention concerns a device for metering products intended to be applied to the skin, in particular pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions. The invention relates more particularly to a device taking the form of an applicator stick, the graduations of which allow users to determine precisely the quantity of medication to be applied to the skin as a function of the surface area to be treated.
US07727199B2	Methods and devices to deliver injected agents to an aneurysm site Method and devices to administer a bioactive material within a vessel while maintaining nearly-constant pressure within the vessel are disclosed. In one embodiment the methods and devices include a multi-lumen catheter to administer bioactive materials and simultaneously drain or evacuate excess fluid or bio-inactive materials at an aneurysm site within a vessel.
US07727194B2	Drug delivery cassette Disclosed is a drug-delivery cassette for use with a drug delivery device. The cassette includes a main board and a luer site base portion connected to the main board for positioning a luer on the main board. A drip chamber is included on the main board to collect any drug that exits the luer when the luer is attached to the luer site portion. A deflectable sensor beam is positioned to detect the presence or absence of a luer in the luer site base portion. The drug-delivery cassette further includes a drug vial spike attachable to and detachable from the cassette main board that is connected to the luer by way of a drug delivery tube.
US07727191B2	Compliant balloon catheter A catheter includes a first expandable membrane having a first pressurization limit and a second expandable membrane, having a second pressurization limit, wherein the second pressurization limit is greater than the first pressurization limit, the first expandable membrane defines a cooling chamber, the second expandable membrane being disposed around the first expandable membrane to define an junction therebetween. The catheter includes a coolant injection lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid inlet port and the cooling chamber, and a primary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the cooling chamber. The coolant injection tube, the cooling chamber, and the primary coolant return lumen define a first fluid pathway. The catheter further includes a secondary coolant return lumen in fluid communication with the at least one fluid outlet port and the junction. The junction and the secondary coolant return lumen define a second fluid pathway. The catheter provides a fail-safe feature by selecting the appropriate first and second pressurization limits for the first and second expandable membranes.
US07727189B2	Filter apparatus for ostium of left atrial appendage Apparatus for permanent placement across an ostium of a left atrial appendage in a patient, which includes a filtering membrane configured to extend across the ostium of the left atrial appendage. The filtering membrane has a permeable structure which allows blood to flow through but substantially inhibits thrombus from passing therethrough. The apparatus also includes a support structure comprising a plurality of fingers which are radially outwardly expandable with respect to a longitudinal axis to permanently engage the interior wall of the left atrial appendage, wherein the filtering membrane is attached to the support structure extending across the ostium of the left atrial appendage.
US07727184B2	Biological revascularization A catheter delivery system for delivering a treatment substance to an occlusion in a lumen of a tubular vessel includes a tubular catheter and a treatment substance. The tubular catheter includes a central lumen passing between a proximal end and a distal end adjacent to an inflatable balloon. The treatment substance is in a form that is configured to be deliverable through the central lumen of the catheter into the lumen of the tubular vessel and to solidify in the vessel.
US07727180B2	Method and apparatus for presetting device operating levels with display Techniques for control of fluid delivery from a fluid reservoir by a medical infusion pump are described. Setting of at least one electronically-controllable pumping parameter is determined by the use of one or more mechanical keys. The mechanical key actuates one or more electronic switches of a mechanical key receptacle coupled to the medical infusion pump. The electronic switches are coupled to the medical infusion pump to control the at least one electronically-controllable pumping parameter. Keys can be differently configured to actuate different switches corresponding to particular settings and can include display indicia showing the particular parameter value set by the key.
US07727178B2	Catheter with multiple ultrasound radiating members A catheter for delivering ultrasonic energy and therapeutic compounds to a treatment site within a patient's vasculature comprises a tubular body. The tubular body has a proximal region and a distal region opposite the proximal region. The catheter further comprises a plurality of fluid delivery lumens formed into the tubular body. The catheter further comprises an inner core configured for insertion into the tubular body. The inner core comprises an elongate electrical conductor having a plurality of flattened regions, each flattened region having a first flat side and a second flat side opposite the first flat side. The inner core further comprises a plurality of ultrasound radiating members mounted in pairs to the flattened regions of the elongate electrical conductor. A first ultrasound radiating member is mounted to the first flat side of the elongate electrical conductor, and a second ultrasound radiating member is mounted to the second flat side of the elongate electrical conductor. The catheter further comprises control electronics configured to apply a driving signal to at least two, but fewer than all, of the ultrasound radiating members.
US07727175B2	Disk bandage dispenser A surgical device for applying a bandage onto tissue is disclosed. The surgical device has an actuator and contains one or more releasable bandages and an adhesive. Actuation of the actuator releases the adhesive, saturates the bandage with the adhesive, and releases the bandage onto tissue. The actuator can be squeezed, moved linearly, or rotated to dispense the adhesive onto the bandage and release the saturated bandage. The adhesive can be stored in an ampoule, or a sealed chamber. Actuation of the surgical device breaks the ampoule and/or seal and releases the adhesive for use. In addition to the adhesive, additional fluids or additives can be mixed with the adhesive or stored in separate chambers of the ampoule or surgical device. These additives can include drugs, image enhancing agents, necrosing agents, sclerosing agents, and the like.
US07727171B2	Vehicle seats with plurality of pneumatic massaging elements A vehicle seat may include a seat back that has a back frame, a cushion pad attached to the back frame, and a massaging unit having a plurality of massaging elements. The cushion pad has a plurality of through bores that pass therethrough in the direction of thickness thereof. The massaging elements are constructed so as to be elastically deformed or compressed along moving axes and to be pneumatically expanded and contracted along the moving axes. The massaging elements are disposed in the through bores in a manner that the moving axes of the massaging elements extend along longitudinal axes of the through bores. The massaging elements have deformability or compressibility identical with or greater than the deformability or compressibility of the cushion pad when the massaging elements are not operated.
US07727161B2	Systems and methods for monitoring cough The present invention provides systems and methods for monitoring subjects, especially during sleep. Respiratory and sound data are recorded and coughs arousal are recognized as joint events in both of these signals having selected characteristics. Further, cough-arousal events during sleep are recognized when a likely cough occurs in association with a recognized EEG arousal. Cough arousal events are combined into a cough arousal index that reflects disease severity and sleep disruption due to cough. The methods of this invention are computer-implemented and can be provided as a program product including a computer readable medium. Measurements and indices provided by this invention can be used to monitor and to treat respiratory diseases.
US07727148B2	Sensing system with auxiliary display A system is provided for sensing blood glucose data of a patient. The system includes a sensor, user interface, and an optional auxiliary device. If the connection between the sensor and user interface is by a wire, the sensor remains powered when the wire is disconnected. The communication between the sensor and the user interface may be wireless. The auxiliary device can be a patient monitor or other display or signal device, which displays information about the blood glucose data collected by the sensor. The sensor is connected to sensor electronics, which include a sensor power supply, a voltage regulator, and optionally a memory and processor.
US07727147B1	Method and system for implantable glucose monitoring and control of a glycemic state of a subject A method and system for monitoring and/or controlling a glycemic state of a subject, comprising a housing device having one or more chambers, extendable and retractable sensors, extendable and retractable catheters, insulin reservoir, neuroprotective agent reservoir, release mechanism for releasing insulin and neuroprotective agent into the subject, and a control mechanism with a processor for receiving and analyzing outputs from the sensors and for controlling the release mechanism, a clock mechanism for providing logging and/or circadian information to the processor, an internal analysis chamber, a byproduct storage chamber, a sampling mechanism, a transfer mechanism, a self-sealing membrane, a calibration chamber, a replacement sensor chamber, a prevention mechanism to prevent deposition of unwanted substances on a sensor or catheter, a removal mechanism to remove unwanted substances from a sensor or catheter, a warning mechanism, a real-time clock and non-volatile memory to store and log information processed by the processor, a failure detection mechanism, and wired and/or wireless communication linkages both internally and externally.
US07727146B2	Wound retractor with gel cap An incrementally adjustable wound retractor, which provides access to a body cavity, includes an inner ring having a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, an outer ring having an annular axis and a diameter greater than the desired diameter of the wound incision, and a flexible sleeve disposed in a generally cylindrical form between the inner and outer rings. The outer ring includes first and second circular tubes spaced apart axially with each including a lumen having a rigid, noncompliant split hoop positioned therein. The outer ring may be rolled over itself and around the annular axis to retract the sleeve with sufficient force to stretch the incision to the desired diameter. A gel cap seal may be coupled to the outer ring outside of the biological body to seal the opening produced by the wound retractor between the body cavity and outside the body cavity.
US07727144B2	Endoscopic surgical instrument An endoscopic surgical instrument has an insertion portion to be inserted in a channel of an endoscope, a treatment portion provided at a tip of the insertion portion for treating an objective part and a manipulation portion provided close to a proximal end of the insertion portion. The operator can move the insertion portion forward and backward at least relative to the channel by operating the manipulation portion in a state the endoscopic surgical instrument is inserted in the channel of the endoscope. In this manner, by the manipulation portion, the endoscopic surgical instrument can be operated to move forward and backward relative to the channel. Therefore in case the manipulation portion is located close to a channel entrance (forceps port) of the endoscope, the operator of the endoscope is able to manipulate the endoscopic surgical instrument without assistance from others.
US07727141B2	Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safe remotely adjustable artifical sphincter An implantable artificial sphincter system provides long-term adjustment via transcutaneous energy transfer (TET), minimizing invasive adjustment through adding or removing fluid via a syringe. An infuser device provides bi-directional fluid transfer via a flexible conduit to a sphincter band, such as a gastric band. Materials are nonferrous and nonmagnetic so as to be magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) safe, being substantially immune to strong magnetic fields and not introducing an electromagnetic interference/compatibility (EMIC) hazard.
US07727139B2	Dream detection system A dream detection system includes a mask and a control unit. The mask includes opaque eye portions and at least one sensor for detecting REM sleep. The mask may include an alarm for indicating REM sleep, a speaker, and a transmitter. The control unit includes a receiver and transmitter for receiving data from and transmitting data to the mask, respectively. The control unit includes programming for actuating an audio player to provide a predetermined cue, script, or other audible message to the mask when REM sleep is detected for alerting a sleeping person that he is dreaming and enabling the person to gain some level of control over the dream sequence. The audible message may be a morning or evening affirmation, preparation for a task, or other cues to guide a dream. The control unit may include a device with which a user may audibly record dream details.
US07727132B2	Method and device for fitting a machine tool with tools The invention relates to a method of fitting a machine tool with tools which are cooled by a free-flowing medium during operation of the machine tool, comprising the following method steps: a plurality of various tools are provided in order to carry out successive machining operations on a workpiece; a plurality of various nozzle devices are provided, each of which can be fitted together with a specific tool and connected to a medium source and has such a medium jet geometry that the respective medium jets strike locations where the machining takes place; a specific nozzle device is in each case fitted together with a specific tool and connected to the medium source before the operation of the machine tool is started.
US07727127B1	Multi-station/ multi-functional martial arts device A board support assembly has a vertical axis. A plurality of training stations is attached to and extends radially from the board support assembly. One of the training stations includes interior and exterior plates. A pair of projections extends radially outwardly from the exterior plate. The projections have parallel exterior surfaces and an associated strap. In this manner a martial arts training board may be received and supported. The martial arts training board has edges positionable between the exterior surfaces of the projections and the straps. A rotation assembly includes a pivot pin. The pivot pin couples the interior and exterior plates for rotation about a horizontal axis.
US07727126B1	Recreational rope turning device and associated method An automated jump rope exercising device includes a frame, a power operated primary drive pulley system, and a plurality of auxiliary driven pulley systems that may be operably coupled to the primary drive pulley system. Each of the auxiliary driven pulley systems may be simultaneously rotated in a first synchronous path during operating conditions based upon input from the primary drive pulley. The device may further include a plurality of arms that may be conjoined to the auxiliary driven pulley systems respectively. A plurality of ropes may be detachably anchored to the arms, and each of the ropes may be simultaneously rotated during operating conditions. A user interface may be coupled to the primary drive pulley system thereby permitting the user to selectively adjust a tension level and rotational speed of the ropes during operating conditions.
US07727121B1	Stepping and waist-twisting exerciser A stepping and waist-twisting exerciser includes a base frame with a central post near the middle part thereof. A lateral bevel gear coupled to a handlebar transmission shaft is positioned on the central post for imparting a left-and-right swing motion to a handlebar. Two longitudinal bevel gears facing to each other are rotatably disposed at the top of the central post by use of a mounting shaft 20 and engaged with the lateral bevel gear. Moreover, two rear parallel connecting rods movably attached to two coupling footboards, respectively, are connected with the longitudinal bevel gears to ensure a coordinated movement. In stepping on any one of the coupling footboards, the corresponding longitudinal bevel gear below will be rotated such that the lateral bevel gear is brought in rotation in opposite direction. In this way, an expected rotation is imparted to the handlebar. Besides, the movement of the longitudinal bevel gears enables an in-place rotation of the two corresponding coupling footboards. As result, the coupling footboards and the handlebar are brought in opposite rotation.
US07727115B2	Two speed transmission and belt drive system A two speed transmission and belt drive system utilizing the transmission. The two speed transmission comprises a planetary gear train comprising an input pulley connected to an input carrier, and a sun gear and a ring gear. The input carrier also comprises a plurality of planetary gears disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear. The sun gear is engaged with an electromagnetic brake member. The ring gear is engaged with an output pulley. A one-way clutch is disposed between the input carrier and the output shaft. The brake member is engaged at engine idle and is disengaged at engine speeds above idle. When the brake member is engaged the sun gear does not rotate, thereby driving the ring gear and output pulley at a greater speed than the input pulley. An accessory pulley operates with the transmission output pulley resulting in an accessory speed that is proportional to an engine speed at idle. At engine speeds above idle the transmission is disengaged and the output pulley to accessory pulley ratio drives the belt driven accessory at a speed less then an engine speed. An accessory can also be directly connected to the output shaft in conjunction with the output pulley. The transmission can be used with a motor generator system by providing a speed reducing unit disposed between an engine and the motor generator.
US07727114B2	Agricultural machine with PTO torque limiting feature A drive assembly for an agricultural machine. A power take off (PTO) output shaft is connected to a driving motor for driving an attachment. A drive transmission is positioned between and interconnects the driving motor and the support wheels of the agricultural machine. An input device is connected to an electronic control unit. A sensor senses the torque transferred between an attachment and the PTO output shaft, and an actuator is configured to change the transmission ratio of the drive transmission, thereby setting the propulsion speed of the agricultural machine such that the torque transferred between the PTO output shaft and an attachment does not exceed a pre-determined value. The electronic control unit further receives data from the input device and calculates a pre-determined value based on the data received, and thereafter controls the actuator accordingly.
US07727110B2	Continuously variable planetary gear set A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.
US07727108B2	Continuously variable transmission A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
US07727107B2	Continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.
US07727103B2	8-speed automatic transmission for vehicle An eight-speed automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a single pinion planetary gear set, a double pinion planetary gear set, a compound planetary gear set, a first clutch, a second clutch, a third clutch, a fourth clutch, a first brake, a second brake, and a one-way clutch. The first and third clutches are disposed in series or in parallel between the compound planetary gear set and the output shaft. A first clutch piston chamber for operating the first clutch is disposed between the third clutch internal diameter and the input shaft. A third clutch piston chamber for operating the third clutch is disposed between the first clutch piston chamber and the output shaft. The second and fourth clutches are disposed between the compound planetary gear set and the double pinion planetary gear set. Thus, the overall volume of the automatic transmission may be reduced.
US07727098B2	Chain tensioner A chain tensioner includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber having a closed end. A cylindrical plunger having a closed front end is slidably received in the cylinder chamber. A nut member and a return spring are mounted in the cylinder chamber. The return spring biases the plunger outwardly of the housing to press its closed end against a pivotally supported chain guide. The nut member has a serration-shaped internal thread formed on the inner periphery thereof which is in threaded engagement with a serration-shaped external thread formed on the outer periphery of the screw rod. The screw rod is biased toward the closed end of the plunger by a rod spring. A damper is mounted between the front end of the screw rod and the closed front end of the plunger for damping, in cooperation with the return spring, a pushing force applied to the plunger, and for allowing the screw rod and the plunger to move relative to each other in a direction in which the distance between respective remote ends thereof decreases by an amount not less than an axial play present between the internal and external threads.
US07727094B2	Institutional badminton racket An institutional badminton racket including a head and a flexible plastic handle. The head has a metal rim around a shuttlecock striking face, and a neck rigidly secured to the rim, where the neck includes a hollow throat extending from the rim away from the striking face with lateral openings through the throat. The handle connecting end includes a first portion extending into the hollow throat, a second portion surrounding the throat, pin portions extending through the throat lateral openings and integral with the first and second portions, and a pair of wings extending generally in the plane in a lateral direction toward the head and including openings therethrough. A Y-clamp is secured around the handle connecting end and the head rim adjacent the head neck and including pins extending through the wing openings.
US07727090B2	Training bat with visual feedback of proper swing A training baseball bat has an internal movable magnet that accelerates to the end of the bat when swung at a fast enough speed. As the magnet moves it passes through a coil that is connected to one or more LEDs so that the LEDs momentarily flash as the magnet moves through the coil. A stationary magnet can be used to hold the movable magnet until sufficient centrifugal force is imparted by the swing to overcome the magnetic holding force. Spacers can be provided to establish a distance between the magnets as needed to establish a desired swing speed at which centrifugal force overcomes the magnetic attraction.
US07727088B2	Sliding impulse device A structure motivated by an impulse to slide over a surface, including: an impulse-receiving portion for receiving the impulse, the impulse-receiving portion defining a section of a generally semi-hemispherical structure and produced from a foam material patterned to represent at least a portion of a sports ball; and a sliding portion, coupled to the impulse-receiving portion, for sliding contact with the surface on a contact surface of the sliding portion responsive to the impulse the contact surface having a generally planar smooth surface having a periphery surrounded by an extension of the impulse receiving portion, wherein a tumbling of a coupled combination of the impulse-receiving portion and the sliding portion is inhibited by shifting a center of gravity downward by a greater weighting of the sliding portion relative to the impulse-receiving portion.
US07727083B2	Golf club shaft A golf club shaft having at least six full-length layers composed of prepregs. The full-length layers are divided into an inner-layer part including a half of the full-length layers and an outer-layer part including a remaining half of the full-length layers. At least one pair of the full-length layers is formed as a bias set layer in each of the inner-layer part and the outer-layer part by layering two bias layers with each other, with reinforcing fibers of the bias layers intersecting with each other at an orientation angle of ±θ° which fall in a range from ±25° to ±65° with respect to an axis of the golf club shaft. A straight layer is formed as an outermost full-length layer of the outer-layer part with reinforcing fiber thereof orienting at the range from 0° to ±10° with respect to the axis of the shaft.
US07727078B2	Child seat canopy illumination and media projection A juvenile product includes a seat having a seating area supported by a part of the juvenile product, a canopy positionable over at least a portion of the seating area and having an underside that faces the seating area, and a projection system carried on the juvenile product. The projection system has a projector configured to project visible stimuli either above the seating area or onto at least part of the underside of the canopy. These and other aspects of the disclosure are directed to providing a soothing and entertaining environment that may also be adjustable or customizable to address the changing interests and developmental levels of a child occupant.
US07727077B2	Water amusement park water channel flow system A water amusement ride system is disclosed. The system may include a device or apparatus, including a water bypass channel in fluid communication with a channel of water. The water bypass channel may include a water entrance, a water exit, and an adjustable valve. The water entrance is in fluid communication with water upstream of the apparatus. The water exit is in fluid communication with water downstream of the apparatus. The adjustable valve may be located between the water entrance and the water exit. The adjustable valve may be adjusted to control an amount of water exiting the water bypass channel. The water bypass channel may increase the flow rate of water between the water entrance and the water exit of the water bypass channel. The water bypass channel may assist in controlling a water effect.
US07727076B2	Free-standing jumping device An apparatus includes a support frame, a resilient member, a seat, and a retainer. The resilient member has a first end portion configured to be coupled to the support frame and a second end portion, opposite from the first end portion. The seat is configured to be coupled to the second end portion such that the seat is suspended from the support frame by the resilient member. At least one of the first end portion and the second end portion includes multiple sleeves, each defining an opening therein. A portion of the retainer is configured to be disposed within a first one of the sleeves and coupled to at least one of the seat and the support frame such that a position of the seat relative to the support frame is adjustable by disposing the portion of the retainer within a second one of the sleeves.
US07727072B2	Shared secondary game station and system A gaming system having a plurality of primary game devices sharing a secondary bonus station is disclosed. The secondary game station comprises a secondary game which is configured to provide play pursuant to a triggering event originating from any one of the primary game devices in the gaming environment. The secondary game station is equipped with controls suitable for playing the secondary game. During play of the secondary game station, the triggering primary game device may also be “locked” so that the player may resume playing the primary game subsequent to playing the secondary game.
US07727071B2	Centralized gaming system with modifiable remote display terminals A centralized gaming system comprises a central server system and a plurality of display terminals remote from and linked to the central server system. The central server system includes a master game server, a game execution server, and a database server. The master game server stores a plurality of games of chance. Each game includes respective game play software and respective audiovisual software. In response to one of the games being selected for play at one of the display terminals, the game play software for the selected game is loaded from the master game server into the game execution server and is executed by the game execution server to randomly select an outcome. The audiovisual software for the selected game is selectively executed at the display terminal to visually represent the outcome on a display of the display terminal. The database server collects game activity data based on the outcome and maintains such data for report generation and player tracking purposes. The master game server may evaluate the collected game activity data and, in turn, modify one or more of the display terminals for maximizing earnings and target marketing.
US07727068B2	Gaming system having a common display, a first bonus game or a first bonus game paytable and an option to purchase a second bonus game or a second bonus game paytable with relatively expected higher values A gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices and a shared or a common secondary display associated with the gaming devices. In one embodiment, the shared display is adjacent to one or more of the gaming devices of the gaming system. The gaming system includes at least one primary game and at least one secondary or bonus game. The bonus game is associated with a plurality of average expected payouts or values. In one embodiment, the bonus game that is played on the secondary display is associated with a higher average expected payout or higher values than the average expected payouts or values of the bonus game played on the individual gaming devices. When the player places a designated wager, they qualify to play the game on the secondary display and thus qualify for a chance to win the higher awards.
US07727067B2	Wagering games allowing player to wager on iterative simultaneous independent wagers with different variances A method to implement a wagering game which allows a player to make multiple bets on independent outcomes. The outcome distributions/variances of each of the bets can vary. The player can, for example, place a bet on whether cards drawn from independent decks will have the same suit, the outcomes of which are entirely independent of each other.
US07727065B2	Gaming system with multiple game apparatus and method of use A gaming system having a centralized controller coupled to an array of game apparatus; a display device, including a plurality of prize object displays, for displaying a bonus event prize for at least one game apparatus in the array; and provision for holding prize objects in an individually controlled manner, is disclosed. In another embodiment, a gaming system including a plurality of game apparatus, each game apparatus having a plurality of prize objects where at least one prize object is a dynamic prize object, the latter being distinguishable from other prize objects; and a central controller in communication with the plurality of game apparatus, the central controller being configured to assign a prize value to a selected prize object if the selected prize object is a dynamic prize object and cause the prize value to be displayed to a player on the associated game apparatus, is disclosed.
US07727063B2	Methods and apparatus for lottery game play aggregation According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of a bonus symbol over at least two outcomes. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of the occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number. According to another embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of matched lottery numbers over a plurality of lottery outcomes (e.g., lottery number drawings) and/or a plurality of lottery entries. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of occurrences of matched numbers is at least equal to a predetermined number.
US07727060B2	Land-based, on-line poker system An on-line poker game system includes a poker table staffed with a live dealer with a plurality of designated seats assigned to at least one a remote player and one or more live players or to a plurality of remote players. Remote players connect to the system via a wide area network. Located at each designated seat is a private card camera that produces and transmits images of face down cards dealt thereto. A public card camera produces and transmits images of all face up cards dealt on the poker table. A table camera constantly provides an image of the entire table and dealer. A deck of cards with an identifying RFID tag is used with images to verify the identity of the private and public cards. A game logic server connects to a network server and host and client-side software programs enable the remote players to connect to the server.
US07727057B2	Device and process for heating an aircraft cabin The invention relates to a device (10) for heating an aircraft cabin and comprises a first hot air supply line (12) that leads to an air conditioning unit (14), a flow control valve (16) that is disposed in the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the air conditioning unit (14), and a second hot air supply line (18) that branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) between the flow control valve (16) and the air conditioning unit (14) and bypasses the air conditioning unit (14). In order to assure air conditioning of the aircraft cabin in the event of a failure of the air conditioning unit (14) a third hot air supply line (20) branches off from the first hot air supply line (12) upstream from the flow control valve (16), which third hot air supply line (20) connects the first hot air supply line (12) to the second hot air supply line (18). Further a first close off mechanism is disposed in the second hot air supply line (18) upstream from the junction with the third hot air supply line (20), which first close off mechanism in its closed position prevents a flow from the second hot air supply line (18) back into the first hot air supply line (12). Finally a second close off mechanism is disposed in the third hot air supply line (20) upstream from the junction with the second hot air supply line (18).
US07727054B2	Coherent jet nozzles for grinding applications A nozzle assembly and method is configured to apply coherent jets of coolant in a tangential direction to the grinding wheel in a grinding process, at a desired temperature, pressure and flowrate, to minimize thermal damage in the part being ground. Embodiments of the present invention may be useful when grinding thermally sensitive materials such as gas turbine creep resistant alloys and hardened steels. Flowrate and pressure guidelines are provided to facilitate optimization of the embodiments.
US07727052B2	Removable polishing pad for chemical mechanical polishing The present invention offers a device for rendering CMP polishing pads easily and temporarily removable from and replaceable upon the platen of a CMP polishing apparatus comprising two sheets, the upper sheet attached to the said CMP polishing pad and the lower attached to the said platen, the said two sheets held together by pegs, pins or protrusions fitted to matching holes in the upper surface of the lower sheet and the lower surface of the upper sheet, said pegs or pins attached to either the upper or lower sheet and able to enter the hold on the adjoining sheet when the sheets are brought together and hold the sheets together by means of the sliding friction attendant upon a tight fit with the said holes. The device allows far easier metrology and storage of CMP polishing pads at different stages of use with no damage to the CMP pad, which may be put back into service at any time. The transparency of the upper sheet further allows users to prevent formation of bubbles in the adhesive holding the CMP pad to the upper sheet, thereby avoiding significant degradation of CMP performance.
US07727048B2	Modesty foam pad and brassiere made A pad for a brassiere having a foam layer; a liner layer and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer is provided. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere. A brassiere having a pair of breast-receiving cups is provided. Each of the pair of breast-receiving cups has a pad having a foam layer, a liner layer, and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the said liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere.
US07727045B2	Paper doll A paper doll in which a trunk portion is hollow and disposed with its axial line directed in a longitudinal direction. Right and left shoulder joint members each formed in an approximately U-shape are rotatably coupled with the trunk portion by a first metal coupling passing through the trunk portion and the intermediate wall portions of the shoulder joint members. The base end portion of each of hollow upper arm members is held between a pair of side wall portions of the shoulder joint member and the upper arm members are rotatably coupled with the shoulder joint members by a second metal coupling passing through the side wall portions and the upper arm members, and femoral members each formed to be hollow are rotatably abutted against the trunk portion through the portions where the femoral members are abutted against sides of the trunk portion by a third metal coupling.
US07727043B2	Curling structure for a simulated aquatic creature and the like A curling structure for use in mechanical swimming creatures and the like includes a series of jointed segments pivotally connected together, with cross members pivotally connected between non-adjacent segments. Each cross member has its first end pivotally connected to a given segment above the pivot point connecting that segment to an adjacent segment, and its second end connected to a non-adjacent segment below the pivot point which connects that non-adjacent segment to the next segment. The result is that as one segment pivots about the joint connecting it to an adjacent segment, the cross members cause all of the segments to curl in a single direction.
US07727036B1	System and method for controlling movement of a marine vessel A system and method are provided for controlling movement of a marine vessel. An operator controllable device outputs a signal that is representative of an operator-desired rate of position change of the vessel about or along an axis. A sensor outputs a signal that is representative of a sensed actual rate of position change of the vessel about or along the axis. A rate of position change controller outputs a rate of position change command based upon the difference between the desired rate of position change and the sensed rate of position change. A vessel coordination controller controls movement of the vessel based upon the rate of position change command.
US07727034B1	Connector for connecting printed surface area or line with conductive wire A wire connector for connecting a printed circuit pad or line on a flat surface with an outlet wire. In one embodiment, the connector includes a connection member having a conductive member having a first end portion and a second end portion, and an insulting cover formed around the conductive member such that the first end portion and the second end portion of the conductive member are exposed outside the insulating cover, and a boot having a bottom portion, a top portion and a bowl-like body formed therebetween, where the bottom portion has a flat bottom surface, the top portion defines an opening, and the bowl-like body has a height defined the bottom portion and the top portion. As assembled, the insulting cover of the connection member is received and accommodated tightly by the opening of the boot such that the first and second end portions of the conductive member are respectively located outside and inside the boot.
US07727032B2	Electrical contact with stopper and electrical connector having the same An electrical contact (1) includes an elongate planar base portion (10), a pair of contact engaging portions (11) orthogonal to the planar base portion, a stopper portion (12) coplanar with the contact engaging portions, and a solder portion (13) orthogonal to the planar base portion and opposite to the contact engaging portions. The stopper portion connects one of the pair of contact engaging portions and extends to a back side of the planar base portion.
US07727026B2	Electrical connector with a pair of improved detecting pins An electrical connector includes an insulating housing defining a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwards from a front face of the base portion and a plurality of terminals. The tongue portion defines a recess portion at each of opposite end walls thereof. Each terminal defines a solder portion extending towards a bottom face of the base portion and a contacting portion located on the tongue portion. A pair of detecting pins are located in recess portions and each comprises a leg portion extending out the base portion and an arc section projecting out beyond the end wall of the tongue portion to be touched by a sidewall of a shielding shell of a counter connector when the electrical connector is inserted by the counter connector.
US07727022B2	On harness PCB electrical center An electrical center is mounted on a wiring harness. The electrical center comprises an upper insulator housing having a plurality of upper terminal receiving cavities, a circuit board assembly disposed in the upper housing below the upper terminal receiving cavities, a plurality of terminals mounted on the circuit board contact portions above the circuit board disposed in the upper terminal receiving cavities for engaging mating terminals plugged into the upper terminal receiving cavities, and a lower insulator housing having a plurality of lower terminal receiving cavities. The terminals mounted on the circuit board have contact portions below the circuit board disposed in the lower terminal receiving cavities for engaging mating terminals that are attached to wires of the wiring harness and that are plugged in the lower terminal receiving cavities. The upper housing may be mated to the lower housing in a prestaged condition to facilitate loading of the mating terminals that are attached to the wires of the wiring harness. The housings are adapted for use with a press holder to move from the prestaged condition to the fully seated condition.
US07727021B2	Connector having a plug, a socket, and a tubular shield member with an elastic arm A connector has a plug connected to a first electric cable, and having a pin terminal and a plug holder, a socket connected to a second electric cable, and having a socket terminal and a socket holder, and a first tubular shield member and a second tubular shield member. The pin terminal of the plug is press-fitted and electrically connected to the socket terminal of the socket. The plug holder is connected to the socket holder. A first end of the first tubular shield member is electrically connected to a shield wire of the first electric cable. An elastic arm formed at an opening edge at a second end of the first tubular shield member is contacted to a conductive inner peripheral surface of the plug holder. A first end of the second tubular shield member is electrically connected to a shield wire of the second electric cable. An elastic arm of formed at an opening edge a second end of the second tubular shield member is contacted to a conductive inner peripheral surface of the socket holder.
US07727019B2	Shell for circuit board connector The invention relates to a circuit board connector capable of establishing an electrical connection between circuits on a circuit board and a mating electrical connector at a mating side of said circuit board connector. The circuit board connector includes a connector housing accommodating a plurality of terminals for establishing said electrical connection and an electrically conductive shell at least partially enclosing said connector housing. The shell includes a top wall and a rear wall, wherein said rear wall is connected to said top wall and is arranged opposite to said mating side. The shell further has a first and second extension connected to opposite sides of said rear wall and bent with respect to said rear wall to extend towards said mating side. First and second mounting posts are connected, respectively, to said first and second extension and third and fourth mounting posts are connected to said rear wall, wherein said mounting posts are arranged for mounting said shell on said circuit board.
US07727018B2	EMI gasket for an electrical connector assembly An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a cage member configured for mounting in an opening in a panel. The cage member has a compartment for receiving a pluggable electrical component therein. The cage member includes a latch for cooperating with a latch element of the pluggable electrical component. An EMI gasket is mounted on the cage member such that the EMI gasket is electrically connected to the cage member. The EMI gasket is configured to engage the panel when the cage member is mounted in the opening in the panel. The EMI gasket includes a latch interface that engages the latch such that the latch interface is electrically connected to the latch.
US07727011B2	Coax connector having clutching mechanism The invention is directed to a clutching mechanism for a coax connector. The device comprises an extended nut having a standard connector contained within. The extended nut comprises internal threads and a first clutch face and the internal standard connector comprises a connector body having a second clutch face. In operation, the first clutch face and the second clutch face are engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism. The device further comprises a compression sleeve between the nut and the connector body, serving to secure the cable to the connector.
US07727007B2	Mounting apparatus for battery A mounting apparatus for mounting a battery includes a base and a bracket. The bracket is configured for receiving the battery. The bracket is rotatably mounted to the base.
US07727005B2	Key coded power adapter connectors A key coded power connector and a system and method for making key coded power connections are disclosed. A power connector such as a power adapter connector is configured with either a visual keying system, a physical keying system, or both. The physical keying system prevents a user from connecting a host device to a connector of the power source which does not support that host device. The visual keying system provides the user with an early indication that the particular device is not supported by a power source. The user can visually compare a marking key on the host device with the making key on the power connector and determine whether or not the power source is capable of outputting sufficient power to operate the device. The visual and physical keying systems prevents a user from improperly connecting a host device to a power source which does not support that device.
US07727004B2	Testing a high speed serial bus within a printed circuit board An apparatus and associated method for analyzing a communications link between two components on a common PCB. The communications link has a pair of through-board conductors connected by a first conductive etching on one side of the PCB. The communications link further has second etchings on an opposite side of the PCB respectively connecting each of the through-board conductors to one of the components. The first conductive etching can operably be open-circuited and connectors of an analyzer can be fitted to the through-board conductors to test the communications link between the components.
US07727000B2	Electrical connector having guidance for mating Disclosed is an electrical connector assembly adapted to isolate shock forces during mating. Such an electrical connector assembly may include a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a first guide module. The second electrical connector may be adapted to mate with the first electrical connector. The first guide module may be located adjacent to the first electrical connector and may include an opening for receiving a first guide post. There may be no direct mechanical attachment between the first electrical connector and the first guide module. Such an arrangement, may isolate the first electrical connector from any forces created by the mating of the guide post with the opening of the guide module.
US07726997B2	Electrical connector and socket assemblies An electrical connector assembly for a cable having a plurality of insulated conductors comprises a body having a respective recess for receiving a terminating pin each of the conductors. A respective spigot sealingly engages within each of the recesses and has a passage for receiving an associated one of the terminating pins. Furthermore a seal is associated with each of the spigots for sealing the spigot relative to the associated terminating pin. The provision of a separate spigot for each of the conductors and for sealing engagement within a respective recess in the body enables the spigots to be sealingly fitted to the conductors prior to each spigot being introduced into its recess and sealingly engaged therein. This provides improved insulation of the conductor and increased creepage distance between the mating electrical parts and the outer surface of the housing of the assembly. It also provides the additional advantage that the seal on the conductor tends to be smaller than in prior arrangements so that there is less thermal expansion of the seal when the parts get hot in a downhole environment.
US07726993B2	Electrical and pneumatic connection device The invention relates to a device for connecting an item of equipment and two cables, one of which carries electrical data and the other of which carries pneumatic data. The device comprises an electrical socket and a pneumatic socket, both mounted on an item of equipment, an electrical plug secured to a cable, the electrical plug being intended to be connected to the electrical socket, and a pneumatic plug secured to a cable, the pneumatic plug being intended to be connected to the pneumatic socket. According to the invention, when the pneumatic plug is in a connected but unlocked position, the electrical plug cannot be plugged in.
US07726992B2	RF connector having contact terminal set with movable bridge A RF connector comprising: an insulative housing defining a space section; an upper fixed contact and a lower movable contact are disposed on two opposite sides of the housing in a first direction, each of said upper fixed contact and said lower movable contact including a contact section in the space section and a solder tail exposed outside of the housing, the lower movable contact having on two opposite sides a pair of bending ends disposed which is a lying U-shape; and an upper case mounted upon the housing and defining a plug insertion passageway; and a metallic shell enclosing said upper case and the housing.
US07726991B2	Electrical card connector with a wedge-shaped block A card connector, comprising: an insulative housing having a base, a first passageway and a second passageway defined adjacently in the base; a plurality of contacts held within the base, the contacts having contact sections extending beyond the base; a pair of detecting switches including a stationary switch and a movable switch respectively located in the first passageway and the second passageway communicating with each other; the movable switch including a planar section abutting against a bottom wall of the second passageway, and a slanted spring arm attached to planar section, the slanted spring arm defining a contact end; a wedge-shaped block extending into the second passageway with a wedgy surface defined thereon, the slanted spring arm constantly contacting with said wedgy surface such that there is no portion of said spring arm electrically engages with the stationary switch when said contact end is pushed by an external force.
US07726984B2	Compliant interconnect apparatus with laminate interposer structure Apparatus to electrically connect a first electrical contact to a second electrical contact includes opposed upper and lower elastomer layers formed on either side of an electrically insulating intermediate layer together forming a laminate interposer structure having a thickness. An electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path is formed through the thickness of the laminate interposer structure. The upper and lower elastomer layers provide compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column, and the intermediate layer provides reduced compliance between the intermediate layer and the elastic column relative to the compliance between the upper and lower elastomer layers and the elastic column.
US07726976B2	Shielded electrical interconnect An electrical interconnect includes a contact array having an insulator holding a plurality of contacts. Each of the contacts include a conductive polymer column having first and second opposite contact tips for interconnecting first and second electronic packages, wherein each of the contacts are individually shielded from adjacent ones of the contacts. Optionally, a frame may be provided on the insulator and positioned between each of the contacts, wherein the frame defines a shield concentrically surrounding each of the contacts. The frame may be conductive and non-coplanar with, and parallel to, the insulator, wherein the frame is electrically isolated from the contacts and provides shielding between adjacent ones of the contacts.
US07726975B2	Lithium reservoir system and method for rechargeable lithium ion batteries A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell.
US07726972B1	Liquid metal rotary connector apparatus for a vehicle steering wheel and column A liquid metal rotary connector for a vehicle steering mechanism utilizes a conductive alloy comprising Gallium, Indium, Tin and Zinc to electrically couple stationary and rotary terminals of the connector. The alloy is a liquid at ambient temperatures, and has a melting point of −36° C., though testing has shown that it operates satisfactorily at temperatures as low as −40° C. In a preferred arrangement, the rotary connector provides a two-wire connection through which power is supplied from the steering column to the steering wheel, and electronic modules located in the steering column and the steering wheel support bi-directional data communication through voltage and current modulation of the supplied power.
US07726971B2	Colored dental post A dental post includes a composite material such as long fibers embedded in a resin matrix, and is able to transmit visible radiation when it is lit by a dental lamp to ensure polymerization of a product for setting in a tooth's root canal. The post, which has a specific color determined at ambient temperature before insertion into said canal, and which contains at least one thermochromic substance able to provide said specific color, loses its color when in place in the canal. A method for forming the dental post and a kit including a plurality of dental posts and drills are also disclosed.
US07726964B2	Molding apparatus and molding method A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a first support member for supporting the mold, a second support member arranged opposite to the first support member, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the mold and the work together using the support members to pattern the workpiece. In this structure, either the surface of the first support member for supporting the mold or the surface of the second support member for supporting the workpiece is smaller in area than both surfaces of the mold and the workpiece.
US07726963B2	Soap-molding die Disclosed is a soap making split mold composed of a set of splits 1A and 1B adapted to be assembled together to form a molding cavity 1C. The split 1A has a larger surface area in its recess 11A defining part of the cavity 1C than the other split 1B does in its recess 11B defining the other part of the cavity 1C. The ratio of the surface area of the recess 11A of the split 1A to that of the recess 11B of the split 1B ranges from 52:48 to 66:34. Otherwise, the split 1A has a larger surface roughness Ra in its recess 11A defining part of the cavity than the other split 1B does in its recess 11B defining the other part of the cavity. The difference of the surface roughness Ra between the recess 11A and that of the recess 11B is 0.1 to 30 μm.
US07726962B2	Mold and method for working with composite material An apparatus and method for molding composite material with a selectable uniform predetermined temperature during most of the curing time. The mold apparatus has two cooperating and complementing mold bed assemblies hingedly mounted to each other and movable between two extreme positions, open and closed. A composite inner skin and outer skins sandwich a spacer in between. The spacer member includes interconnecting passages throughout. An outer perforated composite skin member covers the spacer member. A source for pressurized gas is applied to the mold assemblies when in the closed position. A predetermined cooperative temperature is selectably used to uniformly control the curing characteristics of the first and second skin members as the pressurized hot gas or air forced to pass through the outer skin and the spacer member adjacent to the inner skin thereby exposing the form being molded to a uniform temperature gradient. A mechanism for moving the upper mold bed assembly is provided with skates to permit its stress free movement in response to temperature expansion and contraction forces.
US07726961B2	Press Press for producing dimensionally stable pressed parts from powdered material, with a press frame, a die holding plate, at least one upper punch holding plate, at least one lower punch holding plate, adjusting drives for the upper punch and lower punch holding plate and/or die holding plate, a vertical guide in the press frame for at least the upper and lower punch holding plate and a measuring device for measuring the position of the upper punch holding plate, the lower punch holding plate and/or the die holding plate. A single measuring rule is attached in its thermal fixed reference point to a support vertically uncoupled from the press frame, on which measurement slides cooperating with the holding plates are guided.
US07726956B2	Combination assembly for managing a hose or like elastic pump tube in a positive displacement pump A combination assembly is disclosed for managing a hose or like elastic pump tube or pump channel such that particularly is used in a peristaltic pump. The invention is characterized by having the pump equipped with an assembly for the adjustment of the pump pressure and/or compression imposed on the hose/tube, the assembly comprising a steplessly adjustable eccentric adjustment mechanism.
US07726953B2	Pump ring A pump ring. The pump ring is suitable for a reaction chamber and capable for extracting gas from the reaction chamber in a uniform gas flow rate. The pump ring comprises a ring body and a top ring part located on the ring body. The top ring part is apart from an inner wall of the reaction chamber with a fixed distance. Therefore, a gas-extraction path composed of the reaction chamber, the ring body and the top ring part is unobstructed. Hence, the turbulence flow of the extracted gas can be efficiently suppressed and the problems of the accumulation of the impurities and reaction chamber contamination can be solved.
US07726952B2	Arrangement and method for compressed air systems in vehicles Method and arrangement for providing a compressed air system in a vehicle that includes a connection (6, 10) for delivering compressed air from a compressor (2) to the rest of the compressed air system (1). An oxidation catalytic converter (9) is included that is designed to clean the compressed air and which is located along the connection (6, 10). The connection (6, 10) includes a line (10) that forms a connection between the oxidation catalytic converter (9) and the rest of the compressed air system. The invention also includes a valve (11) that is arranged upstream of the rest of the compressed air system (1) and that can be adjusted so that in a first position it will allow and in a second position will prevent the delivery of air to the rest of the compressed air system (1), depending on the operating condition of the compressor (2). The invention provides an improved system in which the risk of contaminated air being delivered to the compressed air system is minimized.
US07726951B2	Fuel control module A fuel control system is provided in a single compact modular unit. The unit includes a motor driving a highly accurate cam-operated double-acting piston metering pump, both of which are contained in a liquid fuel environment. As the liquid fuel is pumped it works to cool internal components including the motor. An electronic motor drive is contained in a dry chamber of the unit for controlling operation of the motor and pump and is cooled indirectly by the fuel as well. A pressure sensitive flow divider is also included for selectively providing one or multiple output fuel flow paths depending upon whether a pressure threshold is reached, for example to send fuel to primary and secondary burner nozzles. Filter, filter bypass, pressure relief, and fuel shut-off components are also integrated into the single modular unit.
US07726948B2	Hydraulic pump with variable flow and variable pressure and electric control A pump system including a control system for controlling a variable flow pump for controlling oil flow and oil pressure in a hydraulic circuit in an engine. The system includes a pump member, an actuating member capable of controlling the flow generated by the pump member, and a solenoid valve system including a solenoid valve portion and a pressure regulator valve portion. The solenoid valve system is operably associated with the pump and the pressure regulator valve portion is operably associated with the actuating member for selectively controlling the flow generated by the pump member. An electronic control unit is operably associated with the solenoid valve portion, wherein the electronic control unit is selectively operable to provide an input control signal to the solenoid valve portion for controlling oil flow and oil pressure.
US07726944B2	Turbine blade with improved durability tip cap A gas turbine engine has a turbine blade having a tip cap to close off internal cooling passages. The tip cap is formed with a plurality of purge holes, with there being at least two rows of purge holes. The increased number of purge holes spreads the cooling air outwardly across more of the surface area of the tip cap, and provides the tip cap with a better ability to withstand the extreme temperatures it faces in use.
US07726943B2	Rotor blade for a wind energy installation The invention relates to a rotor blade (22) for a wind energy installation (10), with the rotor blade (22) having at least one cavity (28). The cavity (28) is sealed to be gas-tight and is filled with gas, in particular air, in order to prestress the rotor blade (22), with the pressure of the gas being greater than or less than the average air pressure to be expected at the point of use of the rotor blade.
US07726942B2	Connector box partly embedded in a fibre-reinforced part for protecting and connecting purposes The present invention relates to a connector box adapted to be at least partly embedded in a fiber-reinforced part of a wind turbine, where said connector box comprises a flexible base part and a sealing part. The sealing part seals off and protects at least one compartment between the sealing part and the base part during manufacture of said fiber-reinforced part, but can be partly removed after manufacture making said compartment accessible. The base part is adapted to fasten the connector box in the fiber-reinforced part by having a larger circumference near its bottom than near its top. Further, the invention relates to such a connector box fixating a part of an element in the compartment of the box and making a second part of the element accessible from the compartment after manufacture.
US07726935B2	Wind turbine rotor projection An horizontal axis wind turbine having a rotor (3) with a frontal projection comprising a stationary spherical head (1) upstream of its multibladed turbine rotor (3) displaces and increases the speed of wind addressed over 70% of the total frontal area. A series of thin airfoils (12) radially and evenly placed on said spherical head (1) to direct wind towards the turbine short blades (4).
US07726934B2	Vertical axis wind turbine A vertical axis wind turbine having a plurality of blades spaced from a rotatable around a rotor shaft vertical to the ground. The plurality of blades are arranged in a helical pattern about the rotor shaft. Each blade is flexible to move in response to wind and has a top, bottom, leading edge, and trailing edge wherein the leading edge is in the shape of an airfoil. A hub having a plurality of blade attachment rods radially extending from the rotor wherein in one blade is secured to one of the attachment arms. The hub has a plurality of attachment rods radially extending from the rotor wherein one blade is secured to one of the attachment rods near the center and wherein the top of each blade is closer to the rotor than the bottom of each blade.
US07726933B2	Wind powered turbine engine—horizontal rotor configuration A wind powered turbine engine comprising an internalized containment and control chamber, intake enhancement, vacuum induction exhaust port and horizontally rotating rotor The turbine functions similarly to a steam or gas turbine engine. The radius of the control chamber decreases progressively as it curves around the periphery of the turbine rotor in the manner of a spiral.
US07726928B2	Binding processing apparatus A binding processing apparatus 1 is provided with a punch mechanism 2 and a binding processing mechanism 3 for executing a binding processing by a binder. When a sheet P is fed from a printing apparatus 50 of a copier or the like, the sheet is butted to a stopper plate 9 of the punch mechanism, sheet aligning sliders 10 push both left and right sides thereof to position and punch holes are formed by a punch block 7 and a die 8. Thereafter, the sheet is fed to a sheet tray 15 of the binding processing mechanism, one set of the sheets are aligned and a ring shape binder is pinched by a pusher 17 to fit the ring shape binder to the punch holes of the sheets, and a brochure subjected to a binding processing is discharged to a stack tray 4. A binder cartridge 16 can contain a number of the binders and the binding processing can be executed continuously.
US07726927B2	Quick-adjust for snowmobile clutch An apparatus is disclosed for aiding in the speed and simplicity of the adjustment of the clicker-style cam bolts employed by TRA-type snowmobile drive clutches, manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products. The apparatus comprises a barrel type nut with a collared head and a compression wire spring which fits telescopically over said nut and against said collared head, and a locking set screw to secure the apparatus against rotational movement or removal. This assembly replaces the conventional hexagonal lock nut presently used on TRA-type drive clutches. This apparatus enables the user to change the linear position of the cam bolt in the drive clutch housing to enable the hexagonal head of the clicker-style bolt to clear its respective hexagonally indexed pocket, which is molded into the drive clutch housing, and to be turned to any one of six different degrees of rotation, thereby changing the shift-out RPM setting of the drive clutch quickly and with greater ease than conventional methods.
US07726926B2	Self-drilling and slotting fastener system A flat nut is provided with a threadlike retainer cord and structure for self-drilling and slotting a wall to provide a suitable hole for insertion of the nut, and a screw to be threaded into the nut. The retainer cord provides for positioning the nut on the back side of the wall. The nut has an elongated drilling point for making a hole and serrated teeth along an elongated side for making horizontal slots on each side of the hole to accommodate the full width of the nut. The arrangement provides a simple way to fasten objects onto a wall without access to both sides.
US07726921B2	Stanchion containment system A stanchion containment systems and method for securely storing and for safely accessing large and/or heavy items. The present stanchion containment system is particularly suited for use in dynamic locations. The stanchion assemblies includes a ceiling assembly releasably engaged with holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly releasably engaged with holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects the two or more of the stanchion assemblies. The linkage assembly substantially supports the stanchion assembly for translation from a first location to a second location, to provide access to the items.
US07726916B2	Dowelling jig A dowelling jig (10) comprising a pair of spaced apart rail members which comprise an upper rail member (11) and a lower rail member (12), at least one drill guide member (13) which is slidable between the spaced apart rail members and which is releasably lockable relative to at least one of said spaced apart rail members.
US07726913B1	Method and apparatus for forming in ground piles The present invention is an apparatus and a method for casting a cementitious or stone pile into the ground. The present invention comprises an exterior driving casing and an interior mandrel acting in cooperation to hold and deliver the pile forming material. A retrievable driving driving shoe is also disclose.
US07726901B2	Connecting structure for panel lift device A connecting structure detachably connects the upright post of a floor support to the upright frame supporting a panel lift device. The upright post has a pair of upright panels diverging forward to form a V shaped flange that has its lower portion open in front and a rounded knob mounted at the bottom of the post and spaced forward from the forward diverging V shaped flange. The post also has a pair of upright panels converging forward with upper portions of the panels tapering toward one another to form a pointed V shaped upper end. The frame has a forward diverging V shaped flange with an upper portion having dual pair of forward converging flanges in spaced relation to one another to form a forward converging V shaped slot. The upright frame has lower edges formed of a pair of upright rearward converging flanges to be detachably received in the rearward converging space between the rounded knob and V shaped flange of the post with the pointed upper end of the post detachably received in the V shaped slot of the frame for detachably mounting the post of the floor support to the upright frame of the panel lift device.
US07726898B2	Adjustable-length tube, in particular for poles An adjustable-length tube (10) for sticks, having an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (11) that can be inserted telescope-like into the outer tube (12) for adjusting the length of the tube, and having a spreading device (15) that is supported at the insertion end of the inner tube (11), the spreading device being able to clamp the inner tube (11) axially in the outer tube (12) and having a spreading element (16) that can be radially pressed apart and that is furnished with an inner cone (27), an interior element (17) that is provided with a reverse-oriented outer cone (22) and that is accommodated in the spreading element (16) so as to be axially movable, and an adjusting screw (18) that is axially oriented and is supported in a rotationally fixed manner on the inner tube (11), the adjusting screw having an operational connection to an internally threaded bore (21) in the interior element (17). So that an adjustable-length tube of this type responds to impact-like axial stresses by continuing to clamp rather than sliding or giving way, provision is made that the inner cone (27) of the spreading element (16) is situated such that it opens in the direction of the inner tube (11), and the spreading element (16) is supported between an inner limit stop (28) on the inner tube (11) and an exterior limit stop (26) on the free end of the adjusting screw (18) so as to be axially movable within narrow limits.
US07726888B2	Mobile device suitable for supporting apparatus for site imaging while in transit A mobile device which supports apparatus for site imaging while in transit is disclosed. The mobile device comprises a plurality of wheels, an imaging unit having at least one camera and supported above the head of an operator, a control unit for monitoring and controlling operation of each camera and of generated image data so as to produce an interactive movie, a steering device for navigating the mobile device within the site, a measuring device for measuring the relative displacement of the mobile device, a computer for determining the relative location and orientation of the mobile device within the site and for processing data, and a monitor. In one embodiment, two of the wheels are self-aligning caster wheels, and a mechanism and method for preventing drifting during the initial advancement of the mobile device are provided. A rotating mechanism is actuated until each caster wheel achieves a trailing position.
US07726886B2	Ferrule transfer method and ferrule holder An end of a built-in optical fiber of a ferrule is made with one end of the built-in optical fiber matched with a splicing end surface and other end of the built-in optical fiber protruded from an end portion opposite to the splicing end surface and one end of a splicing optical fiber to be spliced are placed is fusion-sliced with the one end of the splicing optical fiber. The ferrule is held by inserting a cylindrical portion of the ferrule into a holding unit of a ferrule holder from the splicing end surface. The ferrule is transferred while holding a stem extended on an opposite side of the holding unit of the ferrule holder and the splicing optical fiber.
US07726883B2	Four-bearing rotor system A bearing apparatus for reducing vibrations in a compressor shaft (17) carrying a rotating compressor (10) is provided. The bearing apparatus comprises a first bearing (14) for supporting the shaft (17) and a second bearing (13) spaced outboard from the first bearing (14) for producing a moment on the shaft and additional damping counter to the direction of vibrations.
US07726882B2	Dual seal for optimized performance A fluid dynamic bearing having a hub, a sleeve, and a sealing arrangement comprising a first capillary seal substantially retaining a first fluid and a second capillary seal comprising a second fluid. The second capillary seal is located between the first capillary seal and an opening between the hub and the sleeve.
US07726878B2	Clinical thermometer The disclosed subject matter relates to a clinical thermometer that facilitates easy measurement operation while suitably illuminating a location where a probe is to be inserted. Measurement can be performed even while subjects wear a garment. The clinical thermometer can include the following: a main body having on the outer face thereof a display for temperature display and a housing that includes a measuring device configured for temperature measurement; and an elongated probe part extending from the main body in a first direction and including a temperature sensing device located at the tip of the probe part that abuts against a user's armpit. The clinical thermometer can include, in the region where the main body is joined to the base of the probe part, a shoulder part curved or bent in a direction that intersects the first direction. The main body can also include an illumination device configured to emit light in the direction along which the probe extends. The illumination device can be configured for specific use at a particular body part, e.g, armpit, and such that it does not protrude beyond the main body.
US07726875B2	Methods and apparatus for monitoring a condition of a material Apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for monitoring a condition of a material are disclosed. In particular, the example apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture emit a first acoustic signal into a wall of the tubular member having a first temperature value and obtain a first propagation time associated with the first acoustic signal. In addition, a second acoustic signal is emitted into the wall having a second temperature value and a second propagation time associated with the second ultrasonic acoustic signal is obtained. The second temperature value is determined based on the first temperature value and the first and second propagation times.
US07726866B2	Backlight reflection plate and backlight module Disclosed is a backlight reflection plate and a backlight module using the reflection plate. The reflection plate encloses a light source. The reflection plate comprises a reflection substrate with a surface facing the light source. The reflection plate comprises a first region close to one end of the light source with a higher brightness and a second region close to the other end of the light source with a lower brightness. The reflectivity of the first region is smaller than that of the second region.
US07726864B2	Light-guiding plate, lighting device and display device A reflector has a curved part covering the light source and a pair of end parts extending at the two sides of the curved part. The inside surface of each end part has a plurality of substantially parallel projections or depressions. The light-guiding plate has an incident surface and an emission surface substantially perpendicular to the incident surface, the incident surface having a plurality of projections or depressions extending substantially parallel to the emission surface. Also, the reflection surface of the light-guiding plate has projections.
US07726863B2	Medical handle device and illumination apparatus A medical handle device having an illumination apparatus with at least one optical semiconductor component and a method for manufacturing such a hand-held device are displayed. It is proposed that in order to adapt the hand-held device to the specific requirements of a medical application such as uniformly high light emission, high mechanical resistance, sterilizability and electric safety, the illumination apparatus is provided with a base body, at least one blind hole arranged in the base body, a light-emitting window which is formed by the part of the base body extending from the bottom of the blind hole to the first end of the base body and is connected to a cover device which is connected to the base body and with which the blind hole forms a hermetically sealed interior, whereby the at least one optical semiconductor component is arranged in the hermetically sealed interior and the base body and the cover device are made of an electrically non-conducting material that can withstand sterilization. In some embodiments, at least one optical semiconductor component is encased in a transparent thermoplastic material.
US07726860B2	Light apparatus A light apparatus includes one or more light pipes and/or diffusers to transfer and/or diffuse light from a few point light sources to a broader area and to other points. A hollow light pipe includes a light transmissive sidewall that encompasses an interior space, which receives and hides control circuitry for the light sources therein. A bottom end surface of the hollow light pipe is disposed adjacent to one or more light sources and transmits the light therefrom over a relatively large, uniform area. A solid core light pipe has a light receiving end and a light dispersion end having a reflective facet therein. The reflective facet includes a depression forming a reflective surface angularly displaced from a longitudinal axis of the solid core light pipe. A light diffuser surrounding a point source of light is adapted to cause the point source to look like a flame. A light apparatus including the hollow light pipe and the solid core light pipe and/or the light diffuser is adapted to provide a plurality of different light effects, including a multi-color light show through the hollow light pipe and a flame flicker effect through the solid core light pipe.
US07726859B2	Lamp unit of vehicular headlamp A lamp unit of a vehicular headlamp includes a projection lens with an optical axis; a light source formed from a semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector that reflects light from the light source so as to condense such light on or near the optical axis; and a shade positioned between the light source and the projection lens so as to extend along the optical axis direction. The shade shields part of the light reflected by the first reflector. In the lamp unit of the vehicular headlamp, a shielding surface extends rearward from a front end of the shade, where the shade is positioned near a rearward focal point Rf of the projection lens. The shielding surfaces serve as a second reflector that reflects light from the first reflector toward the projection lens. In addition, a transparent portion is formed on part of the second reflector such that part of the light reflected by the first reflector passes downward of the rearward focal point of the projection lens and is then incident to the projection lens.
US07726857B2	Lamp unit for vehicle headlamp A lamp unit for a headlamp of a vehicle includes a projection lens, a light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the projection lens, a reflector, and a mirror member having an upwardly reflecting surface. The reflector forwardly reflects light from the light emitting device toward an optical axis, and the upwardly reflecting surface upwardly reflects part of the light reflected by the reflector. The upwardly reflecting surface includes a first horizontal surface disposed on a self-lane side of the optical axis, a second horizontal surface disposed on an opposing-lane side of the optical axis, and an intermediate slope surface connecting the first and second horizontal surfaces. The intermediate slope surface includes a front slope surface and a rear slope surface on the rear side of the front slope surface, and the rear slope surface is curved.
US07726849B2	Traditional style post-top luminaire with relamping module and method A luminaire adapted to being mounted at the top of a post having a design reducing maintenance costs. The luminaire has a capital with a globe mounted thereon forming an optical chamber, the capital has a front access area with a front access door hingedly attached thereto and optionally has a tool-less latch capable of holding the front access door over the front access area. The capital has an opening in a top portion thereof into the optical chamber, optionally, a relamping module extends from the inside of the capital, through the opening and up into a central portion of the optical chamber and has a lamp socket thereon. The relamping module may be removed without manipulation of the globe or globe roof. The luminaire may also have electrical gear within the capital attached to a tray wherein the tray is removably attached to an internal portion of the capital. The globe and globe roof may remain stationary during typical maintenance processes such as relamping or maintenance of electrical gear.
US07726847B2	Method and apparatus for positioning a light in a reflector The invention provides a method and apparatus for positioning a lighting device in a reflector. The exemplary apparatus includes a reflector member comprising a side wall with a reflector surface extending from the side wall. A lighting device support member is coupled to and extends from the side wall and defines at least one channel for engaging a support arm and a fastener channel for engaging a fastener member. The apparatus further includes a lighting device secured to a bracket for coupling the lighting device to the lighting device support member. The bracket defines a support arm for engaging the at least one support arm channel, The lighting device support member positions the lighting device adjacent to the reflector surface. The apparatus also includes a fastener for securing the bracket to the lighting device support member by engaging the fastener channel.
US07726843B2	Multiple focus point light A lamp unit with a relay lens that allows two different focus points. Two different optical altering elements are hence simultaneously in focus. The elements can be taken in and out of focus to allow different effects.
US07726842B2	Optimum structure for single-sides PCB with SMD LEDs for the express card The present invention discloses a structure of a single-sided PCB within an ExpressCard with SMD LEDs arrangement formed thereon. The SMD LEDs are act as status indicators for the electronic devices with small, thin and compact size. The structure is expected to form SMD LED illuminating light to the top surface of the PCB with SMD LEDs connecting to the bonding pads on the bottom surface of the PCB. The method comprises forming through-holes on the PCB, placing SMD LEDs over the through-holes with their illuminating heads facing toward the top surface of the PCB, soldering the SMD LEDs with the bonding pads on the bottom surface of the PCB.
US07726839B2	LED light device with changeable features of geometric dimension An LED light device with changeable geometric dimensions includes at least one LED installed within each of a plurality of housing-units connected by connectors which deliver electric signals from a power source to desired LEDs.
US07726838B2	Electronic device that facilitate locating connection port thereof An electronic device that facilitate locating connection port thereof is described. The main portion has a lateral surface. The connection port is disposed on the lateral surface. The identification symbol is disposed on the lateral surface. The light source is disposed within the main portion and operable to emit light through the identification symbol so as to project a pattern of the identification symbol on a surface, which supports the main portion. The connection port on a lateral surface of the electronic device is located according to where the pattern of the identification symbol is located.
US07726837B2	Sealed lighting assembly employing side-emitting lenses A lighting assembly employs LED lamps and associated side-emitting lenses that each redirect the light generated by the associated LED lamp to provide a distribution of emitted light substantially normal to an axis of symmetry of the lens. In a basic embodiment, the lighting assembly employs two lenses in a stacked configuration, with one lens being inverted. The lighting assembly has two plates, to which the lenses and LED lamps attach, and the plates are attached together by a cylinder to form a sealed enclosure for the lenses and LED lamps. When increased light intensity is desired, an additional plate and cylinder can be added to form an additional enclosure, housing additional LED lamps and lenses. Further enclosures can be formed by additional plates and cylinders.
US07726832B2	Showerhead with turbine driven light source A showerhead and fluid-driven lighting system is described herein. The showerhead has a hollow body configured to receive incoming fluid and a fluid distribution element configured to release outgoing fluid from the hollow body. The fluid driven turbine unit is configured to receive incoming fluid and release outgoing fluid to the showerhead, and one or more lights are electrically connected to the fluid driven power supply. The illumination of the water droplets and/or the translucent showerhead body by the lights creates a pleasant showering experience for the user.
US07726831B2	Showcase There is disclosed a showcase provided with a light device capable of simplifying a maintenance operation and improving a cooling efficiency in a display chamber. In a showcase 1 of the present invention, a display chamber 11 is formed in an insulating wall 2 to display commodities in the display chamber 11 while cooling the commodities, the showcase includes LED lights 40 which illuminate the inside of the display chamber 11, and a light transmitting shade 46 which covers the LED lights 40, and the shade 46 has a structure to diffuse light from the LED lights 40.
US07726830B2	Structure of fiber optics decoration A fiber optics decoration includes a base that includes a light source and an element that induces an electrical resistive effect to generate heat upon being energized, a decoration body, and optic fibers. The decoration body forms at least one bore extending therethrough for receiving and retaining the optic fibers therein. A container is formed around the bore and receives therein a low boiling point liquid. The container has a bottom positioned against the element that generates heat. As such, when the bottom of the decoration body is subjected to heat generated by the element arranged in the base, a liquid flow of the low boiling point liquid is caused. At the same time, the light source of the base emits light that is transmitted through the optic fibers to realize lighting decorative effect of the fiber optics decoration.
US07726829B2	Lighted background for fish tanks and the like A lighted background for mounting on a wall of an aquarium fish tank or the like includes a front panel having an image formed thereon. Light apertures are formed through the front panel and lighting is provided behind the panel to direct light through the apertures. Translucent material covering the apertures and reflective material behind the lights enhances the lighting effect.
US07726826B2	Direct-type backlight device A thin direct-type backlight capable of realizing high brightness uniformity is provided by a specific configuration of the direct-type backlight whereby high light beam utilization ratio is maintained while periodical unevenness of the light emitting surface is suppressed. In a direct-type backlight device having a plurality of linear light sources in parallel, a reflection plate and a light diffusion plate, at least one of main surfaces of the light diffusion plate is provided with a prismatic ridges having a sawtooth-shaped cross-section. The apex angle “y” (degree) of the prismatic ridge of the light diffusion plate, the distance “a” (mm) between centers of the adjacent linear light sources, and the distance “b” (mm) from a center of the linear light sources to a surface of the light diffusion plate facing the light source satisfy the relationship of 80×(b/a)+15
US07726823B2	Internal cable management system for movable support arm A cable management system for managing at least one cable extending through a support arm and through a hub, comprised of a spool disposed in a hub. The spool has an opening extending through a wall of the spool. A cable carrier is disposed within the support arm. The cable carrier is dimensioned to contain at least one cable extending through the support arm, a first end fixed relative to the support arm and a second end extending towards the hub. The cable carrier is disposed in the support arm such that the cable carrier replicates upon itself to define a first run and a second run. The second end of the cable carrier is movable relative to the hub when the support arm rotates about the hub, wherein the first run shortens and the second run lengthens when the support arm rotates in a direction about the hub.
US07726822B2	Interior rearview mirror system An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly and a control having control circuitry. An information display is disposed behind a transflective reflective element to display information that is viewable through the transflective reflector by a driver of a vehicle when the information display is displaying information. A mounting structure mounts the mirror casing to an interior portion of the vehicle, and the mirror casing is adjustable relative to the interior portion of the vehicle via at least one pivot element of the mounting structure. The control circuitry includes a photosensor and the control controls dimming of the electrochromic medium responsive to detection of light by the photosensor. Electrical wiring connects to at least a portion of the control circuitry that is disposed within the mirror casing. The electrical wiring passes through the pivot element of the mounting structure.
US07726816B2	Stereoscopic display device and method In a one-dimensional IP (vertical disparity discarding system), it is made possible to obtain a perspective projection image with no distortion or reduced distortion. A stereoscopic display device is provided with a display device including a display plane in which pixels are arranged flatly in a matrix shape; and a parallax barrier including a plurality of apertures or a plurality of lenses and being configured to control directions of rays from the pixels such that a horizontal disparity is included but a vertical disparity is not included. A horizontal direction pitch of the parallax barrier is integer times a horizontal pitch of the pixels, the display plane of the display device is divided so as to correspond to elemental images for respective apertures or the lenses of the parallax barrier, and an image whose vertical direction corresponds to a perspective projection in a fixed viewing distance and whose horizontal direction corresponds to an orthographic projection is divided and arranged for respective columns of the pixels.
US07726813B2	Transformation methods of wavefront maps from one vertex distance to another The present invention provides methods, systems and software for scaling optical aberration measurements of optical systems. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reconstructing optical tissues of an eye. The method comprises transmitting an image through the optical tissues of the eye. Aberration data from the transmitted image is measured across the optical tissues of the eye at a first plane. A conversion algorithm is applied to the data, converting it to corrective optical power data that can be used as a basis for constructing a treatment for the eye at a second plane.
US07726811B2	Subjective wavefront refraction using continuously adjustable wave plates of Zernike function A wavefront device (FIG. 1A) produces adjustable amplitudes in optical path differences and adjustable axis orientation angles, two substantially identical wave plates (225) have a wavefront profile of at least the third order Zernike polynomial function which are not circularly symmetric, as denoted by Z(i,j) where i>3 and jO. The wave plates are mounted in rotatable mounts (124) with their optical centers substantially aligned with each other.
US07726801B2	Method of ink-jet textile printing A method for ink-jet textile printing including the steps of: (a) ejecting a pigment ink from a recording head onto a fabric, wherein the pigment ink contains at least water, a pigment and a polymer, wherein the polymer has a plurality of said chains in a hydrophilic main chain and is capable of cross-linking between the side chains by irradiation of active energy rays, and (b) forming an image by irradiation of active energy rays onto the ink ejected areas.
US07726799B2	Pigment-based non-aqueous ink-jet inks free of hazardous air polluting solvents The present invention is drawn to ink compositions and methods for ink-jet recording. The ink compositions can include a non-aqueous HAPS-free solvent system; a binder system, including at least one of i) an acrylic resin, or ii) a first vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, which is at least substantially soluble in the solvent system; and a pigment milled in the presence of a second vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin. Further, at least one solvent of the solvent system can serve as a dispersing and diluent solvent for the pigment.
US07726797B2	Intermediate side slot vertical ink constraint with offset support An ink stick cooperates with structure in a feed channel of a phase change ink printer to reduce steering effects from pushing the ink sticks along the longitudinal axis of the feed channel. The ink stick includes an ink stick body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a lateral dimension between two partial sides of the ink stick, and a lateral center of gravity within the lateral dimension, a support in a bottom surface of the ink stick body, the support being located at a position that is laterally offset from the lateral center of gravity within the lateral dimension, and a skew limiter in a side of the ink stick body that is opposite the lateral offset position of the support, the skew limiter being in the side of the ink stick body intermediate the bottom surface and the top surface of the ink stick body.
US07726795B2	Printhead cartridge with ink supply bags Provided is a printhead cartridge for a pagewidth printer. The cartridge includes a cartridge body having a base and a number of ink supply bags positioned inside the base. A lid encloses the bags in the base. The cartridge also includes a printhead assembly fast with the base and arranged in fluid communication with the ink bags. Each ink supply bag has two profiled panels sealed together to form an ink holding chamber which is collapsible to reduce a volume of ink stored therein. A folded leaf spring biases the chamber into an expanded condition. Each ink bag also includes a connector assembly providing fluid communication between the chamber and ink supply channels of the printhead assembly.
US07726792B2	Ink tank for liquid printing apparatus, method of manufacturing same, liquid printing apparatus with same, and method of detecting remaining ink An ink tank capable of optically detecting ink remaining in an ink accommodation chamber with high precision is provided. A printing apparatus, a method of manufacturing the ink tank, and a method of detecting ink remaining in the ink tank are also provided. Radiated light (11) projected into an ink accommodation chamber (5A) excites an illuminant material (10) contained in ink in the ink accommodation chamber (5A) to illuminate. Based on light (12) produced by the illuminant material (10), the amount of ink remaining in the ink accommodation chamber (5A) is detected.
US07726791B2	Conduit construction using films A method of forming a conduit providing fluid communication between respective reservoirs of an ink tank, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a first orifice extending through a first external wall portion of an ink tank defining part of a first ink reservoir of the ink tank; (b) forming a second orifice extending through a second external wall portion of the ink tank defining part of a second ink reservoir of the ink tank; and (c) attaching a substrate over the first and second external wall portions at least about a first continuous seal line surrounding both the first and second orifices to define an external conduit communicatively connecting the first ink reservoir with the second ink reservoir.
US07726788B2	Ink supply needle for a liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid ejecting head which is formed by joining a liquid introducing member for introducing liquid and a base body by welding includes an introduction hole which is formed in a front end of the liquid introducing member and an extending section which is tilted to extend from the exterior edge of an introduction hole to the inside of the introduction hole.
US07726786B2	Vent chamber A device is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the device includes a fluid ejection mechanism, a reservoir, and a pump configured to pump fluid between the fluid ejection mechanism and the reservoir. A vent chamber is fluidly coupled to the reservoir.
US07726783B2	Liquid discharge apparatus A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid storage-discharge member having a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid and a liquid outlet for discharging the liquid from the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid storage chamber, a vibration plate formed on the liquid storage-discharge member and a piezoelectric element having a lower electrode, a piezoelectric body and an upper electrode, which are sequentially formed on the vibration plate. The piezoelectric body includes an edge portion including at least a portion of the piezoelectric body, the portion positioned on the outside of the wall position of the liquid storage chamber, and a main portion, which is the remaining portion of the piezoelectric body. Further, the edge portion and the main portion are formed on different base layers from each other and the fracture stress of the edge portion is higher than that of the main portion.
US07726777B2	Inkjet print head and method of fabricating the same An inkjet print head and method of fabricating the same. The inkjet print head includes: a substrate having an ink-feed hole, an interlayer dielectric layer formed around the ink-feed hole on the substrate, at least one metal layer formed on the interlayer dielectric layer, and an anti-moisture part formed between the ink-feed hole and the at least one metal layer to prevent ink moisture in the ink-feed hole from contacting the at least one metal layer. The inkjet print head and the method of fabricating the same are capable of preventing problems such as de-lamination between layers, electrical short-circuit, circuit malfunction, and corrosion of a metal interconnection layer, since it is possible to prevent penetration of ink moisture from layers having absorbent characteristics into the metal interconnection layer, a logic region, or a pressure driving part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the lifespan and reliability of the inkjet print head as well as to increase productivity and reduce manufacturing cost by increasing yield.
US07726773B2	Waste liquid recovery apparatus, relay and liquid jetting apparatus A waste liquid tank is arranged outside a printer. A connection port arranged at an upstream end of a duct extending from the waste liquid tank is connected to a transfer device. The transfer device is connected to a discharge side of a suction pump for drawing in ink from a nozzle of a recording head of the printer through a duct.
US07726767B2	Image processing method and ink jet printing apparatus There is provided an ink jet printing apparatus capable of printing an image having few joining stripes. Dot count is performed regarding an image printed in the vicinity of the joining stripe, and print duty is judged. Next, a dot count value is determined from the print duty. Then, a print data correction rank is determined beforehand in accordance with properties of the printing apparatus, and image data to be printed in the vicinity of the joining stripe is added or thinned out. Thus, an image can be printed which has few black and white stripes.
US07726761B2	Pattern forming method, droplet ejecting device, and electro-optic device A pattern forming method includes: disposing a portion of a first nozzle group composed of a plurality of first nozzles arranged in a first direction and a portion of a second nozzle group composed of a plurality of second nozzles arranged in the first direction so as to overlap each other as viewed in a second direction; and ejecting a droplet from each of a plurality of selected nozzles of the first nozzles and a plurality of selected nozzles of the second nozzles to a substrate that moves in the second direction relative to the first nozzles and the second nozzles to form a pattern on the substrate. A droplet is ejected from each of a plurality of the first nozzles selected in an area of the first nozzle group overlapped with the second nozzle group as viewed in the second direction and each of the plurality of second nozzles located between each adjacent pair of the selected first nozzles as viewed in the second direction is selected to eject a droplet.
US07726759B2	Image forming apparatus The image forming apparatus comprises: a liquid ejection head which has a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of pressure generating elements corresponding to the nozzles, and applies a drive signal to the pressure generating elements so as to eject recording liquid from the nozzles; a plurality of drive waveform generating circuits which generate the drive signal having waveform for driving the pressure generating elements; a plurality of dummy capacitive loads which are connected to the drive waveform generating circuits; and a circuit selection device which selects at least one of the drive waveform generating circuits for applying the drive signal to at least one of the pressure generating elements and the dummy capacitive loads.
US07726756B2	Refrigerator with varying width compartments and uniform width doors A side-by-side refrigerator includes fresh food and freezer compartments each having upper and lower sections which vary in width and volume. The fresh food and freezer compartments are separated by a dividing wall or mullion having first and second upright portions interconnected by a laterally offset section. Fresh food and freezer doors are pivotally mounted about respective vertical axes for sealing the fresh food and freezer compartments. Each of the fresh food and freezer doors has a substantially uniform width. With this construction, the varying width compartments are sealed by substantially uniform width fresh food and freezer doors.
US07726753B2	Drawer container device for an electric household appliance, in particular for the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator or freezer A drawer container device that can be inserted in a refrigerated cell to define a separate compartment, including at least a shelf provided with mating elements with the respective side walls of the refrigerated cell in a first position such as to define, immediately below the shelf, a first predetermined volume and at least one cup-shaped drawer delimited by at least one side wall placed transversely to the shelf and located in a position beneath the shelf with its concavity facing the latter, the shelf being selectively moveable between the first position and a second position located at a different height from the first and in which the shelf delimits a second predetermined volume beneath itself; the side wall of the drawer being defined by a pair of adjacent elements sliding relative to each other and placed parallel to and at least partially facing each other; regulating elements of the pin-and-groove type being interposed between the relatively sliding elements to selectively position them such that the side wall substantially occupies the entire height of the first and second predetermined volumes; in this way, the volume of the compartment can be varied by simply lifting the side wall of the drawer and the above shelf.
US07726752B2	Computer enclosure An exemplary computer enclosure includes a chassis, a pair of fixing members, a plurality of slats, and an actuating member. The chassis includes a pair of first parallel panels, and a second panel perpendicular to the first panels. The first panels and second panel cooperatively define an opening therebetween. The fixing members are attached to the first panels. The slats are pivotably attached to the first panels to adjustably shield the opening. Each of the slats includes a gear shaft fixed to an end thereof. The actuating member includes a rack bar slidably attached to one of the first panels to mesh with the gears shafts. The slats are rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise. Thus, the opening may be adjustably exposed to control an amount of air entering the chassis for dissipation of heat.
US07726751B2	Common structure and door for multiple door electrical enclosure latching systems A multi-latch compatible system is disclosed for electrical enclosures. The system accommodates latches of different types and configurations. A rail structure may be formed to interface with pin-type latches and with plate-type latches. The rail structure may be configured as a pre-assembled insert that can be placed within an electrical enclosure. The system permits the same general structure to be used regardless of the type of latching mechanism selected and installed in the enclosure.
US07726747B2	Locking hydraulic brake system A locking mechanism for installing between a master cylinder and a brake line includes a housing having an internal bore, an inlet port, a passage, and an outlet port. A reciprocating piston is movable within the bore. A locking lever is coupled to the reciprocating piston for actuating the reciprocating piston. A fastener having an internal fluid passage for providing fluid communication between the passage and the master cylinder secures the housing to the master cylinder. The locking lever is moveable between a first position, wherein the hydraulic fluid can flow freely between the master cylinder and the brake line for engaging and disengaging the vehicle brake and a second position, wherein the hydraulic fluid is prevented from returning to the master cylinder for maintaining the vehicle brake in an engaged state.
US07726746B2	Hubcap having lighted spinning element A hubcap device for use with a wheel includes a base and a fastener for coupling the base to the wheel. The hubcap device includes a spinner member between the base and the cover, the spinner member having a light element. The hubcap device includes a battery for powering the light element and a processor for actuating the light element. An insert is removably coupled to the cover, the spinner member being positioned between the insert and the base. The hubcap device may include a photocell in communication with the processor, the processor including programming to actuate the light element in predetermined light conditions. The device includes an optical sensor coupled to the spinner member to measure a rotational speed of the spinner member relative to a rotational speed of the base, the optical sensor providing a relative rotational speed measurement to said processor.
US07726744B2	Motor-driven actuator for a vehicle seat A motor-driven actuator for a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle seat, is for being situated between two components of the vehicle or vehicle seat that can be displaced in relation to one another. The motor-driven actuator comprises a motor, at least one first gear stage that is located on the output side of the motor, a second gear stage that acts as a load-bearing gear and is located on the output side of the first gear stage, and at least one sealing element. The motor, gear stages and sealing element are integrated into the motor-driven actuator. The sealing element is adapted for being in a predetermined sealing configuration for protecting the motor and/or its electrical contact and/or at least one of the gear stages during manufacturing. The sealing element is adapted for not being in the predetermined sealing configuration when the motor-driven actuator is installed and ready to operate.
US07726743B2	Fitting for a vehicle seat A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat comprises a first fitting part (11) and a second fitting part (12), which may rotate relative to each other in a circumferential direction, and which form a disc-shaped unit; a clamping ring (13) that holds the disc-shaped unit together by engaging radially outwardly over the first fitting part (11) and by being fixed to the second fitting part (12); and a group of internal stopper elements (51, 53) which limit the relative rotation between the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12). Each of the first fitting part (11) and the clamping ring (13) has at least one internal stopper element of the group of internal stopper elements (51, 53).
US07726741B2	Longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat In a longitudinal adjuster (3) for a vehicle seat having a backrest that can pivot freely, a first seat rail (13), and a second seat rail (15) relative to which the first seat rail (13) can be displaced longitudinally, a locking device (16) for locking the longitudinal adjuster (3), a memory device assigned to the first seat rail (13) and interacting with the second seat rail (15), said memory device memorizing a set longitudinal seat position which is relinquished when the vehicle seat (1) is longitudinally displaced during the free pivoting of the backrest (5) and is then re-assumed once the seat is displaced back again, and an actuation device (101) assigned to the first seat rail (13), which actuation device actuates the resetting of the memory device and the unlocking of the locking device (16), the actuation device (101) is arranged with limited movement capability in the longitudinal direction relative to the first seat rail (13).
US07726739B2	Seat structure A seat structure comprises a base (1), a back and a bolster (2) located on at least one edge of the base or back. The bolster (2) includes an upholstered cover (3) and a support structure (4) for controlling the position of the upholstered cover (3). The support structure (4) comprises: a support member (11) pivotally mounted for pivotal movement between a raised position in which the support member (11) supports the upholstered cover (3) in a raised state, and a lowered position in which the upholstered cover (3) is no longer supported in the raised state, a first strut member (14) pivotally connected to the support member (11) and a second strut member (16) pivotally connected to the first strut member (14) to form with the first strut member (14) an over-centre strut (13) which, when in its over-centre configuration, holds the support member in its raised state. Inflatable bladders (19, 20) are provided on opposing sides of the over-centre strut (13) and can be inflated in order to engage against the over-centre strut (13) and move it passed it trip position, thereby moving the support member (11) between its raised and lowered positions.
US07726738B1	Child car seat device A child car seat device for facilitating insertion of a child into the infant car seat in a vehicle includes a base being positioned on a seat of the vehicle. The base includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that extends between the top wall and the bottom wall to define an interior space of the base. Each of a pair of side walls of the perimeter wall has a seat belt aperture that extends therethrough to permit a seat belt to be extended through the base to secure the base to the seat. A seat assembly is rotatably coupled to the base. The seat assembly receives and supports the child. The seat assembly is rotatable through approximately 180 degrees to facilitate the child being inserted into and removed from the seat assembly.
US07726737B2	Infant seat for motorcars An infant seat for motorcars includes anchor being operable to engage a receiving element being provided in the motorcar. The infant seat has a framework fixedly attached to the lower face of the base of the seat and is fitted with the anchor, the anchor being actuated by a pneumatic device being fitted to the framework and actuated by a control being made up by an articulated lever, the control being accessible through the front edge of the base of the seat, the manual controls being operable for deactivating the anchor being found at the front edge.
US07726736B1	Car seat reminder system A supplemental tongue is fabricated of a rigid material. The supplemental tongue has upper and lower ends. The supplemental tongue is positionable within a slot of a child car seat. The supplemental tongue has a recess. The recess is provided adjacent to the lower end. The recess has a lower linear edge. In this manner the supplemental tongue is retained within the slot. A wrist band is provided in a loop. The loop forms an opening for a wrist. The wrist band is coupled to the tongue.
US07726735B2	Self-fastening headrest cover A removable headrest cover for a seat is described having improved features for securing and attaching the cover to a headrest. The improved features include integrated elastic elements that serve to secure the cover to a headrest, eliminating the need for engaging receptacles on the seat. The positioning and placement of attachment points for the elastic provide versatility to the headrest cover that allows it to be used with many different seat configurations. Methods for efficiently manufacturing and packaging the cover are also described.
US07726734B2	Juvenile seating with resilient side impact protection A child safety seat including a seat bottom and seat back first and second resilient side elements carried on laterally-opposed sides of the seat back, and including walls defining an enclosed chamber. The walls have sufficient rigidity to maintain a nominal shape and are deformable in response to a predetermined minimum impact.
US07726733B2	Reversible safety padding or plate The invention relates to a safety apparatus in a motor vehicle having a sensor device in communication with an evaluation unit within which sensor data are evaluated. The evaluation unit is in communication with at least one drive device that can move at least one energy-absorbing element from a rest position to a working position next to the seat or next to an occupant and back again.
US07726730B2	Passenger seat device for motor vehicles A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle includes a first and a second substantially planar region. The seat is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first region is horizontal and acts as the seat, and the second region is vertical and acts as the seat back, such that the passenger is facing forward. In the second position, the first region is vertical and acts as the seat back, and the second region is horizontal and acts as the seat, such that the passenger is facing backward.
US07726729B2	Standing aid for risers A standing aid for supporting a person and relieving leg fatigue while standing on a riser step. The standing aid comprises a seat capable of supporting a person standing on the riser step, a vertical stand having a top end secured to the seat and a mounting system secured to a bottom end of the vertical stand. The mounting system has a clamp having a first surface for extending over and in contact with a top surface of the riser step and a second surface for extending below and in contact with a bottom surface of the riser step. The first surface of the mounting system has a relatively small footprint in that it has a second predetermined width which is less than the first predetermined width of the riser step. This small footprint allows people to maneuver around the standing aid while moving on and off the riser step.
US07726728B2	Headliner having a sunroof opening A headliner assembly covers an inner surface of a motor vehicle roof having a sunroof opening. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having a first edge extending along the sunroof opening. The substrate has an upper surface facing the inner surface of the motor vehicle roof. The substrate further has a bottom surface opposite the upper surface. A molded reinforcement is fixedly secured to the upper surface of the substrate. The reinforcement has a second edge extending along the sunroof opening. The second edge of the reinforcement has a contoured portion that extends further inwardly toward a center of the sunroof opening relative to the first edge of the substrate. A trim cover has a third edge extending along the sunroof opening. The trim cover is disposed along the bottom surface of the substrate and extends around the contoured portion of the reinforcement so that the third edge of the trim cover is disposed between the upper surface of the substrate and the inner surface of the motor vehicle roof.
US07726727B2	Leg pusher device for side impact tests An energy absorbing vehicle door is disclosed comprised of an inner panel, an outer panel joined to the inner panel, door trim panel material on the inner panel, and at least one energy absorbing member mounted on the inner panel. The energy absorbing member has a first surface adjacent the outer member and a second surface adjacent the door trim panel. The energy absorbing member is mounted at a position corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle operator's lower leg to reduce dynamic motion between the occupant's femur and lower leg, thereby reducing femur distal movement response during a vehicle impact event.
US07726725B2	Vacuum-formed “firm-feel” reinforcement for bumper fascias The present invention relates to a mechanism for reinforcing a fascia including at least one reinforcement structure and at least one strengthening feature. The reinforcement structure is attached to the fascia so that at least a portion of the fascia is covered by the reinforcement structure. The strengthening feature is on at least one side of the reinforcement structure.
US07726724B2	Aerodynamic device and method of use An aerodynamic device is disclosed for limiting aerodynamic drag on the rear surface of various types of trucks with trailers. The aerodynamic device includes a plurality of rigid members and a flexible sheet designed to create a pyramid-shaped projection pointing away from the rear surface of the trailer. The device members can be quickly disassembled and the flexible sheet collapses so that the aerodynamic device lies flat against the rear surface of the trailer. The aerodynamic device can be attached directly to doors on the rear surface of a trailer or to a mounting frame that may rotate around to the side of the trailer where a roll-up style door is present.
US07726719B1	Portable tool storage container for use in pickup trucks and associated method A tool storage container includes a body with top, middle, and bottom sections that is elevated above a bottom surface of a pickup truck bed during transport. The top section includes a base with a lid pivotally attached thereto, and a hollow cavity therein. The middle section is disposed below the top section, and is monolithically formed therewith. The bottom section is disposed below the middle section, and is monolithically formed with the middle section. Each of the sections includes isolated compartments for housing objects therein. A mechanism independently locks the compartments, and another mechanism transports and supports the body along a ground surface when the body is removed from the pickup truck bed. The transporting and supporting mechanism is attached to a bottom surface of the body.
US07726710B2	Cover and method of use Embodiments described herein provide a cover, and a method for using the cover with a surface. One embodiment of the cover comprises a flexible, substantially planar member. A plurality of reinforcing members is attached to the flexible, substantially planar member. The plurality of reinforcing members is arranged on the flexible, substantially planar member so that the flexible, substantially planar member can reliably support a load. A plurality of manipulation members is operatively associated with the plurality of reinforcing members. The plurality of manipulation members is accessible to a lifter so that the lifter can apply force to the plurality of reinforcing members and can move the load reliably supported by the flexible, substantially planar member. In a method of using a cover with a surface, a cover having a flexible, substantially planar member, a plurality of reinforcing members attached to the flexible, substantially planar member, the plurality of reinforcing members being arranged on the flexible, substantially planar member so that the flexible, substantially planar member can reliably support a load, and a plurality of manipulation members operatively associated with the plurality of reinforcing members is provided. The cover is placed on the surface. The load is allowed to accumulate on the cover. The plurality of manipulation members is accessed with a lifter. A force is applied to the plurality of reinforcing members with the lifter. The load reliably supported by the flexible, substantially planar member is moved with the lifter.
US07726706B2	Latch mechanism for gates and the like A latch mechanism for gates and the like for readily latching a slide bar to a locking unit. The locking unit has a block with a front and back plate that are fixedly attached to each other about portions of peripheries of the front and back plates that define an opening with a side slot and at least one adjacent top or bottom slot. Positioned within at least one top or bottom slot is at least one pivoting release lever having a first leg and a second leg movable about a pivot. One of the legs has a portion configured to engage a portion of a slide bar when restraining movement of the slide bar relative to the block. The other leg abuts and aids in dislodging the slide from the block when a force is applied to the pivoting lever. The latch mechanism further includes a slide bar guide.
US07726700B2	Pipe coupling A coupling for connecting pipes to externally threaded fittings and stubs. The coupling comprises a coupling body, a gripper, gripper engagement means for causing the gripper to engage the pipe, a gasket, gasket engagement means for causing the gasket to seal around the pipe, gripper retention means for retaining the gripper within the interior of the coupling body during handling thereof, and gasket retaining means for retaining the gasket within the interior of the coupling body during handling thereof.
US07726694B2	Personal sail assembly and method for use in conjunction with a mobile device A user supported portable sail assembly and method uses the force of the wind to help propel a user on a mobile device such as skis, snowboards, skateboards, in-line or ice skates, for example, in a controlled and safe manner. A sail is attached to the ends of a pair of parallel, flexible poles which the user holds onto, usually one pole in each hand. The user orients the sail to optimize direction and speed. As the sail catches wind currents, the poles flex and form an optimal airfoil. Should the user wish to stop using the sail assembly, the user simply brings the poles together and brakes or glides to a gentle stop. The poles may be constructed of multiple interlocking segments for easy and quick disassembly and compact stowing.
US07726693B2	Motor retractor and drive control thereof When the worn state of the webbing is lifted, current of a current value I0 corresponding to the appropriate storing speed of the webbing is supplied to the motor, whereby a take-up shaft rotates and the webbing is taken up. At a point in time when the webbing has been taken up to the extent that the webbing does not hinder the exiting of a vehicle by a passenger, the size of the supply current to the motor is reduced from the initial current value I1 to a current value I1. A reference current value IL of a stall current for determining whether to stop the motor when a foreign object or the like has become entangled between the webbing and an in-vehicle part can also be set to be small in correspondence to the reduced current value I1.
US07726692B2	Steering handle and steering system In a steering handle grasped and rotated by both hands of a driver, an axis of a steering shaft included in the steering handle is inclined so as to be higher in level in a forward direction of a vehicle body, and a left grip grasped by a left hand and a right grip grasped by a right hand are rotatable in opposite directions about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the steering shaft. Accordingly, an upper half of the driver's body sitting on a seat and leaning backwards and a plane of rotation of the steering handle are substantially parallel to each other, thereby ensuring that the driver can rotate the steering handle without stretching and withdrawing his or her arms. Moreover, when the steering handle is rotated, the driver's wrists can be prevented from being twisted unnaturally, leading to an easy steering operation.
US07726687B2	Inflator second stage combustion control A new type of airbag inflator that may be used in an airbag system is disclosed. The inflator will generally include a housing and two initiators. Accordingly, the inflator is a “dual-stage” inflator. The two stages are disposed within the housing. The second initiator is disposed within a second stage generant cup. A cap is also used to engage the second stage cup. The cap maintains seated engagement with the second stage cup, even during deployment of the second stage. The second stage will also include one or more perforations, which constitute openings through which gas may flow. When the second initiator is in the unactuated state, these perforations will be isolated from the generant by the cap. Actuation of the second initiator unseals the one or more perforations but does not unseat the cap from the cup, due to constraints put in place to prevent such unseating.
US07726686B2	Gas containment and release device for an inflator A containment device for an inflator, the containment device comprising: an outlet plate having an outlet opening; a burst disk disposed over the outlet opening; an initiator having a support member; a movable support disposed between the support member and the burst disk, the support providing support to the burst disk; wherein activation of the initiator causes the movable support to move which allows the burst disk to rupture.
US07726681B2	System and method for preventing rattling in receiver hitch arrangement A receiver hitch arrangement includes a receiver tube, a mount having a shank portion received within the receiver tube and a hitch pin inserted through hitch pin apertures which are formed in both the receiver tube and the shank portion and which are aligned at assembly to maintain the mount in a position for towing. A rattling that is usually caused due to movement between hitch components. is prevented by forming a pair of through and threaded apertures in each vertical wall of the receiver tube and in close proximity to a free end thereof, threadeably engaging a threaded shank of a fastener with each of the pair of apertures and then operably advancing each fastener for direct contact with the shank portion of the mount inserted into the receiver tube until the shank portion is frictionally caged and immobilized.
US07726679B2	Trailer alignment apparatus An apparatus and method for maneuvering a trailer having jockey wheel assembly comprising a ground engaging wheel (33) rotatably mounted on an axle (34). The apparatus comprising a link member (20) which is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the jockey wheel assembly adjacent the axle (34) and a lever assembly (10) removably securable to said link (20) and adapted to engage a peripheral surface (39) of said wheel (33), whereby movement of said lever (10) rotates said wheel (33).
US07726674B2	Suspension assembly A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame brackets attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm pivotally mounted on each end of the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm. The length of the air spring support arm and the distances between the pivot axis of the support arm and the axis of the spindle and torsion axle are chosen so that the surface of the air spring is always out of contact with the mounting bracket and has a portion inboard between the axis of the spindle and axis of the torsion axle.
US07726672B2	Vehicle body front part structure A suspension member is fixed to a front part of a vehicle body from below. A stabilizer is fixedly held on an upper surface of the suspension member. The stabilizer has bent portions. At the time of a front end collision of the vehicle, a rear part of the suspension member separates from the vehicle body for rearward movement of the suspension member relative to the vehicle body to allow the bent portions to come into engagement with the vehicle body.
US07726669B2	Apparatus for a collapsible table and dolly The present invention is directed to a collapsible combined table and dolly that is portable and capable of securely transporting items of various sizes and configurations. The collapsible combined table and dolly provides ease of operation through a collapsible/expandable table top and convenient means for transporting and storing items for use in the display/workspace of the table.
US07726668B2	Mechanic's creeper A creeper is disclosed for protecting a user in a supine position when manoeuvring under a raised object. The creeper comprises a user support surface and a safety structure. The safety structure comprises at least one upwardly projecting rigid element defining a protective space above at least a portion of the support surface. A foldable creeper which folds into a work bench and comprises a similar safety structure is also disclosed.
US07726667B2	Bicycle for use on snow A snow bike has a frame which can be either a custom frame or an existing bicycle frame. A pair of footrests consisting of two rods extending perpendicularly from the frame at a location usually set for the pedal means of a bicycle provides a user with a way of resting his feet while using the snow bike.
US07726662B2	Stopped-active type cylinder head gasket An embodiment provides a MLS gasket that includes a metal body portion having an external periphery, an upper body surface generally defining a first plane. At least one cylinder aperture formed in the metal body portion and defined by an inner aperture surface. The gasket also includes a combustion seal insert including a first insert layer having an outer first periphery, a top first insert surface and a bottom first insert surface. The outer first periphery is circumscribed by the inner aperture surface. The first insert layer includes a first insert bead portion. The gasket further includes a first sealing layer having a top first sealing surface and a bottom first sealing surface. Portions of the bottom first sealing surface are selectively in contact with each of the upper body surface and the top first insert surface. Compression of the first insert bead portion is selectively limited by the body portion.
US07726658B2	Driven seal assembly for rotary drive shaft of motor A driven seal assembly is provided for a shaft rotated by a motor disposed in a motor housing and having a seal housing adjacent to the motor housing through which the shaft extends. A first rotary seal is frictionally fit on the shaft adjacent the first stationary seal seat. A second rotary seal is frictionally fit on the shaft adjacent a second stationary seal seat. A spring surrounds the shaft and provides bi-directional axial forces on the first and second rotary seals against the first and second stationary seal seats. A positive drive mechanism is mounted on the shaft between the first and second rotary seals in a driving, mating relationship therewith and includes a first driving element in driving engagement with the first rotary seal and a second driving element in driving engagement with the second rotary seal.
US07726657B2	Target stand system A target stand system having at least two stand assemblies is provided. Each stand assembly comprises a post member configured at one end for insertion into a support surface and a support member connected to the post member by an attachment portion such that a gap is formed between the post member and the support member. The gap has a width sufficient to support a target. The stand assemblies are spaced apart a distance to support a target.
US07726656B1	Portable horseshoe pitching station A multi-section board is sandwiched by a fabric base and a fabric pillow-top, with the two fabric layers being stitched together along the edges and along the seams between the board sections. Pockets in the pillow-top receive fill which can be manmade or natural to form a cushion for the pitched elastomeric pitching shoes which are used with the pitching station. The stake is attached to a plate that is received in a pocket in the two fabrics. The stake and plate may be steel or plastic. The pitching station can be formed into a convenient triangular shape for storage and transport.
US07726653B2	Method of playing a card game The present invention preferably relates to a casino card game played with a standard fifty-two card deck. The game is divided into a bonus round, progressive bonus round, and a challenge round. Each player places an ante and a bonus wager and, if desired, an optional progressive bonus wager at the start of the game and must place an additional wager to continue into the challenge round. The dealer pays winning hands at three points in the game, at the end of the bonus round, at the end of the progressive bonus round, and at the end of the challenge round. The bonus round is paid according to each player's two card hand plus a third (bonus) community card. The progressive bonus round is paid according to each player's two card hand plus a third (bonus) and fourth (progressive bonus) community card. The challenge round is played one-on-one with each player two card hand versus the dealer's. The player has the option to buy a new card and surrender a card of his choice during the challenge round for a predetermined price.
US07726649B2	Air drag cooler for sheet transport apparatus In a sheet transport system for a reproduction machine, the transport system defining a transport channel through which the sheet travels in a transport direction, an improvement comprises one or more plenums associated with the transport channel, each plenum connectable to an air flow supply, and one or more openings between each plenum and the transport channel. At least one of the one or more openings is arranged to direct air flowing through the plenum into the transport channel in the transport direction.
US07726648B2	Method and apparatus for image forming capable of effectively conveying paper sheets A sheet conveying device includes a first conveying path configured to pass a sheet of a recording medium (e.g., paper) therethrough to a sheet processing device, a second conveying path branched from the first conveying path and configured to temporarily store the paper sheet conveyed therein, a sheet conveying mechanism configured to selectably convey the paper sheet in one of forward and backward directions to the sheet processing device, a guide member mounted at a branch point of the first and second conveying paths and configured to guide the paper sheet when the paper sheet is conveyed in the backward direction by the sheet conveying mechanism to the second conveying path, and a control unit configured to control the sheet conveying mechanism to change a distance between the branch point and the sheet conveying mechanism according to a length of the paper sheet in a forward sheet conveying direction.
US07726645B2	Dispensing value sheet store A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets. A shutter arrangement in a value sheet store which acts to block an aperture through which value sheets are dispensed.
US07726644B2	Paper sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming apparatus There is described a paper sheet conveyance apparatus and an image forming apparatus, which makes it possible not only to achieve the minimization and the cost reduction of the apparatus; but also to achieve the high-speed conveyance operation of the paper sheet without generating any step out of the stepping motor. The paper sheet conveyance apparatus, includes: a pair of conveyance rollers to convey a paper sheet; and a stepping motor to drive one of the pair of conveyance rollers. At least one of the conveyance rollers is a roller made of aluminum alloy metal. Further, the roller made of the aluminum alloy metal is shaped in a hallow cylinder. Still further, a surface hardening treatment is applied to a circumferential surface of the roller made of the aluminum alloy metal.
US07726636B2	Spring for items of furniture A quiet, non-binding collapsible spring mechanism for resiliently supporting a mattress includes a system of collapsible, sinuous springs, each having hooked ends for silencing the mechanism during use or collapse, as well as central offset portions for enabling the sinuous springs to compress to a greater extent than heretofore. Both rigid and yieldable support structures connect the spring mechanism to an item of furniture.
US07726635B2	Clip for attaching a support member onto a steel fencepost An attachment clip used in combination with a steel fence post for affixing a horizontal support member thereto. The clip, the steel fence post and the horizontal support member when combined provide additional stability and reduce tilting and settling thereof. This in turn facilitates to maintain the overall height and alignment of the fence line. The clip is a unitary member having a rear elongated gripping channel, an elongated vertical centralized trough, upper and lower attachment flanges and clearance slots.
US07726634B2	System and method for tensioning and locking a safety strand A system for tensioning and locking a safety strand to a number of sequentially arranged stanchions is provided. The system includes tensioning means for applying a tensile force to one end of the safety strand when the safety strand is passed through a passage bore of each of the sequentially arranged stanchions and the other end of the safety strand is secured to an immovable object. Locking mechanisms are provided that each include a cable cradle having a receiving channel for receiving a portion of the safety strand, a clamping arrangement for engaging and trapping the portion of the safety strand within the receiving channel, and a device for securing the cable cradle and clamping arrangement to a stanchion. The cable cradle and securing device are configured so that when the cable cradle is secured to the selected stanchion, the receiving channel is in registry with the passage bore.
US07726631B2	Disposer installation tool A tool is used to elevate and hold a garbage disposer against a sink fixture during removal and/or installation of a garbage disposer. The tool includes a flat base including a notch opening through a corner of a rectilinear base to allow an electric cord to pass around the tool. A flat load supporting platform includes a similar notch. A screw jack force applying mechanism allows the platform to be raised relative to the base. The tool works equally well with the base down or with the platform down so the user doesn't have to turn the tool over for it to work.
US07726627B2	Damper device A damper device may include a frame, a baffle turnably supported on the frame for opening and closing a passage through which fluid is passed, and a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle. The drive unit may include an output member whose tip end side structures a slide mechanism together with the baffle, and a driving part which causes the output member to linearly advance and retreat to and from the baffle. The slide mechanism includes a groove formed in one of a tip end side of the output member and the baffle so that the groove is extended to move the baffle, and a slider part provided in the other so that the slider part is fitted into the groove, and the groove is formed in which at least one of both end portions of the groove is formed in an open end.
US07726626B2	Damper device A damper device may include a frame, a baffle turnably supported on the frame, a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle, a first and a second turnable support parts for supporting the baffle on the frame, and a mechanical connecting part between the drive unit and the baffle which is structured at a position apart from a turning center axial line of the baffle. The first and second turnable support parts are structured by using a shaft part made of resin which is formed in one of the baffle and the frame, and a shaft hole which is formed in the other of the baffle and the frame. A passage through which cold air is passed is opened and closed by the baffle.
US07726625B2	Device, method for producing the device, chamber device and transfer device A transfer device for transferring an actuator displacement, has a housing with a first recess having a first and second plunger displaceably mounted. These plungers are actively connected via at least one transfer chamber by a fluid. The active connection causes the second plunger to be displaced when the first plunger is moved and vice versa. The transfer chamber is hydraulically coupled via a sealing gap to a compensating chamber compensating the pressure differences, in a delayed manner. The transfer device also has a chamber device with a compensating chamber, a chamber housing, and a first plunger. The chamber device has a device with a first body with a recess including a second body, and with an elastomer placed in the recess between the first and second body. The elastomer has a first groove extending at least partially along the recess.
US07726621B1	Container restraining device There is provided a substantially planar, resilient base adapted for receiving the lower portion of a circular pail containing a material needing stirring or mixing. A raised annular wall on the upper surface of the planar base encircles the circumference of the lower portion of the bucket thereby retaining the bucket. One or more radially projecting wings provide pads upon which the feet of the person stirring the bucket contents may be placed further securing the base to the floor or other surface. The resilient nature of the upwardly projecting, bucket encircling wall allows accommodating buckets of varying diameters.
US07726620B1	Vertical fuel tank support system A vertical fuel tank support system for efficiently supporting a vertical propane tank above the ground. The vertical fuel tank support system generally includes a support pad including an internal cavity, wherein the internal cavity extends throughout the support pad, an inner platform defining a first portion of an upper surface of the elongated support pad, wherein the inner platform is comprised of circular configuration, an outer platform defining a second portion of an upper surface of the elongated support pad, wherein the outer platform is comprised of circular configuration and an internal ribbing structure extending within the internal cavity and beneath the inner platform and the outer platform. The internal ribbing structure includes a first ribbing portion and a second ribbing portion, wherein the first ribbing portion interconnects with the second ribbing portion. The first ribbing portion extends across the inner platform and the outer platform and wherein the second ribbing portion extends solely around the outer platform.
US07726619B2	Wall hook A wall hook includes an inserting head defining a rotational axis, and a levering handle. The inserting head has a front penetrating tip adapted for rotatably inserting into a wall surface of the wall and a rear fulcrum end rearwardly extended from the penetrating tip along the rotational axis. The levering handle has a transverse arm integrally and transversely extended from the fulcrum end of the inserting head to substantially prolong a torque distance along the transverse arm with respect to the rotational axis, and a controlling arm integrally extended from the transverse arm in such a manner that when the levering handle is rotated, the inserting head is driven to rotate for rotatably penetrating into the wall so as to minimize a torque required to directly apply at the inserting head.
US07726616B2	Support stand for flat-panel display monitor A support stand for a flat-panel display monitor includes a mounting base, a connecting base, and two link shafts. Each link shaft has a first end rotatably connected to the mounting base and a second end rotatably connected to the connecting base. The support stand further includes a restricting pole fixed to the mounting base and positioned between the two link shafts, the restricting pole abuts against the two link shafts, thus restricting a rotary range of the two link shafts.
US07726615B2	Shelf system Disclosed is an improved shelf system which is characterized by the following features: an anchoring pot is provided which can be inserted in a fixed and captive manner into a corresponding bore of a shelf bottom, said bore facing the shelf bottom support; a slot opening and a screw path for a locking screw, which is offset relative thereto and runs diagonally, are provided in the anchoring pot; a portion of an anchoring section that is part of the shelf bottom support can be inserted into the slot; and the locking screw can be twisted in such a way that the shelf bottom support is directly or indirectly fixed at least in a non-positive and preferably a positive fashion.
US07726611B2	Active rudder pedal mechanism with foreign object strike tolerance and articulating brake A rudder pedal mechanism is configured with foreign object strike tolerance and/or with an articulating brake. The foreign object strike tolerance is implemented via a force transfer mechanism that is responsive to an input force supplied to the rudder pedal. The force transfer mechanism is configured to supply a transfer force to a rudder position command unit when the input force is supplied in a first direction, and to not supply the transfer force to the rudder position command unit when the input force is supplied in the second direction and exceeds at least a predetermined force magnitude. The articulating brake is implemented via a brake rod assembly that is rotationally coupled to the rudder pedal, and includes a first rod that is rotationally coupled to the rudder pedal, and a second rod that surrounds at least a portion of the first rod.
US07726609B2	High-performance low-noise aircraft exhaust systems and methods Aircraft exhaust systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated propulsion assembly includes a wing assembly having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a propulsion unit at least partially disposed within the wing assembly. An exhaust system is configured to conduct an exhaust flow emanating from the propulsion unit to an exhaust aperture. The exhaust aperture is positioned proximate a trailing edge of the wing assembly, and has an aspect ratio of at least five. In further embodiments, the wing assembly includes a flap member moveably coupled along a trailing edge portion of the wing assembly, and the exhaust aperture is configured to direct the exhaust flow over at least a portion of the flap member.
US07726608B2	Device to reduce the lateral force generated by aerial refueling boom cross-section Device to reduce the lateral force generated by an aerial refueling boom (11) of an aircraft characterized in that it has at least one plate (31), the plate (31) has two cantilevered wings (32, 33), the wings (32, 33) have perforations (34), so that the wake produced in the boom (11) has a lower dynamic pressure than that of the free stream.
US07726607B2	Flight passenger seat with an integrated spring element A flight passenger seat for an airplane. The flight passenger seat may comprise a back element, a seat element and an arm rest. The seat element, back element, and arm rest may be pivotable. Reset elements for an automatic pivoting may be integrated into the back element and the seat element in such a way that they occupy as little traffic area space as possible. In an advantageous manner, this allows for an enlargement of a traffic area in an airplane and thereby may effectuate a reduction of a “turn around” time of an airplane.
US07726604B1	Aerial sensor pod deployment system A roll-on/roll-off, aircraft-borne sensor pod deployment system having an operator station and a sensor pallet system and method of using same. The operator station has a base platform, a shelter box mounted on the base platform for accommodating a human operator, and a computer installed inside the shelter box. The sensor pallet system has a base platform, a linear system mounted on the base platform, a rotational system mounted on the linear system, a mechanical arm attached to the rotational system, a sensor pod attached to the mechanical arm, and an electrical control system that provides power to the deployment system and controls movements of the sensor pallet system. In operation, the sensor pod can be retracted into a compact, stowing position, or extended out an opening in the aircraft for an unobstructed field of view. The deployment system optionally includes an apparatus and method for sealing the aircraft opening.
US07726602B2	Arrangement for mounting an engine on the airframe of an aircraft Arrangement for mounting a propulsive system on an aircraft airframe by an external pylon which connects the engine with the airframe, the pylon 4comprising a plurality of spars intruding into the airframe and units for attaching the spars to the internal airframe structure, the cited units being dampers, shock absorbers or active actuators with characteristics chosen so that the units are particularly suited for the efficient reduction of attachment and internal dynamic loads arising mainly but not only from hard landing events and aircraft flight manoeuvres, and for damping sustained vibrations of the propulsive system-airframe assembly, the arrangement allowing the easy removal of the pylon 4 from the rest of the airframe and the interchangeability of the pylon 4 between different aircrafts, being also the cited arrangement tolerant to damage or complete failure of at least one of the spars.
US07726600B2	Stretch film dispenser The present invention provides a stretch film dispenser, which includes a base, a reel device, and a brake device. The reel device has a reel and a connecting member pivotally connected to the base, and the brake device is connected to the base and is fitted to the connecting member of the reel device. The base and the brake device form a holding member of the stretch film dispenser to be grasped by an operator. The present invention further provides a second reel to be fitted to the reel of the reel dispenser to dispense the stretch film rolls with different core diameter.
US07726597B2	Vertical shaft impactor rock crusher An improved vertical shaft impactor rock crusher is provided. The improvement comprises an anvil having a front impact surface, a planar rear surface and a side surface extending between the front and rear surfaces. A shaft extends from the rear surface and can have a polygonal shaped cam lobe at the end of the shaft. When seated in the slot of a hanger bracket, the cam lobe keeps the anvil secured to the bracket while a side of the cam lobe rests on a seating block attached to the bracket to hold the anvil in an indexed position. When the impact surface becomes worn from use in the rock crusher, the anvil can be rotated within the bracket so that the cam lobe rests on an adjacent side thereby presenting an unworn surface to fracture feed rock in the rock crusher.
US07726594B2	Multi-functional tool assembly for processing tool of material processing machine A multi-functional tool assembly for a material processing machine includes a single tool including a head and a shaft integrally formed therein. The head has a cavity with an arcuate surface. The multi-functional tool assembly also includes a material reducer adapted to reduce material within the waste processing machine. The material reducer is disposed in the cavity and has an arcuate surface complementary to the arcuate surface of the cavity.
US07726593B2	Device for the in-situ disposal of sanitary waste, in particular of incontinence articles and method for this The device for the disposal of sanitary waste consists of a fixed drum-type container (20) with a horizontal central axis (MA) and with inlet pipes for dosed wash liquid (WF), for sanitary liquid (HF) and for dosed chemicals (CH), whereby a discharge duct (65) for the carrying-off of the comminuted sanitary waste interspersed with wash liquid from the bottom area of the container (20) is provided in the bottom area of the container (20), in the inner space (27) of which a knife disk (30) which can be rotatably driven is placed in the area of one of its both vertical front walls (21; 22) with shearing knives (31) turned to the inner space (27) of the container (20), whereby an ascendingly guided compressor screw (60) follows the conveyor screw (65), compressor screw which forms with a shear sieve sheet (70) a functional unit for separating the comminuted sanitary waste containing solid components from the wash liquid (WF) with the constituents of the sanitary waste which are dissolved therein and the wash liquid is supplied to a drain (85) over a discharge duct (80), whereby the rest of the comminuted sanitary waste freed from the liquid and containing solid constituents is fed in the upper area (61b) of the housing (61) to a collecting container (95).
US07726592B2	Process for increasing the refiner production rate and/or decreasing the specific energy of pulping wood The present invention relates to processes for enhancing a refiner's production rate and/or reducing the specific energy consumption for a freeness target through the use of lubricant(s) or carrier(s)/frictionizer(s), respectively.
US07726588B2	Locking-tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressuriser A locking tensioning mechanism for a miniaturised high pressure generator is disclosed, which mechanism will allow delivery of a set volume of a liquid, and the volume to be delivered by a high pressure generator can be altered subsequently by adjusting one of the stops of the spring component, which locking tensioning mechanism may be used in a high pressure generator for producing an inhalable aerosol or in a needleless injector for injecting a volume of a liquid into animal or plant tissue.
US07726581B2	HVAC controller An HVAC controller may include an upper housing having a front and a back, the back including a center. A lens dial including an engagement portion may be rotatably secured relative to the upper housing. A set point operator may include a first portion that is disposed about the upper housing center as well as a second portion that is adapted to interact with the lens dial engagement portion. A mechanical movement to electrical signal converter such as a potentiometer may be disposed within the HVAC controller such that the first portion of the set point operator communicates with the potentiometer.
US07726576B2	Rotatable/removable keyboard A system that facilitates desirable orientation of a display on a machine data reader comprises a keypad that is moveable with respect to a body of the machine data reader, the keypad utilized to relay information to the machine data reader. The system further comprises a component that senses a position of the keypad, and a component that orients the display based at least in part upon the sensed position of the keypad.
US07726575B2	Indicia reading terminal having spatial measurement functionality There is provided in one embodiment an indicia reading terminal that can execute a spatial measurement mode of operation in which the indicia reading terminal can determine a dimension of an article in a field of view of the indicia reading terminal and/or determine other spatial information. In determining a dimension of an article, an indicia reading terminal can utilize setup data determined in a setup mode of operation and/or data determined utilizing the setup data.
US07726573B2	Compact autofocus bar code reader with moving mirror The disclosed bar code reader includes an auto-focusing component for rapidly producing in focus images. An imaging system makes use of an aiming pattern that impinges upon the coded indicia of a target. The imaging system includes a light monitoring pixel array and a focusing lens that is fixed with respect to the pixel array for transmitting an image of the target object onto the pixel array. The imaging system also includes a movable mirror mounted for movement along a path of travel to reflect light passing through the focusing lens onto the pixel array. A drive motor moves the mirror relative the lens to adjust a focus of an image of the object formed at the pixel array. An automatic focusing component of the imaging system analyzes the aiming pattern reflected from the target object and projected onto the pixel array by the lens. The automatic focusing component issues commands to the drive motor causing the mirror to move along its path of travel to a suitable position for properly focusing the target object onto the pixel array.
US07726572B2	Bar code scanning decoding A two dimensional symbol is decoded by forming a binary image that includes the symbol. The binary is used to generate symbol margins for use in digitization. By using the binary image to determine the symbol margins, margins can be located efficiently and in the presence of symbol contrast variation caused by irregularities in the marked surface or light source angles. Digitization proceeds based on the determined margins.
US07726560B2	System and method for managing information of accounts Information such as financial information related to one or more accounts of one or more business units is compiled. The compiled information is converted into a predefined format and is uploaded on a database. One or more views of the information included in the database are generated based on user privileges. Customized views of the information are used by one or more users to monitor the performance of business units.
US07726559B2	Cash dispensing automated banking machine diagnostic method An automated banking machine (10) includes a lockable first fascia portion (20) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device (104), inputs to which enable opening a chest door (18) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator (116) which enables moving a second fascia portion (22) for conducting service activities. 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.
US07726558B1	Enclosure for automated banking machine A method provides for accessing components of an automated banking machine (ATM) housed in the secure enclosure or chest. The chest is adapted for use in either a front-load or a rear-load ATM. AN operable chest door controls access through one of the openings in the chest housing by operation of a locking bolt mechanism. The other opening in the chest housing is semi-permanently closed by a second chest door by operation fo an alternate securing mechanism.
US07726557B2	Currency dispense and control system with anti-theft features A cost-effective, currency dispense and control system (CDCS) securely dispenses paper money in one of the following modes: (1) an ATM system and (2) a currency control system that allows a merchant or merchant-approved employee to withdraw cash from the CDCS independent of a standard ATM electronic fund transfer (EFT) network. The CDCS may also include the following functionalities: a duress dispensation system that allows the CDCS to activate an alarm and/or otherwise communicate with local police or security services during a robbery, a time-release system that effects a time-delayed dispensation functionality, and a user identification and authentication system for authenticating a user identity and determining eligibility of the user to access the currency control system.
US07726555B2	Slave wheel counter mechanism useable with an inhaler A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.
US07726553B2	Stamping device for generally flat articles A stamping device, which in particular is arranged for stamping unfired ceramic substrates, has a die holder device with a plurality of dies, which for activation can be locked to the die holder device and then jointly with it execute an axial stamping motion. A coupling device which is remote-actuated is used for the locking. For the remote transmission of the actuation motion, a flexible mechanical connecting arrangement is used, such as preferably a cable.
US07726552B2	System for secure collection and disposal of large volumes of documents The invention disclosed herein provides an apparatus and method for securely collecting, storing, and disposing of documents by attaching a reusable, secure, lockable closure to a cardboard receptacle box. The lockable closure has a slot in the top to allow documents to be deposited in the box. Two opposing side surfaces of the lockable closure have an interior lip that engages the box flap in such a way as to prevent the unwanted removal of the closure. The closure can be secured to the box with a locking seal such as a cable tie through locking holes located on the top surface and two opposing sides of the lockable closure as well as the box flaps and box sides. A hole allows removal of the lockable closure by exerting pressure on the flap. The disclosed method provides the steps of providing a single lockable closure, a plurality of receptacle boxes, and a number of locking seals capable of fitting through the holes. The single, reusable, locking closure is placed on a receptacle box, which is sealed, documents are placed into the box through the slot. When the box is full, the locking seals are removed and the box is closed secured with its internal flaps and shipped for destruction or recycling. The same lockable closure is then placed on a different box bottom to repeat the process.
US07726549B2	Box with internal pocket for extractable leaflet A box formed from a single piece of cardboard or the like having an internal panel defining within the box an internal pocket for housing an extractable leaflet or the like, this internal panel being situated in proximity to that box main panel which is parallel to but distinct from that from which the box lid extends.
US07726547B2	Photoprint storage bag The present invention provides a multifunction and low-cost photoprint storage bag. When paper is die-cut along a pattern to produce development sheets, folds are created simultaneously, thereby achieving simple manufacturing. A multifunction photoprint storage bag can be realized by folding along folds on the die-cut development sheet, which is used as a photoprint storage bag and a photo stand, and further as a sealed letter by folding back in the opposite direction.
US07726542B2	Friction-welded assembly with interlocking feature and method for forming the assembly A welded assembly includes a weld joint formed via a spin-welding process. A disc receives a cylinder prior to spin-welding, with the disc having a circumferential groove undercutting or defining an annular shelf. An interlocking feature retaining the cylinder and disc is formed between a flow pattern of the cylinder and the annular shelf upon cooling of molten flash in the groove underneath the annular shelf. Teeth can be formed integrally with the disc to provide a torsional interlocking feature between the disc and cylinder. A method for forming a weld joint between a plastic cylinder and disc includes providing the disc with a circumferential groove forming an annular shelf, and rotating the cylinder with respect to the disc under an axial force to thereby form an outflow of molten flash. The flash forms an interlocking feature when cooled after flowing into the groove underneath the shelf.
US07726537B2	Surgical stapler with universal articulation and tissue pre-clamp A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue.
US07726533B2	Pusher bearing and pusher block for magazine A magazine for a fastening tool drives one or more fasteners into a workpiece. The magazine generally includes an outer case and an inner rail movable relative to the outer case. The inner rail is extendable from the outer case to permit adding the one or more fasteners to the magazine. A bar extends between a front end and a rear end of the inner rail. A pusher bearing slidably receives the bar. A spring biases the pusher bearing toward the front end. A pusher block is coupled to the pusher bearing and disposed over the bar. The pusher block is operable to rock about the pusher bearing as the pusher block is sliding through the inner rail to urge the one or more fasteners toward the front end.
US07726530B1	Ergonomic backpack An ergonomic backpack that comprises a main compartment, an elongated longitudinal curved-shaped back support, padding, and a strap assembly. The main compartment defines a substantially hollow first cavity. The elongated longitudinal curved-shaped back support has curvature areas. One curvature area complements and supports a thoracic vertebrae of a human vertebral column, and the other curvature area complements and supports a lumbar vertebrae. The padding comprises dorsal padding and lumbar padding. The dorsal padding and the lumbar padding are of a sufficient predetermined thickness to dispense pressure upon the human vertebral column. The pressure results from a force established by a weight of matter housed within the first cavity, or otherwise secured upon the main compartment. The strap assembly is fixedly secured to the main compartment and comprises shoulder straps, chest straps, and waist straps. The strap assembly also dispenses the pressure resulting from the force described above.
US07726527B2	Center console having hang file storage A center console includes a storage bin and a pair of hook members coupled to respective opposing walls of the bin for supporting hanging files in a substantially upright manner within the bin.
US07726526B2	Latex glove removal and disposal device A latex glove removal and disposal device including a container having an open upper end, a closed lower end, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. A cover member is dimensioned for positioning over the open upper end of the container. The cover member has a closed upper end, an open lower end, a front wall, a back wall, and opposed side walls. The front wall of the cover member has an opening therethrough. A glove removal apparatus is secured to the container and is positionable between a person's wrist and an opening of a latex glove to facilitate removal of the latex glove from the person's hand.
US07726522B2	Dispenser for media A dispenser for discharging media, particularly liquids, foams and pastes is proposed and whose dispenser casing is secured against dismantling. A securing section is provided which is engaged on the pump casing separately from a functional section. The securing section is connected by positive or frictional engagement with the functional section and in the joined state limits a first locking profiling provided on the functional section with regards to its elastic resilience, so that a second locking profiling provided on the pump casing and corresponding with the locking profiling of the functional section can no longer be overcome for dismantling purposes.
US07726521B2	Liquid dispenser A liquid dispenser includes a body having an inner cavity for containing liquid, and an aperture providing access to the inner cavity. A push pump is fitted within the aperture. At least one height adjustable mount is connected to the body for releasably attaching the body to a surface. Preferably the body is conformingly shaped. An adapter can connect the liquid dispenser to a liquid container for filling the liquid dispenser.
US07726515B2	Decorative and disposable bath tissue dispenser An aesthetically pleasing and disposable tissue roll dispenser is disclosed. The tissue roll dispenser may be made from, for instance, a lightweight paperboard and may contain various design elements on the exterior surface. The tissue roll dispenser may contain at least one vertically stacked column of tissue rolls that are gravity fed through the dispenser. For instance, the dispenser may include an opening towards the base of the dispenser for dispensing the tissue rolls. In one embodiment, the opening may be covered by a plastic film that defines a slit. The slit may have a size sufficient to allow the tissue rolls to be dispensed therethrough. The plastic film may be used to protect the tissue rolls from dust, dirt and wetness.
US07726514B2	Automated article dispensation mechanism Disclosed is a system for collecting, sorting, counting and consolidating an unorganized pool of solid or semi-solid articles such as pills for dispensation. Specifically, the articles are extracted from inside a bin using attraction points on a transport substrate and sorted into containers in finite quantities. The system consists of several components, preferably including a torque source, a counter and a vacuum source, which are uniquely integrated onto a single end-effector to reduce cost and redundancy by servicing several bins. Further, the system presents a method of attracting and carrying pills using negative vacuum pressure, gravity and centrifugal force. This centrifugal force holds articles to the local attraction points and is provided by the spinning of the transport substrate. Pills are collected from the bin or plenum at the local attraction points, counted, cleaved from the local attraction points and guided to a container or vial.
US07726513B2	Optional hanging dispenser A product for hanging from a paper roll holder having at least one arm including a sheet-material dispenser and at least one hanging member for attaching the sheet-material dispenser to the at least one arm. In one embodiment of the invention, the second end of the hanging member that is removably attachable to the arm of the paper roll holder included an elastomeric strap for wrapping about both arms of a toilet paper holder. Since the sheet-material dispenser is attached to the arms of the paper roll holder, it is not necessary to remove the sheet-material dispenser when removing the spindle of the paper roll holder to change the paper roll.
US07726509B2	Spill-proof container A container includes a bowl having a bowl interior space for holding solid material and a bowl opening for accessing the interior space of the bowl from an exterior of the bowl. The container also includes a bowl support having a bowl support interior space within which the bowl is located and a bowl support opening for accessing the interior space of the bowl support from an exterior of the container. The bowl is biased toward an upright orientation of the bowl independent of the rotational orientation of the bowl support. The bowl support opening overlies the bowl opening when both the bowl and the bowl support are in respective upright orientations, and the bowl support covers the bowl openings when the bowl support is tilted.
US07726500B2	Plastic container with separately formed handle A hollow plastic container with a separately formed handle engaging the sidewall of the container and supported thereby. The handle includes an elongated portion extending upwardly over the major portion of the longitudinal extent of the sidewall and arm portions extending from the elongated portion towards the sidewall for engagement with the sidewall, wherein the sidewall receives the arm portions and holds the handle in place.
US07726496B2	Shipping and storage system Shipping and storage systems convertible between containers and racks are provided. Collapsible shipping and storage systems are provided, which include pallets with novel locking mechanisms. An embodiment includes a first pallet having an interface fitting and a locking component, a second pallet having a second interface fitting and a second locking component, and structural support members positionable between the pallets for supporting one of the pallets in spaced relation over the other pallet. The structural support members may include frame members and walls interchangeable with one another. The frame members may be combined with the pallets to establish a rack system having an open storage area. The walls also may be combined with the pallets to establish a storage container having a compartment.
US07726493B2	Method for the separation of non-ferrous metal containing particles from a particle stream The invention relates to a method for the recovery of non-ferrous metal-comprising particles from a particle stream. According to the invention, the particle stream is put onto a conveyor belt in the form of a monolayer such that with the aid of a liquid, at least the non-ferrous metal comprising particles will adhere to the conveyor belt, and the mono-layer is subjected to a magnetic field rotating in the same direction as the belt, for the separation of non-ferrous metal-comprising particles, yielding the non-ferrous-enriched fraction, and subsequent to which the metal particles that are not nonferrous adhering to the conveyor belt are removed, yielding the non-ferrous metal-depleted fraction.
US07726490B2	Lid unit thin plate supporting container The present invention is directed to a lid unit having a latching mechanism for firmly fixing the lid unit to a container body for containing semiconductor wafers and the like, which latching mechanism can be easily disassembled for cleaning and drying of its components, and to a wafer presser for retaining the semiconductor wafers in position when the container is shaken. The latching mechanism includes a locking member which, when projected, secures the lid unit to the container body; an actuator for moving the locking member between projected and retracted positions; a tip-side cam for pressing a tip portion of the locking member in one direction relative to the lid unit when the locking member is projected by the actuator; a base-end lower cam for pressing a base-end of the locking member in a second direction, opposite the one direction; and a base-end upper cam and a cam projection follower for pressing the base-end in the second direction. The wafer presser is supported by a supporting projection bar formed with its ends thinner than its center portion.
US07726489B2	Packaging box A packaging box includes a top plate, a bottom plate, two side plates, a front plate, and a rear plate. The packaging box has two shock absorbers extending from the bottom end of the two side plates respectively. Each of the shock absorbers includes a lower surface, a first side surface, an upper surface, and a second side surface extending from the bottom end of the corresponding side plate in sequence. The second side surface is formed opposite to the first side surface and is adjacent to the corresponding side plate.
US07726488B2	Shock absorbing device employed in packing A shock absorbing device formed by a foldable card board sheet comprises a base portion, two wings extending perpendicularly from two opposite edges of the base portion, and two flaps extending perpendicularly from another two opposite edges of the base portion. The wings and the flaps are folded perpendicular to the base portion to enclose a space.
US07726486B2	Package with trap door A package 12 comprises a top panel 14 and a bottom panel 18, which are partially or totally laminated with tear resistance material for enhancing the structural integrity of the package 12. Severance lines form at least one front panel 30 and at least one back panel 44. The front panel 30 includes a tear notch 42a and at least one aperture 32. The back panel 44 includes a severance line 54. In one embodiment the panels 14, 18, 30, 44 are folded and attached, to form at least one trap door 58, and encapsulating at least one blister 34 holding an item. The trap door 58 is releasably attached within the top panel 14 and bottom panel 18. To gain access to a blister 34, a trap door 58 is at least partially detached along the severance lines 36, 48, and pushed out to access the tear notch 46. A portion of the trap door 58 is torn, at tear notch 46 and along the severance line 54, to access the item.
US07726478B2	Containers for carrying firearm accessories and/or supporting firearms Containers for carrying firearm accessories (e.g., cleaning and maintenance supplies and tools) and/or supporting firearms are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a container includes a housing having an exterior side surface, an aperture in the exterior side surface, a storage device at the aperture, and a support structure at the housing. The storage device has a compartment and is movable between (a) a stowed position in which the compartment is positioned within the housing, and (b) a second position in which the compartment is at least partially external to the housing. The support structure is configured to interface with a removable firearm support for carrying a firearm.
US07726477B1	Media disc package with magnifier attachment The media disc package is a container for holding a media disc, a media disc with fine prints on top, and a magnifier formed of a transparent plastic material with a bar shape, a length of at least 4 inches, and a width of at least ½ inch.
US07726476B2	Optical media storage package A media disc storage package includes: a folder including at least first and second spaced-apart panels defining a space for enclosing a media disc; and a substantially rigid insert disposed between the panels. The insert spans the distance between the panels to provide structural support to the folder, and includes an open disc well adapted to hold the media disc in the space between the panels.
US07726472B1	System and method for storing, cleaning, drying, and hunting with diaphragm game callers A system and method for storing, cleaning, drying, and hunting with diaphragm game callers. In an exemplary embodiment, a sturdy, sealable, watertight container is adapted to house and secure one or more diaphragm callers in a fixed position. It also adapted to separate and hold apart the multiple diaphragms of each game caller. Further embodiments include means to facilitate rinsing, by a suitable rinsing agent, the game caller and all its surfaces, including between the separated and held apart diaphragms of the game caller. It may also include means to facilitate the drying of the opposing surfaces of diaphragms.
US07726468B2	Conveyor belt and conveyor comprising said belt A floating conveyor belt (20) for a belt conveyor forms a loop and includes a surface (32) for receiving transportable products arranged on one face thereof and a surface (30) supported by a support structure and arranged on the other surface thereof. The belt (20) is embodied in the form of an unflattened tube over the main part thereof and contains the product receiving surface (32) arranged thereinside, thereby delimiting a closed tubular space for confining transported products.
US07726466B2	Conveyor belt scraper The invention concerns a conveyor belt scraper (10) which includes blade segments (12) each arranged to scrape a portion of the width of a conveyor belt (22). Each blade segment is supported by a bracket (14) which is mounted to a link (16.1) of a deformable, parallelogram linkage (16). An inflatable hose (30) extends through and acts on the linkages to urge the blade segments against the conveyor belt. The link has a projecting, holed boss (42) and the bracket has a recess (40.3) to receive the boss with the hole of the boss aligned with a hole in the base of the recess to receive a fastener (50) that connects the bracket to the linkage in thermally transmitting relationship. This relationship reduces heat degradation of components of the scraper.
US07726464B2	Apparatus for nesting bottles The objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus for forming a stable arrangement of bottles so they can be moved on an inline conveyor system. This is accomplished by an apparatus for nesting bottles comprising a first conveyor having lanes of bottles, and a second conveyor, wherein a fixed number of bottles from each lane is released from each lane in a staggered arrangement to facilitate nesting of the released bottles and then pushing and guiding the released bottles from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor so that the bottles form a nested bundle.
US07726463B2	Unit for grouping packages along a path A unit for grouping packages along a transfer path includes an input station receiving the packages arranged in longitudinal lines parallel to the transfer path; an output station for groups defined by a given number of packages from respective longitudinal lines and aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path; a movable conveying surface, which is fed at predetermined time intervals with a number of packages equal to that of each group, and feeds the packages along the transfer path; and at least one movable member, which is fed cyclically along an operating path having at least one portion parallel to the transfer path, and has an aligning surface, against which, at each cycle, the packages in each group upstream from the movable member come to rest and are aligned in at least one line crosswise to the transfer path; the movable member also has a push surface which, at each cycle, acts on each group of packages downstream from the movable member to push the group out of the unit.
US07726462B2	Method and unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products Described herein is a method and a unit for the formation of groups of products in a machine for continuous packaging of products, according to which at least two continuous rows of products are fed via two conveyor devices set in series with respect to one another along a first given path and in contact with at least one alignment element, which is set transverse to the first path and in front of the rows of products to align the rows themselves with respect to one another, and is displaced along a second, loop-like, path defined by two portions, along which the alignment element is set on the inside and on the outside, respectively, of the first path.
US07726457B2	Currency processing device, method and system According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is disclosed. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.
US07726456B2	Linear clutch system for vehicle and method for controlling the same A linear electromotive actuator mounted on an input shaft of a manual transmission clutch system and a clutch operation is controlled by a current signal applied in response to an operating stroke of a clutch pedal. In addition, according to the clutch system and a method for controlling the same, a vehicle weight is reduced and a clutch vibration or an impact can be reduced.
US07726453B2	Coupling A device for controlling the activation of an apparatus by a motor, intended to be inserted between, the operation output of the motor and the operation input of the apparatus whose activation is to be controlled. The device includes: —a blade pump having a rotor, at least one blade carried by this rotor and a rotary body forming a pumping chamber missing an outlet, and one of the component parts, among the rotor and the rotary body, being connected to the operation output of the motor, whilst the other of these component parts is connected to the operation input of the apparatus to be controlled; —and a supply intended to supply liquid to the pumping chamber.
US07726452B2	Systems and methods for active vibration damping An active vibration damping system having a supporting spring for addressing a static force from a payload, and an independent actively isolated damper positioned in parallel between a payload and a source of vibration for damping dynamic force from the payload to an actively isolated point. The actively isolated damper includes a small intermediate mass, distinct and decoupled from the payload mass, and a passive isolator element for dynamic coupling of the isolated platform to the small intermediate mass. The small intermediate mass provides a point to which dynamic forces from the payload may be dampened. The active damper also includes at least one actuator coupled at one surface to the small intermediate mass and coupled at a second surface to the vibrating base platform. A motion sensor may also be provided on the small intermediate mass so as to generate a feedback signal as a function of the movement of the small intermediate mass. The motion sensor together with a compensation/amplifier module and the actuator act as part of a feedback compensation loop for minimizing vibration.
US07726451B2	Vibration damper with amplitude-selective damping force A vibration damper with amplitude-selective damping force includes a piston rod carrying a piston arrangement axially movably arranged in a cylinder and dividing the cylinder into two working spaces. A flow connection is present between the working spaces and controlled by an axially movable switching ring which cooperates with a working surface which faces the ring to define a pilot opening cross section. A bypass channel with at least two connecting openings to the flow connection is provided hydraulically in parallel to the flow connection. At least one connecting opening upstream of each of two stop surface of the switching ring. A check valve arrangement separates the bypass channel and the flow connection from each other in the different flow directions as a function of the movements of the piston rod, the check valve arrangement having two check valves which close in opposite directions.
US07726450B2	Shim and a subassembly including a shim and backing plate A shim for use in a braking subassembly comprising a metal backing plate comprising a first side surface, wherein the shim comprises at least one flexible tab extending from an edge thereof for assisting in coupling the shim to the backing plate along a backing plate side surface thereof, and wherein the at least one flexible tab comprises an integrally formed and extending finger therefrom, wherein the finger has a leading edge that frictionally engages the backing plate edge surface when the shim is subjected to a separation force, which, relative to the backing plate, has a directional component at least essentially parallel to and in the same direction as the direction in which the finger extends; whereby the shim is resisted from separating from the first side surface of the backing plate at least in part by the frictional resistance of the leading edge of the finger against the backing plate side surface.
US07726449B2	Damper assembly with torque limiter An airtight damper, an input axis, and a flywheel are mounted to the input axis with a bolt. A torque transmitter, a torque transmitter attachment unit of the flywheel, and a support plate are united with each other using a bolt. The torque transmitter includes a spline unit. A pressure plate engaged with the spline unit is pressed by a pressure spring so as to press a friction plate and a torque transmitter plate against the support plate. Since the torque transmitter plate is fixed to a drive plate by a rivet, the torque from the input axis can be transmitted to the drive plate. Although the torque from the engine is larger than an allowable value, a friction member can slip at a constant torque depending on the pressure of the pressure spring, thereby protecting the damper against an excess load.
US07726446B1	Mobile hunting blind A mobile hunting blind includes a platform that may be raised and lowered to accommodate handicapped persons in a vehicle for transportation of the hunting blind and the person. The platform has a hunting blind wrapped around it and has a turntable that allows a person to spin within the hunting blind.
US07726444B1	Exhaust system baffle apparatus An exhaust system baffle is provided comprising a tube and a plurality of radially extending flanges mounted in surrounding relation about the tube. Each flange includes a centrally positioned aperture and a slit that extends through the flange from the aperture to an outer edge of the flange. The tube extends through the apertures of the flanges. Each flange includes a first edge portion that bounds a first side of the slit. Each flange includes a second edge portion that bounds a second side of the slit opposite the first side of the slit. The opposed first and second edge portions of each flange are bent such that the opposed first and second edge portions are orientated to extend outwardly from the tube at angles that are each acute in opposed directions with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the tube.
US07726443B2	Muffler and working machine A muffler of a work machine in the form of an engine blower includes: a muffler body; and a diffuser that covers an exhaust outlet of exhaust gas provided on the muffler body. The diffuser has a diffusion space to diffuse the exhaust gas and an exhaust surface on which a plurality of exhaust circular holes are provided to exhaust the exhaust gas to an outside. An opening ratio provided by the exhaust holes of the exhaust surface is gradually increased from a portion corresponding to the exhaust opening toward an outer periphery of the exhaust surface.
US07726436B2	Torque control element for a steering system in a motor vehicle A torque control element for a steering system in a motor vehicle, and such a steering system are provided. The torque control element includes at least two electrical units, each of the electrical units being assigned a separate power supply unit, connected via at least one fuse.
US07726434B2	Holding device and method for detecting a vehicle environment with at least one camera A holding fixture for a camera and a method for monitoring the surrounding area of a vehicle, using at least one camera, which is used to draw a holding fixture out of the body shell of a vehicle, as needed. The holding fixture is extended as a function of a speed signal or a transmission-setting signal, and, in addition to a camera, the holding fixture has a further device, in particular a washer device or a trunk handle. Furthermore, the holding fixture can be drawn out as a function of a signal from a control element. Holding fixtures having cameras can be attached at various positions of the vehicle.
US07726430B2	Energy storage type of differential hybrid power distribution system An energy storage type of differential hybrid power distribution system to drive an all wheel driving carrier; a revolution output end of an internal combustion engine (or any other revolution power source) to drive the front wheel through an intermediate transmission and control interface device, and to also drive an input end of the energy storage type of differential hybrid power device to output kinetics to further drive the rear wheel; and an electro-mechanical unit functioning as a generator and a motor being disposed in the energy storage type of differential hybrid power device to regulate the power distribution between the front wheel and the rear wheel by controlling the electro-mechanical unit to operate as a motor or as a generator.
US07726427B2	Battery fixing device The invention relates to a device (10) for fixing a battery (11), consisting of a support tray (12) comprising an essentially-flat support face (16) and two longitudinal flanges (17a, 17b). According to the invention, the first longitudinal flange (17a) comprises fixed lugs (20) which serve as positioning stops for a first lug (14a) of the battery (11). The support tray (12) comprises mobile lugs (21) which are connected to the second longitudinal flange (17b) and which each define a first blocking surface (22) for a second lug (14b) of the battery (11). The fixing device (10) comprises elastically-deformable actuation levers (25) which are associated with the mobile lugs (21) and a locking ramp (26) which co-operates with each mobile lug (21) and each corresponding actuation lever (25) such as to lock the battery (11) in position in the support tray (12).
US07726423B2	Driven steer carriage A vehicle having a main chassis (3) and a power source (4) for driving the vehicle, a drivable steer carriage (1) pivotally supporting the main chassis (3) about an at least substantially upright pivotal axis (2), the carriage including a plurality of opposed pairs of carriage wheels (5a, 7a, 9a), at least one said pair of carriage wheels being driven by a drive transmission including an input shaft (17a) at least substantially aligned with said upright pivotal axis (2) such that the power source (4) can transfer power through the input shaft (17a) to at least one carriage wheel pair.
US07726421B2	Diamond-bonded bodies and compacts with improved thermal stability and mechanical strength Thermally stable diamond-bonded compacts include a diamond-bonded body having a thermally stable region extending a distance below a diamond-bonded body surface. The thermally stable region comprises a matrix first phase of bonded together diamond crystals, and a second phase interposed within the matrix phase. At least some population of the second phase comprises a reaction product formed between an infiltrant material and the diamond crystals at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The diamond bonded body further includes a polycrystalline diamond region that extends a depth from the thermally stable region and has a microstructure comprising a polycrystalline diamond matrix phase and a catalyst material disposed within interstitial regions of the matrix phase. The compact includes a substrate attached to the diamond-bonded body.
US07726420B2	Cutter having shaped working surface with varying edge chamfer A cutter for a drill bit used for drilling wells in a geological formation includes an ultra hard working surface and a chamfer along an edge of the working surface, wherein the chamfer has a varied geometry along the edge. The average geometry of the chamfer varies with cutting depth. A depression in the shaped working surface is oriented with the varied chamfer and facilitates forming the varied chamfer. A non-planar interface has depressions oriented with depressions in the shaped working surface to provide support to loads on the working surface of the cutter when used.
US07726419B2	Drill bit, system, and method for drilling a borehole in an earth formation A drill bit for drilling a borehole in an earth formation. The drill bit has a central longitudinal axis and may be operated by applying at least a rotary motion about the central longitudinal axis and optionally applying longitudinal reciprocal movement to the drill bit so as to exert a percussive force on the borehole bottom. The drill bit has a surface provided with a plurality of shear cutters having a rake surface arranged to induce a scraping movement along the borehole bottom upon application of the rotary motion. The rake surface, during operation, faces the direction of rotation at a back-rake angle of less than 90°, wherein the backrake angle is defined as the angle included between the projection of a line perpendicular to the rake surface on a plane defined by the central longitudinal axis and the direction of the tangential velocity component of the shear cutter and a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. One or more of the shear cutters is provided with a pre-cut flat impact surface essentially parallel to the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
US07726417B2	Water collecting device for core drilling device The invention relates to a water collecting device (30) intended for a core drilling unit (1) that comprises a drilling machine including an electric drilling motor (6), a machine housing (3) with an output shaft (9), that can be composed of many sections, a core drill (4) connected to the machine shaft and means to supply cooling water, as required, to the cylindrical inner part of the of the core drill via the machine shaft (9). The water collecting device (30) comprises a vessel (31) with a bottom (32) and a side wall (33), the bottom (32) positioned below the core drill (4), the vessel (31) arranged to collect spent water as well as drill cuttings from the core drill (4), the vessel (31) further comprising at least a draining duct (58) for drainage of spent water as well as drill cuttings from the vessel (31). The invention also relates to the core drilling unit equipped with the water collecting device.
US07726416B2	Bearing assembly retaining apparatus and well drilling equipment comprising same A well drilling head housing comprises a sidewall structure, a ram and selective displacement means. The sidewall structure defines a central bore configured for having a bearing assembly removably seated therein. The ram is slideably mounted on the side wall structure and is disposed within a passage extending through the sidewall structure. The selective displacement means is coupled between the ram and the sidewall structure. The selective displacement means is configured for moving the ram to an engaged position in which the ram is engaged with the bearing assembly for securing the bearing assembly in a seated position within the central bore and a disengaged position in which the ram is disengaged from the bearing assembly thereby allowing the bearing assembly to be removed from within the central bore.
US07726415B1	Fixed cutter drill bit The fixed cutter drill bit disclosed utilizes a unique piloting section and reaming section carefully designed to impart several specific operational advantages. In the piloting section, cutting structures have been arranged so as to create offsetting cutting forces that result in a net zero imbalance during operation. Furthermore, the piloting section utilizes carefully placed shock studs which aid in protecting the primary cutting structure. In addition, the location of the fluid supply nozzles on the body of the reamer section serves to indicate the occurrence of a catastrophic cutting structure failure below the pilot gage.
US07726414B2	Hollow piston hammer device with air equilibration and idle openings An air spring hammer device that includes a drive piston, moving axially back and forth, with a front face of hollow embodiment and a hammer piston moving in said hollow. A ventilation slot is embodied in a guide wall of the drive piston. The drive piston may be guided in a guide tube. The guide tube comprises several idle openings. A moving control element is arranged on the exterior of the guide tube, in which control openings, corresponding to the idle openings, are provided. In an idle operating mode, the control element is in an open position, via which the ventilation slot, the idle openings and the control openings can be brought into connection with the environment.
US07726406B2	Dissolvable downhole trigger device A trigger device for setting a downhole tool is disclosed. The trigger device includes a retaining member that prevents the downhole tool from setting until it is properly positioned within the well. Regardless of the type of downhole tool or the type of trigger device, the retaining member includes a dissolvable material that dissolves when contacted by a solvent. The dissolvable material is preferably one that dissolves at a known rate so that the amount of time necessary for the downhole tool to set is pre-determined. Preferably, the solvent is a water-based or hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid or mud.
US07726405B2	High pressure large bore utility line connector assembly A utility line connector assembly having a male stab having a central bore with a port that communicates with a second bore in a receptacle where the stab is fixedly inserted into a receiving female opening in the receptacle, the receptacle has an L shaped opening with a protruding partial spherical pocket, a ring groove for sealing said stab to a riser package, and where the stab and receptacle are placed between a lower marine riser and the blow out preventer in fluid communication therebetween. The stab and receptacle may be sealed with ring seals and the assembly may be used in riser auxiliary line connections, sub sea production tree connections, drape hose connections and surface bop auxiliary line connections.
US07726404B2	Use of carbon-dioxide-based fracturing fluids A method of treating a shale-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is accomplished by forming a carbon dioxide treatment fluid having a viscosity of less than about 10 mPa-s at a shear rate of about 100 s−1. The carbon dioxide treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation. In certain embodiments, the treatment fluid may be comprised of from about 90% to 100% by weight carbon dioxide and may contain a proppant. A method of treating hydrocarbon-bearing, shale-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore may also be carried out by forming a carbon dioxide treatment fluid and introducing the carbon dioxide treatment fluid into the formation through the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation. The formation being treated may have a permeability of less than 1 mD.
US07726403B2	Apparatus and method for ratcheting stimulation tool A method and apparatus for ratcheting a stimulation tool in a well in which the stimulation tool is movable from a first radial position to a second radial position without moving the tool string.
US07726402B2	Methods for downhole sequestration of carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is sequestered in a formation using a dual completion and injection method that reduces or eliminates upward leak rates of the sequestered carbon dioxide. The dual completion and injection method involves the injection of a benign fluid such as brine (water) into a permeable layer of the formation located above the sequestration layer and which is separated form the sequestration layer by a nearly impermeable layer. The water is preferably injected at the same time the carbon dioxide is injected.
US07726401B2	Casing exit joint with easily milled, low density barrier A casing exit joint with an easily milled and low density barrier. A casing exit joint for use in drilling a lateral wellbore outwardly from a parent wellbore includes a generally tubular window structure having a window formed through a sidewall of the structure. An outer sleeve is disposed external to the window structure, so that the sleeve overlies the window. A hardenable substance supports the sleeve against deflection toward the window. A method of drilling a lateral wellbore extending outwardly from a parent wellbore includes the steps of: providing a casing exit joint including a hardenable substance positioned in a sidewall of the casing exit joint; then installing the casing exit joint in the parent wellbore; and then cutting through the hardenable substance in order to provide access for drilling the lateral wellbore.
US07726400B2	Compositions and methods for treating lost circulation A cement system for use in treating lost circulation includes a slurry of cement, water and a super-absorbent polymer which absorbs free water in the slurry to form a gel—ore preferably a solid-like structure—when placed in the well, and which releases the absorbed water to the cement hydration reaction as the cement sets. The absorption of water causes the slurry to develop a solid-like structure. In one embodiment, the superabsorbent is polyacrylamide or modified crosslinked poly(meth)acrylate. Also presented is a method of treating lost circulation by pumping the above-mentioned cement system.
US07726397B2	Methods and compositions for determination of fracture geometry in subterranean formations Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
US07726396B2	Field joint for a downhole tool A field joint used to connect downhole tool modules. The field joint includes a bulkhead, a connector block, and various electrical connections. The bulkhead couples to a first tool module and has a first connection face, which partially defines an exterior of the first tool module and has a first conduit aperture that receives an electrical connector assembly. An electrical connector assembly received in the first conduit aperture is releasably coupled to the exterior of the first tool module, and includes a first connector. The connector block is coupled to a second tool module and has a second connection face defining a second conduit aperture positioned to face the first conduit aperture when the tool modules are joined. A second electrical connector disposed in the second conduit aperture establishes electrical contact with the first connector when the first and second tool modules are joined.
US07726393B2	Wellhead isolation tool and wellhead assembly incorporating the same A wellhead assembly is provided including a casing and a tubular member mounted over the casing. A flange extends from the tubular member. A generally elongated annular member is provided in the tubular member. The generally elongated annular member has a first end portion above the tubular member and second end portion below the first end portion. A hanger may be suspended within the tubular member. In such case, a seal may be formed between the elongate annular member and the hanger.
US07726392B1	Removal of downhole drill collar from well bore A drill string in a borehole can be cut at the drill collars. A torch is lowered into the drill string and positioned at a joint of the drill collar string. The joint has a pin component and a box component. The torch has one or more openings in the pattern of a vertical slot. The torch is ignited and the pin component is cut in a direction along the length of the drill string. The joint uncoupled, even though the box component need not be cut. The uncoupling of the joint effectively cuts the drill string at the joint.
US07726391B2	Air conditioner for vehicle A vehicle air conditioner casing has defrost, face, and front seat floor vents variably communicating with a mixing chamber. Air passageways in the casing include an evaporator and heater core. A rear seat console vent communicates with a warm air passageway including the heater core and a cool air passageway through a console side cool air bypass passageway on the casing bottom surface, under the heater core. A front seat temperature adjusting door adjusts variably opens cool air passageway outlets and the warm air passageway with respect to the mixing chamber. A rear seat main temperature adjusting door variably opens warm air passageway inlets and the console side cool air bypass passageway. A rear seat auxiliary temperature variably adjusts the openings of warm air passageway outlets and the console cool air bypass passageway with respect to the rear seat console vent.
US07726390B2	Hollow chamber profile made of metal, especially for heat exchangers The invention relates to a hollow chamber profile made of metal, especially for heat exchangers. Said profile is made of an extruded base profile (10) having two broad parallel sides and two narrow sides or is made of a base profile which is a circular tube type or coaxial tube type. At least one channel (11) extends inside said base profile in the longitudinal direction thereof. The hollow profile has improved heat transfer properties on the sides and webs (13) which are deformed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof.
US07726387B2	Heat exchangers An evaporator 1 comprises a heat exchange core 4 having heat exchange tubes 12 in groups 13, a refrigerant inlet header 5 and a refrigerant outlet header 6 which are arranged toward one end of each of the heat exchange tubes 12, and a refrigerant inflow header 9 and a refrigerant outflow header 11 which are arranged toward the other end of each heat exchange tube 12. The outflow header 11 has its interior divided by a flow dividing control wall 52 into two spaces 11a, 11b arranged one above the other. The inflow header 9 and the lower space 11b of the outflow header 11 are held in communication each at one end thereof. The control wall 52 has a plurality of refrigerant passing holes 53 arranged at a spacing longitudinally thereof.
US07726386B2	Burner port shield A shield for placement around burner ports in a hot air furnace for reducing turbulence in the flow of secondary combustion air entering a heat exchanger. The shield also provides for intercepting moisture that condenses along the walls of the vertically oriented heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is part of a furnace. The drip shield includes a plate having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of through-openings placed in the plate along and/or parallel to its longitudinal axis. The through-openings are spaced apart so as to be positioned between and aligned with burner ports and respective heat exchanger tube inlets of the heat exchanger. The plate is preferably profiled to have a peak to encourage condensate run-off with the plurality of through-openings being placed along or generally parallel to the peak of the plate.
US07726385B2	Heat dissipation interface for semiconductor chip structures The present invention is directed to a modular heat dissipating device that consists of a plurality of sheet and beam members which are connected together by heat pipes. The sheet or support fin member is constructed by folding a piece of heat conducting material which is then mounted on a beam member. There are individual compliant interfaces built into the fin members such that a good thermal contact can be ensured with the heat generating semiconductor devices. The modular heat dissipating devices can be stacked up to gain higher cooling capacity or spread around to cover multiple chips on a printed-wiring board.
US07726384B2	Heat pipe A heat pipe includes a hollow metal casing (100) and a honeycombed wick structure (200) arranged at an inner surface of the hollow metal casing. The wick structure includes a plurality of slices (210, 220) stacked together. Each of the slices has a plurality of pores therein and a plurality of protrusions (222) formed thereon along a longitudinal direction of the heat pipe to form a plurality of liquid channels (230) in the wick structure along the longitudinal direction of the heat pipe. Each liquid channel has alternate large and small sections (232, 231) along a length thereof.
US07726383B2	Method for producing a magnesium hot strip The invention relates to a method for producing a magnesium hot strip, in which a melt from a magnesium alloy is continuously cast to form a roughed strip with a thickness of maximum 50 mm, and in which the cast roughed strip is hot-rolled directly from the cast heat at a hot-rolling initial temperature of at least 250° C. and maximum 500° C. to form a hot strip with a final thickness of maximum 4 mm, whereby in the first hot-rolling pass a reduction in the thickness of at least 15% is achieved. With the method according to the invention, magnesium sheets with improved deformability can be produced with reduced manufacturing effort and expenditure.
US07726380B2	Method for manufacturing sand mold A method of producing a sand mold, comprising: after defining a mold space at least by a pattern plate, a flask, and a squeeze means, and after blow-charging molding sand held in a sand blowing device located above the mold space into the mold space by ejecting a first compressed air near sand ejecting ports of the sand blowing device thereby fluidizing the molding sand near the sand ejecting ports, while supplying a second compressed air to a surface of the molding sand held in the sand blowing device, moving the squeeze means toward the pattern plate, where in the pressure of the first compressed air and the period of time for supplying the first compressed air are adjusted to produce a good sand mold. To determine the period of time for ejecting the first compressed air, the distance of the movement of the squeeze feet toward the pattern plate is measured when the squeeze of the molding sand in the mold space is completed, and the difference between the measured distance and a target distance is calculated. The period is adjusted to be a shorter or lengthened one based on the result of the calculation.
US07726377B2	Screen device A screen device in which a screen is provided in a contractable and expandable manner between a pair of screen installation frames, at least one of which is movable in a sliding manner, and the screen can be opened and closed by pulling it sideways, and which has upper guide frames for guiding the screen installation frames while covering their upper end sections. The screen installation frames have, at their upper end sections, fall-down prevention guide sections. The upper guide frames have, in their insides, guide rail projections which prevent, by holding the fall-down prevention guide sections, the upper end sections of the screen installation frames from coming out of the upper guide frames.
US07726373B2	Cord and pellet manufacturing apparatus The invention provides a manufacturing apparatus of a pellet which has not quality deterioration and a great apparent specific gravity. The apparatus is provided with (a) bunching portions (16) bunching band-like long continuous material(s) (R) and/or a plurality of filamentous long continuous materials (R) to a narrow width so as to form a cord-shaped bunched material (R′), (b) compressing portions (22) having compressing rollers (50a, 50b) with an uneven outer surface and form a cord (S) by point compressing a twisted cord material (R″), (c) rotation portions (14) twisting the cord-shaped bunched material (R′) by relatively rotating the bunching portions (16) or the compressing portions (22) so as to form the twisted cord material (R″), and (d) a cutting portion (102) provided in an outlet side of the compressing portion (22) and cutting the cord (S) formed by the point compressing to a pellet shape.
US07726372B2	Printer with binding press A printer includes a driving station configured to drive print media between a pair of pinch rollers. A printing station is configured to print upon the driven print media. An adhesive application station is configured to apply an adhesive to the print media. A collection station is configured to collect a stack of printed print media bearing adhesive. The collection station includes a binding press configured to bind the stack together.
US07726367B2	Method of processing wooden piece A method of processing a wooden piece into a predetermined shape by compressing the wooden piece, includes bending a raw-material piece which is a wooden piece to be processed and is placed in a humid condition of high temperature, cutting out a blank-material piece from the raw-material piece bent in the bending so that the blank-material piece includes at least a part of a bent portion of the raw-material piece, and compressing the blank-material piece cut out in the cutting out in a water vapor atmosphere of a temperature and a pressure higher than those of an atmospheric air.
US07726366B2	Wood planing machine including a rough-plane cutter and a fine-plane cutter A wood planing machine includes a base adapted to permit a workpiece to be moved thereon in a front-to-rear direction, a plurality guide posts fixed on the base, a mounting seat sleeved movably on the guide posts, a motor disposed on the mounting seat, and a cutting unit disposed on the mounting seat. The cutting unit includes a rough-plane cutter, a fine-plane cutter disposed behind the rough-plane cutter, a first transmission unit interconnecting the motor and the rough-plane cutter to allow the rough-plane cutter to be driven by the motor, and a second transmission unit interconnecting the rough-plane cutter and the fine-plane cutter to allow rotation of the rough-plane cutter to be transferred to the fine-plane cutter.
US07726364B2	Anti-smoking device A device for delivering a distributed zone of fluid for forming a wet impact barrier in a filter of a smoking product includes a container for holding the fluid, and a delivery mechanism for delivering the fluid from the container to the filter. The delivery mechanism can be a tube or needle of significantly lesser diameter than the diameter of the smoking product for placing a defined quantity of the fluid at a predetermined location within the smoking product, such as by injection through a side wall of the filter in the vicinity of the filter/tobacco boundary.
US07726355B2	Motorized vacuum/pressure pump and stopper A pump and stopper combination for vacuum or pressure sealing a container. The stopper has a pour opening and a one-way valve movable between an operative position to permit one-way flow of fluid into or out of the container when the pour opening is in the closed position, and an inoperative position when the pour opening is in the open position. A vacuum/pressure pump that connects to the stopper includes a drive adapted to convert rotational movement of a motor to reciprocating motion of a pump piston in a chamber, and one-way pump valves mounted in a selectable flow control member. The selectable flow control member is movable between pressure and vacuum positions to permit passage of fluid only into or out of the pump chamber. The pump also includes an indicator for indicating when a desired level of vacuum or pressure has been reached The pump may be incorporated into a container lid.
US07726353B2	Lid opening/closing system of an airtight container A curtain nozzle is located above an opening portion (10) in a FIMS. A gas curtain formed of inert gas for closing the opening portion is formed, and at the same time, the inert gas is also supplied to an inside of a FOUP. Here, the direction of supply of the inert gas supplied to the inside of the FOUP is such that it does not have a flow component directing toward the gas flow forming the gas curtain. The above-mentioned structure prevents increase over time in a partial pressure of oxidizing gas in the FOUP fixed by a FIMS system in an open state.
US07726352B2	Sealed containers and methods of making and filling same Disclosed is a uniquely configured medicament vial assembly which includes a storage vial, a stopper member and a securing ring. The vial assembly is configured to improve healthcare worker safety by providing a shielded gripping location to aid in the reduction of accidental needle sticks. The storage vial has a body portion which defines an interior chamber for storing a predetermined medicament and a neck portion through which medicament is received into and withdrawn from the interior chamber. The stopper member is inserted into the mouth of the vial and establishes a first seal. The securing ring is engaged with the mouth of the vial and adapted and configured for retaining the stopper member within the vial mouth and effectuating a second seal. The securing ring is formed from a thermoplastic and/or elastic material. Preferably, the securing ring is formed by molding the thermoplastic and/or elastic material over a portion of the storage vial and stopper member when engaged within the vial mouth.
US07726349B2	Tissue products having high durability and a deep discontinuous pocket structure A tissue sheet having a deep discontinuous pocket structure provides improved durability as measured by the ratio of the cross-machine direction tensile energy absorbed to the cross-machine direction tensile strength.
US07726345B2	Metallic strip and methods and structures incorporating the same A flexible cable may include an elongated shaped strip helically wound around itself to form a generally tubular body having at least one interior passageway and at least one conductor at least partially disposed within the interior passageway. The elongated shaped strip may include a non-rectangular cross-sectional thickness having a central portion disposed between a first and a second end portion. The first and second end portions may extend generally outwardly from the central portion from generally opposite sides. At least a portion of the central portion may include a cross-sectional thickness TC which is less than a maximum cross-sectional thickness TM of the elongated shaped strip. The first and second end portions may include a first and a second cross-section thickness TS1, TS2, respectively, wherein at least one of the first and second cross-section thicknesses TS1, TS2 is greater than the cross-sectional thickness TC.
US07726344B2	Device for dynamic control of a water flow The disclosure relates to a device for dynamic adjustment of a water flow, used to stabilize the operational mode of a thermostatic mixing tap. The inventive device includes a valve consisting of a piston and a return spring forcing the piston into a first position, said piston being displaced into two positions according to the flow. When the flow is lower than a threshold value, the piston is located in the first position and a flow limited means limits the flow. When the flow exceeds the threshold value, the piston is displaced into the second position and the flow limiting means is obviated.
US07726340B2	Flexible, hermetic pivot seal for torque motor A torque motor (10) includes a support (20), a jet tube passage (42) in the support having a first end opening (43) and a second end opening (45), a jet tube (30) extending into the jet tube passage (42) through the first end opening (43) for directing a flow of fluid into a chamber (40) in fluid communication with the jet tube passage second end opening (45), and a flexible, convoluted, seal (46) hermetically connected to the jet tube passage (42) and the jet tube (30) for sealing the jet tube passage first end (43) while permitting at least a portion of the jet tube (30) to move relative to the jet tube passage (42).
US07726339B2	Seal cartridge control valve A flexible seal ring includes a first sealing face and a rear face is disposed opposite the front sealing face, the rear face is axially offset relative to the front sealing face. An upper face disposed between the front face and the rear face, the upper face extending from the rear face towards the front face such that an interior angle between the upper face and the rear face is greater than 110 degrees. Another flexible seal ring includes a first front sealing face, a rear face, at least one downwardly disposed upper face disposed between the front face and the rear face, at least one downwardly disposed lower face, and a second front sealing face disposed between the downwardly disposed lower face and the first front sealing face. A cartridge seal includes a flexible seal ring and an upper retaining ring.
US07726334B2	Service valve assembly having a stop-fill device and remote liquid level indicator A system for determining a fluid level in a pressurizable container comprising is disclosed. The system includes a service valve having a set of wrench flats defining parallel flat surfaces, one of the wrench flats having a recess defined entirely within its flat surface, a stop-fill device interconnected with the service valve and operable to rotate a first magnet inside the service valve in proximity to the recess in proportion to the amount of fluid in the pressurizable container, and a dial assembly having a dial face and a pointer attached to a second magnet, the second magnet housed in a magnet protrusion on a side of the dial face opposite the pointer and operable to fit into the recess in the service valve such that the dial moves on the dial face proportionately to the degree of rotation of the first magnet inside the service valve. In one variation, a sensor placed in the recess or adjacent a throat of the service valve is electrically connected to a remotely located gauge for displaying a reading corresponding to the level of fluid in the container.
US07726333B2	Fluid controller Each of lines A, B is provided on each of opposite sides thereof with a tape heater 11, and a space for positioning a tape heater holding clip 13 therein is provided in each of locations between adjacent fluid control devices. The tape heaters 11 are held from opposite sides thereof to the line by the clip 13. The lines A, B provided with the heaters are each mounted on a line support member 10 removably attached to a base member 1. The line support member 10 has a heater insertion bore 14 formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof. A sheath heater 12 is inserted into the bore 14.
US07726327B2	Universal mount for a walker A walker includes a universal mount adapted to interchangeably receive multiple different attachments useful for a patient using the walker. A single walker may have an array of attachments adapted to be interchangeably used by a particular user. Alternatively, a care provider may stock a single walker available for use by many different patients, because individual needs may be met by the different attachments that may be interchangeably used with the mount on the single walker.
US07726326B2	Umbrella with repositionable grip Improved gripping structures for a hand-held umbrella are provided. In one example structure, a first grip is fixedly attached to an end of a shaft of the umbrella, such as the end located distally away from a canopy of the umbrella. A second grip is coupled to the shaft. The second grip may be slidably repositionable along the shaft. The second grip may include an interlocking device to lock the second grip at a desired location along the shaft. The second grip may further include a runner interface. An accessory mount may be disposed at the first grip to couple an accessory, such as a camera, at the end of the shaft distally away from the canopy of the umbrella.
US07726308B1	Apparatus and method for respiratory drug delivery Apparatus and method for respiratory drug delivery using cartridge containing drug and propellant. User inserts cartridge into body of apparatus and activates a mechanism for opening drug compartment and propellant compartment, resulting in mixing and de-agglomeration of drug for respiratory delivery.
US07726307B2	Anesthesia system with a anesthetic evaporator An anesthesia system with an anesthetic evaporator can be operated even in case of a defect, particularly in case of a power outage. The anesthetic evaporator (10) and a valve arranged upstream of the anesthetic evaporator (10) are provided, whereby the gas flow through the valve (8) is conveyed completely or partially through the anesthetic evaporator (10) or a bypass line (9) past the anesthetic evaporator (10) in case of operation in accordance with the regulations, while the gas flow takes place only through the anesthetic evaporator (10) in case of a defect.
US07726304B2	Dispensing apparatus Dispensing apparatus comprising a housing having a first part (2) and a second part (3) together defining an interior of the housing for receiving a dispensing container, the first and second part being movable from an open position to permit insertion of said dispensing container into the interior of the housing to a closed position in which removal of said dispensing container from the interior of the housing is prevented, the dispensing apparatus further comprising a mouthpiece (4) which is removably connectable to the housing, wherein when connected to the housing the mouthpiece defines an outlet for a product dispensed, in use, from said dispensing container, and wherein when the mouthpiece is disconnected from the housing the first and second parts substantially enclose the interior to prevent access to and removal of said dispensing container received in the interior.
US07726301B2	Solar energy base-body structure A base body comprises two frames to put lens and solar cells. The working process is simple and the weight and the cost of the base body is reduced.
US07726299B2	Fireplace with front face attachment A front face attachment for a fireplace allows a single fireplace construction to be converted from a first arrangement having front facing top outlet and bottom inlet with covering louver panels for air flow around the combustion chamber to a second arrangement in which there are no front facing outlets and the top and bottom outlets are behind front cover flanges for receiving cladding materials.
US07726298B2	Method and apparatus for heating a liquid storage tank A method and apparatus for heating a liquid storage tank includes a liquid storage tank having an interior and a peripheral sidewall. An engine compartment is appended to the peripheral sidewall in front of the heat tube. An engine is disposed in the engine compartment. Heat given off from the engine during operation heats the engine compartment and such heat is transferred through peripheral sidewall to the interior of the liquid storage tank. An exhaust conduit extends into the interior of the liquid storage tank. Heat from hot exhaust gases passing through the exhaust conduit heats the interior of the liquid storage tank.
US07726294B2	Motorized oven door latch A motorized oven latch includes a base plate. A latch member is slidably connected to the base plate by a first mounting stud or first and second mounting studs connected to the latch member and located in a contoured slot defined in the base plate. The latch member includes an inner end and an outer end, and the outer end includes a hook adapted to engage an oven door. A motor is drivingly coupled to the latch member, and the motor is selectively operative to move the latch member forward and rearward relative to said base plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch member moves on a non-linear path relative to the base plate in response to movement of the first mounting stud or both the first and second mounting studs in the contoured slot when the motor moves the latch member forward to the unlocked position or rearward to the locked position.
US07726293B2	Continuous firing type trigger structure for toy gun A continuous firing type trigger structure of a toy gun (air soft gun/BB-gun) includes a valve body disposed behind the output port of a magazine clip in air communication with the gas outlet of a high-pressure gas can, an enclosed socket connected to the rear side of the valve body, a valve tube inserted through the valve body, a spring that pushes the valve tube forwards to keep the air inlet of the valve tube not in communication with the inside space of the valve body, and a piston inserted into the enclosed socket and fixedly connected to a sliding shell on the outside of the toy gun such that the valve tube is moved with the piston forwards (or backwards) to let a high pressure gas be discharged out of the high-pressure gas can into the valve tube to drive an airsoft gun out of the toy gun and to force the piston and the sliding shell backwards after triggering of the trigger of the toy gun, for enabling the piston and the sliding shell to be immediately returned by a return spring for a next firing operation. A hammer is pivoted to the toy gun and releasably secured in place by a spring-supported sear for firing one single airsoft bullet per each hammering action.
US07726288B2	Intake regulating system of engine An intake regulating system of an engine equips with an intake regulating-device connected with a breather hose for drawing the oil vapor and the leaked gases from the crankcase of the engine, thereby to mix with outside air to feed into the engine for re-combustion. The intake regulating-device comprises a housing and a pressure-sensing valve. The housing has an air inlet hole, an air outlet hole, and a slender hole. The air outlet hole and the slender hole both are in communication with the air inlet of engine via an intake manifold for generating a pressure difference thereby to drive the pressure-sensing valve. Preferably, the intake regulating-device provides a pair of regulating knobs for adapting the pressure-sensing valve with various intake volumes of an engine.
US07726287B2	Method and device for controlling a valve for recycling gases burned during an engine starting phase A method carried out by a control device, the method holding a valve EGR completely opened during a determined short time after a starting phase of a diesel engine, which is provided with an EGR recirculation, and controlling the valve EGR in a partially closed state during the starting time of the engine to increase the engine speed to a threshold speed corresponding to the end of the starting phase. The control is progressively carried out according to a determined closing instruction via a calibration by using data representative of engine speed and ambient temperature. The dynamically controlled recirculation makes it possible, in particular, to accumulate more fuel at the staring phase without increasing injected quantities, to increase the speed of engine actuated by a starter, and to avoid engine blocking.
US07726286B2	Housing for a supercharger assembly A housing for a supercharger assembly is provided having an inner wall at least partially defining a rotor cavity. A layer is formed from a sacrificial polymeric material and is provided on at least a portion of the inner wall. The layer is operable to provide approximately zero running clearance and improve scuff resistance between the first and second rotors and the inner wall. The sacrificial polymeric material is applied to the inner wall by insert molding to form the layer. A method of forming the housing is also provided.
US07726281B2	Cylinder pressure sensor diagnostic system and method A control module comprising a cylinder torque determination module that determines an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, a cylinder torque balancing module that determines a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and a cylinder pressure error detection module that detects a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term. A method comprising determining an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, determining a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and detecting a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term.
US07726276B2	Method for adapting variations in cylinder-selective injection quantities of a direct injection system and method for cylinder-selectively controlling injection In a method for adapting variations in cylinder-selective injection quantities of a direct injection system of an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders, factorial and additive adaptive values are determined in order to be able to reliably adjust a given lambda value for the entire engine even in the event of a multiple injection.
US07726275B2	System and method for powering a mechanically driven accessory component in an automotive vehicle A belt integrated starter generator may selectively drive accessory components while an engine is off. The belt integrated starter generator may also selectively drive a crankshaft of the engine. Clutches are used to access rotational power from the belt.
US07726272B2	Variable intake device A variable intake device includes an intake pipe through which air flows towards a combustion chamber of an engine, defining a first streamline at an intermediate portion of the pipe, a short-circuit pipe connected at the intermediate portion, defining a second streamline crossing the first streamline at the connected other end, and a valve arranged at the short-circuit pipe adjacent to the intermediate portion. The valve includes a valve body regulating air flow. When the valve allows air flow merging into the intake pipe from the short-circuit pipe, the valve body is positioned to extend in a direction between the extending direction of the first streamline indicated by arrow and the extending direction of the second streamline indicated by arrow. By such a configuration, a variable intake device having pressure loss at the intake path sufficiently reduced can be provided.
US07726271B2	Engine with decompression device To suppress the overall length of a camshaft including the length of a decompression device provided in an engine and also to suppress an increase in number of parts of the decompression device, an engine includes a decompression device having a decompression weight pivotably supported through a pivot shaft to a camshaft and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined angle by a centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the camshaft. A weight accommodating portion for pivotably accommodating the decompression weight is formed between the opposite end portions of the camshaft. The outer diameter of the decompression device mounted to the camshaft is smaller than that of a ball bearing. The decompression weight is directly engaged with one end of a decompression camshaft to thereby rotate the decompression camshaft.
US07726269B2	Glow plug with integrated pressure sensor A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head as well as a fixing zone including elements (12, 13) for being fixed in a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head, and a pressure sensor (8) sealingly insulated from the corresponding cylinder. The arm (4) is fixed to an elastically deformable tubular zone (17) designed to project inside the cylinder. The pressure sensor (8) is mounted between the arm (4) and a support component (18) fixed inside the tubular body (2).
US07726265B2	Fuel tank system for direct ethanol injection octane boosted gasoline engine Fuel tank system for a direct ethanol injection octane boosted gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine and a main fuel tank that contains a mix of gasoline and gasoline E85. A smaller secondary tank is provided to contain ethanol or E85. An injector directly injects in a separately controlled fashion ethanol or E85 into a cylinder of the engine to boost octane. A control module controls the relative amounts of gasoline and ethanol used and structure is provided for fueling the main and secondary fuel tanks.
US07726264B2	Method of installing furnace walls of a boiler New and useful method of installing furnace walls for a boiler that does not require dedicated temporary lifting mechanism and reduces the installation work period significantly is disclosed. The method of installing furnace walls for a boiler configured with an upper portion of boiler proper 30 and a lower portion of boiler proper 40, temporally suspending two left and right face furnace water wall panels 48 among four furnace water wall panels, the upper portion of boiler proper is assembled while it is hanged from a top girder module 28 positioned on the top portion of a center portion in a boiler frame, a furnace rear wall 44 and a furnace front wall 42 among the furnace water wall panels are hanged sequentially, the temporally suspended two left and right face furnace water wall panels 48 are moved to designated positions, and the upper ends of the furnace water wall panels 48, 44 and 42 are connected with the lower end of the upper portion of boiler proper 30.
US07726262B2	Device and system for preventing animal wound licking A device for application on an animal for deterring the animal from wound licking is provided. The device includes a flexible first layer of material and a deterrent composition in contact with the flexible first layer of material. A layer of adhesive is connected with the flexible first layer of material, and a second layer of material is connected with the layer of adhesive opposite the flexible first layer of material. A method for deterring an animal from licking a wound is also provided.
US07726261B2	Animal harness A harness apparatus that facilitates proximity control over two or more animals by the animal handler via a single leash. The single leash couples to the harness via a first swiveling connection. Two or more animals may then be attached to the harness via two or more swiveling connections. The swiveling action of each swiveling connection virtually eliminates the possibility of animal entanglement within the harness by allowing the harness to swivel in a direction that tracks the movement of the harnessed animals. The rigidity of a cross member of the harness maintains a minimum separation distance between each animal that is attached to the harness.
US07726259B2	Animal feeder, method of operating a feeder, and method of assembling the same An animal feeder including a housing for containing feed and defining a plurality of openings for providing access to the feed, the plurality of openings being substantially equally spaced between an upper end of the housing and a lower end of the housing. The feeder also includes a frame having an opening and being supported on the housing for movement relative to the housing between an opened position and a closed position. The feeder further includes a hanger for supporting the animal feeder, the hanger including an elongated member extending outwardly from the frame and being connectable to the exterior support, and a sleeve extending across at least a portion of the elongated member, the sleeve being connected to the frame and being operable to move the frame relative to the housing between the opened position and the closed position.
US07726257B2	Device for milking animals A device for milking animals includes a milking robot for automatically connecting at least two teat cups to the teats of an animal to be milked. The milk yielded is collected in a milk container. In each milk line, between a respective teat cup and the milk container, there is provided an auxiliary reservoir for collecting milk obtained at the beginning of the milking process. The auxiliary reservoir has an outlet aperture with a closing device. Each auxiliary reservoir is disposed in a respective mounting block, the various mounting blocks being arranged side by side, and the device is provided with an arrangement for simultaneously operating the closing devices.
US07726254B2	Window regulator of awning for cruiser In an awning for a cruiser, the awning including a roof frame longitudinally curved and arranged to be inclined down ahead above an open cabin; a roof cover provided to be put on the roof frame; a transparent window panel that is provided to be inclined to be continuous to the inclination of the roof frame and moves in a space between a front end of the roof frame and a front portion of the open cabin present in front of the roof frame so as to be able to slidably open and close the space; a slide rail arranged below a side frame arranged on each of left and right edges of the roof frame, a distance between the slide rail and the side frame being always constant; and a slider fixed to each of left and right sides of the window panel and slidably attached onto the slide rail, a transfer reciprocating between the front end of the roof frame and a rear portion of the roof frame along a curved shape of the roof frame is provided on the roof frame, and the window panel is connected to the transfer.
US07726241B2	Micro gas generator A gas generator usable in a vehicle occupant protection system. The gas generator includes an initiator holder and an initiator secured within the holder, the initiator including a housing enclosing an initiator charge. A bore seal is molded into the initiator holder, and a casing is attached to the bore seal along an exterior surface of the bore seal. A gas generant material is positioned within the casing so as to enable fluid communication between the gas generant and combustion products formed by combustion of the initiator charge, thereby enabling ignition of the gas generant. In one embodiment, an edge portion of the casing is pre-formed so as to snap-fit over a shoulder formed along the bore seal. In another embodiment, an edge portion of the casing is crimped onto outer surfaces of the bore seal. In yet another embodiment, the casing is welded to the bore seal.
US07726240B2	Cleaning apparatus A cleaning apparatus includes a liquid supply device and cleaning unit. The liquid supply device supplies a transfer liquid to a first cylinder. The transfer liquid supplied from the liquid supply device to the first cylinder is transferred to a transfer target body which comes into contact with the first cylinder. The cleaning unit comes into contact with and cleans the first cylinder. The cleaning unit is arranged downstream of a contact position where the first cylinder is in contact with the transfer target body in a rotational direction of the first cylinder, and upstream of a liquid receiving position where the first cylinder receives a liquid supplied from the liquid supply device in a rotational direction of the first cylinder.
US07726237B2	Printing apparatus for making colored contact lenses A printing station for producing a layer of coloring for a contact lens, comprising a transport system to carry and transport a molding tool which comprises at least one contact lens forming mold, a pad unit comprising at least one pad, and a blade unit suitable to carry and ink a cliché with an ink. When in use the pad transfers an inked image from the cliché to the contact lens forming mold. The printing station further at least partially cures the inked image after it has been transferred to the mold and cleans the pad.
US07726232B2	Diaphragm pump liner for critical process applications One embodiment of the invention relates to a liner for a first pump housing in a fluid pump assembly. The fluid pump assembly includes a first pump housing, a second pump housing and a flexible diaphragm disposed between the first and second pump housings. The first pump housing includes a fluid access port for providing fluid communication between an inside housing chamber of the first pump housing and an outside of the first pump housing. The second pump housing is securely mated to the first pump housing. The second pump housing includes a biasing mechanism for selectively displacing a portion of the diaphragm toward the first pump housing. The liner of the invention includes a flexible member removeably secured inside the first pump housing. The liner also includes a first portion of the member being shaped to substantially conform to the interior dimensions of the inside housing chamber and a second portion of the member shaped to substantially conform to the fluid access port. The member forms an inner liner chamber inside the inside housing chamber. The member also includes a mating portion for securing the member to the diaphragm to form a seal there between. The inner liner chamber being in fluid communication with the displaceable portion of the diaphragm. Whereby the displacement of the portion of the diaphragm expels fluid from the inner liner chamber through the fluid access port.
US07726231B2	Utility pump A lightweight, inexpensive, corrosion proof, utility pump having a flexible member forming a sliding interference fit with a pump rod with the flexible member confined between a pump rod bushing and an end cap to prevent leakage and a method of converting an inexpensive utility pump from a leaking condition to a non leaking condition without having to modify the existing components of the utility pump.
US07726227B2	Base for a paper punch and method of forming same A method of forming a base (118) for a paper punch (154) is disclosed as including the steps of (a) providing a cast iron core (102) with a wall (104) and a plate (106) with a hole (108); (b) providing two generally U-shaped cast iron plates (110); (c) positioning the plates (110) spaced apart from and on opposite sides of the core (102); and (d) insert-molding the core (102) and plates (106) with a plastics material, e.g. ABS.
US07726226B2	Trimming apparatus operable in auto mode or manual mode The present invention relates to a trimming apparatus operable in an auto mode or a manual mode. The trimming apparatus include a cutter frame, a transmission belt, a motor, a clamping element, a switch and a mode-switching unit. By adjusting the mode-switching unit to control clamping element to clamp or release the transmission belt, the trimming apparatus 100 is operated in either the auto mode or the manual mode.
US07726225B2	Miter saw having holder fixing mechanism A miter saw includes a base section on which a workpiece is mounted, a saw blade section supporting a circular saw blade having a rotation axis extending in a lateral direction, a holder shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, a holder tiltable about the holder shaft, two parallel guide bars disposed slidable with respect to the holder and extending toward the rotation axis, a support segment fixed to the guide bars and supporting the saw blade section, a pivot shaft disposed between the saw blade section and the support segment and extending in parallel with the rotation axis so that the saw blade section is pivotable about the pivot shaft, and a holder fixing mechanism that fixes a tilting posture of the holder and includes an operation member supported to the holder and having a rotatable shaft passing through a space between the two guide bars.
US07726222B2	Rolled media cutting device A cutting device comprises a support to hold a roll of rolled media, a surface upon which the media is unrolled, and first and second cutting guides, each oriented substantially perpendicular to the media's unrolling path and supporting first and second cutters. The first cutter is movably supported by the first cutting guide and is capable of cutting the rolled media substantially parallel to the unrolling path. The second cutter is movably supported by the second cutting guide and is capable of cutting the rolled media substantially perpendicular to the unrolling path. The cutting device further includes a computing system to calculate the amount of rolled media to be dispensed and how best to cut the rolled media.
US07726221B2	Food dicer A dicing tool having: a foodstuff holder for holding a block of foodstuff and a cutting base; the cutting base having: a rectangular framework for sliding the foodstuff holder therealong; a first part having an triangular shaped front edge, equally spaced triangular cutting blades being arranged in a triangular arrangement that follows the profile of the triangularly shaped front edge; a handle; a second part having a second upper surface and a right front edge and a left front edge arranged in a deep V shape, with continuous blades attached to the right and left front edges; wherein the second upper surface is always parallel to the first surface and can be slidingly reciprocated between an upper position and a lower position where the horizontal blade is substantially on a level with the first surface and the base of the triangular cutting blades.
US07726216B2	Structural component, in particular a lubricating component A structural component, especially a shielding component, has structural parts (10, 12, 14, 16, 18) at least in part differently configured with respect to their surface extent and/or the directional pattern. At least one structural part (10) of a first type is provided with a curvature and with a longitudinal orientation. Structural parts (12) of a second type at least in part follow that curvature. Since the structural part (10) of the first type is designed as a shell and since the structural parts (12) of the second type are combined in pairs into groups (20, 22) and extend transversely to the longitudinal orientation of the structural part (10) of the first type, the edge area is strengthened by an additional structural part. The additional structural part is an integral component of the shielding body and does not need mounting-bracket parts positioned on the edge side.
US07726212B2	Hybrid manual-electronic pipette A hybrid manual-electronic pipette combines a manually driven piston with real-time electronic measurement of liquid volume and piston displacement while compensating for both pipette-specific and pipette model-specific variations. The hybrid nature of the pipette facilitates increased accuracy and improved ease of use, and enables additional functionalities not practicable with traditional manual pipettes.
US07726211B2	Scent evidence collecting and transfer device An improved scent transfer device for collecting evidence at a crime scene. The device comprises a gas cartridge coupled to an air valve. A holder having a sterile pad positioned therein is secured to one end of a housing containing said air valve by locking protrusions. When gas from the cartridge is expelled into the air valve, a vacuum is created at the end of where the pad holder is attached when a switch is pressed, enabling a user to collect the scent on the pad. The pad can then be removed and stored in an evidence bag. An extension member which locks into the holder can be utilized to extend the capabilities of the device.
US07726204B2	Heat signal writing device A heat signal writing device forming a clear writing pattern of a heat signal is provided. A heat signal writing device 10 for writing a heat signal in a medium traveling through a channel, which is secured to an appropriate position on the channel through which the medium flows, includes a Peltier element 11 for writing the heat signal having a temperature change according to a desired pattern by heating or cooling; a channel supporting member 12 shaped as a pyramid formed of a heat conductive material and having a bottom surface in close contact with a surface of the Peltier element 11, the tip of the pyramid being in direct contact with the channel 1; a heat sink 13 in close contact with another surface of the Peltier element 11; and a heat-resistant cover for covering the periphery of the Peltier element 11, excluding a channel contact surface 12a at the tip, and the channel supporting member 12.
US07726202B2	Tertiary mode vibration type coriolis flowmeter A tertiary mode vibration type Coriolis flowmeter includes a flow tube, a drive device driving the flow tube, and a pair of vibration detecting sensors detecting a phase difference in proportion to a Colioris force acting on the flow tube. The drive device drives the flow tube by bending vibration in a tertiary mode. The flow tube further comprises an approximately loop-shaped body part. A pair of parallel leg parts deflected in a direction approximately orthogonal to the vibrating direction of both end parts of the body part, namely, to the outside of the both end parts are formed continuously with the both end parts of the body part. Fixed end parts supporting the flow tube are formed at the leg parts.
US07726201B2	Triple redundancy vortex flowmeter system A system includes a first shedder that is at least partially disposed in a fluid conduit and that generates vortices within the fluid conduit, a first flow sensor system that is responsive to the vortices generated by the first shedder and a second flow sensor system that is responsive to the vortices generated by the first shedder. The system further includes a second shedder that is at least partially disposed in the fluid conduit, that generates vortices within the fluid conduit, and that is separated from the first shedder by a distance. A third flow sensor system is responsive to the vortices generated by the second shedder.
US07726199B2	Dielectrostrictive sensor for measuring deformation An apparatus and method directed to a solid-state capacitance sensor for measuring a strain force on a dielectric including at least one pair of electrostriction sensors each sensor having at least two electrodes and each having a central axis. The central axes are disposed in a common plane and are oriented substantially mutually perpendicularly to one another. Preferably, at least two pairs of sensors, forming a rosette, are provided to facilitate multi-component analysis of a sample having dielectric properties under stress/strain.
US07726197B2	Force sensor package and method of forming same A low cost force sensor package and a method of forming such a package. The force sensor has a housing or package, such as a surface mount technology package (SMT), and a piezo resistive silicon die, or other force sensing element, carried on the housing or package. An actuator is operably coupled to the force sensing element for transferring force to the sensing element in response to receiving a force from an external source. The force sensing element is configured to sense the external force and generate an output signal representing the force. A signal conditioner is also carried on the housing for receiving the output signal. When the signal conditioner is electrically coupled to the force sensing element, the signal conditioner can condition the output signal and generate a conditioned output.
US07726193B2	Electromagnetic acoustic transducer with cross-talk elimination The electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) transducer disclosed herein is useful for the non-destructive analysis of objects. The transducer comprises a core having a winding and a coil disposed between the core and the object to be analyzed. One transducer can be used as a transmitter and another transducer as a receiver. Then selectively switching static magnetic field in either transmitter or receiver and processing data with and without static magnetic field allows for eliminating artifacts due to parasitic coupling between the transmitter/receiver pair. The switching of the static magnetic field can be implemented either by using electromagnet or a pair of permanent magnets where magnetization of one permanent magnet is reversed to provide cancellation of the static magnetic field.
US07726191B2	Method and apparatus for ultrasonic testing of an object A method for ultrasonic testing of an object, wherein at least one test moment an ultrasonic test signal (S1, S2) is transmitted into the object (2), while after a particular verification period (Δt1, Δt2) measured from said test moment, an ultrasonic verification signal (S1′, S2′) is transmitted into the object (2), a possible echo of said test signal (S1, S2) being received from said object (2) at a particular first measuring moment, the possible echo being accepted as being the echo (E1, E2) of said test signal (S1, S2) only when the echo (E1′, E2′) of the verification signal is received at a particular second measuring moment. In addition, the invention provides an apparatus, evidently intended and designed for carrying out such a method and a use of such an apparatus.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10